How 2 Create a Jazzy Art Deco Bedroom in 6 Easy Steps

This article contains information and tips to help you create your little piece of Art Deco style. The colours, patterns, designs, furniture styles and decorative detailing of the Art Deco era will be revealed. Added to this are lists of where to find more information and suppliers of Art Deco items. If you follow the 6 easy steps you can easily put together your Art Deco master piece.

During the Art Deco era interior design was a main focus. Smooth surfaces, exotic materials and repeated geometric forms characterise this style. The style became part of the ‘Swinging Twenties’ part of the ‘Jazz Age’.

Tip: Read through the whole article before you start following the steps

Step 1:  Know what makes Art Deco different from Art Nouveau

Art Deco is a jazzy style with straight lines, geometric and abstracted shapes used in buildings, furniture and decorative details. This is the main difference from the earlier Art Nouveau style with its flowing lines, organic curved rounded forms, fantasy themes and gentle pastel colours. In comparison Art Deco is bold, colourful, showy and dramatic.

Tip: Look for

• Straight lines

• Geometric shapes

• Abstract patterns

• Egyptian scarab

• Sun Motifs

• Stepped ziggurat shapes

• Fan shapes

• Aztec symbols

• Stylised flowers

Step 2: Become familiar with examples of Art Deco design

You can do this from the comfort of your computer desk. Just use the information below to inform your research. This is the easiest way, but you can also visit your local library or you can research in your local area.

Tip: An easy way to find visual information is to do a Google image search. Please note some images labeled as Art Deco are in fact Art Nouveau

In France

• Emile –Jacques Ruhlmann a leader of French interior design and furniture design between 1918 – 1925

• Paul Iribe

• Andre Groult

• Neuilly Villa designed 1929 by Pierre Legrain

• Eileen Gray in 1920 designed Suzanne Talbot’s apartment

Art Deco USA

Design in the USA was Influenced by French Art Deco after the 1925 Paris exhibition. The Americans loved the bright surfaces and abstract patterns of the style. The 1933 World’s Fair ‘Century of Progress’ in Chicago saw many Art Deco motifs, designs and shapes used for example the rising sun motif and stepped ziggurat.

Ely Jacques Kahn designed Art Deco skyscraper entrance lobbies

• Bricken Building

• Chrysler Building

• Empire State Building

• Banking Hall of the Irving Trust Company

Step 3: Select floor covering

For a bedroom plain wall to wall fitted carpet would be an excellent choice. This was a popular floor treatment of the time. Although geometric patterns and Sarouk Persian or Turkish carpets in geometric or floral salmon pink were popular in the States. In Britain large repeat patterns in soft muted colours (similar to William Morris designs) were used in hotels and on ocean liners.

French carpets were formal in style with highly stylised floral designs. Brilliantly coloured carpets with abstract patterns were used in theaters and department stores in the US and France.

Animal skin floor rugs could also be used in your bedroom. Zebra skin rugs were popular and placed over the plain carpets. Linoleum continued to be popular as did parquet floors.

Tip: What you choose for the floor will influence all your other choices. Remember this when you make your selection.

Art Deco Floors:

• Plain

• Geometric

• Zebra skin

• Persian

• Turkish (Sarouk)

Carpets Available in Art Deco Style

Stark’s Navarre design

Stark’s Laseine design

Bosanquet’s Ives trellis design

Axminster Carpets’ Honeycomb design

Step 4: Select the wallpaper and paint colours

You may want to create a modern styled room with an Art Deco twist or create a room to reflect a real impression from the Art Deco times. Strong colours were used as a reaction to the pastels of the Art Nouveau style. However colours did vary between countries and the decades of the Art Deco era.

In a bedroom green, ultramarine, sea green or deep blue could create a peaceful retreat. But black, red, crimson, burnt orange or hot pink could create a dramatic bold statement. Or a sophisticated elegant atmosphere could be created by using white on white, cream, coffee, beige, bluff or chocolate brown.

Tip: Some colours work better in a bedroom. Greens and blues are said to decrease the heart rate. Reds and oranges are said to stimulate and increase the heart rate.

Art Deco colours

• Chocolate brown

• Red

• Black

• Hot Pink

• Beige

• Coffee

• White on White

• Ultramarine

Walls, ceilings and woodwork were often smooth and sometimes glossy. Wallpapers were also popular. If you want drama and excitement in your scheme then wallpapers with bold geometric, Egyptian or Aztec motifs in vibrant colours would achieve this.

The wallpaper designs of the 1930′s could create a sophisticated elegant look. The tea stained colours heighted with silver or gold would create a rich, smart interior space.

A truly feminine room could be created using one of the many Art Deco floral design wallpapers. Or a classic modern Art Deco look could be achieved by using geometric patterns in cubist like designs.

Wallpaper

• Stylised Flowers

• Stripes

• Geometric

• Egyptian motifs

• 1930′s (tea stained colours highlighted with silver or gold)

Wallpaper Sources

Bradbury and Bradbury’s Glasgow Panel

G.P. & J. Baker’s Rose & Hummingbird

Step 5: Select the Furniture

The interiors of the Art Deco era housed furniture with straight (sometimes curved) clean lines. To create a classic modern room glass and chrome could be used. Lacquered furniture was also popular at this time so could be used to create an elegant sophisticated style.

Exotic timbers could be used to create bold statements and rooms with a sense of drama. Upholstery was often designed in geometric patterns, but plain fabrics were often used. Large tasseled cushions of varying shapes covered with sumptuous fabrics were popular. Using cushions in this manner would create a more informal look.

Tip: It is best to make the final choice on paint colour selections after the furniture has been selected

Furniture

• Chrome

• Glass

• Veneered exotic timbers

• Lacquered: Black, Scarlet, Pale yellow

Step 6: Select Art Deco Accessories

Ornaments were sparsely used during the Art Deco period. The classical minimal modern look was starting to have an impact at this time and influenced Art Deco design. The stepped profile is considered the shape of the Art Deco era. Abstracted fans, sunrise and Egyptian motifs were also popular.

Lamps with female figurers holding a ball are a well known icon of the Art Deco era. Also cushion were used in strongly coloured rooms, often black and red with red lacquer-work furniture and China pagoda lamps.

So what could you use to finish off your Art Deco room? Fan design table lamps or a girl with a ball lamp could be used with sleek lacquered furniture or with exotic timber or glass and chrome pieces.

A mirror in a fan or step design would work well with most furniture designs. Art Deco interiors rarely displayed paintings however murals were sometimes used. Ornaments in bronze and other metals of the female or animal form were in vogue at this time so could make a nice addition to your Art Deco bedroom.

Tip: One piece of Art Deco; a lamp, piece of furniture or wallpaper could be the starting point of your interior decorating scheme. Everything else selected should then relate to that object.

This article has illustrated there are three main themes you can use to create your bedroom in an Art Deco style.

You could create:

• A bold dramatic room with strong colours, bold geometric patterns and exotic timber furniture.

• Or secondly you could create a classic modern style using chrome and glass furniture, abstract patterns and muted or neutral colours with strong contrast.

• Or a luxurious sophisticated room could be created using lacquered furniture, subtle patterns and tea stained coloured wallpaper with silver or gold stripes.

That is not to say you can’t mix some of the items from each style to create a really individual take on Art Deco. The important thing to remember when creating an Art Deco room; the motifs, patterns and designs are basically the same. I will be writing a series on Art Deco on my Sample Board Online blog http://blog.sampleboardonline.com I invite you to visit. It will be loaded with information and images.

Some Art Deco Sources

USA

Modern Gallery French & American Art Deco

Art Deco Collection

Art Deco Rugs

UK

Antique Suppliers and Reproduction Suppliers Directory

Rupert Cavendish Antiques

The Art Deco Home

Australia

Art Deco Online Store

Art Deco World

About the Author

Rosena works as an interior design, retail and visual merchandising tutor for Australian College QED. She I has also worked for the Retail Traders Association of Victoria as a Retail Trainer. Rosena has a Diploma in Interior Design, Post Graduate Diploma in Public and Community Health and is a qualified trainer. She also works as an interior design consultant, creates designer art work and is the Australian partner of Sample Board Online a new cool free interior design presentation tool.

Scene by Donna Ricco Short Sleeve Dress

ORIGINAL ART Decorator ABSTRACT BEIGE POPPIES Lynne Pickering 51029 commission $387.79

ABSTRACT green beige area rug 2×8 CONTEMPORARY runner : Actual 1′ 11″ x 7′ 4″ $24.80

J.T. BECKETT Silk NECK TIE Burgundy, Blue, Beige, Teal ABSTRACT GEOMETRIC 4″ $17.84

Beige Cream Modern Ivory Abstract 6×8 Area Carpet Rug $59.99

Red Beige Abstract Area Rug 4×6 Contemporary Carpet – Actual 3′ 3″ x 5’2″ $34.99

ABSTRACT modern BEIGE area rug 6×8 CONTEMPORARY carpet : Actual 5′ 3″ x 7′ 10″ $67.20

ABSTRACT green beige area rug 2×3 CONTEMPORARY carpet : Actual 1′ 10″ x 3′ $19.99

MODERN clay TAN beige carpet 6×8 ABSTRACT area RUG : Actual 5′ 3″ x 7′ 2″ $100.00

beige ABSTRACT area rug 8×11 BLOCKS squares MODERN : Actual 7′ 10″ x 10′ 10″ $152.00

ABSTRACT beige MODERN 2×3 area rug STRIPED carpet : Actual Size 1′ 10″ x 3′ $29.60

Red Beige Abstract Area Rug 6×8 Contemporary Carpet – Actual 5 ’3″ x 7′ 2″ $69.99

Berber Brown Beige Abstract Modern 6×8 Area Carpet Rug $59.99

Abstract beige VELOUR throw 50″ x 60″ MODERN blanket : Actual 50″ x 60″ $37.60

KT Classics~White Beige & Green Abstract Palm Print Tank Top~Womens size S~NWT~ $7.99

ABSTRACT green beige area rug 6×8 CONTEMPORARY carpet : Actual 5′ 3″ x 7′ 10″ $67.20

beige ABSTRACT cream area rug 2×8 BLOCKS squares runner : Actual 1′ 11″ x 7′ 4″ $24.80

beige ABSTRACT cream area rug 2×3 BLOCKS squares carpet : Actual 1′ 10″ x 3′ $19.99

MODERN clay TAN beige carpet 8×11 ABSTRACT area RUG : Actual 7′ 10″ x 10′ 6″ $244.00

GREEN beige MODERN area rug 2×8 ABSTRACT blocks runner : Actual 1′ 11″ x 7′ 4″ $24.80

Terracotta Orange Ivory Black 5×7 Beige Abstract Area Rug Contemporary new 1052 $120.00

7 YDS JACQUARD UPHOLSTERY FABRIC HEAVY ABSTRACT DESIGN GRAYS AND BEIGE $45.00

GREEN beige MODERN area rug 2×3 ABSTRACT blocks carpet : Actual 1′ 10″ x 3′ $19.99

Orange Black Beige Brown 5×7 Modern Contemporary Abstract Area Rug Carpet 9332 $99.99

ABSTRACT green beige area rug 8×11 CONTEMPORARY carpet : Actual 7′ 10″ x 10′ 10″ $152.00

Burgundy Beige Green Ivory 8×11 Modern Abstract Contemporary Carpet Large 1104 $199.99

NEW Womens Speedo 1 Pc Brown And Beige Abstract Swimsuit Bikini Sz 14/ XL $27.99

Red Beige Abstract Area Rug 6×8 Contemporary Carpet – Actual 5 ’3″ x 7′ 2″ $69.99

JOSEPH ABBOUD MAROON TAN BEIGE GREEN ABSTRACT LINE DIAMOND SILK NECK TIE $6.99

J JERRY GARCIA BEIGE TAN MAROON GREY YELLOW ABSTRACT SWIRL MENS SILK NECK TIE $6.99

LANDS END BLACK YELLOW GREEN RED BEIGE WHITE ABSTRACT SQUARE MENS SILK NECK TIE $6.99

J JERRY GARCIA FINE ETCHING GREEN NAVY BLUE RED BEIGE ABSTRACT SILK NECK TIE $6.99

ROBERT TALBOTT OMAGGIO DARK PURPLE BEIGE BLUE BRONZE ABSTRACT MENS SILK NECK TIE $6.99

COCKTAIL COLLECTION GREEN BLUE BEIGE KHAKI CHECKERED ABSTRACT MENS SILK NECK TIE $6.99

COCKTAIL COLORS SCOTCH BROWN BEIGE TAN BLACK GREY ABSTRACT SWIRL SILK NECK TIE $6.99

Vtg DOUBLE LAYER NYLON Scarf Sheer ABSTRACT ART Beige $12.00

Beige Abstract Rug (5′ x 7’6) $90.09 This unique abstract beige rug features vivid colors in a stylish pattern to accent any room. The rug is constructed of durable materials so you can enjoy the rug for many years to come.

Indoor Beige Abstract Rug (1’10 x 7’6) $40.79 This machine-woven rug features a stunning abstract pattern. This rug has a durable stain resistant construction that emphasizes many colors including beige, green, red, blue and orange.

Indoor Beige Abstract Area Rug (7’10 x 10′) $193.79 A unique abstract design highlights this machine-woven rug. This rug features durable, stain-resistant polypropylene construction and shades of beige, blue, green and orange.

Beige Abstract Rug (8’2 x 10′) $164.89 Machine-woven of durable polypropylene, this rug features a vibrant abstract. Rich hues of brown, red, green and gold complete this beige floor rug.

Beige Abstract Rug (5′ x 7’6) $68.84 Machine-woven of durable polypropylene, this rug features a vibrant abstract. Rich hues of brown, red, green and gold complete this beige floor rug.

Beige Abstract Rug (5′ x 8′) $82.44 This area rug is made of nylon and features a 0.75-inch pile height. This rug is beige and displays a unique abstract pattern.

Hand-tufted Gold/Beige Abstract Rug (5′ x 7’6) $163.19 Add a feeling of warmth to your home decor with this gold and beige abstract rug. This rug features a plush 0.375 inch pile.

Indoor Beige Abstract Rug (2’6 x 7’9) $41.64 This multi-colored abstract pattern brings unique style to this machine-woven rug. Durable stain resistant construction is featured in this rug with a rainbow of colors including beige, red, brown, gold, and green.

Beige Abstract Rug (5′ x 7’6) $84.99 Machine-woven of durable polypropylene, this rug features a striking abstract pattern. Rich hues of blue, green, red and brown complete this rug.

Beige Abstract Rug (3’10 x 5’5) $57.79 Machine-woven of durable polypropylene, this rug features a stunning abstract pattern. Rich hues of green, red, blue and orange complete this beige floor rug.