So what marks an Art Deco coffee table? They are not much different than the coffee tables you might see today. Common materials for Art Deco tables are wood and metal, though you can find the occasional glass table. Another innovation for this era was the use of Formica as a tabletop surface. Finding an intact Formica table top is rare though due to the fragility of the material.
In our current collection, our Art Deco style coffee tables are made of wood with metal accents, while our Mid-Century Modern pieces trend toward the use of glass with metal accents. Let's take a look at an example piece:
This is a modern German-made coffee table done in an French Art Deco style. The twin table surfaces are made of black lacquered wood, which is a staple of the era. The stacked tables are separated by galvanized chrome spheres. Reflective surfaces like lacquer and chrome are very common in Art Deco-style pieces. They helped capture the light off of early electrical lighting in the home like a jewel. Shining surfaces were seen as luxurious just like today.
This is an unusual piece due to the stacked design. Most modern pieces would have the top made of glass so you could see what was on the lower table. Considering the piece is only 13” high, it could conceivably be used as a foot rest if placed near a couch.
This piece is dated back to the 1940s and was made in France. It's very large for a coffee table at roughly 5 feet by 2.75 feet and standing at 14.5 inches tall. There is a lot of room under the table for legs, which could suggest this piece might have intended to evoke Eastern dining habits of kneeling at low tables. The piece uses contrasting bands of burled wood and black lacquer. This would serve as an excellent Art Deco game table for the family.
Burled wood is taken from damaged portions of trees. Each piece of burled wood has a different grain pattern, and this uniqueness was highly sought. Skillfully using burled wood pieces in a pleasing design was a sign of a craftsman's art.
Browse our catalog to see other examples of Art Deco coffee tables and cocktail tables that could serve as centerpieces for your living room or den. Even a modern reconstruction can serve to make a strong statement about your love for Art Deco and luxury.
]]>Cuban preservationists have been doing their best to keep the buildings from rotting away. One reason they've lasted so long is that Cuba locked down the building of any new construction unless absolutely necessary due to the scarcity of materials. With the embargo beginning to lift and tourism starting again, Cuba will be faced with a choice. Do they take the time to restore their old architecture or tear it down for more modern construction? Obviously, we hope that they take the former tactic. It can be done, and another place full of Cuban immigrants has shown it can work. Miami Beach is home to a huge collection of Art Deco buildings that fell into neglect in the 1970s and 1980s. They were renovated and now the Art Deco district is a booming tourist attraction. Indeed, parts of Havana have long been recognized as worthy of restoration. If you are a fan of Art Deco, consider a trip to Cuba once travel restrictions are lifted. Spread awareness of the treasures that have been locked away all this time. And who knows, perhaps we'll make a trip ourselves and see if there are pieces of Art Deco furniture just waiting to enter our Miami showroom!
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When you walk into an Art Deco room, there is little that feels natural about it. Even the natural materials which are used, like exotic woods, are transformed into inlays and patterns that no natural designer could reproduce. The use of unusual materials is also a highlight of the Art Deco period. While we still use glass and wood for interior decorating, more unusual materials like zebra or shark skin, lacquered wood, steel, and chrome were highly prized during this time. They were seen as novelties and as a new expression of modern society's power over nature. Lacquer and chrome were especially popular because they could catch the light of modern electric lighting and neon lighting, the latter of which was invented and popularized during this time..
Along the same vein, the use of strong geometric shapes and streamlining to emphasize man-made design were also a strong theme in Art Deco room design. This also extended to colors. You don't usually see strong black or white colors or the color of refined metals in nature. These were very popular in the Art Deco era. Charcoal grey and metallic blue were also popular interior colors.
Art Deco is also known for its excesses. A high amount of ornamentation was quite popular, usually in the use of chrome or overlapping geometric designs. When the Great Depression hit and air travel became possible, a sub-school of Art Deco called Streamline Moderne arose that toned down the ornamentation and turned to more aerodynamic shapes. The Bauhaus School, a German school of art and design that became prominent around the same time as Art Deco, took Art Deco's strong geometrical designs and tossed out much of the chrome and filigree to make very modern-looking structures. Much of later Modernist design around the world was heavily influenced by Bauhaus after many of the artists fled Nazi Germany, while Art Deco's exaltation of luxury and ornamentation died away due to the Great Depression and WWII.
The best way to start approaching an Art Deco room is by looking through antiques. Browse through our selection of Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern pieces today and see what ideas spark for you.
]]>This is an example of early Art Deco. It’s the interior of the Studium-Louvre office-library in Paris. The photo is dated to 1925. First, note the symmetry in the walls of the room. The center piece of statuary is flanked by identical windows and wood paneling that curves around the sides to two alcoves. The Art Deco desk and lounge chairs break the symmetry, likely for space and for lighting purposes. Note the French base on the feet of the desk.
This is the interior of an office in 1937 that was designed by Hedrich Blessing, a famous Chicago design company that was responsible for a lot of public awareness of Art Deco. Note the extensive use of wood and the highly geometric pattern on the walls along with the triangle wall sconce. The desk is a triple-sided partner desk that serves as the focal point for the symmetry in the room. Take a look at the matching chairs and rugs and the dual elements on the shelf in the rear of the photo. It’s uncertain what the floor is made of in the photo, but it could very well be linoleum, a new flooring type during this era.
This is the Union Terminal President’s Office in Cincinnati. The first thing that strikes you is the circular nature of the room, almost like the Oval Office. The second is the thoroughly decadent use of rich woods. Parquetry is used throughout, including an image of the building itself over the door on the left and an image of the US on the right. The circular nature of the room befits a President’s office. In this space it is the Art Deco desk and the President that form the element of symmetry that the room revolves around.
This is the interior of an office of the National Cash Register Company dated from 1939 by Samuel H. Gottscho. This company created the first cash registers powered by electric motors and developed one of the first automated credit systems. The company later became NCR and is still in existence today.
Again, we note the symmetry of the Art Deco period. The huge wooden arches serve to separate sectors of the space, with workers along the edges and a meeting space in the center. On the left looks like a small break area and the exit is to the right. Note the antique cash registers in the foreground. The whole room exudes a sense of solidity and permanency, a common feature in office architecture of the time.
Hopefully these images will help you in your planning of your Art Deco office. We have several office pieces in our showroom. Browse our catalog or contact us for more information.
]]>Art Deco office furniture still emanates prestige and power to those who see it, even in simple pieces. Here are a few examples from our current collection.
This is a circa 1932 Art Deco desk from Belgium. It’s a small desk at 28 x 59 x 30, perfect for a home office. Note the feet of the desk. This is called a French foot base. The deep curve gives an impression of strength in the feet of the desk. Chrome detailing is around the top and the cabinets, and the piece is covered in a slate high-lacquer finish.
Our current stock of chairs is are mostly suited for living rooms and dens. A solid black office chair would work well in any Art Deco-style office, preferably one that was from a high-class brand like Herman Miller. But if you wanted your visitors to rest in comfort, check out this armchair.
While it may be uncommon today in offices, sharing alcohol was a common thing to do among high-level executives. This is an example of a bar tray that could be found in an art deco office. The pieces of the bar tray are shaped to look like golden stalks of bamboo.
This is a modern French chair done in an Art Deco style. It features black upholstery, chrome-detailed swing armrests, and black lacquer finish. Lacquered furniture hit a high point during the Art Deco period. In an era of early electric lighting, having your furniture shine was a sign of luxury.
Speaking of light, here is an example of an unusual desk lamp. This is a 1930’s torchiere desk lamp. It has brass detailing and a beautiful ivory finish. It is a rather large piece at 15” high and 11” wide, but it does make a striking statement.
Imagine having all of these pieces together in your office. Wouldn’t that be something? We invite you to look at all of our current Art Deco office furniture pieces we have currently in stock. There is sure to be something there that impresses. We also have several Mid-Century Modern and Bauhaus pieces as well.
1 - http://www.sarahakwisombe.com/
This is a great blog all about interior design, not just Art Deco. Sara Hakwisombe helps her visitors figure out their own unique interior design for their homes.
2 - http://www.shanghaiartdeco.net/
Art Deco wasn’t just a European or American art movement. It was a worldwide shift in how we thought about design. Shanghai Art Deco talks about the history and the modernity of Art Deco and how it is expressed in China.
Chic-Deco is a famous blogger from Spain (now living in Australia) that writes about design in all its forms. Come learn about the Spanish side of Art Deco through her posts.
4 - http://retaildesignblog.net/tag/art-deco/
A side of design that many of us don’t consider is the design of retail spaces. These too can be done in an Art Deco style. You can find many examples at the Retail Design Blog.
5 - http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/
Yes, Art Deco also extended into the fashion of the times as well. Chronically Vintage explores the hobby of collecting and wearing vintage clothing of the early 20th century.
6 - http://www.decogirl.co.uk/blog/
Art Deco design didn’t just extend into buildings and furniture. It also extended into small jewelry pieces as well. Find out more about this side of Art Deco at Deco Girl, a UK blog that’s quite fun to read.
7 - http://www.artdeco-online.com/
Art Deco did start in France, and this French blog has a lot of good information about modern interpretations. Don’t read French? Google can translate it somewhat and the pictures need no explanation.
8 - http://decoration-ancientandmodern.com/
Decoration: Ancient and Modern is the musings of interior designer Thomas Jayne. It’s a rather personal blog, but he has fascinating posts, especially his House of Details series.
9 - http://thedecoratingdiva.com/
Here’s a blogger that talks a lot about Art Deco finds. The Decorating Diva talks about interior and exterior design on her blog, has a lot of wonderful photos of Art Deco design from around the world.
10 - http://antiquesdiva.com/blog
A popular European activity is to go on antique tours. Dedicated guides take you through a local area’s antique shops and explain the pieces. To get a taste of that, check out the posts on Antiques Diva.
11 - http://artdecoblog.tumblr.com/
Don’t knock it just because it’s a Tumblr blog. This blog has a wonderful showcase of all sorts of Art Deco-era materials, from short movies to jewelry, illustration, fashion, and furniture. If you just want to dive directly and experience the art form, this is a good place to visit.
12 - http://blog.art.com/
Of course we also need a blog from one of the best art history sites on the web! Art.com covers all of art history. Do a search on Art Deco or Art Nouveau (the predecessor to Art Deco that inspired it) and you’ll turn up quite a lot.
13 - https://marymiley.wordpress.com/
Finally, here is a blog that talks about the history of the Roaring Twenties. Any art movement is intimately wrapped up with historical trends. If you know the history you can appreciate the art that much more!
14 - http://www.wentworthstudio.com/blog/
This blog is the heart of Wentworth Studio, and they cover all types of furnishing and architecture styles, including the Art Deco style. It has excellent descriptions of a lot of art styles, providing great information and visuals about in-progress projects.
15 - http://retroranchrevamp.com/
Kate, Jim and the gang serve up some mid-century modern on this blog. They’ve got renovation on their minds, making sure that you keep the mid-century modern on yours. Check out their couch renovation - it’s super-duper.
<a href="http://artdecoantiques.
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At the time, we were in the beginnings of the Cold War and any sort of space flight was seen as just something in science fiction. It could be possible, but we weren't sure. Sputnik ushered in the Space Race, and a large fear about the Russians gaining military space capabilities beyond what the US could handle. The Soviets used ICBM technology to launch the satellite, and if they could put a satellite up into space that means they were well on their way to building a weapon that could hit anywhere on earth.
But a lot of that fear was mostly held by the political class. It didn't whip up into the so-called Sputnik Crisis until the media started to push it. Most people were awed at the achievement. Humans successfully put something up into space and it stayed up there! It could be done!
It didn't take long from there for designers to take the shape of the satellite and turn it into lighting. Sputnik chandeliers are a type of central lighting that uses a central orb with several arms sticking out of it. The ends either have lights or other decorative elements like crystals. Once the first few designs got out there was an explosion of creativity. You can even find new sputnik chandeliers today, though they are much more subdued than the ones from the period.
Here's an example of one from our collection. Here we have a brass orb with many arms, each with a colorful light fixture on the end of it. Sputnik chandeliers were meant to be objects of art, and were usually quite large for a light fixture. They would be hung in tall dining rooms or living rooms. The crazy layout of the arms is meant to evoke not just the satellite, but also images of nuclear power as well. The sputnik chandelier is a true icon of the Space Race era, and one that any Mid-Century modern home should think about installing in one room as a symbol of this important time in American history.
]]>Miami's history is tied up deeply with the Art Deco period. During the early 1900s, the entire area was still wetlands from the Everglades. Enterprising architects and developers decided to transform this area into playground for the rich, especially on the island that South Beach is on. Despite setbacks from hurricanes, the art deco districts continued to thrive all the way into the 1950s and 1960s.
Yet after that time, the prominence of these cultural treasures started to fade. Crime increased and many of the the buildings fell into disrepair. But the popularity of shows like Miami Vice and the efforts of the MDPL have now put Miami back on the map as a center of art and architecture.
The Design district has undergone a similar transformation. The location used to be an industrial section full of low-rise warehouses. These have been converted into a number of art galleries, retail spaces, and eateries. It is still undergoing major construction as new shops like ours get ready to open. There are currently over 130 businesses operating in the district, which lies near the many major neighborhoods in the city.
The area hopes to become a national center for the arts and fashion, full of high-end retailers and high-class restaurants. We're excited to be part of this booming sector of Miami's economy and arts culture. Once we open, you'll find many of the pieces you see on our website on display. Our staff will help you with any questions about history, provenance, or care of any of our fabulous Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern pieces. Watch this space for information about our full opening, and visit the Red Gallerie to get a sneak peek of what we have to offer.
]]>If you have a formal dining room in your home, it absolutely needs a sideboard to be complete, and we have several Art Deco-era sideboards in our current collection.
Let's take this piece first, a clearly Art Deco-era sideboard. How can we tell? First, the materials. The combination of black lacquer and chrome is a tell-tale sign that we are dealing with an item from this era. Note the strong geometric shape of each component, but with a central smooth curve to give it a bowed appearance. The edges of the cabinets, tabletop, and base are all lined with chrome. The extra parts on the end give more space in the side cabinets, but the extra chrome C's are purely to show off the beauty of the chrome.
This piece has been traced back to a Belgian manufacturer, and comes in a striking evergreen lacquer finish. Most sideboards will have two side cabinets and a larger central cabinet like the one in this picture. The feet of the sideboard are in black lacquer for contrast, and chrome is seen throughout. Note that despite having tiny chrome handles to open the doors, the designer also added two large chrome handles in a shape reminiscent of a chevron, a popular Art Deco motif.
This next piece is an exception to the standard design. This is a British Art Deco sideboard that has been traced back to circa 1932. While it still has two side doors, the designer decided to use a sliding panel for the central pocket. Note the rich exotic woods in the interior and on the exterior of the sliding panel, as well as the intricate bend of the doors to fit the curve of the feet. This piece is 23” deep, 65” wide, and 37” tall. Sideboards are designed to come up to waist height on most people.
Art Deco Antiques has a large variety of sideboards, credenzas, cocktail tables, and other pieces perfect for your dining room or bar. Browse our catalog to see a full selection of what we have to offer.
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Sputnik chandeliers became popular in the Mid-century modern period, which stretched roughly from 1950 to 1980. Here is an example of one that was designed by Bahaus in the 1960s. It features thirty hand-blown alabaster glass globes in three rings around a brass fixture. The piece is very large. It is 50” in diameter and 63” tall, so you need a very large space for it.
You can identify a sputnik chandelier by its general shape, a central fixture with lights spreading in all directions. They were inspired by the design of the Sputnik satellite with its central sphere and long antenna. Designs based on that were tightly linked with the era of the Space Race and all that it entails. The next picture shows an example from the 1950s.
This one is a combination between a sputnikchandelier and a spider chandelier. It features 36 lights with salmon, pearl, and mint accents on a brass frame. This is a very large piece that is 72” in diameter and 66” tall, perfect for a large space that needs a lot of light.
This is another 1960s sputnik chandelier that was designed in Germany. This one clearly shows the ball and spokes configuration inherent in sputnik design. Unlike the earlier examples, not every spoke has a light on the end. This atom-design has lights encased in the opaque glass globes while the smaller crystal spheres reflect the light around the room. This is a much smaller piece that's only 30.5” in both diameter and height, which would make it perfect for a dining room setting.
This last example is probably the simplest form you can make using the sputnik design. This is a pendant chandelier that uses the sputnik concept by using six glass globes in a circle around an aluminum holder. The fabric-coated cables hanging from the ceiling are an unusual touch for this design. By adjusting the lengths of the wires this piece could fit in several different locations in the home, even a bedroom.
These aren't the only sputnik chandeliers that we have in stock at Art Deco Antiques. We invite you to look through the rest of our lighting catalog for your next antique lighting accessory for your home. If you have any questions about the pieces, feel free to contact us before purchase.
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The throne of a business executive is their desk, and we have plenty of very beautiful art deco desks in our collection. Let's take a look at a few of them to examine the features.
This is an example of an art deco era partnerdesk designed by Bauhaus. Bauhaus was actually a competing school of design that flourished in Germany at the same time Art Deco was storming through France, but both found their expression in the business arenas in America. While complicated art deco decorations adorned buildings and offices, workspaces tended to be more Bauhaus.
Bauhaus is exemplified by clean geometric shapes, bare surfaces, and lots of clear space, which is perfect for a partnerdesk like this one. While an uncommon arrangement these days, a partnerdesk allows two people to work at the same desk, as seen in the photo. Extra decoration would get in the way of the day-to-day functions of work. Still, this is a very luxurious desk. The top is burled mahogany and the base is black lacquer with chrome highlights and fixtures.
An example of a purely art deco desk is this crescent desk. Unlike the very utilitarian Bauhaus desk above, this desk is almost all curves! While difficult to see in this photo, the color of the desk is a deep moss green.
An executive sitting behind the shorter curve could imagine their presence and power shooting through their desk in the sunburst pattern common in the art deco era. Modern workers might find the desk difficult to use because of the curves but it does project a striking image.
Of course there were also more utilitarian designs as well - like this art deco piece. This single person desk has chrome filigree along the legs and the edges of the table, plus chrome finishings on the doors. The two swing doors are reminiscent of a cocktail cabinet and the interiors hearken back to a time when paper was king and the computer hadn't even been invented yet. Putting this much chrome into something as practical as a desk is just another example of how the Art Deco era tried to put luxury into even the simplest items.
]]>What really popularized the coffee table was the television. By using a low table between the couch and the television, items could be placed on it without obstructing the view. All styles have been used for the coffee table, including Art Deco.
Here is an example from our current collection. This U-form pedestal base is a common feature in low tables from the period. Tables themselves naturally have a strong geometric shape, and the curved base adds a necessary contrast between smooth curves and bold lines for that Art Deco styling.
Note the detail on the edges of the pedestal base and the table top. This is called a burled edge. Burls are portions of damaged wood on trees. On a living tree it looks like a tumor, but when you cut one open, you can get amazing and unique patterns.
The base of the piece is coated in black lacquer, another common feature of Art Deco design. The top of the piece is covered with a lacobel glass topplate. Lacobel is a brand name for a particular type of colored painted glass that is quite sturdy.
This piece is immediately identifiable as a coffee table, but is from the Mid-Century Modern period. It can also be found in our collection. Unlike the previous example, there is plenty of room underneath for the feet of adults or for the legs of sitting children. Gone are the curves, replaced by sturdy metal and simple geometric designs. Whereas a coffee table may have served as a focal point for conversation in an Art Deco living room, by the Mid-Century Modern period the focal point had turned toward the TV.
To see more Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern coffee tables available for sale, please check out our website.
]]>Sputnik chandeliers are known by their very distinct arms. From a small ceiling fixture, a long arm drops down to hold a central element. From that central point, arms with lights at the end of them stick out in all directions. The size, materials, and symmetry of these pieces can vary quite a lot. Some have short arms and other are long. Metallic finishes are the rule but you can find many examples in bronze or silver. The arms radiating from a spherical center are reminiscent of the shape of the original Sputnik satellite.
For a person of the era, this design would have been seen as very futuristic, a further example of the celebration of progress that kicked off during the Art Deco period. These days, we may be more inclined to see them as simulating a starry night or as a figure of whimsy. There are modern variants such as the bubble chandelier, which uses strong symmetry and blown glass elements on the ends of the arms.
Unlike a lot of design from this period, sputnik chandeliers are unique enough that they don't seem kitschy or old-fashioned. It is important to choose the right size for the room though. A lamp that is out of proportion won't look good. Experiment by using foam balls and armature wire with clay on the tips to see how a piece might look in your room.
Here is an example of a sputnik chandelier. Note the large round center with the radiating arms. Some designs will only have a ring of lights parallel to the ceiling. This design has glass enclosures around the bulbs with chrome reflectors. The light from a sputnik chandelier can be quite unpredictable, but most are very bright!
Lest you think that this was only used in homes, here is an example of a sputnik chandelier used at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. It is a gigantic piece with many different armature elements but still retaining the classic sputnik design. If you are ever at the Met, a good seat in the cheap section could net you a chance to study these chandeliers in detail.
]]>Mirrored furniture is one of the hallmarks of the Art Deco period, and it is something we specialize in. These beautiful pieces add high elegance to any space, but they require special care to maintain their value and their aesthetic appeal. It isn't too complicated to maintain mirrored furniture, but there are a few tricks. Here is what you'll need to know after your purchase.
Dust is the main enemy of keeping your mirrored pieces looking as good as they did in the 1930s. While you may know the old trick of using newspaper and alcohol to clean a mirror, we suggest investing in some proper microfiber cloths and a non-solvent glass cleaner instead. Microfiber cloths won't scratch the surface of the mirrors, and a non-solvent cleaner will lower the chance of damaging any gilding or wood between the mirrored panels. Art Deco Antiques can advise you on suitable glass cleaners for your pieces.
At least once a week, spray a microfiber cloth with cleaner and wipe each panel carefully. Do not spray the piece directly to avoid damage to gilding or wood. After you're finished, take a clean microfiber cloth and run it over the entire piece.
While these pieces may be very heavy and look strong due to their design elements, care must be taken to ensure that nothing can hit the piece and cause damage. Make sure that your piece cannot get struck by any doors, recliner feet, or objects hanging above them. While mirrored coffee tables exist, it can be a real struggle to keep them safe if you use them day-to-day.
If your piece does develop chips or cracks, then speak with our restoration specialists for advice on how to repair your piece.
Another enemy of mirrors is sunlight and humidity. Direct sunlight is bad for most antiques to begin with, but humidity can be its own challenge. Excessive humidity will cause the mirrored surface to darken from oxidation, and can be difficult to reverse. If you have a piece meant for a bathroom this may be something you will have to live with. On the other hand, if a room is excessively dry it can cause the mirror finish to crack, especially if sunlight is involved.
Oxidation is also why you should never place anything hot on a mirrored surface. The heat can cause condensation on the other side of the mirror, which will oxidize the metal. Also, there is a possibility of glass fracturing due to heat stress. Always use coasters and placemats to protect your piece.
Art deco furniture with mirrors don't mix well with children and pets. Mirrors are a magnet for children's hands and pets will have no qualms about leaving paw prints all over your furniture. If your grandchildren are coming to visit, it may be wise to throw a quilt over your furniture.
A mirrored piece can be a focal point for an entire room. Follow these tips to protect your investment so it can last for decades to come.
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The Role of the Dining Room
Dining rooms were still seen as a very formal area of the home during the 1930s. Consequently, the designer must strike a balance between the luxurious and the ostentatious to provide the right tone. Too much decoration would distract from the dining experience, and would be seen as gaudy by people in the time period.
Focal Points
The focal point in an Art Deco dining room is the sideboard and the space above it. A sideboard is a low set of cabinets meant to store plates, cloths, and other dining room necessities. Most people don't use sideboards these days now that kitchens have more cabinets. Most people eat in front of the television rather than in formal dining areas, but if you do have a formal dining space a sideboard would be a good first purchase.
When placing a sideboard, try to place it in the center along the long wall of the room. Art Deco design values symmetry and your sideboard will define the two halves of the room. Above the sideboard is a place to put a single bold piece of art from the period. You can also choose a textile design. If you choose to install wall sconces, use lamps or hang mirrors along this wall to keep the design symmetrical.
Dining Tables and Chairs
Most dining room tables are rather plain compared to the sideboard due to their constant use. Few were inlaid and if one was, it was only in the center. Chairs could be upholstered on just the seat or cover the entire back. The important thing is to make sure the colors of the chairs match the colors of the table, and that there are enough chairs to maintain the symmetry of the room.
Textiles
Dining room rugs, window treatments, and tapestries were used, but they were used with care. As mentioned, a bold piece of textile serves as a great focal point, but if you use one there then other textiles such as your chair upholstery or your window treatments must be more subdued. As long as there is only one bold textile you'll keep the room from being too ostentatious.
Cocktail tables
The one new piece of dining room furniture that emerged during the Art Deco period was the cocktail table. Depending on the taste of the owner, these could be found in living rooms, dens, or even in formal dining rooms. Many cocktail tables from the period come in very unusual shapes. As there were no previous designs on this type of table, artists were able to let their imaginations run free in their creations.
Smallwares
While there was some experimentation in using Art Deco geometry in smallwares like plates and teapots, most designers quickly gave up these ideas because they were difficult to use. Your fine china will suffice for formal dining. Stainless steel flatware was first developed in this period and there are designs from the period that used Art Deco geometry on the stems.
With these design tips, you'll be well on your way in selecting the proper pieces for your Art Deco dining room.
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