WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?
DELIGHTFULLY
ART DECO With angles and curves, mirrors and mood lighting, this glamorous throwback sets hearts racing
THINKSTOCK
T
he magnificent opulence of art deco is such an enduring part of the American architectural experience that even if you’re not familiar with the details of the style, you’re guaranteed one thing: You’ll know it when you see it. From the iconic spire of New York City’s Chrysler Building to the Necco wafer-colored buildings of Miami’s South Beach district (and Miami Vice) to the lavish, mouth-watering sets of the 2013 film version of The Great Gatsby, art deco’s bold and stylized look catches the eye and the imagination. First emerging between the two World Wars, the art deco aesthetic combines the geometric, streamlined shapes of the forward-thinking Machine Age with swanky curves and gleaming metallics for an elegant, glamorous look. Art deco was a reaction to the flowing and flowery creations of nature-inspired art nouveau, which was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “In its own time, (art deco) was very modern compared to the dominant
styles that were more ornate,” says Nancy J. Ruddy, founding principal at CetraRuddy, a New York City-based architecture firm. Since founding the award-winning global firm with her husband, John Cetra, in 1987, Ruddy has guided the planning, programming and design for more than 20 million square feet of architectural and interior design work.
A ‘SPLENDIDLY INDULGENT’ STYLE Ruddy says that her clients who surrender to art deco’s allure share an appreciation for subtle beauty, get a thrill from history and love great art in all its forms. “The revival of interest in classic art deco interiors marks a new appreciation for the arts, vintage furnishings and patterns of the era, which are ‘splendidly self-indulgent,’ to quote (author and leading authority on art deco and art nouveau styling) Alastair Duncan,” Ruddy says. “Many people love the shapes and ornament that offer a crisp and angular feel. It’s very modern without being overly severe.” Art deco lends itself to urban apartments and condos as well as older
houses, especially those with gracefully arched doorways and subway tile floors. Even if your home is missing those details, you can indulge in an art deco redo of a powder room, library/ office, dining room or bedroom.
LEAVE GATSBY FOR THE SCREEN Such a redesign calls for an infusion of formality and glamour. You can interpret art deco in its traditional splendor, or just use it as a final flourish in a contemporary space. Balance masculine angles with feminine glitz; use a moody, neutral palette. (And don’t forget the bar cart; the deco age coincided with the secret excesses of the Prohibition era. Remember Gatsby’s parties, after all.) But be careful: An art deco home shouldn’t feel like an elaborate Hollywood production. In its most approachable form, the style should envelop you and your guests with subtlety and graciousness. “Do not make a stage set that looks like a period room or a 1920’s movie palace,” Ruddy says. “That can become overwhelming and something one would tire of over time.”
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