1920s Furniture - Achieving Classic Art Deco Interiors

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( Above Photo: Vintage Art Deco Dresser 1930s Dressing Table Bedroom Furniture )

In 1925, Paris hosted the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, where artists, craftsmen, and furniture makers showcased their best designs. During that event, designs developing underground, way before the First World War, came to the fore sparking a new movement.

During the expo, Le Corbusier, a French designer and architect, wrote and published several articles titled: 1925 Expo Arts Deco, in which he lamented that the expo was too lavish and didn’t quite have decorative value.

There’s no gainsaying that the expo in Paris led to a whole new furniture style. However, it was not until 1966 – after Les Annees 25: Art Deco, Bauhaus, Stijl, Espirit nouveau, an exhibition by the Paris Museum of Decorative Arts, showcasing significant styles of the 1920s and 1930s – that the term “art deco” attained common usage as a decorative style.

For the remaining part of the 1920s, the art deco style had spread to most of the world, influencing architecture, visual arts, furniture design, jewelry, fashion, and manufacture of ships, cars, etc.; it became the preferred interior décor style throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

What Is 1920s Furniture?

( Above Photo: Art Deco Club Chairs Leather Arm Period 1930 )

The first of 1920s furniture specifically targeted members of the high society. The assumption was that commoners couldn’t afford luxurious furniture, so no one paid attention to them. However, furniture stores had not considered the attention the new furniture style would receive from the masses.

In the late 1920s, major Parisian department stores replaced their stocks of Art Nouveau furniture pieces with those made exclusively in Art Deco style. Customers could walk into a store and view coffee tables and bedrooms and kitchen furniture before making up their minds to buy.

Apart from their work as cabinet makers and artisans, designers also acted as architects, material, and lighting designers. They were capable of designing entire buildings, corporate offices, and homes. Notable designers include Paul Follot, Charles Picquet, Edgar Brandt, and Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann.

With 1920s furniture and other design elements, interior décor was never the same again. Today, art deco furniture is still in high demand. You can buy them either as original items or modern recreations.

Characteristics of 1920s Furniture

( Above Photo: Art Deco Double Bass Cabinet Chest Drawers Rosewood )

When it comes to appreciating and including urban trends in furniture design, nothing caused a revolution better than the art deco movement. It led to an iconic style that simplified how people designed furniture, while incorporating the best of the emerging industrial edge.

Lately, 1920s furniture has been making a comeback, with interior design specialists leveraging its simplistic look to revolutionize homes. This article discusses 1920s furniture in greater detail to help you know all about it. Keep reading for more information.

History of 1920s Furniture

( Above Photo: Vintage Art Deco Console Table Inlay Roaring Twenties )

1920s furniture was defined by bold colors, naturalistic motifs, geometric patterns, and sinuous outlines. In most cases, the furniture was meant for high-end customers with the money to spend on luxurious home décor. The crafting of the furniture was meticulous, resulting in refined chairs, tables, cabinets, etc.

Unlike designs from the past, art 1920s furniture was polished and decorated with Japanese lacquer for a uniquely shiny finish. Designers utilized exotic wood like ebony and mahogany, and materials like glass, wrought iron, and ivory to make the furniture.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the characteristics of the 1920s furniture:

1. Materials

( Above Photo: Period Art Deco Dressing Table 1930 Mirror Dresser )

During the 1920s, European powers had acquired colonies in most of the world. As part of the exports coming into Europe, exotic woods included ebony, zebrawood, lemonwood, and mahogany. However, given that the industrial revolution had just taken root globally, other materials used include metal, ivory, glass, and plastics.

2. Waterfall Furniture

( Above Photo: Art Deco Bedside Chest Nightstand Period 1930 Interiors )

One of the defining furniture styles of the 1920s is waterfall features. Essentially, waterfall furniture had rounded drops near the edges of the horizontal surfaces, which mimic flowing waterfalls. It is a popular style that took root in the 1920s and moved on to the 1940s. They included tables, cabinets, nightstands, and so on.

3. Marquetry

Marquetry is a technique that involves forming intricate designs and geometric bandings from ivory, ebony, satinwood, or boxwood. 1920s furniture features various marquetry designs, including flowers, acanthus leaves, sunbursts, and geometric shapes like triangles, squares, etc.

4. Lacquer

For 1920s furniture, designers applied lacquer in several coats to create a more attractive and delicate finish. The purpose was to give the furniture a smooth sheen and timeless look. Apart from painting, some furniture pieces were japanned.

5. Upholstery

In addition to the fabrics used in previous eras, 1920s furniture designers used rich leather on sofas, club chairs, and armchairs. Not only did the chairs transform the spaces where they were used, but were also comfortable and more durable. In the case of club chairs, designers included square tapered legs, rolled arms, and tight back design.

How to Decorate with 1920s Furniture

Before you can decorate with 1920s furniture, you must first acquire it. With genuine 1920s furniture, you’ll have an opportunity to transform your home into one of the most popular styles of the last century. Alternatively, you can choose a piece of furniture made from ash, maple, walnut, or ebony for deeper color. It could be a simple cabinet with unmissable geometric designs and inlays.

Besides, you can also get a sofa, armchair, or club chair. Rich leather upholstery was preferred by 1920s designers and can completely turn around your space. Ideally, the leather should be black or brown to complement the other elements of 1920s design. Other elements include sleek materials, geometrically shaped lighting fixtures, and mirrors.

In Conclusion,

( Above Photo: Art Deco Desk Bureau Plat Inlay Interiors )

It seems like the 2020s is the right time to bring back the best of the 1920s. Whether you want to experiment with your home’s interior décor or you are a collector looking for unique century-old furniture, going back to the 1920s could be the right decision.

You can get original 1920s furniture pieces or recreations and use them to turn your home into an ideal living space. If you’re wondering where to get these furniture pieces, do a simple search online or visit brick and mortar stores. You can never be disappointed.