Industrialization around the world brought mass production which meant the average working person could afford the elegant, lavish art deco style that only the rich could previously afford. Remnants of this period still exist in the architecture of large cities: The Chrysler Building and Radio City Music Hall are exemplary examples of the period. Thrift and antique shops sell art deco furniture, jewelry, clothing and dishes. Vintage art deco cars are coveted by collectors all over the world. Interior design reaped the biggest influence of the art deco era and you can easily recreate it with little cost in your twenty-first century home.

Characteristics of Art Deco Interior Design

When scavenging thrift stores, look for posters of the time period and mount them in black lacquered frames with glass. Look for accessories that are tall, thin and slightly curved; colored glass, shiny metal chrome, ivory or jade. Stained glass pieces and mirrors were popular in art deco. Rugs had geometric patterns and bold colors. Furniture displayed voluptuous curves and was often mirrored or lacquered. Nudes, foliage and stylized animals were common themes.

Choose velvet, chenille or mohair fabrics for that old art deco chair you found at the flea market. Include piping and trim and over stuff those chairs to achieve the curvy look. Bold geometric or flowered patterns are permissible in draperies and furniture.