Sleek silver serving sets were a common element in art deco design.
The 1920s was a decade of peace and prosperity for the U.S. At the turn of the 20th century, the Arts and Crafts movement in architecture and interior design prevailed, but this style began to give way to art deco and revivalist styles. In this same era, the roots of the style that is now called "modern" began to take hold.
Art Deco
The art deco design exhibits a mix of European, African and Oriental artifacts, a broad spectrum of color and geometric shapes. Influenced by such events as the discovery of King Tut's tomb and the 1925 Paris Exposition, art deco decor is characterized by the eclectic mix of traditional and modern. Typical of art deco design is gold walls, painted tiles, bold patterned rugs and wood floors played against fabrics printed in geometric patterns, modernist paintings and artifacts collected from world travels. Art deco design is defined by sleek lines, linear patterns and cool, smooth textures.
Revivalism
The same global influences in art deco also brought about an interest in past interior design styles, ranging from American colonial to Spanish revivalist. Architects of the time drew from the global pool to create updated versions of earlier architectural styles. America saw a surge of Tudor, Spanish mission and French eclectic designs as well as Colonial style homes.
The architecture inspired the interiors. Tudor homes are decorated in classical English design, complete with dark wood furnishings, large family portraits and oversize trestle tables. The Spanish mission enjoys painted cabinetry and tiles, pottery-filled kitchens and wrought iron furnishings padded with brightly-colored fabrics.
The French eclectic architecture inspired French country styles complete with whitewashed walls and blue trim and furniture painted in creamy whites. The American colonial style is reminiscent of the heavy tables and hard benches of early colonial times but updated with upholstery and earth tones in smooth, subtle shades.
Modern
In Germany, after World War I, the establishment of the Bauhaus School of Design started a movement toward the clean, almost harsh lines of early modern design, though it was art deco decor that was, at the time, considered modern.
The adherents to the Bauhaus School of Design, however, saw the marriage of industrialization and handcrafting as a cause for exhibition within design. The sleek lines prevalent in art deco were celebrated due to the manufacturing process. Nuts and bolts, joiners and stitching were as much a part of the design as the materials themselves.
The Bauhaus design concept was as much a political statement as it was a reflection of the industrial era. In America, the design concepts made their way into the home late in the decade but were not widely accepted. Few architects and designers employed the design, but the Bauhaus was to have its day.
By the early 1950s, modern design had taken hold in America and was considered the antithesis of traditional designs, such as art deco and revivalism.
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