Spotlight On: Art Deco Lighting
One of the most enduringly popular interior design styles is, of course, Art Deco - a truly stunning and elegant design aesthetic that first came to the fore during the Roaring 20s and which, since then, has gone on to become synonymous with luxury, glamour and refinement.
The style itself is characterised by sharp geometric lines and angles, soft curves, simple graphics and ornamentation - a true celebration of modernity. Materials used in the creation of Art Deco home furnishings included the likes of glass, chrome, the newly developed Bakelite, wrought iron, brass and so on.
Where Art Deco light fittings are concerned, the 20s and 30s was a time of great change, with the rise of electric lights helping to create and establish new design ideas and concepts.
Because lightbulbs were a lot brighter than before, with technological advancements happening all the time, it meant that lampshades needed to evolve alongside to help diffuse the light - which certainly contributed to the famed Art Deco look.
Popular styles emerging for lighting included glass panels to obscure the bulb, stepped fan details and faceted forms, ornate etched glass, slipper-style shades and cascading tiered large-scale fixtures. Streamlined designs were the order of the day, making them perfect for use in the home and characterised by clean lines and minimal detailing.
Of course, there’s also the High Art Deco aesthetic that might be of interest if you’re keen to really bring a sense of the dramatic to your home interiors. Lighting in this style was always big and bold, typically seen in the foyers of hotels and theatres, featuring geometric and botanical motifs, as well as high-quality materials.
Come the 1930s, Art Deco really was all the rage, with inspiration sought from European and French lighting. However, as World War II took hold, restrictions on materials and manufacturing led to the use of more glass and less detailing, which ultimately gave rise to the industrial design movement that came in the 40s.
If you’re looking for even more inspiration for your Art Deco interiors, check out designers like Paul Poiret and Jacques-Emiles Rhulmann, as well as Edgar Brandt and Daum Freres. You’re sure to come away with all sorts of great ideas for your home.