Art Deco Revival: Using Patterned Tiles to Recreate the Glamour of the Past
The sleek, bold designs of the Art Deco era in the 1920s embodied a spirit of luxury and innovation that epitomized the post-war period. Characterized by geometric patterns, metallics, and vibrant hues, Art Deco symbols like chevrons and zigzags exuded a futuristic feel that was lightyears ahead of its time.
Today, homeowners seeking to channel the glamor and excitement of this bygone architectural movement are rediscovering the transformative power of decorative tiles. Strategically placed patterned tiles allow current residents to tap into the timeless trendiness of Art Deco style without a complete renovation. Whether accenting a kitchen backsplash or dressing up bathroom walls, integrating Victorian floor tiles at hyperiontiles.co.uk can make your home more luxurious.
Read on as we dive into the world of Art Deco and how you can integrate patterned tiles to make your home more luxurious.
Historical Overview of Art Deco
Art Deco emerged after World War 1 in Paris in the 1920s-1930s. It marked a shift to more modern styles instead of flowers and nature from the Victorian era before. The name comes from an exhibition in 1925 showing a new design.
Artists were inspired by Cubism and Futurism art movements. Deco designs featured straight lines and geometric shapes like triangles, waves, and chevrons instead of curvy flowers. Buildings like the Chrysler Building in New York had flashy metal styles with sets of stairs on the outside.
Inside buildings and homes, furniture and decorations had shiny materials like wood, marble, and pearls in geometric patterns. Clothes became sleeker, with loose dresses and straight silhouettes for women. Art Deco spread styles worldwide and changed what modern architecture, interior design, and fashion looked like with its stylized geometric motifs. It made an impact through the 1920s and 1930s as a trendsetting avant-garde aesthetic.
The Resurgence of Art Deco
Today’s tile makers have reignited enthusiasm by embedding Deco motifs into durable modern materials like polished concrete and glass mosaics. Bold blocks of graphic prints and gleaming metals bring Deco’s futuristic visions into the present.
While honoring the originals, innovative designs also infuse a playful sense of whimsy that contemporary tastes demand. Even commercial spaces have taken note – outfitting lobbies, restaurants, and retail outlets with tiles that channel the exuberant fantasy of Deco’s golden age.
Patterned Tiles in Art Deco Design
Art Deco design prominently features stylized patterned tiles that reflect the geometric and often eclectic nature of the style.
Common tile patterns found in Art Deco design include:
1. Chevron Patterns
Tiles featuring hard-edged zigzags and triangles are commonly used to define floor borders or accents on walls. The dynamic chevron shapes reinforce the angular forms central to the Art Deco style.
2. Stripe Motifs
Bold horizontal and vertical stripes in high-contrast colors are a popular tile choice. The strict linear patterns lend rooms a heightened sense of order and structure valued in Art Deco design.
3. Stylized Floral Designs
Floral motifs abstracted into geometric shapes with sharp edges add visual interest while reflecting the eclecticism of Art Deco. The stylized botanicals distinguish architectural surfaces.
4. Geometric Mosaics
Intricate circular and square mosaic tile designs bring geometric order to floors and backsplashes. Their precise patterns underscore Art Deco’s appreciation for rational forms.
5. Abstract Curves
Overlapping curved patterns in tiles convey motion through their fluid shapes. These atypical motifs reinforce Art Deco’s modern rejection of pure symmetry.
These various tile patterns contribute to the overall Art Deco aesthetic in several key ways:
- Create a sense of rhythm and movement when used on walls or floors
- Add visual interest and help define spaces within buildings
- Demonstrate the precision and sense of order valued in Art Deco
- Allow for bold use of color that reinforces the style’s modern sensibility
- Serve as a backdrop that draws attention to other design elements like furniture and light fixtures
Choosing the Right Tiles for Your Art Deco Revival
When selecting tiles for your Art Deco revival project, carefully consider these attributes of the style to ensure your choices perfectly complement the look and feel:
- Enameled or glazed tiles with geometric patterns in high-contrast colors like black, white, red, and metallic shades emulate the flashy materials commonly used.
- Hexagonal floor tile, with its sharp angularity, fits the angular architecture promoted by Art Deco.
- Marble provides an opulent accent as it was a material of prestige during this time period.
- Pay attention to scale – Art Deco balanced both large motifs and intricate details, so evaluate the size of floors versus walls.
- Consider textured wall tiles with a subtle non-glossy finish to add visual interest, as textures were widely experimented with in the 1920s-30s.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a touch of Art Deco style into your home has never been easier. By selecting tiles that mimic the signature geometric motifs and bold hues from that glittering era, you can instantly jazz up any room with a sense of retro glamor.
Reproduction tiles allow a fun and low-effort means of channeling that 1920s sensation. Whether you go for a full floor overhaul or just want to add some visual pop to your kitchen backsplash. And for those wanting to highlight architectural flourishes, decorative tile panels do the trick beautifully. However you work those nostalgic patterns in, patterned tiles ensure the timeless allure of Art Deco design lives on for us all to savor.
