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French Art Deco is an aesthetic fit for those who love dramatic style and have a healthy budget. Originally intended for the elite class of French society as a response to the austerity of the previous era, this style focuses on typically rich and exotic materials (or at least in appearance).

When it comes to French Art Deco, the attention to detail is extreme. Items and finishes are intentionally complicated and difficult to recreate. Think: heavy, dark, curved wood furniture, velvet and marble materials, and intricately-designed details. Ready to transform your space into a palace fit for royalty? Keep reading.

 

History

The style was first unveiled in 1925 at the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” created by the Société des Artistes Décorateurs (professional decorators’ association). This exposition was sponsored by the French government in an attempt to renew France’s leading position in the design industry. The event was originally planned to be held in 1914 but because of World War 1, was postponed until 1925. More than 20 countries and 16 million people from around the world were invited to the event.

 

 

At this time, the name “Art Deco” (short for arts décoratifs) wasn’t used to describe the new style. During its development, the style was referred to as “style moderne.” It wasn’t until the 1960s that the style received the name Art Deco. Many attribute the first use of the term to Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris (also known as “Le Corbusier”), who was a Swiss-French architect, writer, urban planner, designer and painter (literally a jack of ALL trades).

Statues and sculptures of Jeanneret-Gris stand around the world, including one made of fiberglass in Miami’s design district.

 

 

The main element setting French Art Deco apart from other styles at the time was its ability to create the new whilst celebrating the past. This makes sense given that, during the 18th century, France became a leader in luxury goods. France was producing the highest quality wine, cheese, perfume, porcelain, glass, furniture and basically anything else you can think of. Therefore, it’s no surprise French Art Deco, which was designed to evoke France’s history, focused on that same quality and luxury.

The Figures that Shaped French Art Deco

Designers, artists and architects played a major role in the creation and development of the style. French Art Deco pulled inspiration from a multitude of sources including: Cubism, De Stijl, and Bauhaus (modern with bold and geometric shapes), Fauvism (bright, vivid colours) and Art Nouveau (the introduction of exotic materials and intricate inlays).

 

 

Don’t be mistaken, French Art Deco style was not confined simply to design, it also influenced art, textiles, jewelry and advertising.

Many artists created pieces reminiscent of Art Deco style. Arguably, one of the most important and influential was Tamara de Lempicka or “the Baroness with the brush.”

 

 

Originally named Maria Górska, Tamara de Lempicka was born in Poland but spent the majority of her working life in France and the United States. She is known primarily for her portraits of French aristocrats and the wealthy, as well as her tasteful nude art.

Lempicka had her breakthrough at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. She showed her work in two of the main venues of the exposition: the Salon des Tuileries and the Salon des femmes peintres.

 

 

Lempicka was very active in French social life and the artistic community. She emigrated to France with her husband, Tadeusz Lempicki, a polish lawyer. In 1928, Lempicka became the mistress of art collector Baron Raoul Kuffner, eventually leading to her nickname: “The Baroness with the Brush.”

After WW2 began, Lempicka moved once again with her husband, but this time to the United States. She shifted her focus to celebrity portraits and still life.

Elements of the Design Style

French Art Deco has very distinct, unmistakable design elements. Many of which were influenced by the culture, society and historical events of the time.

Exotic materials

When it comes to French Art Deco, the more expensive and difficult to find, the better. The French government encouraged designers to take advantage of the country’s colonies in Asia and Africa when it came to materials and skilled workers.

You could almost follow the path of France’s colonisation with the evolution of Art Deco. This meant French Art Deco pieces included exotic new materials such as onyx, jade, and ivory, as well as new techniques like lacquering and ceramic glazing. Many décor items and furniture reflected these distant cultures.

The clock below, designed by Louis Cartier, incorporates onyx, white jade and diamonds.

 

 

Designer Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann often combined dark hardwood with beautiful ivory details. Many refer to Ruhlmann as the “master” of French Art Deco. He was born in Paris in 1879 to parents who owned a painting and contracting firm. In 1910, Ruhlmann began designing furniture out of necessity (he was actually furnishing his own apartment). Nine years later, he founded an interior design company which designed everything from wallpaper to rugs.

Although he dabbled in Art Nouveau, he is best known for the “precious” pieces he created during Art Deco’s heyday. He often combined multiple types of rare woods in one piece. These beautiful wood creations were typically accented with ivory features like knobs, handles and feet.

Ruhlmann’s signature materials are key for French Art Deco. Below, both dark hardwood and ivory are used in many of his designs.

 

 

Expert Craftsmanship

French Art Deco pieces didn’t just look nice, they were created with immense care and built to stand the test of time. This focus on detail and exceptional handiwork came as a result of the shift to industrialization in the 19th century. Many saw this world of mass-production as France lowering their standards. The arts community strongly urged a return to their roots – intricate luxury.

Each piece created during the time of French Art Deco was distinct and set an international standard for exceptional craftsmanship. Designers created one-of-a-kind pieces using the past as inspiration but kept their pieces contemporary. While Art Nouveau focused on “art,” Art Deco favoured quality.

 

 

Curved Furniture

French Art Deco furniture is streamlined but curvy with overstuffed arms, round ottomans and chairs with curved backs.

 

 

Black and White Accents

Graphic black and white accents appear frequently in French Art Deco designs. Black and white bring simplicity and class to any room.

 

 

Geometric Forms

Before Art Deco made its debut in France, Cubism style was popular. This style, reigning from 1907 to 1912, had a huge impact on French Art Deco. The style was pioneered by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque and followed one main caveat: objects were analyzed, broken down and reassembled in unusual ways. Instead of showing a person, place or thing from one point of view,- Cubism offered many.

 

 

The shapes often found in Cubism, can be found in French Art Deco style, whether on walls, furniture or fabric. Take a look at all the shapes incorporated in this replica of a sitting room by Sweet-Ington:

 

 

Statement Lighting

As an essential element, the focus here is on structure rather than the practicality of simply providing light in a room.

Lighting elements are used as strong statement pieces in and of themselves. Chandeliers, wall sconces and built-in wall lighting appear in interesting, non-traditional shapes and sizes.

 

 

Whereas styles such as Tuscan promote the old over the new, this style excels in combining new and old pieces, bringing the best of both worlds with stunning results!

Printed Wallpaper

Printed walls were very popular in French Art Deco designs. Using a larger-than-life bold print on a statement wall or a smaller print throughout the entire room created a texture that brought an almost organic feel to the otherwise strict, geometric lines of the furniture.

 

 

Elaborate Screens/Room Dividers

Room dividers are not only practical, allowing one room to be split into multiple smaller sections, they can also provide an additional point of interest. French Art Deco-era screens were typically made of wood and/or covered in geometric patterns.

 

 

Animal Accents

It was common for designers to pay homage to Mother Nature’s creatures in this design style. Animal hides from pony hairs to shagreen (a type of shark skin) were very popular. Animals also appeared in sculptures, typically made from bronze or spelter (zinc).

 

 

Fernand Léger, an influential French artist, was primarily known for his Cubist work. Léger worked with a wide range of media including paint, ceramic, film, theater and dance sets, glass, print, and book arts. Although his materials and mediums changed frequently, his style stayed constant, featuring primary colours and bold patterns and forms.

 

Materials of French Art Deco

Luxurious Imported Embellishments

During Art Deco’s inception, Europe was still reeling from World War 1. Art Nouveau, the predecessor to French Art Deco, decreased in popularity during the war. Many felt as though some of the expensive materials present in Art Nouveau were mismatched to the current state of their country which was at war. Art Nouveau was also criticized for sacrificing craftsmanship in the name of “art.” Art Deco, which rose in popularity following World War 1, still focused on luxury and rarity but also on expert the craftsmanship of pieces.

France capitalized on its colonies in Asia and Africa, bringing in materials native to these countries and employing their skilled workers. The culture and art of these colonies were a major influence on the style. Influences included: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Italy. Exquisite, rare materials such as ebony, teak and jade were imported, giving designers the chance to create opulent, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Wood Inlays

Art Deco sofas and armchairs typically featured wood inlays. Some of the wood used included burled elm, burled walnut, mahogany, amboyna and rosewood.

 

 

Marquetry

Wooden inlays combining small pieces of a variety of wood to make a pattern or design was referred to as marquetry.

 

 

Shiny Surfaces

When it comes to French Art Deco, the more a surface shines, the better. We’re talking lacquer, glazed wood and glossy paint. Traditional lacquer originated in Japan and is the product of sap from a lacquer tree, which is poisonous to the touch until dry. During the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868) there was an increase in the cultivation of lacquer trees, as well as the techniques used with lacquer. Coloured lacquers became popular in the 18th century.

Lacquer coating, or urushi-nuri in Japanese, was used on many surfaces including wood, ceramic and, in ancient Japanese culture, the clothes of those to be buried.

 

 

The lacquering process included taking an object – made of basically any material – applying a lacquer to the sealant, applying two more coats of lacquer and then adding a design (if any). Black and red lacquers are very popular, as well as inlays such as seashells and mica.

Mirrors were also used to add shine in French Art Deco. They appeared not only on walls but in furniture as well.

 

Exotic Hardwoods

Rare hardwoods, typically dark in colour, were used to add another touch of elegance to a French Art Deco space. Types of wood traditionally used included Brazilian jacaranda, zebra wood, palmwood, sycamore, amboyna, mahogany and violet wood and calamander.

 

 

Leather

Smooth, buttery leather was often used to add a touch of luxury to chairs and couches. Although neutral colours were common, bold colours, reflective of cheerful times, were also used.

 

 

Colours of French Art Deco

Colours used in French Art Deco are bright and vivid, paired with neutral blacks, white and beige. Accent colours are typically bold in nature.

 

 

Incorporating French Art Deco into your Home

So, how do you adopt this stunning style without breaking the bank? Here are some simple ideas to help you pay homage to this luxurious era:

1. Add a bold geometric pattern. Geometric wallpapers are beautiful and create interest and dimension in a space. Try one statement wall with a bold Art Deco pattern for a quick and easy update on any room.
2. Add black and white accents. You could bring in a checkered rug or piece of art, paint your baseboards black against white walls or add some dramatic black and white furniture to your room. Black and white accents will bring that dramatic flair to any room.                                                                                            
3. Pick up some Art Deco prints or sculptures. Scour antique shops, garage sales or online classified sites for Art Deco pieces. You never know what treasures you might find! If your budget is still too tight, search out poster prints from artists like Tamara de Lempicka, Erté, or Georges Lepape.                                                                                                                                                                             

   

4. Use creative stenciling. No time to hunt for antiques? Print and create your own treasures with Art Deco stencils! Find out how with our French Art Deco DIY project.

The Demise of French Art Deco

After WW2 began, the lavish glamour of the Art Deco style was seen as distasteful. Given the state of the world, Art Deco was put on pause until the end of WW2, after which it was picked up in new designs and styles. Art Deco had somewhat of a revival in the 90s, but it has in no way returned to its original popularity.

In the 1920’, Art Deco made its way to America, where the style was incorporated into mass-produced goods. In the U.S., the design style was less about luxury and more about the focus on the industrial age. Pieces often referenced cars, speedboats and skyscrapers. We’ll be exploring the shift of French Art Deco to American Art Deco in next week’s Design Files.

Still intrigued by everything French Art Deco? Check out French Art Deco by Jared Goss.