Eleonora Benetti - Italy Sotheby's International Realty
When Art Deco debuted in Paris almost a century ago, the movement sought to give physical form to the boundless optimism of the post-war 1920s. New technologies, rapid transportation, and the dominance of industry inspired architects to create a fresh style that matched the quickened pace of a changing world.
This unrelenting push for progress has seldom relented since. This is why 100 years later, Art Deco’s sleek geometry, shimmering surfaces, intricate carvings, and flamboyant elements continue to instill a vivacity in building and design that seems as fresh and luxurious as when it first emerged.
While the most famous examples of Art Deco architecture are commercial buildings, such as the Rockefeller Center or the Empire State Building, its confident sophistication can be seen in some of the world’s most alluring residential real estate. Here, we explore four examples.
An Upward Gaze
Tyson Clarke - Queensland Sotheby's International Realty
With strength projected upwards — a literal embodiment of humanity’s ascension toward greater capabilities — verticality is a hallmark of Art Deco. And though precipitous skyscrapers may be the most obvious examples of the enthusiasm invoked through the design philosophy’s influence, this grandeur has found bold expression at a smaller scale in the soaring columns accenting the anchor of this 2.5-acre Australian estate.
Art Deco design adheres to incorporating classic materials such as lacquered wood, steel, and glass — and in this property, the black granite provides a strong foundation on which veneer timber cabinetry sits. The 21-foot ceilings offer inspiration and teaches us that while pride in past accomplishment is temporarily satisfying, there’s always further progression to explore.
A Dignified Effervescence
Eleonora Benetti - Italy Sotheby's International Realty
While there’s an undeniable elegance to Art Deco, this stateliness doesn’t preclude a whimsical nature that nods to the joy and energy created by advancement and improvement. Bold colors, fanciful geometric shapes, and vibrant materials such as chrome, glass, and plastic accompany inventive and experimental designs that add a much-needed playfulness to a world too often distracted by utility and functionality.
With wide panoramic windows overlooking the Ligurian Sea, this Italian villa could easily have been designed as an impenetrable fortress. But the juxtaposing lines in this main room belie a mischievous spirit; in retrospect, progress may appear to be linear, but in reality, it’s a multidirectional dance between success and challenge.
In Defiance of Rigidity
Marios Pavlakis - Greece Sotheby's International Realty
In the 1920s, elegant curvature began to be incorporated into automobiles and trains. And while such design had an aerodynamic practicality, it also bestowed the sense of movement and momentum through its aesthetic — even when the objects were stationary. With curved facades, rounded corners, and uninterrupted surfaces, Art Deco mimics this dynamism and reminds us of the endless potential of human ingenuity.
Existing at Art Deco’s intersection between minimalism and baroque decorative elements, this Greek residence is an example of how design can be both stately and welcoming. The softened white edges of the home provide an approachable majesty while overlooking the dark stone and white wood of the plunge pool; when momentum is ceaseless, it’s time to enjoy the ride.
Strength in Material
Jean-Marc Delcroix - Brussels Sotheby’s International Realty
As noted, the Art Deco movement prioritized the use of world-class materials in the construction of its buildings. Progress is to be celebrated, and the shiny surfaces shimmering on facades provide a jovial counterpoint to the gloomy austerity often employed by other design philosophies. It’s as if Art Deco acknowledges that prosperity is a blessing to be widely shared; an achievement that advances humanity reflects favorably on us all.
Though it was constructed in 1898, the marble fireplace of this Brussels residence anticipated the craftsmanship and attention to fine materials that would help define Art Deco some 25 years later. Serving as a luxurious focal point that elevates the room’s aesthetic, the fireplace’s timeless elegance is accentuated by its ability to seamlessly blend with traditional or contemporary design elements.
As we continue to develop new technologies, new ways of interacting with our surroundings, and incorporating new ideas to help refine our purpose, Art Deco’s influence on art and architecture is unlikely to ever disappear — for its celebration of this quest is an ethos as timeless as the quest itself.
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