| The classic urban art deco style of the 20s,30s is experiencing another revival |
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LIKE A little black dress, art deco has a timeless appeal, Its sleek curves and gleaming finishes achieve an exquisite balance between minimalism and ornamentation, masculinity and femininity. More than most period styles, deco has cycled around many times since its heyday in the
20s and 30s. But the latest resurgence is more than a passing fashion. Designers and retailers say art deco fits in with several contemporary lifestyle trends: urban living, entertaining at home and a desire to soften the perceived "hard edge" of modernism. And it is influencing the direction of contemporary design in a lasting way. The original art deco movement was a very urban look, favouring exotic and designed materials over natural, familiar ones. Although the art deco look is closely associated with Los Angeles (Hollywood), Miami (South Beach) and New York (Radio City Music Hall, the Empire State Building), it also profoundly influenced the look of the Power & Light Building and the Music Hall, in Kansas City, are treasure-troves of art deco architectural details and furnishings.
Exotic materials and fine finishes: Belgian glass tile on kitchen and bath walls, intricately carved wood panels in the dining room, stainless steel kitchen counters with integrated backsplashes, characterise the classic deco look. Ceiling lights and wall sconces throughout the house have the stepped profile that screams deco. But the feature that most characterises the sophisticated, urban style of the day is the homes basement lounge. It features terrazzo floors, a curved black-and-chrome wet bar with refrigerator and freezer, a fireplace, a recessed, pop-up movie screen and projection window hidden behind a painting and a nook for a poker table, coloured mood lighting and a ventilation system, all original. And parties, as Nick and Nora fans know, played a central role in the deco era. The elegant husband-and-wife team from the "Thin Man" movies of the 30s and 40s were forever mixing up pitchers of cocktails for guests in their elegant deco apartment.
Todays barware takes the classic deco concept of the martini-a drink that comes in a fabulously shaped glass, but is colourless-and infuses it with color in one of two ways. Either the drink becomes colourful, like cosmopolitans (pink) or mango margaritas (orange), or colorful glassware is used to serve clear beverages. Its all about making the drink look pretty.
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