Art Deco Interior vs Art Nouveau Interior
Art Deco Interior arose as a reaction against Art Nouveau Interior — replaced Art Nouveau's organic curve with machine-age geometry.
Art Deco Interior
The glamorous, geometric interior of the Jazz Age — lacquer, chrome and exotic veneers in bold sunbursts, zigzags and stepped forms, machine-age luxury made stylish.
- Bold geometry — sunbursts, zigzags, chevrons and stepped forms
- Luxurious surfaces: lacquer, exotic veneers, shagreen and inlay
- Polished metals — chrome, nickel and brass — with mirror and glass
- Sculptural, glowing lighting in frosted and etched glass
- Sleek low furniture in rich colour with black accents
Art Nouveau Interior
The sinuous, nature-driven interior of 1900 — whiplash curves, flowering tendrils, stained glass and furniture, walls and light fused into one organic whole.
- Sinuous 'whiplash' curves drawn from plants and flowing forms
- Total design unifying furniture, metalwork, glass and walls
- Wrought-iron balustrades and structural iron used decoratively
- Stained and art glass — Tiffany, Gallé — and floral mosaic
- Marquetry furniture of carved tendrils, irises and blossoms
At a glance
| Art Deco Interior | Art Nouveau Interior | |
|---|---|---|
| Era | 1920s–1939 | 1890–1910 |
| Discipline | Interior Design | Interior Design |
| Region | France, United States, Britain | Belgium, France, Austria, Spain, Scotland |
| Family | Art Deco, Moderne | Art Nouveau, Organic |
| Formal traits | geometric, luxurious, streamlined, glamorous | curvilinear, organic, ornamental, unified |
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