French Art Deco Attributes

One Brief Shining Moment

• Art Deco was a relatively short-lived movement because the onset of World War II in 1939 turned attention to more serious issues. During its reign, however, it was a global phenomenon. Its overall feel is that of the machine age, the beginning of expanded global travel, and the celebration of human achievement. The style is embodied by strong geometric shapes, the masculine and the exotic, and man-made materials like chrome and plastic.

A Mania for All Things Egyptian

• It was 1922 when Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, and the world went nuts. Jewelry began to resemble the striped headpiece of the pharaoh. Egyptian motifs of scarabs and hieroglyphs began to show up on wallpaper and upholstery. It could even be found in the most functional and basic of spaces, like the familiar Egyptian fan motif on a toilet or sink. It wasn't only about Egypt, however. There was similar fascination with other ancient civilizations, and the evidence was incorporated through most design of the time.

Lines and Layers

• Within Art Deco, there is a strong emphasis on parallel lines and the layering of lines. This is a nod toward the advances in the car and travel industries and often is a reflection of a stream-lined grill from a car. As the antithesis of Art Nouveau, it rejects organic lines, floral patterns and the feminine. Instead, the patterns are about power -- common forms are chevrons, wide stripes, hard angles, with very little ornamentation. Even in paintings, women were depicted with stronger shoulders and jaw lines and straighter noses.

Bright and Shiny

• Materials in Art Deco design focus on synthetic and manufactured finishes. Most products contained elements of chrome, nickel-plating, glass or plastic, again, nodding to the machine age and rejecting the popular natural materials used in Art Nouveau. As technology improved, companies were able manufacture colors that were previously difficult to make. Although black and white were commonly used, it was a time for brilliant reds, emerald greens and sapphire blues, all a departure from the peaches and creams of the previous design era.

Bringing Art Deco Home

• When adding Art Deco flavors to your interiors, look specifically for high-gloss finishes and geometric motifs. Find a rug with a diamond or ziggurat pattern, mirrors with heavy beveling, and velvet pillows and throws in jewel tones. Look for exotic lighting with a sunburst pattern or that "King Tut" stripe. Multiple furniture and accessory companies specialize in these types of reproductions. Idea-searching websites, auctions and auction websites, and vintage furniture websites and dealers are good places to find authentic pieces, but you should use a discerning eye. Confusing Art Nouveau with Art Deco is a common occurrence, and you will undoubtedly find items labeled incorrectly. The easiest way to tell the difference is to keep in mind the basics: Art Deco uses bold colors and hard angular lines, while Art Nouveau is characterized by feminine swirls and arcs and softer pastel palettes.