I have recently been exploring people's strategies for inhabiting Art Deco apartments, looking into their approaches to furnishings and furniture, and any adaptations that they may have made to their spaces to suit a modern lifestyle. The recurring theme in their responses was whether to attempt to decorate in a style that matched that of the exterior of the building, or whether to use a more modern approach. Their principal concerns were around cost and availability of contemporary pieces of furniture, but this leads on to a deeper question of aesthetics and authenticity.
 |
| An Art Deco lounge (creative commons licensed: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Havana_Art_Deco_%288963955085%29.jpg#/media/File:Havana_Art_Deco_(8963955085).jpg) |
The photo above is an extreme attempt to create an entire environment in keeping with the early 1930s, including the floor and wall surfaces. The "Lucky Strike" branded ashtray introduces a humorous touch which relieves it from being too self-conscious. This said, it is difficult to picture this environment when filled with the normal stuff of life - coffee cups, TV set and the like. It is difficult to keep up the lifestyle when we use this "museum" approach, which suggests that we need to explore alternatives.
One approach is to look for timeless pieces of furniture, simple designs that use authentic materials and include one or two focal pieces that speak to the period of the historic building. This allows us to blend the old with the new, and creates continuity with our appliances and electronics.
It is also important for us to "read" our building: what were the design intentions at the time, and what would have been the decisions of its original inhabitants. An example of this is the building in which I worked for many years: it was constructed in the early 1940s in the style of the Modern Movement. We needed to refurbish the toilets and replace the plumbing fittings and accessories, but this led to a debate on whether to aim for something that looked "old" or whether to go for the simplest and most streamlined design, as would have been the choice of the original architect.
The original use of the building is also a clue as to the most effective way to furnish and decorate the spaces: a modest cottage in a conservation area deserves unpretentious pieces, whether contemporary or modern. An "authentic" period piece may have the "correct" date, but lacks authenticity when placed in an unsuitable environment. Here, scale is an important factor, whether designing for a cottage, or in a 1930s space which has much higher ceilings and larger rooms than one would find in a new-build.
Where the space is very generous, a way to make pieces feel less disjointed is to link them thematically, using colour, materials or texture. In my apartment in an Art Deco building, I had some bespoke cupboards and bookcases made, finished in a dark-stained wood. I acquired some other furniture which I stained in the same tones, creating visual continuity which I linked thematically in many of the new picture frames. This was offset by a couple of items which I had inherited, not specifically Art Deco, but in a timeless design that was in keeping with the overall "feel". I also used the same material to reupholster the couch, dining chairs and piano stool, even though these were in different rooms, to give a spatial continuity throughout the whole apartment. This was also offset by the introduction of accents, using hand-embroidered cushions and indoor vegetation.
 |
| A bespoke cupboard and bookcase with an older wooden box and CD case |
In the end, it is important to reflect your own lifestyle in your choice of furniture and furnishing, using pieces that have meaning and functionality for you. It is difficult to sustain a lifestyle that requires your space to look like a museum at all times. While it is great to have a few period pieces or even antiques that speak to the era of your historic building, these are shown to best effect in an environment that allows them to stand out, so when in doubt, I always aim for simplicity in the non-historic elements and furnishings.
Comments
Post a Comment