Trend Alert: Art Deco

Move aside, mid-century modern! Bold, geometric, and glam are back in an homage to the 1920s, worthy of F. Scott Fitzgerald himself. Nouveau Art Deco is without a doubt one of the hottest trends of the year, featuring irresistible textures like velvet and marble, as well as retro geometric prints with a contemporary twist.

Photo courtesy Jenny DeMarco Photography

Focus on furnishing

Art Deco draws from many current obsessions, including mixing textures and metallics, the most popular being marble, velvet, and brass. Designers are not only using touches of each of these in floral arrangements and fashion, they are constructing tableaus and scenes celebrating the style. “Generally, there is a trend toward spending the budget on cool, design-led furniture for table setup rather than decor and florals,” says Elaine Odwyer, design director of Harlequin Arena. “Marble tops or colored marble are on-trend, as well as walnut wood. Geometric shapes with candles (sans florals) are great for tablescapes.”

Feathers & fine linens

Fancy feathers, long associated with 1920s fashion, are also in. An accent of choice on the runway, iridescent feathers are striking as a design element being that from different angles they can appear to be different colors. While they add mystery and depth to centerpieces, table coverings, featured arrangements, and even bridal gowns, they have also been incorporated in premium tablecloths, consistent with a focus on upgraded linens for maximum effect.

“Flowing fringe is another texture that screams Art Deco, reminiscent of flappers and the age of the speakeasy. While we didn’t expect it to be back so soon, it’s here, and is particularly prominent as part of the aforementioned premium linen craze.”

Photo courtesy Sunshower Photography

As Simon Nickell, owner of Simon Nickell Design observes, “Couples are realizing that they don't have to have standard white linen just because it's provided by the venue. Textured, colored, and patterned linen will become an integral part of the design scheme.” Feathers, for example, can be incorporated as an alluring texture or pattern on linens plucked straight from nature.

Fringe fun

Flowing fringe is another texture that screams Art Deco, reminiscent of flappers and the age of the speakeasy. While we didn’t expect it to be back so soon, it’s here, and is particularly prominent as part of the aforementioned premium linen craze. All white fringe on white backing, for example, offers a tangible quality that guests don’t just see, they experience. Fringe is sort of the fidget spinner of the linen world. You know it’s there because you can feel it, but as a visual statement it’s not over-the-top or distracting.

That’s brassy

Finally, metallics continue their reign in design, pairing perfectly with the geometric quality of Art Deco patterns. “Bronze, copper, and gold have been hugely popular for more than five years, but [have] reached [their] peak and now antique brass is the popular finish,” according to Enrique Crespo, owner of Crespo Design Group.

It is exciting to see some of our favorite textures, materials and patterns together again in the popularity of the retro glam Art Deco style.

Want more trend inspiration? Registration for Catersource 2019 opens mid-September. Click here for the latest information!