The Style and Materials of Art Deco Furniture
The style defined as Art Deco traces its roots to the early days of the 20th century and was internationally recognized when the style was introduced at the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, in Paris in 1925. The style was optimistic and opulent in nature, reflecting the passage from the scarcities that had resulted from World War I to the booming economies of the roaring 20's.
The artistic movement was embraced across the culture, influencing everything from the design of ashtrays to New York City's rising skyscrapers, in which the Art Deco style was exemplified in the architecture of the Rockefeller Center as well as the Empire State, Chrysler, and Daily News Buildings. Of these architectural achievements, the Empire State Building literally rose above all others as the tallest building in the world for forty years from its completion in 1931 until the opening of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1972. The building has also been recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
In terms of furniture design, the early days of the Art Deco movement incorporated expensive and reflective materials including chrome, bronze, nickel, and enamel. As the movement matured, additional materials become popular as well and included hardwoods such as mahogany and ebony, wrought iron, Bakelite, glass and marble.
The style of Art Deco furniture includes symmetrical designs with angular geometric patterns, sunbursts and other aspects of nature which were commonly etched in glass or done as inlays on wood and marble surfaces. The typical profile of the furniture features curves and rounded lines, a signature design element that is seen in the full range of Art Deco designs from headboards to the top of the Chrysler Building.
Sunshine Furniture began as a small gift and accessory store at 61st & Memorial in Tulsa in 1996. At that time, we only had a small selection of furniture. From the very first day, our motto was to have the best selection at the very best prices in town. We were well-known for the variety of items we carried, and our customers would come in every week to see what was new.
Slowly, we expanded our furniture selection and were forced to move into a larger space. We moved to a 68th & Memorial location, where we grew our furniture business even more. Our customers were very supportive of us, which encouraged us to grow the business even bigger.
The artistic movement was embraced across the culture, influencing everything from the design of ashtrays to New York City's rising skyscrapers, in which the Art Deco style was exemplified in the architecture of the Rockefeller Center as well as the Empire State, Chrysler, and Daily News Buildings. Of these architectural achievements, the Empire State Building literally rose above all others as the tallest building in the world for forty years from its completion in 1931 until the opening of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1972. The building has also been recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
In terms of furniture design, the early days of the Art Deco movement incorporated expensive and reflective materials including chrome, bronze, nickel, and enamel. As the movement matured, additional materials become popular as well and included hardwoods such as mahogany and ebony, wrought iron, Bakelite, glass and marble.
The style of Art Deco furniture includes symmetrical designs with angular geometric patterns, sunbursts and other aspects of nature which were commonly etched in glass or done as inlays on wood and marble surfaces. The typical profile of the furniture features curves and rounded lines, a signature design element that is seen in the full range of Art Deco designs from headboards to the top of the Chrysler Building.
Sunshine Furniture began as a small gift and accessory store at 61st & Memorial in Tulsa in 1996. At that time, we only had a small selection of furniture. From the very first day, our motto was to have the best selection at the very best prices in town. We were well-known for the variety of items we carried, and our customers would come in every week to see what was new.
Slowly, we expanded our furniture selection and were forced to move into a larger space. We moved to a 68th & Memorial location, where we grew our furniture business even more. Our customers were very supportive of us, which encouraged us to grow the business even bigger.
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