Bookshelf ELK GROUP INTERNATIONAL Sterling 6040995

Art Deco is a relatively young style that emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. It owes its existence to France and the French, and it used to represent the combination of modern and neoclassical styles in architecture, fashion and art. Then, in the 1970s, the term "Art Deco" was extended to also mean a style of interior design. This style's characteristic feature is the seemingly impossible fusion of classical straight lines and strict forms with the asymmetry of luxury and splendour. Art Deco interior design implies an abundance of expensive, exotic materials, plenty of curved lines, mythical paintings and tapestries of dragons and peacocks. Art Deco is considered to be the most original style of interior design, it leans toward ostentatious luxury and splendour and absolutely does not tolerate asceticism or minimalism. When decorating in this style, designers often use inclusive fountains, podiums, forged lattice, exotic fans, marble decorations and stained glass. Art Deco furniture also has to be unique in appearance and very rich - created using light wood, genuine leather, chromium-plating.

Oriental styles are very quaint. Like every ethnic trend, they are tightly bound to national tradition. The Oriental styles' main attributes are simple lines and definite forms, though less ascetical than in minimalism. Both furniture and decor use only natural materials. The furniture itself is low and squat: instead of a bed we would often encounter a podium or a futon, instead of a wardrobe - a chest and caskets. Wide door frames, contrasting colours, screens, mats,curtains made of bamboo, jute, sisal. Dimmed, opaque lighting is usually provided by low hanging lamps and squat floor lamps. The Chinese style has more decor: various figurines, lamps, calligraphy and patterns.