The New Twenties
By Amy Kilvington
Do you love the luxurious style of the 1920s? With a few top tips, along with our new Lavish Luxe collection, it’s easy to create a space inspired by this glamorous decade.
If you want to style a room that Gatsby would be proud of, keep on reading. We explain all you need to know about the interiors of the Roaring Twenties, and how you can create a New Twenties look in your own home…
Interior style in the 1920s
The 1920s was a decade of excitement, exuberance and elegance. The buzz of Hollywood was filtering into the home, and many took to styling spaces that wouldn’t look out of place on the silver screen. The goal was to set a scene that was perfect for a lavish cocktail party, complete with glittering glassware, golden bar carts and sumptuous furniture.
Art Deco (short for Arts Décoratifs) also played a big role in twenties style. After its first showcase in Paris, the bold symmetrical shapes, rich colours and lavish touches of the Art Deco movement made their way into the home.
Along with Art Deco came influences from international travel, which had become more accessible – at least to the very wealthy. These exotic twists from India, East Asia, Africa and Hawaii included precious stones, as well as the now controversial animal skins, ivory, ebony and tortoiseshell. These expensive materials meant that certain styles were only available to the richest of homeowners.
And finally, the Bauhaus school of design opened in 1926, encouraging younger generations to explore artistry and design products fit for the modern age, therefore inspiring a more modernist style.
All of these influences boiled down to a look that was characterised by geometric shapes, bold colours and unique touches, creating a minimalist feeling with a heavy dose of glamour.
Get the New Twenties look
If anything we’ve mentioned has sparked your interest, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s easy to incorporate this century-old style into your own home. By focusing on a few key areas, you can embrace glamour, elegance and modernism, nodding towards this iconic decade, but with a contemporary twist that lends to homes of all styles, shapes and sizes. Welcome to the New Twenties…
Geometric Shapes
The ’20s look encompasses geometric and angular forms. The look is always strong and bold, with no fussiness or flounce. Some popular shapes that work beautifully include leaves, feathers, chevrons, zigzags and sunbursts. Stylised images of animals, architecture and technology work well, too – consider a cushion cover featuring a detailed butterfly pattern repeat, or a wallpaper pattern that’s inspired by a city skyline. These geometric prints can be displayed in a number of ways, such as on wallpaper, curtains, blinds, cushions and rugs, creating an exciting focal point within a room.
Sleek Materials
These smooth, glossy materials include glass, stainless steel, chrome, lacquer and polished wood. In terms of soft fabrics, silks, voiles and silken cottons provide that sleek effect, while fine wool blends and velvets offer more softness and texture. When it comes to flooring, consider lino with an abstract pattern, or parquet if budget allows. These sleek materials can be used in rooms throughout the home to inject a New Twenties feeling, from an upholstered velvet or chenille headboard in your bedroom, to a simple glass coffee table in the living room.
Mirrored Surfaces
Reflective surfaces play a big part in twenties style. Look for decorative mirrors in fan, sunburst and swirl designs, or opt for a more subdued bevelled edge to create a polished look. The idea is to reflect as much light as possible and provide an extra decorative feature. Your mirror could be displayed on its own, creating either an ornate or a sleek statement, or grouped together with other contrasting mirrors for an exciting gallery effect. Mirrored surfaces can also be introduced in the form of other accessories, such as vases, trinket boxes and trays.
Statement Lights
Just like the mirrors of the 1920s, lights should create a real feature, too. From pendant lights and chandeliers to floor lamps and table lamps, there’s opportunity to introduce the style of the twenties through your light fixtures. Popular materials include chrome, brass and glass with an etched or enamelled effect. You could also swap your light switch panels for an elegant metal style to tie in with the rest of the space.
Contrasting Colours
Create New Twenties contrasts with combinations of turquoise, silver, pink, red and mustard. Be bold: a key characteristic of twenties interiors is boldness and confidence. While muted pastels were most popular in the 1920s, the resurgence of the style is seeing brighter colours, such as peacock blue and warm gold. Of course, if you’re looking to achieve a softer effect, try warm creams and beiges, which tone well with polished wood and metallic finishes. You could then introduce a small element of colour with your soft furnishings.
Shop New Twenties homeware
Discover the Lavish Luxe collection at Blinds Direct, perfect for injecting the New Twenties style into your space. Choose from our selection of blinds, curtains, curtain poles, lamp shades and cushions, all made to measure to your exact specifications. Click the images to shop direct or view the full range here.
It may now be the centenary of 1920s interior style, but we’re certain that this timeless look will continue to be a firm favourite for many years to come.
If you’d like more advice on styling a New Twenties interior, you can get in touch with our Fabric Experts – they are always happy to help. And don’t forget to explore our full range of products at Blinds Direct.
