Look upon your home as an artwork

Step into the glamour of a bygone era with art deco design: a style defined by geometric precision, finely detailed finishes and a modernistic confidence that made it one of the most photographed architectural movements of the 20th century. From the grand facades of New York to the sun-drenched boulevards of Miami, art deco left a defining mark on the built environment. In Perth, suburbs like Nedlands, Claremont, Cottesloe and Mount Lawley still carry the architectural memory of the art deco period in their streetscapes, and it is a style that translates with remarkable fluency into a contemporary custom home design. For those drawn to the drama of strong lines, geometric forms and a palette that balances richness with restraint, art deco offers a design language that is both deeply historic and intensely modern.

According to Oswald Homes Senior Designer Michal Kurtis, the art deco movement started to evolve in the early 1910s, becoming very popular by the 1920s and 1930s in art, graphic design and architecture.

“Art deco is very recognisable with its characteristic sleek and styled forms, sharp edges and what you might describe as a machine or industrial aesthetic,” says Oswald Homes Senior Designer Michal Kurtis. The style borrows from the precision of engineering and the materials of industry: polished metals, inlaid stone, lacquered surfaces and glass that catches light in sharp, defined angles. This is what makes it so different from the previous art nouveau movement, which drew heavily from organic, flowing forms and botanical references. Art deco is geometric, disciplined and deliberately crafted. It makes a statement with composition rather than decoration. In a custom luxury home in Perth, these characteristics give the style a contemporary relevance that far exceeds its 1920s origins.

“This is what makes it so different from the previous art nouveau style, which was full of references to nature with softer curves and patterns.”

Whether it be an oceanic porthole window or parapet walls, Mr Kurtis said there were various ways to incorporate some Roaring 20s glitz into a home design.

“Keep the design simple with strong lines – either vertical or horizontal – and repeat the elements you create throughout the design without variation to create a holistic product,” he said. “Incorporate subtle curves and/or simple elegant lines to accentuate long clean lines.

“Think of an industrial aesthetic – pared back and simplified to express and celebrate the structure.

“Treat it as an artwork.”

Inject this dynamic style further with rich materials and boldly defined styling choices.

“For the facade, a wide range of materials can work well: industrial concrete, glass and steel are all strong contenders,” says Mr Kurtis. Internally, the same material honesty applies, with timber, glass and steel used in combination to create spaces that feel engineered as much as designed. “Styling and decor choices are typically simple, with strong straight lines and considered curves. Every element should feel functional, but always crafted: the idea is that each piece looks like an expensive work of art in its own right.” At Oswald Homes, the art deco brief is one that rewards the level of custom design attention that cannot be replicated through a volume builder model. It is a style that demands precision at every stage, from the architectural composition of the facade through to the selection of handles, lighting and surface treatments.

Reflecting the romance of the early 20th century, Mr Kurtis said a lot of Oswald Homes’ home designs – such as the Waldorf, Astoria, Saint Germain, La Fayette and Raffles – were inspired by famous art deco buildings, including the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York.

“Many suburbs in Perth still have homes which are an amazing example of this style such as Nedlands, Applecross, Mount Lawley, Claremont and Cottesloe,” he said.

Source: The West Australian New Homes Saturday 23 March 2024
Journalist: Madelin Hayes