Art deco is back — how do I add it to a rental without a Gatsby theme party?
Apparently 'art deco' is at a 10-year high in search interest and my feed agrees. I rent, so no wallpaper or major changes. What are 2-3 small art deco touches that actually read as art deco and not just... old? I've seen sunburst mirrors and geometric lamps suggested. Budget is maybe $150 total. What gives the most deco-per-dollar?
2 answers
- Sunburst mirror
Sunburst mirror. One big one, that's the whole trick. Art deco is symmetry + geometry, and a sunburst mirror delivers both in one object. Checkable: search any 'art deco living room' roundup — the mirror shows up in like 80% of them. Get it secondhand; brass doesn't age badly. Don't buy the whole 'deco collection' sets, they look like a hotel lobby.
- Geometric table lamp + velvet pillow covers
The mirror answer above is spot on, so here is the other half of your $150: one geometric table lamp in black-and-gold plus velvet pillow covers in emerald or black for the couch. Deco is all about symmetry, so flank the lamp with the pillows and it reads intentional instead of random. Checkable: search your local thrift store for brass lamp before buying new — the 80s ones are literally the same silhouette as the $120 repros. I paid $18 for mine.