{"id":343942,"date":"2025-05-15T13:13:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T17:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/?p=343942"},"modified":"2025-10-16T16:46:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T20:46:11","slug":"art-deco-at-100-what-it-teaches-us-about-luxury-living-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/art-deco-at-100-what-it-teaches-us-about-luxury-living-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Art Deco at 100: What It Teaches Us About Luxury Living Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

The progressive design movement of the 1920s and 1930s continues to influence architecture and interiors a century on<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dallas, Texas<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Briggs Freeman, Sotheby’s International Realty<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In 2025, Art Deco is set to celebrate its official centenary in signature style. The influential decorative movement that flourished throughout Europe and the United States in the 1920s and early 1930s took its name from the \u201cExposition Internationale des Arts D\u00e9coratifs et Industriel,\u201d an exhibition held in Paris in 1925, which showcased the latest innovations in architecture, fashion and industrial design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recognized for its refined aesthetic and use of luxury materials and bold geometry, Art Deco embraced technology and progress from the start, revolutionizing all areas of design with an optimism that was welcomed wholeheartedly after World War I.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, a century later, it is being honored by museums and galleries around the globe, including the Mus\u00e9e des Arts D\u00e9coratifs in Paris, where \u201c1925-2025. One Hundred Years of Art Deco\u201d opens in October. It also plays a central role in Sotheby\u2019s <\/span>2025 Important Design<\/span><\/a> sale, which will be held in the French capital on May 20, presented in partnership with Sotheby\u2019s International Realty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a design movement that continues to endure\u2014and indeed inspire\u2014many decades after its inception, what can Art Deco teach us about luxury living today?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Three vases by Jean Dunand, circa 1925, from the Bernard Laurent collection. Photograph: <\/span>Born & Art Digital Studio \u00a9 Sotheby’s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe language of Art Deco is both disciplined and expressive,\u201d says Lucy Derbyshire, co-founder of the London-based design practice, Studio QD, and co-author of \u201cInterior Style: Art Deco.\u201d Key principles include the use of symmetrical and geometric forms, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to opulent materials, she says. \u201cThere is also an emphasis on fine craftsmanship, which of course is something that we, as designers, are keen to emulate in our own interiors.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Derbyshire highlights: \u201cThe incredible thing about Art Deco is how it manages to encompass modernity and futuristic design so skilfully, while at the same time maintaining a sense of glamor. This is what makes it so consistently appealing and why these are ideas that we, and many others, draw inspiration from decades later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A Paul Dupr\u00e9-Lafon sideboard, circa 1935, from the Bernard Laurent collection. Photograph: <\/span>Born & Art Digital Studio \u00a9 Sotheby’s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

These principles can be seen in some of the spectacular lots on offer at Sotheby\u2019s 2025 Important Design auction, <\/span>where there is an impressive selection of Art Deco furniture and objets d’art.<\/span> \u201cHere, the style was characterized by geometric shapes, stylized floral motifs and materials such as exotic woods and lacquer, as well as shagreen and parchment, which up until that point had not been used in the field before,\u201d explains C\u00e9cile Tajan, deputy director and head of sale, 20th century design at Sotheby\u2019s Paris.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sale includes several exceptional pieces by French furniture makers, designers and sculptors that illustrate the refinement of the period, Tajan notes\u2014gilded wood armchairs by Armand-Albert Rateau, for example, and lacquer and eggshell nesting tables by Jean Dunand. \u201cThere is a pedestal table produced in 1913 by Paul Iribe, whose creations are particularly rare, which is a fantastic illustration of the beginnings of the Art Deco movement,\u201d says Tajan.<\/span><\/p>\n

The craftsmanship of Art Deco is also encapsulated in a set of silver, glass, lacquer and aventurine quartz bottles by French silversmith Jean Puiforcat. \u201cClients appreciate the discreet luxury of Art Deco,\u201d Tajan says. \u201cThe elegance of the lines and the materials sit well with other furniture and art, be it classic or contemporary. It\u2019s so easy to live with, which is why it remains popular today.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A set of three bottles and one box by Jean Puiforcat, circa 1930, from the <\/span>Bernard<\/span> Laurent collection. Photograph: <\/span>Photograph: <\/span>Born & Art Digital Studio \u00a9 Sotheby’s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

That same combination of elegance and materiality translates into the world of luxury real estate, where the spirit of Art Deco\u2014from its timeless aesthetic to its forward-thinking ethos\u2014is evident in the most desirable properties on the market. Sotheby\u2019s International Realty is currently listing homes with Art Deco heritage in New York, Paris, London, Madrid, Rome, Montreux and even the Greek island of Syros in the southern Aegean.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Bradley Nelson, chief marketing officer of Sotheby\u2019s International Realty, Art Deco\u2019s legacy goes beyond style. \u201cA century later, the essence of Art Deco\u2014its bold embrace of beauty, innovation and craftsmanship\u2014still resonates deeply in luxury real estate,\u201d he says. \u201cToday\u2019s discerning buyers aren\u2019t just purchasing square footage; they\u2019re seeking homes that are expressive, imaginative and rooted in design excellence. Art Deco reminds us that true luxury lies in details. These qualities remain at the heart of what makes a home exceptional today.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Cap D\u2019Antibes, France<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Cote D\u2019Azur Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Design is not an afterthought for Sotheby\u2019s International Realty, Nelson says\u2014it\u2019s foundational. And it\u2019s this fluency in design that enables its global network of agents to position properties in a way that truly resonates with high-end buyers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur agents are deeply attuned to the nuances of architecture, interiors and storytelling,\u201d he says. \u201cThey understand that exceptional design doesn\u2019t just elevate aesthetics\u2014it enhances lifestyle and long-term value. Our heritage, informed by a global perspective and a close alignment with the art world, means we recognize beauty not just as an ornament, but as a defining element of luxury living.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The shared DNA with Sotheby\u2019s auction house also gives Sotheby\u2019s International Realty a unique vantage point at the intersection of fine art, collectible design and real estate, as embodied by the partnership on the 2025 Important Design sale. \u201cWhether it\u2019s an iconic piece of 20th-century furniture or a landmark home inspired by Art Deco geometry, we recognize that great design shapes how we live, feel and connect with space,\u201d says Nelson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Art Deco, above all, reminds us of the connection between design and desirability, that a home is more than the sum of its walls. Decor matters, from the pleasing yet practical geometry of the perfect set of lacquered nesting tables to the mirrored doors of an apartment-block elevator shooting for the stars. When it comes to building, buying or selling a home, design <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> important. In fact, it\u2019s indispensable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sotheby\u2019s <\/span><\/i>2025 Important Design<\/span><\/i><\/a> live auction is presented at Sotheby\u2019s Paris on May 20 at 2.30pm CEST in partnership with <\/span><\/i>Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/i><\/a>. Read more about <\/span><\/i>Art Deco\u2019s elegant comeback here<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The progressive design movement of the 1920s and 1930s continues to influence architecture and interiors a century on Dallas, Texas | Briggs Freeman, Sotheby’s International Realty In 2025, Art Deco is set to celebrate its official centenary in signature style. The influential decorative movement that flourished throughout Europe and the United States in the 1920s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770370,"featured_media":343943,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1393,1399],"tags":[1441,1498],"class_list":["post-343942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture","category-home-and-design","tag-france","tag-texas"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/zheader.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1rts","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":343080,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/the-benefits-of-living-in-a-creative-city\/","url_meta":{"origin":343942,"position":0},"title":"The Benefits of Living in a Creative City","author":"SIR Admin","date":"December 9, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"How the nearby presence of cultural institutions can effect luxury real estate markets Dallas, Texas | Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty American urban planner and theorist Kevin Lynch observed in 1960 that the city should be \u201cmade by art, shaped for human purposes.\u201d This credo has taken on different forms\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":347199,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-a-texas-estate-with-french-country-inspiration\/","url_meta":{"origin":343942,"position":1},"title":"Inside a Texas Estate with French Country Inspiration","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"June 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"This refined five-bedroom estate in a coveted neighborhood of Houston balances timeless French Provincial design with modern comfort and convenience. Although it enjoys an enviable location in one of the fastest-growing metropolises in the world\u2014Houston\u2014this refined manor with a stately limestone fa\u00e7ade would be equally at home in the French\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"exterior of French-inspired stone estate in Texas","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-3.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-3.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":392,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-an-inviting-light-filled-houston-estate\/","url_meta":{"origin":343942,"position":2},"title":"Inside an Inviting Light-Filled Houston Estate","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"January 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Spanning more than 16,000 square feet of refined space, this magnificent Memorial-area manor accommodates relaxed day-to-day moments and festive f\u00eates with equal ease. For Houstonians and those familiar with this cosmopolitan city\u2014America\u2019s fourth-largest metropolis\u2014the mere mention of the Memorial neighborhood brings to mind quiet lanes lined with leafy trees, spacious\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-2.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":342510,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/the-ultimate-homes-for-car-collectors\/","url_meta":{"origin":343942,"position":3},"title":"The Ultimate Homes for Car Collectors","author":"SIR Admin","date":"August 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Far from cluttered storage spaces, these garages offer impressive designs fit for prestige vehicles, writes Natasha Levy McLean, Virginia |\u00a0TTR Sotheby's International Realty Automotive collectors the world over gather for Monterey Car Week (August 9-18), the annual event in California offering a thrilling program of showcases, races, unveilings and of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345143,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-an-elegant-modern-estate-in-houston\/","url_meta":{"origin":343942,"position":4},"title":"Inside an Elegant Modern Estate in Houston","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"October 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"At this new residence, a leafy landmark setting and an august brick fa\u00e7ade suggest an Old Worth formality, yet the expansive light-filled interiors are a study in subtle modern sophistication. 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