Art Deco at 100

Bold geometric frames and fan motifs reflect Art Deco’s emphasis on symmetry, structure, and sculptural form. 

Spherical shades balanced by polished brass or chrome arms embody the harmony of geometry, luxury, and clean vertical lines. 

While Art Deco emerged in Europe and took root globally, its translation into Australian homes has always involved a certain adaptation. Ceiling heights here tend to be lower than the soaring lobbies of 1920s Paris or New York, and our natural light quality is different - brighter, harsher in summer, softer in winter. 

Our product designers approach Deco not as a historical replica, but as a design language to interpret for modern living. That might mean distilling a grand, tiered chandelier into a single sculptural pendant that works in an open-plan dining space. It can involve reimagining classic ribbed glass shades in warmer tones that suit timber flooring and natural stone surfaces common in Australian interiors. 

Geometry remains key. The stepped forms, radial symmetry, and vertical emphasis are still there, but scaled and proportioned for comfort. Materials are chosen for both aesthetic and environmental fit: brushed brass that feels warm under our light, or matte black detailing to ground a space in a more contemporary palette. 

Tiered, cascading profiles with crystal or glass elements highlight the movement’s fascination with rhythm, light play, and architectural grandeur.

Vertical prisms arranged in repetition emphasise Art Deco’s structured geometry, while the play of glass and shadow enhances its dramatic, architectural quality. 

Our designers integrate Deco principles into layered lighting schemes, combining ambient, task, and accent light much like the original theatres and hotels did, but in a way that’s flexible for everyday use. It’s about capturing the essence - glamour, structure, and a certain optimism - without overpowering the architecture or lifestyle of the home. 

Revisiting Art Deco lighting isn’t about nostalgia - it’s about mining a century-old style for ideas that still feel progressive. 

• Make lighting central to your design concept as original Deco spaces treated light as a primary driver not an afterthought. 

• Use light to reinforce geometry by echoing architectural symmetry or drawing the eye to key features. 

• Balance richness with restraint since Deco was always about precision as much as opulence. 

• Think in layers with uplighting, downlighting, and accent lighting creating depth and drama. 

In 2025, Art Deco turns 100. Its arrival at the 1925 Paris exposition signalled a shift toward a modernity that embraced decoration, technology, and global influences. Over the decades, it has moved from cutting-edge to passé to revered classic - yet its approach to lighting has never truly gone out of fashion. 

Drum silhouettes with rows of glass or metal detailing capture the sleek, linear quality central to Art Deco interiors. 

Scalloped glass forms arranged in repetition echo Art Deco’s layered elegance and its jewel-like approach to light and materiality.