Art Deco is a design style that emerged in the 1920s and was characterized by its use of geometric shapes and bold colors. When it comes to furniture made during the Art Deco era, certain types of wood were more popular than others. The most commonly used woods included Walnut, Oak, Maple and Rosewood. However, furniture makers also got creative and used other wood types to give their pieces a stunning contrast to the base materials. Here are some other woods that were popular in Art Deco furniture:
Birch: This wood has a light color and fine grain that can be enhanced with the right finish. It adds a modern and fresh touch to Art Deco designs while still maintaining the sophistication of the era.
Maple: With its light color and consistent grain, maple was a popular choice for Art Deco furniture makers. It lent itself well to the strong lines and geometric shapes of the style while still providing a warm and inviting feel.
Satinwood: Satinwood was highly prized for its beautiful golden color and silky texture. It was often used as an accent wood to add elegance and luxury to Art Deco pieces.
Sycamore: This light colored wood has a wavy grain that adds visual interest to furniture. It was used in Art Deco designs to create unique patterns and textures.
Whether it was Walnut, Oak, Maple or one of these other woods, Art Deco furniture was designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. These wood choices added to the unique style and glamour of the era.
The Rich and Dark Walnut
One of the most prevalent wood types used in Art Deco furniture was walnut. This wood was popular because of its dark and rich color, which was perfect for creating the deep contrasts found in Art Deco designs. Walnut also has a tight grain pattern, making it easier to carve intricate details in the furniture. This gave a sense of luxury and sophistication to the pieces.
The Timeless Beauty of Oak
Oak was another wood that was used frequently in Art Deco furniture. It’s a versatile wood that comes in a range of colors, but is often chosen in its natural light brown state. Oak was used in the creation of furniture with a timeless feel, and its strength and durability made it an excellent material for creating Art Deco pieces that would last for generations.
The Versatile and Durable Maple
Maple is another wood commonly seen in Art Deco furniture because of its versatility. It can be stained to look like many different types of wood and has an even, tight grain pattern that helps create a sense of uniformity in the furniture design. The durability of the wood also made it ideal for creating pieces with intricate designs and details.
The Exotic and Luxurious Rosewood
Rosewood is a premium wood that was used to create the most luxurious Art Deco pieces. Its unique color and grain pattern mean that no two pieces of rosewood furniture are the same. Art Deco designers were drawn to the exotic nature of rosewood and used it to create bold, statement pieces.
The Light and Airy Birch
Birch was sometimes used to create pieces of Art Deco furniture that were light and airy in their design. The wood’s light color and smooth texture gave a feeling of space and airiness to the pieces. Birch was also used to create contrasting inlays and designs on darker woods.
The Sleek and Elegant Satinwood
Satinwood is a smooth, elegant wood that was used to create furniture pieces with a sleek and modern design. Its light color and smooth texture were perfect for creating a sense of continuity in the design of Art Deco furniture. Satinwood was often used in the creation of chairs, tables, and other pieces that were meant to be functional as well as stylish.
The Unique and Bold Sycamore
Sycamore is a bold wood that was used in Art Deco furniture to create unique and striking pieces. The wood’s distinctive grain pattern allowed designers to create one-of-a-kind pieces that stood out from other furniture. Sycamore was often used to create statement pieces of furniture, such as desks or cabinets, that were meant to be focal points in a room.
In conclusion, the woods used in Art Deco furniture helped to define the style of the era. Walnut, Oak, Maple, and Rosewood were the most commonly used woods, each bringing a unique quality to the furniture. Birch, Satinwood, and Sycamore were also used to add visual interest and contrast. The use of these premium woods helped to create furniture that was not only stylish and functional but also timeless and elegant. Art Deco furniture is still highly prized today, and the quality of its construction and design has helped it to stand the test of time.
