Short for ‘Decorative Arts’, the Art Deco style originated in France in the early 20th century, but became popular primarily in the United States.

Inspired by the industrial revolution, the style uses metal as its material of choice. Typically, the style features sharp, irregular corners, but symmetry still dominates. Geometry was very prominent at the time, and was used in design, architecture and other arts.

Glass was also prominent in this style of design, with many mirrored surfaces that not only added a sense of elegance but also reflected the period's fascination with all things technological.

Art Deco was also notable for its use of rich, exotic materials: marble, silk, velvet, gold, lacquered finishes, exotic woods, animal prints and distressed leathers were more than commonplace. Finally, in terms of colour, deep blues, golds and silvers were used to create a sense of opulence and wealth.