Modern design ideas for Art Deco houses

In recent years arches and biophilic shapes (common in Art Deco architecture) have experienced a resurgence in popularity, and homeowners are adding arched windows, doorways and circular windows into their home renovations.

Plaster surfaces, popular in Art Deco building exteriors, are also trending, but innovations in mean plaster surfaces are no longer exclusively used outside. Interior polished plaster walls are a great way to inject Art Deco style into any home, and a range of finishes can be chosen from super textured to egg-shell smooth.

Another popular feature of Art Deco houses is reeded glass, which can be used in contemporary interiors to add sophisticated detail. Popular applications of reeded glass include shower doors, kitchen cabinetry and backsplashes.

While Art Deco houses presented beautifully detailed, geometric facades to the street, their internal layouts were often not as enduring. Often featuring a central foyer with a rabbit warren of dark rooms intersecting it, they are not designed for the open-plan living, light, and privacy we expect of modern homes.

When changing the layout, indoor/outdoor flow, privacy from neighbours, and multiple living zones for family members all need to be considered. Opening out the back of the house or adding an extension are popular ways to create the space needed for modern living, but don’t forget to integrate the character of the original house where possible, including curves and plaster, decorative scotia, skirting and ceiling roses.

Colour was a key feature of the Art Deco era, and soft, romantic, pastel tones were commonly used as well as brighter jewel hues and gold accents.

When integrating these colours into modern designs, take inspiration from the opulent and whimsical colour schemes of buildings in New Zealand’s Art Deco capital, Napier. Built predominantly in the 1930s after the 1931 earthquake, the dirty pinks, mint greens, butter yellows and gilt detailing express the rejuvenation and hopeful feeling of the decade.

The Dulux Colours of New Zealand Heritage Collection is a great place to start. Developed in consultation with heritage architect Joanna Theodore, whose expertise in heritage architecture and extensive research, including paint and wallpaper archives and site visits, informed the collection. While allowing for historical accuracy, the schemes have been designed to take a fresh approach towards heritage design, with colour palettes that work well with New Zealand homes and buildings today. The Heritage Collection comprises 48 colours, which are arranged into eight individual palettes. Each palette draws inspiration from a New Zealand landscape reminiscent of a particular era in our colour evolution, spanning a historical period from approximately 1830 to 1930.