Gatsby Look: Art Deco Style for the 21st Century

Bold, glamourous and unashamedly luxurious… bring the glitz and glam of the roaring 20s into your home with the Gatsby Look.

Mixing classic art deco elements such as geometric patterns, mirrored furniture and oversized lighting with contemporary touches such as sleek seating and rugged, natural stone, the Gatsby Look is ‘deco with a modern edge’ and it’s guaranteed to add drama to every space in your home.

Read on to find out how to create the Gatsby Look.

An enchanting welcome

The Gatsby Look is all about decadence, so be brave with your choices – starting right from the moment guests step inside your front door. Set the scene with romantic lighting, such as an oversized pendant or a twinkling chandelier hung from your hallway ceiling. Up the opulence with a black lacquered or pearl inlay hallway console, with a deco-inspired mirror hung above it. For walls, think textured and cocooning – consider textured linen or linen-look wallpaper or a flat, painted finish in a warm, smoky hue. Add a modern twist with rugged, stone or stone-look floor tiles.

A luxe living room

A sumptuous living room designed for elegant soirees lies at the heart of the Gatsby Look. And with its generous, comfortable seating and warm, cosy colour scheme, it also sets the perfect scene for modern-day relaxation.

The key to achieving this look is to layer rich, neutral tones, luxurious fabrics and decadent detailing. To build a layered scheme, start with the larger elements in the room, such as the flooring, wall coverings, sofa and coffee table. Then, add in artwork, lamps, cushions and mirrors. For floors, consider stone-look tiles topped with a plush rug. To balance out the dark tones in the space, opt for warm white on the walls and ceiling. Or, for a more dramatic effect, consider lining the walls with a geometric-patterned wallpaper.

When it comes to furniture, seek out curvaceous sofas and scallop-backed armchairs covered in luxurious fabrics such as velvet and damask. Intricate detailing such as studs and piping add a chic, tailored edge. Layer seating with cushions in a medley of tactile fabrics, such as satin, silk and faux fur.

For the coffee tables, side tables and consoles, look for pieces in rich woods and lacquered finishes. If you have the opportunity, keep your eyes out for a vintage piece or two to add a sense of character and history to the space.

Line surfaces with twinkling glass decor items and vintage accessories, and hang bold, black and white artwork or prints of New York street scenes on the walls. For true Gatsby flair, consider adding a curvy bar cart equipped with cocktail accessories and your favourite tipple. An arrangement or two of fresh flowers adds freshness and natural appeal.

Texture and smoky tones for the kitchen

Create a sophisticated, entertainer’s kitchen with smoky tones and a heady mix of matt and gloss finishes. In the Gatsby Look, a generous island bench where you can cook, prep and enjoy a glass of wine with guests is the centrepiece of the space. Consider a luxurious Caesarstone benchtop paired with a dark and dramatic woodgrain on the island facing. A trio of smoky-glass pendants above the island adds gravitas to the look and provides practical lighting for when you’re preparing meals.

Attention to detail is everything with this aesthetic; rather than plain joinery handles, consider decorative styles in a black, brass or bronze finish, textured tiles for the splashback, and classic pelmets at the windows to create a polished finish. Balance out the traditional elements and add a touch of the unexpected to the space with streamlined, contemporary bar stools.

Bathing beauty

The Gatsby Look is all about indulgence, and where better to relax in style than a bathroom designed for pampering and relaxation? When it comes to decorating the space, think restful and refined; a generous bathtub, high-shine, chrome tapware, mid-tone stone tiles, a handsome vanity finished in a rich woodgrain, and a large mirror or two to bounce around the light and make the space feel open and inviting. Introduce energy and interest with black-framed prints on the walls and fresh flowers.

A supremely stylish boudoir

Bring deco glamour to your bedroom with a palette of pewter, nougat and brushed gold and attention-grabbing pieces, such as a large-scale, velvet-upholstered bedhead, mirrored or lacquered bedside or dressing tables and a scallop-backed slipper chair. Accessorise your boudoir with pendant lights either side of the bed in black iron or matt black with touches of gold.

Create a striking focal point by lining the wall behind the bed in geometric-patterned wallpaper and up the opulence factor by hanging a three-dimensional artwork on top of it, such as a sunburst mirror with matt-black detailing.

Pamper yourself by laying the bed with crisp sheets in charcoal or grey, and cushions and throws in tonal shades. Add softness underfoot with plush, cut-pile carpet – a treat for your toes every morning when you step out of bed. Gatsby himself would approve!