How we put the Art Deco in our Décor

More than a hundred years after the introduction of the Art Deco period – the design style remains timeless and has come to represent jubilant optimism, historically born[1] , and reinvigorated from periods of cultural uncertainty.

An article earlier this year in leading interiors magazine, Living Etc, explains, “The art-deco trend is one that has an enduring appeal in modern interior design and continues to grow stronger and stronger, especially as we edge into the new 20s.”

With the first glimpse of the newest Downton Abbey: A New Era trailer just out, the late 1920s will be back on the big screens in Spring 2022, showcasing the finest fashions and interiors of that time – no doubt inspiring a new wave of Art Deco and modernist architecture fans.

One of the earliest and most iconic examples of the iconic modernist architecture in Britain, Hornsey Town Hall, is steeped in history and features many Art Deco details, quintessential of the 1920s and 30s, that have influenced the designs and interiors of the development’s new residential buildings and apartments.

Designed by New Zealand-born architect, Reginal Uren (a man who matured during the fledgling years of the Art Deco movement and saw it blossom in its prime), the Grade II* listed Town Hall building was commissioned in the early 1930s and completed in 1935 by Hornsey Borough Council – later known as Haringey Council.

Fast forward to 2017 and after finding itself on the Historic England ‘at risk’ register, Make Architects were appointed to sensitively restore and convert the Grade II* listed Town Hall into a community and events venue with a café, co-working spaces, a hotel and restaurants along with residential apartments in the grounds of the Town Hall.  Make has been careful to respect the building’s historical significance and use Art Deco details to inspire the interiors of the new homes.  The hope is that every resident will feel that sense of place and connection to the original Town Hall and be able to enjoy the unique Art Deco styling of the apartments in a modern context.

Here are five of our favourite Art Deco-inspired details that you can find in the apartments’ décor.

1. Chevron timber flooring

Geometric shapes form the basis of Art Deco flooring design and each of Hornsey Town Hall’s carefully considered apartments feature chevron timber flooring throughout the open-plan living area and hallways. The decorative flooring complements the neutral walls, bringing a bright and airy aesthetic to the main living space.

Alice Simmons, Designer at Make says: “Reginald Uren used eclectic materials and a lot of timber features in the Town Hall’s interiors on both the walls and floors. In the Town Hall we’re restoring the herringbone timber flooring wherever possible, and we’ve also used the same pattern and tones in the hotel rooms and residential apartments.

2. Terrazzo-inspired surfaces

Originating in Italy in the 1850s and popular during the Art Deco era, terrazzo is making a comeback and has become one of the most popular trends in home décor over the last year. Terrazzo-inspired solid surfaces are a key feature in the kitchens and bathrooms at Hornsey Town Hall.

Alice says: “Reginal Uren utilised terrazzo within the Town Hall in key areas such as the flooring in the foyer of the Assembly Hall. He cleverly used the different tones and colours in the material to create ‘queue’ lines for the ticket booths. In the apartments we’ve used terrazzo-inspired materials in some of the joinery and finishes in the kitchens and bathrooms to lift the calm and neutral finishes and create a unique point of difference.”

3. Art Deco-style bathroom lighting

Taking inspiration from the light fixtures in the Town Hall building, each of the bathrooms in the new apartments feature Art Deco-inspired lighting. The lights give a nod to the Art Deco past and provide a distinctive decorative feature in the neutral-coloured bathrooms.

Alice adds: “Throughout the Town Hall you will find elegant Opal diffused globe shape pendants and we’ve referenced these in our bespoke fittings designed for the communal areas of the apartment buildings. Similarly, within the apartment bathrooms, the linear light fittings were influenced by lighting found in the Town Hall entrance. We’ve designed delicate metal linear lights to sit along the textured terrazzo vanity to add a finishing touch.”

4. Metal balustrade balcony detailing

Reflecting the Town Hall’s distinctive exterior, the new residential buildings feature detailed metal balustrades that can be found on the balconies and terraces of the new stylish apartments. The balconies offer the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a morning coffee, while the terraces and gardens offer ample space to entertain friends and family.

Make Director Katy Ghahremani says: “Intricate metalwork was a key feature of Reginald Uren’s original design, inspired by the modernist Scandinavian designs of the period. This can be seen in the Town Hall from the ornate bronze gates, which adorn its administration entrance, to the cast bronze balustrades on the exterior balconies, staircase and landings and the bronze shutters and bronze and steel window frames; simple forms have been layered with crafted details.”

5. Replica door handles

Replicating the existing door handles in the Town Hall building, the new residential apartments feature similar Art Deco-inspired door handles with a modern touch.

Katy says: “We’ve kept a lot of the original existing ironmongery in the Town Hall and creating reproductions to match where necessary. The apartments pick up on these details so that the new homes will feel related to their original neighbour.”

If you would like to make Crouch End your new home, please contact Patrizia Coro at the marketing suite on 07972 000 253 or email info@hornsey-townhall.com.

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/a-century-after-art-decos-birth-designers-say-were-due-for-a-revival/2020/04/01/8b0e1826-5d7f-11ea-b014-4fafa866bb81_story.html