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They all start with “art,” but each of these three styles has its own distinct look.

Here you’ll learn how to decipher the differences between art deco, art nouveau

and Arts and Crafts style once and for all. We will start with the newest to appear,

art deco, and work our way back through history, tracing the roots of each style.

Art Deco

Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts:What’s the Difference?

If the zigzag and swirly designs of the past leave your head spinning, thesedescriptions will straighten you right out

Laura Gaskill August 24, 2014

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Roots of Style Decorating Guides

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Becoming popular in the

1920s, art deco style

celebrated the changes

happening in the modern

world — the excitement of

jazz music, electricity, the

radio, skyscrapers and

cubist art.

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Doors

Zigzags and sharp angles

dominated the style in the

1920s. Mirrors and black

lacquered finishes were

popular too, as well as

glass and highly polished

metals. Think The Great

Gatsby.

Art Deco Armchair

French Interior Design Studio

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By the 1930s art deco style

began taking on a softer

look, with curved lines (as

in the chair shown here)

taking the place of sharp

angles. Stepped forms

reminiscent of architecture

— notably the Chrysler

Building, built in New York

in 1930 — became popular.

Art Deco Elements Create

a Contemporary Flap

1stdibs

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Art Nouveau

Working our way backward in time to the late 19th century, art nouveau was the

style of the day, although it wasn’t called that at the time. Art nouveau is

immediately distinguishable from art deco, thanks to the “whiplash” curves and

ornate, nature-inspired designs featuring insect wings, flowers, feathers and vines.

Art nouveau was heavily influenced by the fine arts and included stained glass,

Caroline Beaupere Design

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painting, bas relief and

finely crafted wood and

metal, both in architecture

and interior design.

AN-2010-2 Mahogany Hand Carved 2-Panel Art Nouveau Double Door - $3,560

I like to think of art nouveau as Lord of the Rings style (even though the books

came much later), because the fine craftsmanship and natural forms remind me of

what the elves in Rivendell would make.

More about art nouveau style

Gast Architects

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US Door & More Inc

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Arts and Crafts

The oldest of the three styles, Arts and Crafts originated in the mid-19th century in

Britain as a backlash against industrialism. The Arts and Crafts movement

celebrated a return to handcrafted, artisan-made goods, including wood furniture,

tapestries, wallpaper, pottery and stained glass.

Gardner Mohr Architects LLC

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Like art nouveau, the Arts and Crafts style was heavily influenced by nature, but the

motifs were more rectilinear — not at all the extreme curves of art nouveau. Wood

was used heavily and almost always left with a natural finish. Decorative details

were handmade, from tile and vases to stained glass.

More about Arts and Crafts style

Deep River Partners

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Cheat sheet:

Art deco: Popular in the 1920s and 1930s; zigzags, sharp angles and stepped

designs; influenced by jazz and skyscrapers. Think The Great Gatsby.

Art nouveau: Popular in the late 19th century; whiplash curves; nature-inspired

designs; finely crafted metal and wood. Think Rivendell or signs for the Paris

Metro.

Gardner Mohr Architects LLC

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Arts and Crafts: Popular in the mid-19th century; handcrafted and artisan-made

wood, pottery, tile and stained glass; nature motifs done simply; rectilinear forms.

Think William Morris and bungalow style.

Tell us: Art deco, art nouveau or Arts and Crafts — which is your favorite style?

More: ‘Great Gatsby’ Style: 9 Inspiring Art Deco Escapes

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