We turned to the experts and asked Emma Sims Hilditch, founder and creative director of Sims Hilditch Interior Design, why should everyone stop trying to make Art Deco happen again? “An overload of Art Deco can make a home feel too stark and unlived in,” said Emma. Right now, we all tend to prefer “a more classic and timeless aesthetic inspired by nature that evokes feelings of comfort and homeliness.” “There may be a place for geometric opulence reminiscent of the Art Deco era,” agreed Emma. But “a home should be cozy, comfortable, and evoke a sense of emotion.” Unfortunately, geometric opulence and cozy rarely go hand-in-hand. But she warns that “as soon as you start to incorporate too many zig zags, geometric shapes, and rich colors into one room it becomes very dated.” If you do opt for Art Deco accents, Emma recommends that “these should be used minimally rather than overwhelming a room.” “We like to incorporate features from different periods to add character and contrast to a room,” she said. Too much Art Deco can quickly take you from paying a small homage to “creating something that resembles a scene from the Great Gatsby.” And, honestly, if anyone tries to seriously bring “old sport” back into the everyday vernacular, we’re going to need to have words.
