Art Deco

The Art Deco movement, a prominent force within the industrial design of the 1920's & 1930's was born shortly after the turn of the 20th century, when the decorative artist community in France, represented by the Societe Des Artistes, gained the same rights of authorship enjoyed by painters and sculptors. The style of Art Deco in architecture, furniture, fashion and art is known for vivid colors (inspired by early 20th century ballet set design) and geometric forms (inspired by Cubism). Art Deco was the style of luxury during its time, as it featured expensive materials and expert craftsmanship. and represented modernization. Eventually, Art Deco split into two rival schools of design, one following its tradition of luxury, and the other, eventually referred to as Streamline Moderne, embraced industrialization and mass production. A revival of interest in early and mid-20th century design has given new life, purpose and relevance of Art Deco design in the modern home.

Maple

A hardwood used for furniture-making and flooring, characterized by a close, light brown grain. Its grain pattern can vary based on variety. Though often straight, it can sometimes include small knots (in the case of birdseye maple) or flame shapes. Some varieties of maple are used to craft fine wooden instruments such as violins and cellos.

Veneer

A wood finishing technique in which thin sheet of fine wood is applied to a the surface of a coarser wood or other structural material for decoration. Veneer is used to give furniture pieces a finer, more pleasing appearance. It was first used in ancient Egypt, classical Greece, and Rome, but did not appear again until the 17th Century in the Netherlands.