American Beauty – New York Style

New York interiors are as diverse and different as the people who live in them — from traditionally elegant Brownstone buildings, to Greenwich Village loft apartments; cool, classic chic to funky and formidable. The unique style reflects the city's blend of cultures, ideas, vitality, creativity and sophistication – it's eclecticism at its best.

As apartments have increased in size over the last decade, so too has their level of sophistication in terms of luxury apartment design. The cramped bed-sit has now been replaced by towers of large-scale living spaces with multiple rooms, high ceilings and architectural detailing. Similarly, as room dimensions have changed, so has the interiors style and there are no strict rules about mixing up furnishings from different periods.

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Art Deco 1 — Patterns of Behaviour

Like many movements, Art Deco is one of those genres of designs that encompass everything from architecture to ashtrays. Unlike many movements, however, Art Deco seems to have had trouble with its identity. 

Geographically, it has links with the whole world from Europe to Egypt, while politically, it has played architectural host to the two of the most polarised newspapers in the UK, The Daily Express and The Daily Telegraph. 

The style has been loved by many, its affordability and quick production making it a popular choice for the masses; and loathed for its crassness, in equal measure. It has been seen both as the epitome of glamour, through the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York, and as an integral part of Hollywood’s ascendency, but has also been snubbed by classic architects and interior designers as too crowd-pleasing or populist.  

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