Curvy lines, feminine colors and geometric shapes defined Art Deco architecture and design a century ago, and it’s all coming back—in a big way.

Lulu and Georgia Deco Rina Living Room
Courtesy of Lulu and Georgia
Los Angeles-based home decor brand Lulu and Georgia's Soft Deco collection is a nod to the curves and shapes made popular by the Art Deco rage of the 1920's and '30s. Clayton left-facing sectional sofa, $3,898

You may have noticed round furniture popping up everywhere you look. Spherical upholstered ottomans, crescent-shaped sofas, bent wood and rattan, tables with circular bases and curvilinear shapes of all kinds have nudged some of the harder angles of furniture design out of the spotlight. The origins of the look can be traced back to two design moments that are back with a vengeance: The 1920s and ’30s when Art Deco defined high design—especially in California, during the state’s first major building boom—and the 1980’s when the first Deco revival brought pink paint and lacquer and geometric shapes back into the picture. Today’s interpretation of Deco is a little mellower, with softer textures. But evidence of its influence is everywhere. L.A.-based home decor company Lulu and Georgia created an entire spring collection, Soft Deco, that’s inspired by this vintage style, which has an enduring presence in its hometown.

Lulu and Georgia Deco Gillian Rug Bedroom
A curved bench, a plush headboard, a round side table and light fixture from Lulu and Georgia’s Soft Deco collection.
Tate Bench, $998
Delta Side Table, $498

“Our headquarters is in a true, beautifully preserved Deco building on Wilshire near La Brea,” says Anat Aharoni, director of product for Lulu and Georgia. “All of the details, from the brass work in the elevator, the inlay flooring and the exterior, are intact.”

Getting used to the idea of a Deco revival? Start small with an arched vase in warm terracotta.
June Arched Vase, $78

Aharoni drew inspiration from her time-capsule office, and architecture tours through downtown Los Angeles, led by the L.A. Conservancy, that highlight the Deco buildings that still stand out in the skyline. Some of the more famous Deco landmarks include Union Station, the Griffith Observatory, the Sunset Tower Hotel, and the Southwestern Law School, located in the former Bullocks department store, pictured below.

“We wanted to bring this re-imagined Deco in to the home, the fun and playful color combination and the details with heavy geometric influences, like trapezoids, zig-zag patterns, and unique combinations of straight and smooth lines, and pare it down a bit to make it more comfortable.”

The Celeste chair embodies this new take on Deco: A combination of curved and straight lines with more generous and comfortable proportions for modern life.
Accent Chair, $1498

If you’re interested in learning more, there are plenty of resources available, like the Art Deco Society of California, which gives annual preservation awards, or the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles. Here are five of the most famous Deco landmarks in California.