Looking at 1920s floors most of the rooms were decorated around the perimeter nothing in the middle to block the beauty of thse marvellous floors . some medallions were used as rugs
example

http://aandsgranitetops.com/images/230_CUSTOM_FLOOR_MEDALLIONS.jpg

That's an amazing place and it looks like it's in perfect condition. Can we see more pictures, please?

What a treasure you have! I agree with Kathryn Peltier Design, keep it simple, clean lines on the furniture and let the floor take center stage. Found some lovely inland floors on a site called czarfloors.com. Go take a look at their gallery and see the furniture in the some of the rooms they show. I'd keep the walls a nice off white like Sherwin Williams Barcelona Beige or Wool Skein.

Go watch every episode of Hercule Poirot with David Suchet and pay attention to the decor - many of the homes and scenes will give you tons of ideas. This is an absolute gem!

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/630567/thumbs/hercule-poirot

Thanks everyone, we appreciate your suggestions. We're attaching a few more pictures to give it more context. We believe the first three pictures show original walls and ceilings, these are two little offices each side of the entry hall. The motifs are perhaps not the nicest possible, but at least the colors are light and blend nicely with the woodwork, so we'll have these repaired. But the two living rooms are what you can see in the fourth picture, and we're a little puzzled as to where this decor came from, and to what we can do about it...

It is a cross between art nouveau and art deco. Have you researched the history of the building and the owners?
This is a fascinating story....
I'm going to send over a houzzer in the know who might be able to give you more history.

Wow, lovely wood floors, doors and woodwork! Looks like a beauty of a house! It's quite possible that the two paint treatments in the two later pictures were faux paint treatments done later. Do you know who owned the house when, and what might have been done since it was built?

Truly unique and inspiring place!!!! WOW! Those floors are straight out of my dreams. Are you getting rid of the wall and ceiling treatments? They are really neat, but I can understand it if it feels like too much pattern everywhere. Perhaps a warmer cream/off white on the walls would calm things down visually. I personally think the green ceiling is so cool, though!!

Oh wow, what a gorgeous, gorgeous place. So nice that you're restoring it. My first thought was Le Corbusier furniture (follow the links under the pictures). Also Eileen Gray and Breuer. Nice clean lined furniture from that period. Combined with very comfortable low lined sleek comfy sofas. Fortunately the ideabooks I found show good examples of what I have in mind. You may like very different things though ;-)

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/modern-icons-corbusiers-lc2-and-lc3-armchairs-stsetivw-vs~105174
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/modern-icons-marcel-breuers-wassily-chair-stsetivw-vs~140336
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/modern-icons-eileen-gray-side-table-stsetivw-vs~105389

For a paint color, perhaps more in the cream range or a green. As for furnishings, I would stick with neutrals or jewel tones. Clean lines or the simple art deco curved lines for furniture. Given all the woodwork and the wood floors that you don't want to cover, I would have some furnishings in fabrics, as well as throws, etc for more softness.

@ASV, Wow! Thanks for the heads up to this thread! First photo I was thinking Art Deco, then that amazing ceiling thru me a curve! I'm with you definitely a combo! With this much richness and depth of detail, if it was my place I would keep furnishings simple to not conflict and take away from that cool backdrop! Great Gatsby anyone?

I like carolins idea of going with quite modern furniture. If you combine clean lines with your classic tufted couch and perhaps a few antique pieces here and there, it will give all the trim and pattern room to breath. What do YOU like though? Could you post a photo of the exterior of the house? I am just dying to see what it looks like. What a fabulous place!

I think I'm speaking for everyone: "more photos please"!

That is an absolutely stunning floor. Have not seen anything quite like it. You should definitely not do anything to compete with these, simple, even splashing some ultra modern in there would work. Overall though, you'll have to be careful: I'd go for something more soft and pleasing, easy and warm so as not to confuse anyone about what the real highlights are.

Contemporary furniture in solid, very saturated color upholsteries, in an historic room


If you want to go with an area rug in some areas, which would be understandable, go with something muted in color and pattern (the ONLY thing similar in this room lol)


Eclectic mix: antique sofa, modern floor lamp


Completely different kind of house, but eclectic mix of neutral colored furniture

Very Cool Kathryn! The first two images you posted are right on! (If it was my home) I can dream can't I?

@Kevin Patrick O'Brien: Thanks. Yes, I LOVE that first room especially. I can just see that furniture on those fabulous patterned floors!

Here's another site with some interesting rooms
http://www.manbience.com/art-deco-living/

Very nice! Imagine taking black and white 1920's photos with Art Deco frames displayed thru out this house! This would be one of those "dream" projects......

Kathryn, Great examples! You're right, Kevin Patrick, about dreaming! For art deco, art nouveau and Great Gatsby-esque era ideas, Joss and Main now has a sale going on for Great Gatsby era and style inspired modern furnishings to correspond with the movie opening, that you might want to check out:
https://www.jossandmain.com/The-Great-Gatsby~E4541.html

@collettec, thanks I will!

I'm blown away! Have you looked at the Old House Journal site?

http://www.oldhousejournal.com/

I don't have much to offer other than that. Here are a few random pictures of historic interiors.

Great house you have there! So much character! I really like the Prospect Park West (photo uploaded by Kathryn above). I was looking for it to post it here, but others were faster than me:) There is a lot you can do there. Take your time and pick what you like and works for you.

That is one of the most interesting floors i have ever seen, wish it was in my house

I'm going more toward the Art Deco style, but there are Craftsman touches (doors, etc). I would highlight those floors big time with this look (no rug, though). Stay with the colors in the floor. Get one piece with the tortoise shell faux finish. Truly unbelievable. May I ask where you are?

Wow!!!! So cool!

Furniture is not necessary - just walk around and admire!!!!! Just kidding, of course, but I have no suggestions - that house is a work of art and way beyond my ability for suggestions.

The good news, all the best designers on Houzz will bounce ideas off one another for this post, as is already happening!