Design Ideas Inspired by Ken Burns' 'Prohibition'
The Roaring Twenties: Swank, swagger and streamlining dominated design
The timing of Ken Burns' latest PBS documentary, Prohibition, could not have been more perfect; the latest season of Boardwalk Empire had just started on HBO and I was missing half the references (George Remus referring to himself in the third person, for example) before my Burns education. The most powerful era in terms of design influence within Prohibition times was by far was the Roaring Twenties, a decade of wild fun wedged between the horror of World War I and that total bummer, The Great Depression.
We tend to reference mid-century modernism often here on Houzz, but it's fun to look at what proceeded the zeitgeist of the Machine Age and its influence on design. Cultural influences that emerged during Prohibition included flappers, speakeasies, jazz, lots of dancing (some of it burlesque), the automobile, women declaring their equality, and conspicuous consumption. All of these movements influenced design, and what emerged in architecture and interiors then provides inspiration for designers today.
We tend to reference mid-century modernism often here on Houzz, but it's fun to look at what proceeded the zeitgeist of the Machine Age and its influence on design. Cultural influences that emerged during Prohibition included flappers, speakeasies, jazz, lots of dancing (some of it burlesque), the automobile, women declaring their equality, and conspicuous consumption. All of these movements influenced design, and what emerged in architecture and interiors then provides inspiration for designers today.
Art Deco swank, dandy menswear fabrics, and of course, illicit beverages are a great way to kick off this ideabook.
Flappers: The fringe, the freedom, the dancing, the haircuts and the jewelry of the flappers still influence designers of fashion and interiors alike.
Bamileke Feather Juju Hat
Burlesque: Everyone from Dita von Teese to the Real Housewives of New York are enjoying the resurgence of burlesque arts today. Feathers like these were popular with both flappers and burlesque dancers.
Swanky clubs: Tassels on the curtains, rich fabrics, a glittering crystal light fixture and Art Deco curves recall the era, and the feel of the clubs that defied the Volstead Act. At places like Harlem's Cotton Club, patrons enjoyed the naughtiness of imbibing, dancing, and enjoying entertainment provided by jazz musicians.
Speakeasies: These flirty curtains hide a multitude of what teetotalers considered sinful and the government considered illegal: booze bottles.
Dandy gangster duds: Male ensembles really stepped it up during this era, with formerly working-class gangsters showing off their status through their sartorial choices. Pinstripes, vests, bespoke suits, ties, hats, shoes and other dapper accessories gave a man serious swagger. The costume designers on Boardwalk Empire have mastered this; my favorite wardrobe on the show belongs to the character Chalky White.
See more menswear-inspired spaces
See more menswear-inspired spaces
Baroque resurgence: Known as The Money Decade, the era brought back Renaissance touches, with heavily ornamented and gilded pieces gaining popularity among those flush with cash. Here, a glossy checkerboard floor adds Jazz-Age style to the room.
Ornate accessories that had gained popularity during The Gilded Age were reinvented with Art-Deco twists.
Stripped classicism: A holdover from the turn of the century, architecture and interiors still celebrated the classic architecture of the Greek and Roman Empires, as well as the Beaux Arts School. The Roaring Twenties added its own bits of glitz to amp it up, just as this room combines the classical urn renderings with mirrored surfaces and rich burgundy hues.
Murals: Adorning the walls in a nature-inspired design was a holdover from the Victorian Era, while hiring someone to paint mural in your home was a sign of wealth during the Money Decade.
Art Noveau: Before Art Deco there was Art Noveau, which celebrated the applied arts, using new technologies and the organic forms of nature. The biggest difference between Art Noveau and the Arts and Crafts movement was that the former utilized new options provided by machinery, while the latter focused upon handcrafting.
Jazz: This cool room is the perfect spot for listening to some Duke Ellington, whose career took off during the 1920s. Art Deco touches include the club chair, the sunburst light fixture and the cabinet.
Have you had time to watch Prohibition on PBS? It's a fascinating and entertaining look at a distinct era in American history. After you watch it, you may start to see touches of the era's influence everywhere you look, from a sunburst mirror to the spire of the Chrysler Building.
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