Art Deco London

London Art Deco

Decadence Discovered: Art Deco London offers style, sophistication and sights galore

Daniel Allen

Delicate smoked salmon sandwiches, heavenly pastries laden with dark chocolate, rich raisin and apple scones with thick clotted cream - tea at Claridge's in London is the last word in taste and luxury. But what really makes this one of the capital's most treasured experiences for visitors is the surroundings. The hotel's Art Deco Foyer, under the Lady Gaga-esque silvery "light sculpture", is a dream for lovers of quintessential English afternoon indulgence.

Park Lane Hotel Palm Court, London, UK — Park Lane Hotel Palm Court

Claridge's Foyer

"For me afternoon tea at Claridge's Foyer is one of the ultimate London treats," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman of Art Deco Decadence, a UK-based consultancy specializing in Art Deco design and customized shopping trips.

"Located on the ground floor of the hotel, the Foyer is a glorious Art Deco jewel. Red leather banquettes, gold pillars, fine chandeliers and gilt-trimmed mirrors are crowned by a stupendous Dale Chihuly silver-white light sculpture, assembled from more than 800 hand-blown glass pieces. It takes my breath away every time."

Afternoon Tea in Claridge's Foyer, UK — Afternoon Tea in Claridge's Foyer

What is Art Deco?

The Art Deco style belongs to a world of glamour, luxury and risqué attitudes - at its most popular and prevalent during the inter-war, golden years of the 1920s and 30s when liberated gin-and-jazz culture was also at its height. The very term conjures up a multitude of romantic images: huge ocean liners gliding effortlessly across moonlit seas, the kiss of cocktail glasses in a chrome-clad bar, the sounds of big band jazz band emanating from a sumptuously decorated ballroom.

"In London and beyond, Art Deco was one of the most appealing and influential artistic movements of the past century," says Guy Oliver, an architecture and design specialist who has acted as consultant to Claridge's hotel for nearly 20 years.

"It was born in an age of great socio-economic change and technological progress. Art Deco's streamlined forms and innovative use of materials such as metal and glass were designed to be futuristic, and to evoke the speed of newly developed cars and airplanes. Artists and designers also took inspiration from a diversity of historic sources, employing geometric patterns from civilizations such as the Aztecs and ancient Egyptians.

"It was this fusion of history and modernity that gave Art Deco its unique character. Ultimately, this world of exuberance, vitality and beauty was a world of fantasy, a world as escapist as any of the Hollywood musicals of the same era. Today its legacy remains one of great beauty, craft and imagination."

Claridge's Lobby, London, UK — Claridge's Lobby, London

While many of London's finest hotels display some superb examples of Art Deco architecture and interior décor, the design style actually originated across the English Channel in Paris. It was there that a fertile concentration of pioneering French artists and designers such as Le Corbusier, Robert Mallet-Stevens, Rene Lalique, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Coco Chanel helped crystallize and drive the Art Deco movement forward.

"The term 'Art Deco' is taken from the name of a seminal 1925 Paris exhibition titled 'Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes'," explains Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "The most popular and respected French artists of the day showcased their work at this exhibition. They helped to define a style that would soon spread across the globe, from Shanghai in the East to New York and Los Angeles in the West."

In the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s, a host of London's architects incorporated Art Deco into their designs, which included everything from upmarket hotels and office blocks to cinemas and subway stations. While some purists decried its extravagance and superficiality, post-war British society quickly fell in love with the style, relishing its affordability, sophistication and association with hedonistic excess. It was symbolic of the strong economy, and inspired hope for a prosperous future.

Park Lane Hotel

It was during this era that another of London's most luxurious establishments was erected - the Park Lane Hotel. Arguably the capital's most authentic Art Deco property, it was completed in 1927, and the hotel's ballroom soon became the hangout of choice for socialites, celebrities and the aristocracy.

"The Park Lane Hotel Ballroom is just stunning," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "There are Art Deco gems in every area of the hotel, but this area is very special. When Sheraton bought the hotel in 1996 they commissioned specialist craftsmen from around the world to bring back its original grandeur - look out for the chariot-lined walls in the Silver Gallery, which was restored by silver gilders from Italy. This ballroom complex has set the scene for films including James Bond's Goldeneye, Revolver by Guy Ritchie, and The Golden Compass with Nicole Kidman."

The Park Lane Hotel is also home to The Palm Court, one of London's most prestigious lounges. "This stylish environment transports patrons back to a bygone era of style and elegance," says Sarah Whitham, the hotel's PR executive. "The Palm Court is the very epitomy of Art Deco chic, decorated in pale green and gold leaf, with large oriental-style murals on the walls and stunning glass ceiling. The iconic bar at the far end is the ideal place for an early evening cocktail."

One of The Palm Court's most popular offerings is its Art Deco Afternoon Tea, which includes a glass of Mumm Champagne, French pastries, and a choice of teas from the Park Lane Tea Selection, of which the organic silver needle white tea from China (白毫银针) is a perennial favorite. The Palm Court was awarded the "Award of Excellence" in the UK Tea Guide for 2010, recognizing it as one of the very best venues for afternoon tea in London.

The Savoy

Fascination with Art Deco recently received a boost with the restoration of yet another of the capital's institutions - The Savoy. The Saudi-owned luxury hotel re-opened its doors last October after undergoing the most ambitious revamp in British history, taking nearly three years and costing a cool £220 million.

Celebrated French designer Pierre Yves Rochon led the restoration project, revitalizing The Savoy's core Art Deco style while infusing a modern touch and the integration of state-of-the-art facilities. The Savoy Court Entrance is now classic Art Deco, with a new crystal fountain centerpiece commissioned from Lalique. Guests may be surprised to know that access to the hotel is gained by the only street in Britain where vehicles must drive on the right.

A new addition to The Savoy - the Beaufort Bar - is unashamedly glamorous. Inexplicably used as a standard meeting and storage room prior to the refurbishment, the new bar incorporates the hotel's former cabaret stage as the centerpiece to a theatrical, Art Deco space, with sumptuous black velvet furnishings and £40,000 of gold leaf on the walls.

The Savoy's celebrated Thames Foyer remains the heart of the hotel. It now boasts a stunning glass domed roof, and is flooded with natural light on even the darkest of winter days. Beneath the dome there's a winter garden gazebo (resembling an enormous birdcage) from where the hotel pianist serenades guests taking afternoon tea.

"Like Claridge's, afternoon tea at The Savoy is always a special occasion," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "The tea keeps flowing, the scones and clotted cream melt your cares away, and the sandwich tray is never empty. The service, needless to say, is impeccable.

"A hundred years of classic glamour and rich tradition - The Savoy is the perfect venue to have tea before going out to a West End theatre. If you go on to dine in the Savoy Grill restaurant, and there are 13 people, then Kasper - the Savoy's famous black Art Deco cat - has to join the table just for luck."

Beaufort Bar, The Savoy, London, UK — Beaufort Bar, The Savoy, London

Art Deco Architecture

Visitors to London who wish to view examples British Art Deco architecture in a less refined, more public environment will find a range of beautiful buildings dotted around the capital. From BBC Broadcasting House with its beautiful exterior sculptures to the East Stand of Arsenal Football Club's former stadium, there's more than enough to see to make a dedicated tour worthwhile.

"One of my favorite Art Deco structures in London is the Daily Express Building on Fleet Street," says Guy Oliver. "This beautifully minimalist building is made of black glass, clear glass and chromium highlighting. If you're lucky enough to see inside, look out for the wonderful Art Deco entrance hall with its ripple lighting and clock surrounded by gleaming chrome."

Battersea Power Station, London, UK — Battersea Power Station, River Thames, London, England

Another London Art Deco icon is Battersea Power Station, dating back to the 1930s. Although it currently stands derelict, it still dominates views of the River Thames at Chelsea Bridge. Regularly passed by thousands of London commuters every day on the train, it was made famous by the Beatles, who included a shot in their 1965 movie Help!, and Pink Floyd, for whom it appeared on the cover of their 1977 album Animals.

"Battersea has an austere shape, but is pure Art Deco in its symmetrical simplicity," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "It has stepped brickwork rather than stonework, and there's a ziggurat style to the four corner towers. The Art Deco styling is at its most refined in the main entrance hall, where the marble floor and decorated wood features now seem extravagant for a purely industrial building."

After all the sightseeing, those inspired to pick up an Art Deco souvenir or gift have a range of shopping options. "There are many great places to pick up beautiful Art Deco items in London," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "The Burlington Arcade, Britain's very first shopping arcade that opened in 1819, is an oasis of calm packed with luxurious objets d'art. The antique markets of Alfie's and Gray's are good for a bargain, but it's best to go with an expert. Another Art Deco paradise is Camden Passage in North London, where trading is mostly done on Wednesdays and Saturdays."

The Fumoir at Claridge's, London, UK — The Fumoir at Claridge's

Nearly a century after Art Deco first began to appear in the shops, homes and architecture of London, its appeal remains as strong as ever, and the style continues to influence contemporary artists and designers. A classic example of Art Deco revivalism can be seen in London's MI6 Headquarters Building, completed in 1995. With its setback style and highly detailed facade, it rises from the river Thames like the fantasy stage set of a 1930s Hollywood spectacular.

"People often ask me if I think the love and passion of Art Deco remains," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "Of course it does. In its heyday Art Deco covered the world in its divine curves, and there are still so many iconic buildings around the world, in Paris, Shanghai, New York, Miami and so on. For the ultimate in refined Art Deco experiences, though, I truly believe London remains a cut above."