Darren Kennedy: Look to the Roaring Twenties to add art deco opulence, glamour and luxury to your home

Spherical open end curve sofa, €2339, dfs.ie

Phila rug, €450, aprilandthebear.com

Aster flush-ribbed glass ceiling light, brass, £249, cultfurniture.com. Items from the UK may incur extra charges for Republic of Ireland customers

Waterside Platinum Art Deco wine glass, set of 4, €37.99, very.ie

Troy marble lamp table, £349, furniturevillage.co.uk. Items from the UK may incur extra charges for Republic of Ireland customers

thumbnail: Spherical open end curve sofa, €2339, dfs.ie
thumbnail: Phila rug, €450, aprilandthebear.com
thumbnail: Aster flush-ribbed glass ceiling light, brass, £249, cultfurniture.com. Items from the UK may incur extra charges for Republic of Ireland customers
thumbnail: Waterside Platinum Art Deco wine glass, set of 4, €37.99, very.ie
thumbnail: Troy marble lamp table, £349, furniturevillage.co.uk. Items from the UK may incur extra charges for Republic of Ireland customers
Darren Kennedy

Home design is all about having fun. I’ve been watching a lot of RTÉ’s Home of the Year recently and it is just that. Quite apart from the giggles of judge and architect Hugh Wallace, one of this year’s episodes featured a renovated period home in Belfast which exemplified how to bring personality, flair and a sense of humour into your home. This particular house embraced a 1920s theme and it feels right on the money for the 2024 “gilded glamour” vibe.

To transport yourself back to the opulence of the Roaring Twenties, firstly embrace the luxurious fabrics that defined the period. Think velvet sofas, silk drapes and sumptuous rugs. Rugs are such a great opportunity to add not only nuance in pattern and tone but texture as well. Choose bold, rich colours such as emerald green, gold, and deep red.

Try a statement wallpaper with an art deco pattern. Walls don’t always have to be flat one-dimensional surfaces, so be open to texture-rich wallpaper. If an entire room feels too much, then test it on a smaller space such as a shelving wall or a home bar area.

Aster flush-ribbed glass ceiling light, brass, £249, cultfurniture.com. Items from the UK may incur extra charges for Republic of Ireland customers

Furniture from this period was known for its intricate detailing and strong geometric shapes. Art deco pieces tend to be very distinctive with bold lines and shapes. If you can get your hands on an original piece you can really make a dramatic statement. Of course, you can achieve the desired effect with contemporary furniture, too.

Accessorise with vintage-inspired pieces such as ornate picture frames and gold-rimmed glassware. Combining different textures through a range of material finishes — hard, soft, reflective, and matte — and incorporating soft-furnishings with a mix of patterns and textures into the scheme really helps elevate it.

Incorporating elements from nature was also popular during this era. This is easily achieved through the use of botanical prints, potted palms or peacock feathers as decor accents.

Waterside Platinum Art Deco wine glass, set of 4, €37.99, very.ie

Lighting is another crucial element of this aesthetic. Opt for ornate chandeliers or geometric pendant lamps to give your home that classic 1920s ambiance. Incorporate brass and gold accents into your light fixtures for that quintessential gilded look.

This style was all about glamour and luxury, but it’s also crucial to balance this with your personal style and comfort. After all, your home should be a reflection of you and what brings you happiness.