Everything old is new again
Art deco backsplashes can add a touch of abstract elegance to any kitchen
In the roaring 1920s, the art deco style broke on the scene with bold, geometric patterns covering potential canvases the world over. Of course, the kitchen was no exception.
The backsplash remains a functional bit of kitchen hardware, keeping the area under cabinets or around the sink safe from heat, flying food and moisture. These areas are often covered in simple tiles but can be dressed up to fit into any style.
Viewers of Baz Luhrmann’s movie The Great Gatsby, from 2013, will be familiar with the decoration that can be hypnotically subdued at times or purposely over the top.
Hallmarks include linear elegance, dynamic modernist streamlining and geometric abstraction along with stylized nature in clam shells and floral designs.
Home design website Hunker found a few ways the right backsplash could take your kitchen back to the jazz age.
Brass doesn’t have to be reserved for fixtures and pipes anymore, with backsplash materials incorporating the shiny stuff with marble thanks to the company Tilebar.
After it’s installed, the brass will shine along the wall when hit with light as it’s surrounded by pieces of both black and white marble.
Going for gold in your own kitchen is easier than ever with the Siam metallic offerings from Artistic Tile.
The reflective finish, combined with a flowerlike pattern complete with hundreds of individual lines, adds a bit of texture to the wall, creating a space that would make an Oscar statue jealous. Pairing with a set of blue cabinets sporting gold hardware really amps up the retro-inspired look.
For those trying to take a more minimalistic approach to their space, Fireclay’s whitewash small diamond-sheeted material will
work well behind the stove or sink.
The glossy, almost reflective finish combined with black lines creates the appearance of 3D cubes coming off the wall. Art deco was a predecessor to mid-century modern, with contrasting colours and stiff lines being staples of both trends.
Chevron pattern tiles, like those by Modwalls Kiln, also make a great addition to the kitchen that isn’t covered in gold or colours that distract from the rest of the decor.
Contrasting colours can be a part of nearly any style and art deco design.
Turning to a simple black-andwhite palette can fit well into an already finished kitchen without adding too much pizzazz.
Inara Cavalier’s brass and marble tiles fit the black and white bill, designed with a simple black border around the mostly white background and a bit of brass that’s nearly invisible at a distance.