Art Deco

Oct8

Art Deco was the determinative style of the 1920-30s. It was named after the abbreviation of Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes exhibition in 1925.
The style included almost all innovations of the age (e.g. aviation, electricity) but willingly used ancient cultures’ symbols as a source (e.g. rising sun, pyramid). These appeared as stylized geometrical figures. The human bodies on statues and relieves were a bit angular, masculine (even the women!) and dynamic. In architecture, skyscrapers were the breakthrough (e.g. Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building).
Chrome and bakelite – the new materials – specified the interiors. Extra shiny surfaces could be created by both. At the same time, they were combined with very expensive materials: ivory and silver on furniture, diamonds and platinum on jewelry. Black, white and yellow were dominant colors of the strong and high contrast palette. The style itself embodied luxury and elegance. Both mass production and unique manual production had a role.
Renowned artists were requested for furnishing not only private houses and public buildings, but for example the interiors of ocean liners and luxury trains. The style became simpler after the world-wide economic crisis, but still remained extravagant.
Art Deco is popular again. Accessories, wallpapers, furniture in the style can be bought in several shops. Take care not to overdose the used patterns. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.

Degenfeld Castle Hotel

Oct5

Degenfeld Castle Hotel Tarcal through the eyes of the guest (2018)

MSC Splendida

Aug24

Interiors of MSC Splendida through the eyes of the guest (2016)

Boscolo Hotel

Jul20

Boscolo Hotel Budapest through the eyes of the guest (2016)

Orient Express

Jul2

When the train was the fastest way to travel continentally, one of them was world-famous. Its name was officially Orient Express from 1891.
It left Paris first in 1883, going to only Wien that time. The passengers were taken to Bulgaria on the Danube, where they got on another train to Varna, then reached Constantinople by ferryboat. The train went directly to Constantinople from 1889. It became so popular in the 1930s, that three trains ran parallel: on the lines Paris-Wien-Istanbul, Paris-Venice-Istanbul and Paris-Zürich-Athens.
Only first-class tickets were available, it was specifically a luxury train. The company used wooden framed, teak wood covered carriages until WWI, and dark blue steel framed carriages after it. Its kitchen was brilliant. One of the leading shareholders of Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits succeeded to enlist the Belgian King. Thanks to this, they could use the lion coat of arms. It could keep tally on sovereigns, spies, diplomats and business magnates as passengers, among others. The interiors of the carriages were luxurious. The original train contained five carriages and one engine. There were one baggage wagon on each end, two sleeping wagons and a restaurant car in the middle. The interior decoration after the WWI is a nice sample of Art Déco. Wall panels and doors were decorated with glass insets, works of the famous glassmaker, René Lalique. A bar and a salon were created beside the dining area. Every cabin had a small lavatory part. The beds were transformed to sofas for the day. The whole looked like a hotel for all your needs, not rolling on wheels.
Agatha Christie also travelled on the world-famous train. Probably this experience and the 11 days stand because of the snowdrift in 1929 gave her the idea to write one of her best detective stories (Murder on the Orient Express).