ART Deco, the most glamorous style of the 20th century, swept across the globe in the 1920s and 1930s.

This period of design did not just affect architecture, but the entire fine and applied arts as well.

Furniture, sculpture, clothing, jewellery and graphic design were all influenced by the art deco style.

So what distinguishes this style from all the rest?

Basically, it was a "modernisation" of many artistic styles and themes from the past.

You can easily detect, in many examples of art deco, the influence of far and Middle Eastern design, Greek and Roman themes and even Egyptian and Mayan influence.

Mass production of modern materials, such as chrome, plastic and glass, had a massive impact on architecture and interior design accessories.

Fabulous geometric buildings emerged and the age of the American skyscraper was born.

Everything was stylised and streamlined, from cinema to ocean liners.

Lifestyles changed - it was the age of jazz, flapper girls, cocktail parties and Hollywood glamour.

The era saw the introduction of a new middle class that wanted elegant homes that were easy to run.

Modern chic made a completely new set of demands on designers and decorators. Households became smaller but everything in the home had to be a witness to taste and style.

As space became more limited, every bit became a vital living area.

Bathrooms took on a completely new look with streamlined fittings and new labour-saving floor and wall coverings.

There was an explosion of colour and boldness in design never seen before.

Art Deco embraced the natural world of animals and plants sunbursts and fountains together with geometric forms of avant-garde painting and design.

Modern design takes many of its influences from the Art Deco period and the style is still very much with us today.

The 1960s saw a revival of interest which quickened in pace in the 1980s as a new generation of designers and architects explored Deco decorative forms and styles. Twenty-first century minimalism draws its inspiration from this period.

Recreating Deco in a modern home couldn't be easier.

Keep everything unfussy and use lots of reflective surfaces to create the feeling of space.

Keep lines straight and simple and use a natural colour palette and accent colours, such as red or orange.

For details of a full House Doctor Service, contact the design team at Honeysuckle Interiors, Oakley, on 01256 780831 or visit the website honeysuckleinteriors.co.uk