You crave for a change! Many aspects of your life cannot be c
hanged at short notice or without enormous emotional or financial expense. You are boxed in from all sides by structures and obligations and suddenly feel that just one change would be like a breath of fresh air but you do not want to invest too much time or money into it.
One change you can achieve relatively effortlessly is re-inventing your private surrounding - a change in décor is like a breath of fresh air. Of course, it needs to be a change in the right direction. For instance, in our hectic 21st century lives conducted in limited spaces, we generally do not opt to go for very large, ornate furniture, loud, clashing colours and a lot of knick knacks spread all over the place! we aim to come back to an oasis of harmony and peace to 
recoup our energy.
If you are not sure what you want to go for, it is worthwhile having a look at styles already existing. For instance, there is Art Deco, named after an art movement originating in Paris in the early 20th century which took off full strength after World War ! Its key elements achieve a general light and airy feeling and this is just perfect to relax in now, nearly a hundred years later.
As Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, reviewing Eltham Palace - restored in art deco style in the 1930s by its wealthy new owners - for the History Channel, enthused 'I 've died and gone to Art Deco Heaven!'
Some guidelines to achieve an art deco look
Choose strong, streamlined shapes for furniture and look for single pieces rather than suites.
Stick to plain or geometric fabrics, add cushions in one solid block of colour
Plain polished parquet is perfect for floors; linoleum in abstract designs or black and white checquerboard vinyl tiles are also typical.
In an authentic art deco house, floors would have been semi-covered with large rugs in geometric patterns, often handmade by artists such as Duncan Grant (of Bloomsbury Group fame).
The original fireplaces were rectangular and bold. They were made of concrete and often had surrounds tiled in pink, green or beige. Not many survive today.
Cabinets, wardrobes etc. were in pale veneered wood and in simple shapes, in keeping with the general light and airy feel.
As regards design, the stepped profile is the epitome of the art deco shape, found everywhere from up-lighters to picture surrounds. Also look for zigzags, chevrons and lightning bolts.
Lights featuring female figures holding the ball of the lamp are typical and good reproductions abound. Also look for chrome - a brand new material at the time - and glass. Glass was etched, sandblasted or enamelled rather than coloured.
What you could invest in to perfect the look:
Ceramics by Susie Cooper and Clarice Cliff
Art deco oil paintings by Fabulous Masterpieces. Their enthusiastic staff is very helpful in answering style questions and would be very pleased to assist you in your choice of pictures suited to your own special requirements.
