Josh Greene’s Waldorf Astoria Model Residence Translates Art Deco Grandeur

This week, Art Deco celebrated its 100th anniversary. Following its debut in Paris during the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, the opulent architectural style swept from France into the U.S., as well as New Zealand, India, Argentina, and beyond. Art Deco’s signature attributes—symmetric geometries, intricate lines, ornate patterns, and beguiling curves—formed what became acknowledged as the first international design style.

From Chelsea’s Walker Tower (completed in 1929) to the Chrysler Building (1930) and One Wall Street (1931), Art Deco quickly began to influence the architectural landscape of New York City. One of the finest examples of Art Deco in the city, the Waldorf Astoria opened in 1931 as a landmark of modernity—and the largest, tallest hotel in the world. Today, following an extensive, multi-year renovation, overseen by developer Dajia Insurance Group and architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the Waldorf Astoria once again epitomizes design excellence and emboldens the spirit of Art Deco.

New York City-based interior designer Josh Greene looked to the Waldorf’s heritage as he lent his bold touch to the three-bedroom model residence of the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, a transformation that acts as an acknowledgement of the property’s history of legendary residents. “We were not overly deferential, but I kept it in the back of my mind and used geometric patterns that felt Art Deco but still appropriate for modern living in the 21st Century,” he tells Surface.

Greene saturated rooms in color, dressed them in textures, and embraced the faded jewel tones and gold accents that align with Art Deco. “Some key pieces, such as the chairs in the living room, were from the 1930s, and the custom light fixtures could have been found in an old theater vestibule somewhere, but were, in fact, new,” he adds. “We lightly referenced; we didn’t recreate.” His vision—complete with a custom bar, bronzed living room mirror, and trove of antiques and art—demonstrates a contemporary resonance.

“Art Deco shunned the heavy, overly ornamental periods that came before it and looked to the future,” Greene says. “It used modern materials and fresh new motifs as a new design language. It was more graphic and organized in its visual language, yet still completely luxurious and sophisticated.” April 28 was more than a centennial of World Art Deco Day, but—as evidenced by Greene’s work—an opportunity to observe the way it translates today.