Downton Abbey Enters The 1930s: How To Get The Art Deco Look

The wait is over: Downton Abbey is finally returning to our screens, for what may well be the very last time. Arriving in cinemas on 12 September, with the launch of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale audiences will once again be waltzed back in time to the early 20th century world of the Crawley’s country estate.

Where the first season of the beloved show begins just after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, with aesthetics inspired by the Edwardian Art Nouveau movement, the First World War is soon looming large by its conclusion and continues to occupy most of the second series. From seasons three to six, the show slowly travels through the first half of the 1920s as the hemlines rise gradually higher and the music turns jazzier. While the previous two Downton films were set in 1927 and 1928 respectively, this new installment finally brings us into the 1930s. 

Get The Look: 1930s Art Deco

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. (© Rory Mulvey/2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC)

Though the 1920s are best known for introducing the Art Deco movement to the world, its legacy continued to have influence over fashion, interior and architectural design throughout the 1930s. While the aesthetic emerged in the late 1910s and early 1920s – the 1960s coinage inspired by the 1925 Paris exhibition, Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs – it reached its peak in the subsequent decade. The epitome of Gatsby glamour, the aesthetic is characterised by bold geometric shapes like chevrons and sunbursts, symmetrical designs, archaeological influences including Ancient Egypt and the Aztecs, metallic materials, lacquered wood, and jewel tones.  

Where 20s Art Deco emphasised opulence and ornamentation, reflecting the post-war optimism of the period, by the Wall Street crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression, the 30s saw Art Deco transition to a simpler, more streamlined aesthetic. Influenced by modernist styles like Bauhaus, the designs became more restrained and functional, while the aesthetic became derided as a gaudy, false image of luxury. While the movement is mostly associated with the States, it continued to have influence on our side of the pond as grand country houses like Downton Abbey began to adopt a more modern style. 

As the team at Denby explain, the 1930s marked a transitional era in home design: ‘While the grandeur of estates like Downton Abbey still lingered, 1930s Britain was beginning to turn away from aristocratic traditions and embracing a new, more understated aesthetic.’ Ornate details were pared back in favour of quietly sophisticated looks, with an emphasis on high-quality materials, elegant symmetry, functionality and softened silhouettes.

The Colour Palette

Softer than the deep jewel tones of the 20s, the colour palette of the 30s became more peaceful and serene. Reflecting the desire for calm and comfort in the home, the era gave way to more subdued shades: sage greens, warm neutrals, soft pinks, and delicate blues. These powdery and pastel hues sat alongside dark wood and leather to add warmth and contrast, while vibrant Bauhaus inspired colours provided punchy accents to the home. 

‘Downton Abbey perfectly captures the essence of 1930s Art Deco, with its rich palette of green and blues, complemented with metallic accents,’ explains Michael Rolland from The Paint Shed. To channel the aesthetic in your own home, he recommends using Downton Abbey’s drawing room as a starting point: ‘Its grandness lies in the pale and airy tones, which are mixed with refined details.’ If you want to get the look, he suggests soft shades such as Benjamin Moor’s Palladian Blue, paired with Farrow and Ball’s Farrow’s Cream to create an elegant backdrop. 

Plumbs

Where the drawing room is all about light and airy charm, moving into the kitchen, you want to consider bolder shades: ‘Little Greene’s Jewel Beetle colour drenched across kitchen cabinets can evoke a sense of drama and glamour, the perfect fit for Downton Abbey fans. Balance the depth of green with gold or brass hardware to achieve an authentic yet timeless finish,’ Rolland explains. 

Soft Silhouettes

In contrast to the sharp angles of 1920s Art Deco, during the 30s silhouettes across the home began to soften: think scalloped armchairs and rounded cabinetry. What was previously ornamental became tactile, with pieces designed not just to be admired, but to be used and enjoyed as part of everyday life. To get the look for yourself, the team at Denby suggest to ‘Think arched mirrors above fireplaces, semi-circular upholstered headboards, or rounded light fittings to create a more relaxed atmosphere. Gently curved bowls, mugs, and vases will add a tactile warmth to daily rituals, echoing understated 1930s elegance.’ 

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

From the hallways of Versailles to the opulent glasses of Britain’s manor houses, mirrors are one of the simplest ways to elevate your home to a stately status. As Laura Hammett of Laura Hammett Living explains, ‘Mirrors – when used thoughtfully – are one of the most versatile design tools. We often use mirrors in dining rooms, where they can reflect candlelight to create a warm, atmospheric glow, or in narrow hallways to instantly open up the space.’ Over a console table, for example, mirrors adds symmetry and draw your eye to a focal point, while in a living room they can cleverly reflect artwork or a chandelier to create unexpected layers of interest. ‘One of my favourite tricks,’ adds Hammett, ‘is to use mirrors almost like windows, positioning them to reflect garden views or architectural details to blur the boundary between inside and out.’ 

Upgrade Your Upholstery

‘Downton Abbey has always represented the perfect blend of heritage and style,’ says Plumbs style expert Sophie Clark. If you want to capture that same sense of period grandeur in your home, she recommends looking to rich velvets, floral jacquards and timelessly tailored upholstery. ‘The release of the new film is the perfect cultural moment to highlight how classic design can be reimagined for contemporary living.’ Evoking the luxury of Downton’s grand drawing rooms, Clarks suggests seeking out jewel-toned velvets in sapphire, emerald and ruby to create a regal statement on your sofas and armchairs. Or, to get that quintessential country house aesthetic, look to heritage florals such as William Morris inspired prints, as well as traditional tweeds and checks.

L-R: Raquel Cassidy as Miss Baxter, Kevin Doyle as Mr. Molesley, Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker, Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes, Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore, Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, Brendan Coyle as Mr. Bates and Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale. (© Rory Mulvey/2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC)

British Craftmanship

The 30s inspired a renewed appreciation for quality as people sought out pieces that were not only beautiful, but would stand the test of time. ‘British craftsmanship was at the heart of this movement,’ says the Denby team, ‘celebrating heritage techniques and high-quality materials. From hand-thrown pottery to finely crafted wooden furniture, these pieces brought character and longevity into everyday life.’ Seek out top quality pieces from Great British Brands to give your home a timeless and Downton-esque feel. 

Switched On

Filmed in the historic Highclere Castle, the estate is dripping with diamond chandeliers and opulent candelabras. To bring a sense of historic charm into your own home, Rebecca Hughes from Rebecca Hughes Interiors warns that you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of lighting: ‘Vintage lighting brings an unmistakable sense of charm and character to a space that modern fixtures often can’t replicate. Each piece tells a story – through its craftsmanship, patina, and design history – adding depth and personality.’

Exuding elegance and grandeur, over the centuries chandeliers have evolved from practical fittings into sculptural centrepieces like the ones we see in Downton. ‘Chandeliers carry this rich heritage with them,’ says French Bedroom founder Georgia Metcalfe. ‘From the moment they are hung, they possess an air of quiet history, as though they have always belonged.’ When choosing a chandelier, she recommends considering how you will dust it (which may influence height and position) as well as the size of the room to ensure it does not overwhelm the space.

If you fear, however, that a chandelier may feel horribly out of place in your own less than stately home, then KES Lighting & Home operations director James Kendall suggests seeking inspiration from the bold geometry, opulent glass details and brass-gold finishes of 30s Art Deco: ‘These pieces bring instant character and a timeless sense of luxury to living spaces.’