TL;DR: You come to Café Carmellini for the food, but you stay for the ambiance — the glow, the glamour, the quiet drama of it all. This post dives into the Café Carmellini modern Art Deco style that makes the space unforgettable, and shows you how to bring that same moody elegance home. No reservations required.
I’ve always had a thing for other eras. Blame it on the Oregon Trail computer lab days, but there’s something about imagining life in a time that didn’t involve constant text messaging and a calendar stacked full of Zoom calls. (Even if I died of dysentery more times than I’d like to admit.)
Then came my American Girl era. And I was all in on Team Samantha — full Victorian obsession. The dollhouse. The tiny hairbrushes. The romance of dance cards and fainting couches. I loved the elegance, the rituals, the wardrobe drama. (Minus the corset. I’ve always been team breathing.)
But if we’re talking about an era I’d actually want to live in? It’s the Roaring ’20s, hands down.
A time when glamour wasn’t ironic, champagne was currency, and people threw parties like it was their job.
It was the age of cocktail culture, deco curves, mirrored everything, and drama you could dim the lights for. Socialites, jazz, sweeping staircases, and slow burns. Aesthetically, emotionally, everything-ly — it checks out.
And for a long time, it all felt like a magical moment locked in the past…
Until I walked into Café Carmellini.
The Cafe Carmellini Modern Art Deco Style
Picture this: you step off Fifth Avenue and into a golden glow. A pair of perfectly placed trees rise from the middle of the dining room like they’ve been rooted there since flappers ruled the dance floor. Overhead, glowing globe chandeliers hang in rings — not too bright, not too dim — just enough to make you feel like the lead in a black-and-white film.
The kitchen hums with quiet energy, fully open yet tucked beneath rich architectural arches. Diners lean over balcony tables that peek down from above — giving the whole room the feeling of a theater, or maybe a grand train station built when travel was still romantic. Then there’s the bar: frosted with a peacock, like a little Art Deco fever dream behind glass.
The service? Impeccable. The cocktails? Served in goblets that make your hands look instantly more elegant. The whole experience feels like you’ve time-traveled to a more glamorous reality — and for once, you don’t want to leave.
But here’s the best part: you don’t have to leave it behind.
Because all of this — the glow, the mood, the modern Deco glamour — is absolutely possible to translate into your own space. No flapper fringe required.
And here’s the thing — that dripping-in-deco look? It’s not just a relic of jazz age parties and black-and-white films.
It’s back. But with a modern edge.
Today’s version is less flapper costume, more elevated elegance. It’s about sculptural lighting, curved furniture, rich textures, and high-shine finishes that feel intentional, not overdone.
It’s glamour without the drama (okay, maybe just a little drama).
At Café Carmellini, I saw that comeback in real time. It was classic, yes — but also current. Fresh. Inviting. Livable. It made me want to go home and swap my can lights for globe pendants and pour champagne into actual coupes.
So let’s talk about how to get that look — without feeling like you live in a costume drama.
Because modern Art Deco is happening, and you deserve a little golden glow.
Moodboard Moment: Modern Art Deco, Reimagined
Let’s talk palette. This isn’t your grandma’s Art Deco (and thank god for that). It’s moodier. Earthier. Still luxe, but with a quiet confidence. We’re swapping lacquered black and chrome for deep velvets, warm brass, herringbone wood, and just enough glossy marble and muted jade to keep things feeling polished.
This look? It’s all about touchable textures and soft glow drama. The kind that makes even Tuesday night risotto feel like it should come with live jazz.
Get the vibe:
✔ Deep emerald & mustard velvets
✔ Aged brass + patinaed bronze
✔ Herringbone dark oak
✔ Muted sage green + dusty celadon
✔ Creamy boucle and textured neutrals
✔ Veined marble & cloudy onyx
✔ Structured shapes with softness built in
Throw in a sprig of green, a coupe glass, and some serious lighting, and you’ve got the bones of a modern-day Gatsby setup. No roaring required.
🍸 All About Speakeasy Style
Modern Art Deco isn’t just chandeliers and curves — it’s got a little secret. Literally.
Speakeasy style is a huge part of the aesthetic’s revival: moody lighting, plush textures, hidden nooks, and a touch of theatrical drama. Café Carmellini gives you that whispery, tucked-away energy — especially with its balcony tables and dim-lit bar that feel like you’ve stumbled onto something special.
If you love that vibe, you have to check out my full post on Amsterdam Speakeasy Style.
It’s a whole design mood: vintage cocktails, velvet booths, and interiors that feel like they’re keeping secrets.
Want that energy at home? Think lower lighting, layered shadows, rich materials, and a signature drink on display. Maybe even a tucked-away bar cart behind a curtain — you know, just for effect.
✨ Modern Deco Dining, Delivered
Here’s the vibe: velvet chairs, moody teal walls, globe lighting that makes your skin look amazing, and a table that says, “we host now.”
This dining room nails the balance — it’s glamorous without trying too hard, a little Art Deco, a little European supper club, and fully livable.
Why it works:
- Velvet chairs bring in warmth, richness, and instant sophistication
- Herringbone wood floors ground the look and add texture
- Brass lighting = built-in glow-up
- Deep wall color keeps the whole space cozy, not cold
- A big natural centerpiece adds drama without clutter
Wanna get the look at home? Try this:
✔ Pick a bold paint color — think teal, charcoal, or forest green
✔ Swap your dining chairs for velvet (or just recover what you have!)
✔ Add a globe-style chandelier in warm brass or matte black
✔ Layer your table with mixed textures: wood, linen, stoneware, glass
✔ Don’t skip candles. Ever.
🛋 Modern Deco Living Room Goals
This living room is pure modern Deco mood. Velvet? Check. Drama? Check. Built-ins, bold lighting, a black marble fireplace? We’re absolutely in business.
The rust-hued velvet sectional anchors the space like a piece of art you can nap on. The walls are a dramatic inky teal, moody in all the right ways. And then there’s that black marble fireplace — a whole moment, paired with bookshelves that say, “Yes, I read, but also I have great taste.”
And the lighting? Orb-shaped and sculptural, like a constellation decided to move in.
Why it works:
- Color contrast (burnt orange + moody blue) keeps it bold but balanced
- Velvet upholstery adds depth and softness to all the structure
- Arched elements (window, bookcase) bring subtle Deco curves
- Statement lighting = always, always yes
- Built-ins + styling make it feel smart, elevated, and custom
Want the look at home? Try this:
✔ Pick a statement sofa — velvet, curved, or in a deep hue
✔ Go bold with wall color or keep it simple and layer in rich textiles
✔ Add a sculptural light fixture (globes = chef’s kiss)
🛏 Deco After Dark
This is the bedroom version of a late-night jazz club. Sultry, styled, and unapologetically luxe — but still soft enough to sleep in.
It’s sultry. Sculptural. Confident. That deep teal + rust combo? Unbothered perfection. And that tufted velvet bed? It knows it’s the star.
Why it works:
- Color blocking gives the room energy without noise
- Velvet textures = instant elegance (plus, very nap-friendly)
- Clean-lined nightstands keep things grounded
- Bold art pulls all the tones together in one swipe
- Sculptural lighting adds that signature Deco edge
Create the look at home:
✔ Choose one deep wall color and go all in (paint your trim too!)
✔ Anchor the room with a tufted bed or curvy upholstered headboard
✔ Use rust, ochre, or teal as accent shades — bold but warm
✔ Layer in lighting with personality (no boring bedside lamps allowed)
✔ Add abstract art to balance out the classic lines
This is the kind of bedroom that says I live a glam life, but I also sleep like a champ
🖤 How to Bring Home the Modern Art Deco Mood
If you’re inspired by the Cafe Carmellini modern Art Deco style, here’s how to bring that energy home—without turning your living room into a cocktail bar.
1. Trade harsh light for a golden glow
✅ At home: Bring on the bling. Add chandeliers or lamps with glowing glass globes, and let your lighting do the flirting.
2. Choose curves over corners
There’s something about a Deco curve — in a bar, a chair back, a mirror — that instantly says glamour lives here. The space is layered with arches and soft shapes that feel intentional but inviting.
✅ At home: go for a scalloped edge, a rounded velvet chair, or even just a curved coffee table tray. Deco is all about the details
3. Lean into rich materials
✅ Bring in some polished marble. A bit of glass and gleam. Try a dark walnut frame and/or metallic accents that catch the light.
4. Upgrade your glassware game
Listen: your drinks deserve better vessels. At Café Carmellini, cocktails arrive in coupe glasses and goblets that feel like part of the experience.
✅ Invest in a set that sparks joy. Even sparkling water feels glamorous in the right glass.
5. Make one thing feel excessive
Whether it’s a chandelier a moody floral wallpaper in the powder room, Deco lives for a moment. Pick one place to turn the drama up.
✅ A bar cart. A dining nook. A hallway mirror. Whatever says, “I’m not like the other interiors.”
Beyond Deco — Your Design Vibe, Defined
Ready to explore more than just Deco?
Grab my Style Journal — a creative workbook that helps you test-drive different aesthetics (hello, Coastal Cool, Parisian Neutrals, Moody Minimalism…) until you find the one that fits.
Because great design starts with knowing what you love — not just what’s trending.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bar like at Café Carmellini?
The bar at Café Carmellini is a design lover’s dream — moody, glamorous, with a frosted glass peacock above the bar that steals the show. With golden lighting, luxe finishes, and cocktails served in vintage-style goblets, it feels more like a speakeasy lounge than a typical restaurant bar. Perfect for a pre-dinner drink or a stylish solo sip.
What’s the story behind the trees inside Café Carmellini?
The two grand trees at the center of Café Carmellini’s dining room create a “secret garden” effect — bringing softness, scale, and a bit of magic to the space. Planted right in the middle of the dining room under glowing chandeliers, they make the whole restaurant feel like a hidden oasis in the middle of Manhattan’s concrete jungle. It’s the kind of unexpected design detail that takes the experience from elegant to unforgettable.
What is Café Carmellini known for?
Café Carmellini is known for its elevated Italian-French cuisine, luxe service, and stunning Art Deco interior design. Located inside NYC’s Fifth Avenue Hotel, it’s a hotspot for design lovers and foodies alike. And yes, it’s the one with the full-size trees inside.
What is the interior style of Café Carmellini in NYC?
The interior of Café Carmellini blends modern Art Deco interior design style with theatrical flair — think velvet textures, glowing globe lighting, arched balcony seating, and sculptural brass details. It’s equal parts moody, glamorous, and cinematic.
What is speakeasy-style interior design?
Speakeasy style refers to interiors inspired by the secret bars of the 1920s Prohibition era — moody lighting, rich materials, cozy nooks, and a sense of mystery. Café Carmellini channels this vibe with its balcony seating, golden glow, and tucked-away bar.
Where can I find more modern Art Deco inspiration?
If you’re into Café Carmellini’s modern Art Deco vibe, you’ll love The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica — another dreamy, design-forward destination that brings 1930s glamour back to life, beachside.
Think: teal and gold details, vintage charm with California sun, and interiors that feel like a movie set.
Check out my full tour and design breakdown here: The Georgian Hotel Guide. You can also click over to my full post on Amsterdam Speakeasy Style for more hidden-glamour, vintage-meets-modern inspiration.
Start With Vision, Not Just Vibes
Loving the Café Carmellini modern Art Deco style look? Same. But before you start ordering sconces or hunting for velvet chairs, let’s take a beat.
Good design starts with a clear vision — not just a vibe. That means looking at your space, your needs, and how you actually want to live.
Start with my Before You Pick Pillows Starter Kit — it’s the no-fluff, actually-fun way to get clarity before you start scrolling and spending.
💫 Modern Deco, Unlocked
So, whether you’re here for the tufted headboards, the globe lights, or just needed a little permission to go full velvet — modern Art Deco is having a moment. And your home is officially invited to the party.
Want more Deco daydreams?
Take the tour of The Georgian Hotel next — a Santa Monica stunner that proves this look works just as beautifully by the beach. Think: coastal cool meets old-Hollywood glam.
And if you’re still wondering how to bring this vibe home without remodeling your entire life?
Watch my Modern Deco Trend Video here — I’ll show you the easiest ways to recreate this look with just a few key swaps. (Spoiler: paint and lighting do a lot of heavy lifting.)
This isn’t about living in the past.
It’s about borrowing just enough magic from it to make right now feel really, really good.
And if you’re looking to check out more stunning spaces, be sure to check out my NYC Aesthetic Travel Guide to discover more can’t-miss design destinations.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of the Cafe Carmellini modern Art Deco style and are inspired to bring an aesthetic into your home! You might also want to check out my Ultimate Guide to the Modern Cottagecore Aesthetic – to bring a bit more cozy calm into your home.
