Hollywood Regency Living Room Glamour for Less
Glam, glitzy and glossy are words that pretty much encapsulate the Hollywood Regency style. Here's how to do the luxe look on a budget
The Hollywood Regency style was first made popular in the 1930s with designers like Dorothy Draper and William Haines encouraging A-list actors, directors and producers from Hollywood’s Golden Age to decorate their homes in this luxe look.
Lacquer or gold accents, plush velvety fabrics, glossy surfaces, fine neo-classical furniture, Orientalism and twinkling chandeliers are just some of the elements that typify Hollywood Regency. The style has made a strong comeback in recent times with American designers such as Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler greatly contributing to the resurgence and making it modern, fresh and glamorous.
The Hollywood Regency look is personal favourite of mine, especially in the modern permutations now on offer, but this somewhat over-the-top style is not just for the rich and famous, as elements are within reach for even the most budget-conscious decorator. Here, I show you how to inject some Hollywood Regency luxe into your everyday decor without breaking the bank.
Lacquer or gold accents, plush velvety fabrics, glossy surfaces, fine neo-classical furniture, Orientalism and twinkling chandeliers are just some of the elements that typify Hollywood Regency. The style has made a strong comeback in recent times with American designers such as Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler greatly contributing to the resurgence and making it modern, fresh and glamorous.
The Hollywood Regency look is personal favourite of mine, especially in the modern permutations now on offer, but this somewhat over-the-top style is not just for the rich and famous, as elements are within reach for even the most budget-conscious decorator. Here, I show you how to inject some Hollywood Regency luxe into your everyday decor without breaking the bank.
Add shiny lacquer
Lacquered or glossy painted walls or furniture are perfect for instantly glitzing up a space, such as a living room or dining room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Lacquering walls requires skilful tradespeople, so for something less costly and involved, buy a piece of lacquered furniture with a neo-classical shape. Seen here is a Chippendale chair, where the lacquer finish adds a touch of understated luxury. Keep it elegant in white or black or opt for a pop colour to give the piece the wow factor.
Lacquered or glossy painted walls or furniture are perfect for instantly glitzing up a space, such as a living room or dining room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Lacquering walls requires skilful tradespeople, so for something less costly and involved, buy a piece of lacquered furniture with a neo-classical shape. Seen here is a Chippendale chair, where the lacquer finish adds a touch of understated luxury. Keep it elegant in white or black or opt for a pop colour to give the piece the wow factor.
Go for gold with accents
Nothing says Hollywood Regency more than metallic flashes of gold or brass. This stunning range of Greg Natale for Worlds Away furniture is available through James Said, and shows how the addition of gold can bring a touch of vintage luxury to a room without the look losing its modern credentials.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Spray paint the chrome metal legs of a coffee table in a gold or brass paint, or search online for small secondhand pieces that just need a good clean and sealant.
Browse a gallery of gold accents
Nothing says Hollywood Regency more than metallic flashes of gold or brass. This stunning range of Greg Natale for Worlds Away furniture is available through James Said, and shows how the addition of gold can bring a touch of vintage luxury to a room without the look losing its modern credentials.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Spray paint the chrome metal legs of a coffee table in a gold or brass paint, or search online for small secondhand pieces that just need a good clean and sealant.
Browse a gallery of gold accents
Set up a ceiling feature
This decorating style tends to maximise every available surface, meaning floors and ceilings are given just as much expression as the walls. As such, they often have a wallpapered or painted feature on them.
In this South Florida residence, for example, Elizabeth Gordon has given special treatment to the ceilings with a colourful patterned wallpaper applied within a panelled frame.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If wallpapering the ceiling doesn’t sound like a task you’d be game to take on (some professional wallpaper hangers can find it difficult), paint it in the dominant room’s accent colour and team it with a rug in the same hue.
What colour should you paint the ceiling?
This decorating style tends to maximise every available surface, meaning floors and ceilings are given just as much expression as the walls. As such, they often have a wallpapered or painted feature on them.
In this South Florida residence, for example, Elizabeth Gordon has given special treatment to the ceilings with a colourful patterned wallpaper applied within a panelled frame.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If wallpapering the ceiling doesn’t sound like a task you’d be game to take on (some professional wallpaper hangers can find it difficult), paint it in the dominant room’s accent colour and team it with a rug in the same hue.
What colour should you paint the ceiling?
Tempt with texture
Contemporary designers and advocates of this style propose plenty of texture in their decorating schemes. One way to do this is to feature accents of furry upholstery, animal skins and hides. This adds a layer of texture, depth and warmth to a living room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS:
Look for faux alternatives in furry cushions and shaggy synthetic rugs. This will achieve a similar effect to furnishings covered with or made from the real thing, without the pricey tag.
Contemporary designers and advocates of this style propose plenty of texture in their decorating schemes. One way to do this is to feature accents of furry upholstery, animal skins and hides. This adds a layer of texture, depth and warmth to a living room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS:
Look for faux alternatives in furry cushions and shaggy synthetic rugs. This will achieve a similar effect to furnishings covered with or made from the real thing, without the pricey tag.
Reflect on mirrored glitz
Mirrored surfaces, reminiscent of Hollywood and the silver screen, were in vogue in the 1930s and have endured in Hollywood Regency decor. For inspiration, think back to the Art Deco era and don’t limit yourself to traditional mirrors. Hang a sparkly mirror chandelier pendant or install reflective wall sconces.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Save your pennies and buy one mirrored statement piece of furniture, be it a sideboard, buffet or coffee table, or even scatter a few mirrored accessories around to channel a bit of Old Hollywood.
Mirrored surfaces, reminiscent of Hollywood and the silver screen, were in vogue in the 1930s and have endured in Hollywood Regency decor. For inspiration, think back to the Art Deco era and don’t limit yourself to traditional mirrors. Hang a sparkly mirror chandelier pendant or install reflective wall sconces.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Save your pennies and buy one mirrored statement piece of furniture, be it a sideboard, buffet or coffee table, or even scatter a few mirrored accessories around to channel a bit of Old Hollywood.
Tuft away
Another key element of Hollywood Regency is sumptuously tufted seating, which can be found on anything from sofas and chairs to ottomans and banquettes. Whether the tufting is deep, buttoned or ruched, choose at least one upholstered piece that has this feature.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Scour op-shops and auctions to buy antique tufted furniture, which can usually be bought for a fraction of the new price. The piece may need a little TLC and repair, but it will still be much cheaper to buy than a contemporary piece.
Another key element of Hollywood Regency is sumptuously tufted seating, which can be found on anything from sofas and chairs to ottomans and banquettes. Whether the tufting is deep, buttoned or ruched, choose at least one upholstered piece that has this feature.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Scour op-shops and auctions to buy antique tufted furniture, which can usually be bought for a fraction of the new price. The piece may need a little TLC and repair, but it will still be much cheaper to buy than a contemporary piece.
Play with geometrics
Pattern, especially geometric patterns, play an important role in decorating in a Hollywood Regency style. You’ll find these patterns on rugs and soft furnishings, such as curtains and cushions, and decorating lampshades or seating.
Award-winning Australian interior designer Greg Natale is a master at decorating with geometrics. Here, he sets the scene with a heavily patterned carpet and continues the theme in the sculptural base of the side tables, artwork and cushions.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If you can’t afford covering your entire floor in a patterned rug or tiles, start the look with a few cushions – and don’t be afraid to mix patterns; it will work as long as you have an overall unifying colour.
Geometric rugs give rooms an edge
Pattern, especially geometric patterns, play an important role in decorating in a Hollywood Regency style. You’ll find these patterns on rugs and soft furnishings, such as curtains and cushions, and decorating lampshades or seating.
Award-winning Australian interior designer Greg Natale is a master at decorating with geometrics. Here, he sets the scene with a heavily patterned carpet and continues the theme in the sculptural base of the side tables, artwork and cushions.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If you can’t afford covering your entire floor in a patterned rug or tiles, start the look with a few cushions – and don’t be afraid to mix patterns; it will work as long as you have an overall unifying colour.
Geometric rugs give rooms an edge
Repeat key design elements
Repetition, reflection and symmetry are characteristics of Hollywood Regency style. In most rooms, you can draw a line of symmetry down the middle and identically match the furniture elements on the two sides. Rather than looking ‘matchy-matchy’, you’ll have a beautifully balanced, aesthetically pleasing room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Don’t do this with everything in the room but choose to repeat just a few elements or features. If, for example, you find a well-priced chair or stool that can double up as a seat and side table, buy two rather than one. Remember two identical pieces pack a bigger punch than one when it comes to Hollywood Regency.
Repetition, reflection and symmetry are characteristics of Hollywood Regency style. In most rooms, you can draw a line of symmetry down the middle and identically match the furniture elements on the two sides. Rather than looking ‘matchy-matchy’, you’ll have a beautifully balanced, aesthetically pleasing room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Don’t do this with everything in the room but choose to repeat just a few elements or features. If, for example, you find a well-priced chair or stool that can double up as a seat and side table, buy two rather than one. Remember two identical pieces pack a bigger punch than one when it comes to Hollywood Regency.
Scale it down
A perhaps lesser-known aspect to decorating in Hollywood Regency style is that furniture tends to be smaller in scale and more streamlined. In the 1930s and 1940s this was apparently done in order for attention to be drawn to the flamboyant occupants of the room (usually celebrities and movie stars), rather than the furniture itself.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: By choosing smaller pieces, you can afford to focus on the luxe details and architectural elements, combining these to achieve an eclectic but luxurious look.
A perhaps lesser-known aspect to decorating in Hollywood Regency style is that furniture tends to be smaller in scale and more streamlined. In the 1930s and 1940s this was apparently done in order for attention to be drawn to the flamboyant occupants of the room (usually celebrities and movie stars), rather than the furniture itself.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: By choosing smaller pieces, you can afford to focus on the luxe details and architectural elements, combining these to achieve an eclectic but luxurious look.
Go over the top
Hollywood Regency design is meant to be an eclectic mix of styles (often of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Modernist) with one over-arching luxurious aesthetic. By embracing all of the elements above, you’ll ensure your room will create a big impression.
Tobi Fairley Interior Design liberally applied Hollywood Regency flair in every part of his penthouse – from the black-and-white marble floors and blue mural walls to the plush banquette seat and even the velvet upholstered doors!
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Because the style is about reinventing classic pieces, you may be able to use a great secondhand market find or reupholster your grandmother’s slipper chair. Be creative!
TELL US
Would you incorporate any of these ideas into your living room? Tell us which ones you favour in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Winning Ways to Infuse Your Home with Hollywood-Style Glamour
Houzz Tour: Astor Apartment Restored to Regency Royalty
History of Style: Be Inspired by the Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel
Hollywood Regency design is meant to be an eclectic mix of styles (often of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Modernist) with one over-arching luxurious aesthetic. By embracing all of the elements above, you’ll ensure your room will create a big impression.
Tobi Fairley Interior Design liberally applied Hollywood Regency flair in every part of his penthouse – from the black-and-white marble floors and blue mural walls to the plush banquette seat and even the velvet upholstered doors!
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Because the style is about reinventing classic pieces, you may be able to use a great secondhand market find or reupholster your grandmother’s slipper chair. Be creative!
TELL US
Would you incorporate any of these ideas into your living room? Tell us which ones you favour in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Winning Ways to Infuse Your Home with Hollywood-Style Glamour
Houzz Tour: Astor Apartment Restored to Regency Royalty
History of Style: Be Inspired by the Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel
Hollywood Regency design is all about glamour, and a glimpse into a bygone era when the well-to-do viewed their homes as luxurious havens where they could relax and shut out the hoi polloi. Typical textiles displayed metallic finishes, or plush piles such as velvets, as well as sumptuous silk drapery. When choosing fabrics, imagine the movie stars of the 1940s and their gowns made from silks, satins, velvets and suedes. These gorgeous textiles have a distinct finish and texture, and will immediately add depth to your space.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Curtain and upholstery fabrics can range from under $20 to several hundred dollars per metre. For curtains and upholstery where you need serious amounts, find a polyester fabric that looks like velvet or silk at a fraction of the price.