If you crave the perfect look of a vintage starlet mansion in Beverly Hills, then Hollywood Regency style may be meant for you. This aesthetic pairs vintage stardom with luxe and regal aesthetics, creating a vibrant space filled with character. Here’s how to transform your home with the Hollywood Regency aesthetic so you can partake in the luxe and vintage vibes.
What is Hollywood Regency style?
Hollywood Regency is an interior design style that draws inspiration from the glamorous and luxurious nature of California’s Golden Age of Hollywood. The design style is notable for its bold colors, focus on line work and geometric shapes, animal prints, and glass or metallic details. The style leans toward a glam aesthetic and often makes use of items like opulent chandeliers or curated artwork.
Hollywood Regency style draws inspiration from 1920s art deco design as well as the later 1950s midcentury modern aesthetics. Today, it is a maximalist style that blends all of the above with a hint of Regency-era touches to bring more glam to this interior style.
History of Hollywood Regency design
Hollywood Regency style emerged in the 1930s in California during the Golden Age of cinema. When silent films and the silver screen took prominence, actors and starlets led the movement by adorning their homes with glamorous decor. The glitz and glam of this era became key features of the style as it grew in popularity even into the 1950s.
Characteristics of the Hollywood Regency interior style
Hollywood Regency interior design draws inspiration from art deco and midcentury modern aesthetics. However, it is its own style with plenty of unique touches that give it its own fervor and personality. Here are the common characteristics of Hollywood Regency decor.
Glamor is a must
Glamor and luxury are must-haves in this design style. Here are some things that bring a glam touch to Hollywood Regency design.
- Chandeliers
- Large mirrors
- Ornate frames
- Luxe wall trim or wainscoting
- Luxury furniture
- Velvet furniture
- Silk materials
- Fur or faux fur
- Glass decor
- Metallic accent pieces
- Oversized light fixtures
Patterns play a large role
Animal prints like leopard, cheetah, and zebra are most popular in this design style. Black and white checkerboard print also adds a vintage touch to this aesthetic.
A focus on shape
Curved furniture takes center stage in Hollywood Regency design. You’ll likely see velvet curved sofas or side chairs with a few round metal coffee tables or side tables. Straight line work can be found through layered rugs or wall molding. Additionally, the use of patterned wallpaper can introduce plenty of unique shapes into the space.
Metallics and glass
Metal accents on furniture and glass incorporated throughout the design aid Hollywood Regency looks by providing a more luxurious aesthetic. Metal and glass also offer a more modern look than wood or stone materials.
Jewel or bold color palettes
The color palettes of Hollywood Regency rooms revolve around bold tones. Red, blue, pink, and turquoise are quite popular. Jewel tones like plum purple and royal blue are also trendy. The goal is to take a maximalist approach with the color palette, but to keep things simple enough that you pull off a cohesive and elegant design. Gold and silver accents are often a must-have as well.
How to decorate with Hollywood Regency
Here are our tips for decorating in the Hollywood Regency style.
Go bold with the color palette
Be sure to go bold with the color palette. Use black and white as the base and ensure that these high-contrast colors are used throughout the space. Checkerboard print is a great way to go. In the kitchen or bathroom, go for a checkerboard print floor.
Pink one to two bold tones to become the center of your palette. Turquoise and jewel purple are a great combo. Some homeowners have also favored pale pink and evergreen. When in doubt, look to maximalist color palettes for inspo.
Add some wallpaper
Wallpaper can completely transform your Hollywood Regency space. Find a wallpaper that has bold tones and patterns. You may opt for something with a vintage tropical look to really lean into the 1930s glamor. Bold patterns or gold details can also be a great choice when wallpapering.
Don’t skip the wainscoting
Aside from wallpaper, adding wainscoting or ornate molding to your walls can add an extra touch of luxury. Paint over your trim with the same color you’re using on your walls for a more seamless “built-in” effect.
Mirrors are a must
Add large ornate mirrors as wall decorations, or choose an oversized floor mirror to add another layer of luxury. You might also consider investing or DIYing mirror furniture, like the classic mirrored side table for the perfect Hollywood Regency look. Also, don’t be afraid to dip into art deco decor with a gold sunburst mirror. This can invite a lot of character to your space.
Decorate with gold
Gold accents will be essential to your Hollywood Regency space. Use figurines, hardware, metallic tables, or metal accents on furniture to include gold or silver in the color palette.
Play around with shape
As mentioned above, shape is a vital part of this interior style. Use a mix of straight and curved furniture to add a more intricate flow to your design. Layer rugs, hang oversized artwork, use large light fixtures, and add mini decor details to create a visually interesting space using scaled and layered decor.
Hollywood Regency design should feel luxe and vintage. While it leans heavily on maximalist and glam tones, the classic art deco patterns and midcentury modern furniture help add the retro feel that’s essential for pulling off this aesthetic.
