Hollywood Regency is a glamorous interior design style inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood. Known for its luxe and dramatic flair, Hollywood Regency combines vintage Hollywood glitz with mid-century modern elements for spaces that feel retro yet refined. If your personal style leans towards the ornate and opulent with a touch of Old Hollywood charm, you likely have an affinity for Hollywood Regency style.
What is Hollywood Regency Style?
Hollywood Regency style emerged in the late 1960s and reached peak popularity in the 1970s. It was heavily influenced by the sleek elegance of Art Deco and the minimalism of mid-century modern design. The style combines geometric shapes, metallic accents, mirrored surfaces, tufted upholstery, animal prints, and other decadent details to create lavish spaces reminiscent of Old Hollywood’s Golden Era.
Some key characteristics of Hollywood Regency interior design include:
- Luxurious fabrics like velvet, satin, and silk
- Bold metallic accents and hardware
- Mirrored and smoked glass furniture
- Animal prints and textures like fur and feathers
- Ornate detailing and extravagant shapes
- Vintage motifs like palm trees and tropical florals
- Deep jewel tones and rich neutrals
- Tufted sofas and chairs
- Sculptural lighting fixtures
The overall aesthetic is simultaneously retro and modern, blending vintage glamour with contemporary materials and clean lines. It creates a comfortable yet visually striking environment.
The History Behind the Style
The Hollywood Regency style has its roots in 1930s and 40s Hollywood when Art Deco and Hollywood glamour reign supreme in film and fashion. Post-war economic prosperity in the 1950s and 60s allowed mainstream America to emulate the lavish lifestyles of the rich and famous.
Interior designers took inspiration from the work of Early Hollywood designers like Jean-Michel Frank, who pioneered sleek, minimalist decor for the homes of stars like Coco Chanel. The clean lines and geometric motifs of mid-century modern design also influenced the aesthetic.
By the 1970s, these luxurious yet modern sensibilities coalesced into the Hollywood Regency style. Designers like Angelo Donghia brought the glamorous look into high-end interiors. The style continues to captivate design lovers today.
Achieving the Look in Your Home
Want to make over your home with a touch of Hollywood Regency glamour? Here are some key tips:
Choose the Right Furniture
Search for sculptural shapes, metallic accents, mirrored furniture, and tufted details when selecting seating, tables, and storage. Go for a mix of vintage inspired pieces and modern forms. Lucite and acrylic furnishings also help get the transparent look.
Add Pops of Animal Print
Cheetah, zebra, tiger, and leopard prints in pillows, rugs, and upholstery add texture and exotic flair. Use animal patterns sparingly against clean fabrics.
Include Mirrored and Metallics
Incorporate reflective surfaces and metallic shine through mirrored furniture, brass detailing, chrome finishes, gold accents, and glass decor. Metallics and mirrored items catch the light for added drama.
Bring in Luxe Fabrics
Velvet, silk, satin, and faux fur lend tactile richness. Use them in window treatments, pillows, bedding and upholstery. Deep jewel tones like emerald, ruby and sapphire capture Old Hollywood allure.
Display Vintage Accessories
Add in decorative pieces with vintage appeal like phonographs, clocks, globes, framed prints, and objets d’art. Go for a curated mix of old and new.
Add Sculptural Lighting
Make a statement with striking pendant lights, sconces, floor lamps and chandeliers featuring reflective, geometric, or abstract forms. Lighting makes an impact.
Layer in Lush Greenery
Palms, ferns, and other tropical plants give spaces a glam yet welcoming ambiance. Greenery balanced the decadence.
With the right blend of luxurious textures, metallic shine, striking silhouettes, and vintage inspired details, you can create a Hollywood Regency oasis that feels glamorous yet livable. The key is blending these elements with your own personal taste.
Hollywood Regency Style Elements
Hollywood Regency design incorporates several distinctive elements and motifs that come together to create its signature look. Some hallmarks of the style include:
Tufted Furniture
Plush tufted sofas, chairs, ottomans and headboards lend louche luxury. Buttons, tucks and nailheads trim out the tufts for added ornamentation. Velvet or leather upholstery complements the look. Tufted furniture adds tactile richness.
Animal Prints
Nothing channels Old Hollywood exotic glamour quite like animal prints. Cheetah and leopard prints especially evoke retro flair. Use animal patterns sparingly in pillows, throws and ottomans to provide punctuation.
Mirrored Furniture
The reflective shine of mirrored furniture catches the eye while making small spaces feel more expansive. Mirrored tables, consoles, headboards and vanities have a glitzy yet modern appeal. Incorporate mirrored pieces strategically as accents.
Metallic Accents
Brass, silver and gold add striking shine. Look for metallic accents in hardware, lighting, furniture trim and accessories. Metallic lacquer furnishings and decor also bring in shine while nodding to Art Deco style.
Abstract Art and Sculptural Decor
Large-scale abstract artworks and sculptural objets d’art lend artistic flair. Geometric sculptures, blown glass decor and bold paintings provide artistic impact. Abstract palm tree prints also reinforce the Hollywood Regency tropical motif.
Lucite Furnishings
With their transparent allure, Lucite and acrylic furnishings have a very Hollywood Regency aesthetic. Lucite chairs, tables and storage pieces feel modern yet retro. Illuminated Lucite makes a dramatic design statement.
Bold Color Palettes
Deep, saturated jewel tones like emerald, sapphire and ruby capture the dramatic glamour of Hollywood Regency. Rich metallics like gold and silver paired with blacks, whites and ivory keep the look ultra-luxe.
Tips for Hollywood Regency Style Decor
Ready to bring Hollywood Regency allure into your own home? Here are some top tips for elegantly decorating in this retro yet glamorous style:
- Combine vintage-inspired and contemporary pieces for visual intrigue. Blend one-of-a-kind flea market finds with new furnishings.
- Use metallics and mirrors judiciously as accents so they don’t overwhelm. A little bit goes a long way for maximum impact.
- Hang oversized abstract art or decorative mirrors above sofas or consoles to draw the eye upwards. Sculptural lighting also adds visual weight.
- Incorporate pairs and sets of furnishings for bold symmetry. Flank entryways or beds with matching nightstands or console tables for dramatic effect.
- Upholster headboards in eye-catching fabrics like velvet or satin. Nailhead trim and button tufting boost the allure. Custom prints add personality.
- Embrace lacquered furnishings and glossy painted finishes for sheen. Contrast with nubby textures like velvet for tactile dimension.
- Look for unique vintage decorative accessories like art glass, globes and busts. Display them artfully on shelves, tabletops and credenzas.
- Arrange framed palm tree prints gallery-style to accentuate the Hollywood tropical motif. Vintage postcards also work beautifully.
- Opt for abstract geometric coffee tables over heavy carved wood designs. Clear glass, acrylic and Lucite styles keep things visually light.
By playing with metallic accents, mirrored surfaces, sleek lines, and luxe textures, you can gradually shift your space towards the glamorous Hollywood Regency aesthetic. Have fun mixing retro and contemporary elements to create your own stylish mid-century oasis.
Common Questions about Hollywood Regency Style
What are the key characteristics of Hollywood Regency decor?
Some trademark elements of Hollywood Regency design include tufted furniture, animal prints, metallic accents, mirrored and Lucite furnishings, abstract art, and vintage flair. Deep jewel tones and luxurious fabrics also help achieve the retro glam look.
How do you mix patterns and prints in a Hollywood Regency room?
Limit animal prints like leopard and cheetah to smaller doses—pillows, throws, ottomans. Anchor them with solid colored furnishings and muted patterns like subtle geometrics. Try small-scale palm prints as an accent pattern.
What wall colors work well with Hollywood Regency style?
Rich jewel-toned walls in deep greens, blues and burgundies look striking in a Hollywood Regency room. You can also opt for dramatic dark tones like black and charcoal gray. For a lighter palette, try soft blush pinks, warm ivories, or barely-there neutrals.
What type of flooring suits a Hollywood Regency aesthetic?
Glossy herringbone wood or marble in a large-scale pattern adds elegance underfoot in a Hollywood Regency space. Concrete with a polished or high-gloss coating also complements the modern glam look. Patterned carpet in graphic prints or animal skin motifs amps up the retro flair.
What architectural details fit Hollywood Regency style?
Arched doorways and windows, mirrored walls, gilded ceilings, and neutral wall paneling all give spaces a glam yet modern Hollywood Regency feel. Sleek fireplace surrounds, gold hardware, and vintage light fixtures also work beautifully with this style.
Conclusion
With its blend of mid-century elegance and vintage Hollywood charm, Hollywood Regency style makes a bold yet livable interior design statement. By incorporating metallic accents, striking abstract art, mirrored furnishings, graphic patterns and luxe textures in moderation, you can easily capture the retro glamour of this iconic aesthetic. Use the tips and guidelines provided to begin gracefully integrating Hollywood Regency elements into your own home for a space that feels comfortably lavish. Just have fun and don’t be afraid to break design “rules” to make the look your own. Here’s to enjoying your own Hollywood Regency oasis!
