Gather all your movie knowledge because it is time to pay homage to the ‘Golden Era’ of Hollywood. The Hollywood Regency style is an excellent way to make your home look luxurious. Whether you are a fan of the movies or just want to keep up with popular culture, the Hollywood Regency interior style is the way to go. The passion for movies led to people recreating lavish sets of popular movies in their homes which gave birth to this design. Hollywood Regency is all about “more is more”. There is no room for minimalism, it’s all about bold colours, a variety of patterns and textures, lacquered surfaces and larger-than-life decoration pieces.
What Defines Hollywood Regency Style?
Opulence and luxury, are the two terms we would use to define this style. Hollywood Regency uses rich textures and colours along with a lot of gold, silver and shiny surfaces. The decor and accessories are the central element of this style, not the furniture. More than focusing on specific styles of furniture, it is about the fabric and patterns on the furniture. Another important feature of this style is the “go big or go home” philosophy behind decorative pieces. Large mirrors, artwork and photographs are a common way to decorate the house.
Inspired By…
If you’re familiar with the different interior design trends, then you would be able to see the similarities between Hollywood Regency, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern styles. Art deco and mid-century modern interiors became popular around the same time as Hollywood Regency. The glamour quotient, big decorative pieces and bold colours are what make art deco and Hollywood Regency so similar. In fact, just a brief look at these interior decoration styles would make them seem almost identical, but a key difference is within the patterns. Art deco emphasizes geometric patterns, sleek lines and symmetry, whereas Hollywood Regency is a bit more free-flowing and theatrical.
Unlike art deco, mid-century modern interiors look nothing like Hollywood Regency at first. But there are small similarities between the type of furniture both styles go for. While mid-century modern is centred around natural furniture with relatively simple designs, it is quite similar to the furniture you would find in the Hollywood Regency style. Since the decor is the centre of attention in Hollywood Regency, the furniture tends to be sleek. However, it is not anywhere near the natural furniture of the mid-century modern style.
Quintessentially Hollywood
By now you must have noticed that there are certain requirements that are standard for this style of decoration. We will list down the decoration items, fabrics, colours, patterns and furniture pieces you need to invest in to achieve the Hollywood Regency look!
Bathe In Gold
We are not referring to actual gold. No, we mean the colour. Whether it is your coffee table, bathroom taps, lamp stands, chair legs or light fixtures, try to incorporate as much gold as you can.
Gold is associated with luxury and that is precisely the reason why it is so important to adorn your house in this colour. Bedside tables, mirror frames and even curtains with gold borders would do the job.
There Are No Patterns to the Patterns
Fluidity is what you’re aiming for when you play around with patterns for this interior design style. Black and white checkerboard patterns are very popular in Hollywood Regency interiors. It can be incorporated through rugs with that pattern or tiles. Additionally, the pattern can be incorporated through the patterned fabric on an armchair or cushion covers.
If checks are not your style, then go for something completely abstract. From your bathroom tiles to the curtains in your bedroom, abstract patterns make everything stand out. Tables with granite tops usually sport this abstract pattern and look rich without doing much. Add a few side tables or a coffee table with a granite top and if you want to go big, then a large dining table with a white granite top is the way to go!
Shine, Dream, Smile…
Lacquered and polished surfaces are a must-have for Hollywood Regency interiors. Try to incorporate mirrored furniture such as mirrored chest of drawers, bedside tables and coffee tables.
To add to the shine, use accessories like lacquered trays and shiny bar carts. Try to get your hands on furniture with a polished finish and don’t be shy about using mirrors as decorative pieces. These shiny surfaces will make the entire space look like it is dripping in luxury.
Bold Colours And Lush Fabrics
Colours are an important part of Hollywood Regency. This style is nothing if the colours aren’t bold. While the furniture is not the centre of attention in this interior decoration style, you can use colourful furniture to drive the point across.
Colourful cabinets, chairs and rugs are a common occurrence in Hollywood Regency interiors. However, you need to keep in mind that you can’t just splash random colours around the house and call it a day. We would recommend going for a two-toned colour scheme paired with jewel tones. Don’t overdo it with a bunch of colours which will end up making the room look chaotic. Chaos is not the purpose of Hollywood Regency interiors, luxury and opulence are; with luxury and opulence comes sophistication which can only be achieved if the colours, patterns and textures in the room are well thought out.
This brings us to textures and textiles. The fabrics that adorn the furniture around the house, be it your sofa, dining chairs or bed, must stand out. Cotton or wool won’t do the job as well. Fabrics such as silk, velvet, satin and even fur need to be spread out around the house. Velvet is usually an excellent choice for the living and dining room. For the bedroom, you can opt for silk, satin or maybe Egyptian cotton sheets.
Lights
When we refer to the Hollywood Regency aesthetic, never forget about a crystal chandelier. Whether you incorporate it in the living room, dining or bedroom, it is a necessary requirement for this interior style. Furthermore, you can decorate the entire house with little pieces of crystal to enhance the shiny element.
Movie Watchers Unite!
There is no better way to decorate your home in the Hollywood Regency style than taking inspiration from movies. Take a look at some of the popular movies of our time and pick out something small that you can include in your home. The set of “The Great Gatsby (2013)” provides a direct look into the interior style of the 1920s. High ceilings, flowy curtains, boldly patterned rugs and outrageously huge flower arrangements make up the interiors of Jay Gatsby’s mansion.
Mixing in chinoiserie elements in the house is also privy to this interior design style. While chinoiserie is the European interpretation of Chinese traditions, you can use the movie “Crazy Rich Asians” as a guide. The interiors of the mansion in the film use incredible art pieces, floral and animal ornamentation along with some very traditional pieces from China. The larger-than-life decoration pieces fit perfectly with the Hollywood Regency style.
Keep an eye out!
If you are planning on decorating your home in the Hollywood Regency style, we suggest that you take your time. No need to rush the process and get it all done in one go. While you can plan out how each and every room will look, you can’t always predict the type of decorative pieces you will find. Moreover, this style has the capability of evolving with time. So, keep an eye out for the interior styles depicted in the movies you watch. Films like Midnight in Paris and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood give you different ideas that you can adopt when decorating your home. In the end, you only need to remember to decorate with things big, shiny and fancy!
