Hollywood Regency, sometimes also called Regency Moderne, is a luxurious interior design aesthetic that originated in the movie-making scene of southern California from the 1920s to the 1950s, particularly flourishing during the "Golden Era of Hollywood". This style is characterized by its opulence, comfortable furniture, metallic/glass accents and extravagant unbalance.
The term "Hollywood Regency" is thought to have been coined by the professional interior designer Dorothy Draper sometime during the decade of the 1920s, and she was one of the many pioneers of this design style along with William Haines. Dorothy Draper was particularly well known for her use of black and white tiles on the floor, and scrollworks and plasterworks inspired by the Rococo and Baroque art movements, although the creators of the Hollywood Regency style also sought to contradict both by being more maximalistic, tropical and less repetitive.
The author Rochelle Greayer described the Hollywood Regency style as:
"Hollywood Regency is glitz and glamour covered in lacquer, chrome, and mirrored finishes. Every detail is meant to convey luxury and there is always the feeling that people should look good in the design— particularly if they are wearing satin bathrobes and sipping a cocktail." ― Rochelle Greayer[1]
Key Elements[]
Some common elements seen in Hollywood Regency design include:
Motifs[]
- Carpets and walls decorated with bold patterns
- Metallic finishes
- Animal prints (such as zebra, tiger and leopard)
- Tropical motifs
- Palm trees
- Hibiscus flowers
- Exotic animal statues
- Glass accents
- Checkered floor tiles
- Zig-zag patterns
- Furniture inspired by Ancient Greek architecture
Furniture & Materials[]
- Dramatic sunburst mirrors
- Silky divans
- Glamourous lighting
- Chandeliers
- Exaggerated floor lamps
- Luxurious materials and textures
- Silk
- Velvet
- Leather
- Fur
- Furniture inspired by the Palace of Versailles