Learn About Hollywood Regency

May, 07 by Nina.

Ken Fulk designed Hollywood Regency living room

Since we just shared our latest interiors project Modern Hollywood Regency, we thought we’d share a bit of our research on the style and its key characteristics. Not to mention a ton of great glam eye candy…

Hollywood Regency is an interior design style that began in the 1930s when opulence and glamour were the main objectives for celebrity clients that wanted their environments to be as show stopping as they were. A few noteworthy designers of that time, such as Dorothy Draper, William Haines and Billy Baldwin, continue to inspire the likes today’s popular designers, such as Kelly Wearstler & Jonathan Adler.

William Haines designed dining room for Carole Lombard circa 1935

The Kelly Wearstler designed bar at Viceroy Santa Monica

Hollywood Regency has a few key elements: sleek reflective surfaces, lacquered furniture, lucite anything, sparkly touches (think metallic finishes, chrome touches or crystal chandeliers), tufted upholstery, geometric shapes, faux bamboo furniture & flocked wallpaper.

Jonathan Adler dining room with faux bamboo chairs, geometric floor pattern & metallic chrome finish on the chandelier

Home office with lucite desk, dramatic light fixture & a gold finish bookcases

Lucite and chrome make this dining room a standout

Laquered pieces are a mainstay in Hollywood Regency spaces

High gloss black walls, gold finishes & a crystal chandelier create drama

Kelly Wearstler uses a glossy ceiling, dramatic walls & geometric flooring to make a big impact for the hotel Maison 140

Though taking its name from the English Regency Style, Hollywood Regency was most strongly influenced by the Art Deco style of the 1920s. Similar design elements include clean lines, bold colors, and geometric patterns while design intentions emphasize luxury and fine craftsmanship.

Jonathan Adler’s clean lines and the dramatic black and white color palette make this living room striking

Bold black stairs paired with a geometric wall paper & a pop of color make this space stand out

Bold yellow geometric shapes & glass coffee table

White entry with graphic wallpaper & pops of color making it friendly & welcoming

Space planning allows for comfortable home entertaining. Furniture groupings give spaces lounge-like feel and consist of low sofas and chairs & multipurpose ottomans grouped for conversation. The scale of furniture in a Hollywood Regency space is scaled down to allow mingling space for guests and to not take away from the rooms’ inhabitants.