How to Modernize Art Deco & Hollywood Regency Style for Your Home

We’re starting a new series designed to help you get to know your style and implement it in your home.  Each installment will focus on helping you get to know a specific style.  You can check out inspiring pictures, learn what design elements you should include, and be introduced to designers and furniture lines specializing in that style.  Since every style today has a modern edge, we’ll also give you suggestions on how you can modernize the style, and how to make it work with some of the decor you already own.  We’ll even give you ideas for some do-it-yourself projects to help save money.

This is the first in a ten part series where we focus on how to adapt the Hollywood Regency and Art Deco styles for the modern home.  Each of our installments can be found under the “Styles” menu.

Picture links and Credit:  Turquoise Living Palm Kitchen  Gold living room  Modern Bar

Featured Image:  The Interiors Addict

THE GOLDEN AGE OF GLAMOUR

Hollywood Regency style was very popular during the 1920’s-1930’s, during the golden age of Hollywood glamour.  Watch any movie starring Jean Harlow or Carole Lombard and you will see lavish sets in the Art Deco style. The films were black and white, but the sets were colorful featuring deep reds, greens, and blues, as well as bright colors like fuchsia and yellow.

William Haines, a self-taught designer (our favorite kind of designer!) brought the look into the homes of Hollywood stars and eventually created the Hollywood Regency style.

Photo:  Heather Scott Home:  http://blog.heatherscotthome.com/

ART DECO

Art Deco is characterized by geometric patterns in architecture, such as iron doors and windows, and wall coverings.  A perfect example is the Chrysler building in New York, with its sweeping fan pattern peak. Gold, silver and bronze geometric shapes are used everywhere.  They can be found in patterned tiles, wallpaper, and furniture.

Art Deco and Hollywood Regency gained popularity at the same time and have been married ever since.  Think of Hollywood Regency as Art Deco with softer edges.

IS HOLLYWOOD REGENCY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Hollywood Regency style is perfect for anyone who wants to add a little flash and glam to their home.  It’s also great if you like shiny lacquer (think walls and furniture), black and white geometric patterns, and love a pop of bright color.
[bctt tweet=”Hollywood Regency style is perfect to add a little flash and glam to your home.” username=”@BlowingAwayWest”]

Photo:  VintageLuxe : http://vintageluxe.tumblr.com/post/118255580609/nuevo-estilo

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR HOLLYWOOD REGENCY STYLE

1. Mid-century modern furniture accented in gold or chrome.
2. White lacquer furniture or a lacquer accent wall.
3. A strong geometric pattern (think rug, backsplash, wallpaper.)
4. Bold color–used sparingly, and it’s best to keep to the same color family.
5. Dazzling accessories such as gilded lamps, a fur ottoman, or a mirrored nightstand.

TODAY’S HOLLYWOOD REGENCY: MODERN GLAM

Decorating a home is expensive, and I firmly believe that you can change your style without having to buy everything new.  The easiest way to get the Hollywood Regency look today is to pair it with modern furniture and colors. Add accessories in chrome and gold, and something with a geometric pattern such as a rug.  Modern art, with its bright colors works well also.

[bctt tweet=”Decorating is expensive, you can change your style without having to buy everything new.” username=”@BlowingAwayWest”]

Photo:  Frontgate : https://www.frontgate.com

HOLLYWOOD REGENCY:  WAYS TO UP-CYCLE WHAT YOU ALREADY OWN

Take a look around your house for furniture with sharp lines, and mid-century styling.  You can up-cycle it by painting table legs gold and re-upholstering bar stools and kitchen chairs in velvet, and black or white vinyl.  Use the same can of spray paint to glam up old accessories such as statues, lamp bases, and picture frames.

If you happen to own bamboo furniture, give it a new lacquer finish in black, red or bright green.  Green, leafy pattered cushions complete the look.

Throw a piece of white faux fur on your piano bench, ottoman or sofa table.

Take an old desk and turn it into a dressing table to your bedroom.  Paint it a shiny lacquer and add jeweled or art deco knobs.  Complete the look with a mirrored tray to hold your perfume.

Using iron-on bias tape, add a geometric pattern to the bottom of your curtains.

THE SPLURGE AND THE POLISH

When it comes to Hollywood Regency, a little splurge can go a long way.  A gold and glass coffee table, a velvet “fainting couch” or settee, or a huge patterned rug can really embolden the look.  But remember that the polish is in the details.  Keep accessories flashy in finish, but simple in design and don’t overdo.  A buffet with two gold and black lamps framing a modern painting is enough–you don’t need to layer accessories for this style.

Keep the lines as simple as possible, and let the fabrics add the glam.  Choose either a strong pattern for the fabrics (but keep everything else neutral), or a strong texture for the fabric, such as velvet, satin, or fur.

[bctt tweet=”With Hollywood Regency, let the fabric add the glam.” username=”@BlowingAwayWest”]

DESIGNERS AND WHERE TO SHOP

There’s some incredibly beautiful Hollywood Regency furniture available with high end finishes that are to die for.  Check out Kathy Kuo Home products on the Houzz shop, plus scroll through the Houzz story below to see my picks for great Hollywood Regency style. If you’re on a tight budget, some of my favorite affordable designers include: Wila Arlo Interiors and Wholesale Interiors.  I also love the Hollywood Regency inspired wall art from Arteriors Home.  All three designers are available on Wayfair Home.