Elements of Hollywood Regency

Shine

• Hollywood in the 1930s was a time when film heavyweights were expected to entertain at home in a fashion that befitted a movie starlet or matinee idol. Parties were supposed to have an air of wealthy sophistication to promote a glamorous image. Reflective surfaces achieved a lustrous shine favored by Hollywood Regency designers. Lacquered furniture, chrome mounts, porcelain lamps and reflective mirrors also are prominent decorative features. Other glitzy elements included brass knobs, gold statues and glimmering crystal chandeliers.

Art Deco

• While Hollywood Regency takes it name from the elegant English Regency style that preceded it, the Art Deco style, popularized during the 1920s, was a more prominent influence. In fact, some consider Hollywood Regency an offshoot of Art Deco due to the similarity in design elements. Art Deco emphasized luxury, individuality and fine craftsmanship, characteristics later adopted into the Hollywood Regency aesthetic. The styles are also alike in their incorporation of clean lines, bold colors and geometric patterns.

Lush

• Rooms done in Hollywood Regency style are designed to present a dramatic showcase for entertaining while also providing guests with a feeling of lounge-like comfort. Low sofas, swivel stools and movable chairs are arranged for ease of conversation. A relaxed setting is underscored with touches of luxury by the use of lush fabrics like silk, velvet and faux fur that adorn hand-picked accessories, such as drapes, pillows, lampshades and rugs. Animal prints and Chinoiserie accessories are often used to underscore a sense of exotic opulence.

Scale

• To allow mingling space for guests, furniture is often limited to a relative few carefully chosen items. Artfully crafted ottomans, chairs and end tables are scaled down in size to allow a room's occupants to stand out from their surroundings. Furnishings like Chinoiserie vases and statues often have elaborate designs but are not so large as to dominate a room and draw attention away from its inhabitants. The emphasis is not on particular furnishings or accessories but on the mood of refined escapism they create.