topic Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT in Home

'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 04:32:48 GMT

Well, I have a sneaking fondness for "Hollywood Regency" decorating style, which has its roots in the glamorous style of the film colony of the Twenties, Thirties and onwards. The first big proponent was decorator Billy Haines, who was a leading man who left films for design.

Everybody has his own definition, but I think of Hollywood Regency as having these elements-- a little Art Deco, a lot of glam, graceful lines, some midcentury modern, femininity without frou-frou, and fine, frequently reflective finishes, including lots of gilt, lacquer and mirrors...

"Apartment Therapy" among others, featured a movie makeup and hair artist who lives in this adorable apartment, which she has decorated in what she terms her "Hollywood Regency/Girly Eclectic" style.

This romantic Spanish apartment has a cool history. In the Golden Age of Hollywood, it was reserved by the studio to house young actresses getting their start in films!

Already, you can see the Thirties' inspired lines in the furniture, the liberal use of gold, yet the "softness" and luxury of the H. R. style:

The owner thrifts most of her items, which gives her that very individualized, vintage look. Love her candle sconces!

This living room strikes me as "softly glamorous". The pistachio green walls and chalky white accents are so refreshing...

This little vignette seems the epitome of Hollywood Regency. The mixed-media gold and crystal candlesticks on a round gilt tray, flanking the surprising touch of the sweetness of a powder blue Wedgwood jasperware vase...

Is that an Emmy on the desk? Note another hallmark of Hollywood Regency-- mirrored furniture.

I like that it's not all perfection and polish-- she leaves some of her vintage finds in their patina'ed, distressed condition:

Cute retro kitchen:

The white chandelier in this simple bathroom-- darling! I have a weakness for lavender bathrooms-- I have one too.

See that white dresser in the bedroom? It's not that easy to see in this picture, but although the body of the dresser is white lacquer, the drawer fronts are mirrored. The best of both worlds... It's a multi-cat household, but there's just one luxuriating on the bed in this shot!

More characteristic touches-- gold, sinuously graceful forms, dramatic uplighting, luxurious tufted and printed fabrics...

I'm delighted with this unpretentious but imaginative rental, partly because Hollywood Regency can go very bad, in the wrong hands! It can fairly easily go over the top. But here I find it artistic, but liveable, comfortable, and with a knowing nod to the past.

One designer who does Hollywood Regency rather well is Mary McDonald, who also has a fantastic feeling for color too. But that's another post....

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

spiderw — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:32:04 GMT

I am not familiar with Hollywood Regency design and it was interesting to see the style in the pictures. There are many pretty touches throughout, I love the chairs, the bedroom is warm and appealing, love the retro kitchen. It's always fun to shop the thrift stores for some great decor and have different looks scattered and displayed . I would still add some more color but it is a lovely place to live!!!

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

Katcat1 — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 07:12:26 GMT

Of course, I love the cat on the bed. lol Some of it is okay and some of it is not very nice. Please remove all the garbage off the refrigerator. I hate when people fill their refrigerator with pictures and all kinds of junk like it's a desk drawer.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

queendiva — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 08:00:13 GMT

Thanks for sharing. This apartment is tiny! Love that so many of the furnishings are thrifted! That's my style. Gives it a unique style and tons of character. That said, I think it's over-decorated: such a tiny space needs room to "breathe". I also think the grommet curtains are out of place: too modern.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

DREAMON — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 12:40:20 GMT

This is perfect for Old Hollywood to me. Not too old looking...just right.

I too would change the grommet top curtains and take the hat off the lamp shade (the minute I saw that I could hear my mother saying "Take that hat off of there....it will start a fire."

My least favorite room is the kitchen but that is what kitchens looked like back then.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:12:54 GMT

Excellent point about the grommets, @queendiva and @DREAMON -- she may consider herself eclectic, but I do believe that the grommeting may be just too far over in the "industrial, contemporary" realm to really be compatible with her overall vintage, softer vibe....

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:23:37 GMT

I prefer clean lines so the majority of this is a no go for me. I loved the front door area that you could see in the distance from the bedroom

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

GingerPeach — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:45:08 GMT

I've always loved those southern California, heavily-planted courtyard, Spanish style apartment buildings.

As to the grommets, maybe we're being a bit hard on her for those. If someone is decorating thriftily, then it's difficult to find window coverings that DON'T have grommet tops, especially if you want those coverings to move back and forth easily. I know, I did a lot of looking myself just last year.

I also like the dose of reality the kitchen brings as opposed to the fantasy appearance of the rest of the apartment.

I can imagine the lovely life someone living here would have. I can see people moving between and among the furnishings and interacting. She has created a lovely setting.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

Lucky Charm — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 15:14:03 GMT

I love it.

As far a junking up a fridge, meaningful photos don't belong in a drawer.

And I have cats, but not on the bed!

Ozzie--you paint such a picture with your words. It's delicious!

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

stevieb — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 15:16:24 GMT

It's a sweet space and some pretty things, but this doesn't remotely say 'old Hollywood glamor' to me... by a mile. And like others, I agree those grommet top curtains are especially out of sync.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

mspatmac — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 15:57:23 GMT

I love it and my criteris for love it is can I move right in and yes to this one. While not the opulance that many associate with old Hollywood glam I think she did a great job of combining some great pieces and making her space comfortable. Thanks again @Oznell for showing us this gem.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

Sooner — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:01:43 GMT

I like the cat. . .

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:43:09 GMT

Thanks, kind @Lucky Charm!

@mspatmac and @GingerPeach, I so agree with both your takes on this place. I feel it's not meant to have the grandeur of classic or "pure" Hollywood Regency-- that would be really hard to do on a budget. But it has, I guess, a spirit and more than a whisper of that art deco Hollywood fantasy feeling, within the realities of her particular circumstances...

Yeah, I love those buildings too, @GingerPeach.. I can think of two movies off hand that had them, I think. They're so atmospheric! One was Hitchcock's "Family Plot", in which Barbara Harris brilliantly played a slightly seedy (but good hearted) fortune teller, and she lived in one. And there was at least one, maybe a couple, seen in "Chinatown"...

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

vsm — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 18:13:05 GMT

She has a great eye, and I do like the way she has personalized everything in her home. For me, though, that shag rug (bad enough as it is, but especially as a repository for hair from multiple cats) would have to go. Thanks as always, @Oznell , for the photos and commentary!

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 18:16:27 GMT

Of the same mind, discerning @vsm -- those were my thoughts exactly about that rug!

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

ScarletDove — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 23:12:24 GMT

Like the living room with the pistachio walls and white furniture...other areas are way too glitzy for my taste. And those grommet curtains look like plastic shower curtains.

And actually the kitchen could use an upgrade. The exterior and gardens are beautiful.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

wilma — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:58:28 GMT

Love the exterior view & the architecture!

I don’t like the decorating style or colors. Too much white in some rooms, and I am not a fan of pastel pink either.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

jellyBEAN — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 04:38:08 GMT

I luv it. The front door area is really unique with the archway and those windows and that great front door with the windows in it. Beautiful white fireplace in the living area. I adore a retro kitchen - as long as its clean and everything is in good shape.

Kitty sure looks comfy stretched on that bed comforter. She says - don't bother me, can't you see I'm trying to cat nap?

I'm attracted to soft neutrals and the pistachio with the white trim is a nice choice that I never would have thought of. A very beautiful apt. if you ask me.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

faeriemoon — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:03:40 GMT

That bathroom mirror with the little curved finger pull at the bottom brings back memories. I bet it has the slot in the back wall for used razor blades.

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

hayseed00 — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:03:52 GMT

Love the whole place, the outside is so retro looking, and I just can picture this place back in the day !!!!