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Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,579
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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!

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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:

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

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

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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...

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

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

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Cute retro kitchen:

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

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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!

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

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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....

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,841
Registered: ‎06-14-2010

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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!!!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 24,685
Registered: ‎07-21-2011

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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.

kindness is strength
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,918
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,891
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

[ Edited ]

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.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,579
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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....

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,466
Registered: ‎03-19-2014

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
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Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,422
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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.

 

 

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,100
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

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!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 68,160
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: 'HOLLYWOOD REGENCY' STYLE APARTMENT

[ Edited ]

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. 


In my pantry with my cupcakes...