From House To Home

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Though mention of “Hollywood” brings “trendy” and “of the moment” style to mind, there is another side that (just as the best movies to come out of it) is so timeless and classic it can be revisited over and over again…so much so that interior designers from coast to coast are applying its design principles seven decades after it made its debut. Don’t think of “young” Hollywood Regency style as a remake, however.

“Hollywood Regency can be white and cream colors for that sophisticated, 72-degrees-all-the-time, Hollywood style, but there is also an aspect of it that involves blacks and geometric patterns,” observes Cleveland-based interior designer Allison Perley-Harter. “I think it’s an offshoot of Art Deco, and its revival is due to our recent wartime mentality that mimics the World War II era. There are sophisticated, almost industrial shapes with that darkness and edge, but also the curves and artisanship that gives us the glamour and escape from all the war and economy news. Average consumers have also embraced the more colorful aspects of the design at stores like Target, which has hired fashion and furniture designers to create some of their collections.”

Atlanta’s Owen Lawrence, like Perley-Harter, feels the current sociopolitical climate makes the attributes of this dramatic but accessible all-American style—such as neutral colors, sensuous fabrics such as velvet and silk, luxe textures such as faux fur, and reflective accents such as mirrored furniture and chandeliers—all the more attractive.

“Back in the Depression, when we first saw this style, people watched movies to escape and see how the other half lived,” he notes. “Now, like then, times are uncertain, so people are looking to achieve a nurturing environment that is also elegant and sensual. The style is so popular now, in fact, that we have seen its influence in Ralph Lauren’s line and Drexel Heritage’s line inspired by Humphrey Bogart. Veteran furniture design house Ruhlmann is also producing some of its timeless classics.”

“Hollywood Regency can be white and cream colors for that sophisticated, 72-degrees-all-the-time, Hollywood style, but there is also an aspect of it that involves blacks and geometric patterns.”—Allison Perley-Harter

While LA-based interior designer Erinn Valencich acknowledges Hollywood Regency’s glamour and drama, she notes its modern lines and simplicity works for a variety of tastes and personalities. “I think it’s become so popular lately because people are looking for a way to incorporate the clean lines of mid-century modern and minimalist styles with something a little more warm and vibrant,” she says. “Hollywood Regency is a great way to bridge several different looks. The modern take on the style can actually mean a mix of a lot of influences, from Art Deco to mid-century modern to contemporary glam. It is also deceptively easy to achieve because the look is all about layering different materials, colors, and textures to create unique spaces.”

Going Hollywood

You don’t need an agent to be “in” in Hollywood…just stellar use of colors and accessories!

The return to Hollywood’s Regency era is, in effect, a return to a return. While designers Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper, and William Haines were early innovators, the swinging ‘60s brought it back via the Rat Pack. In 2008, the Regency vibe is kept relevant with judicious but bold use of lustrous colors and surfaces.

• Owen Lawrence notes that flea markets are a great resource for pieces from earlier Regency heydays. However, he stresses you keep colors neutral to better emphasize textures (such as a chenille or faux-fur throw).
• Ann McGuire, Valspar paints color consultant and founder of Beehive Studios, notes the effects of gently metallic hues (colors such as Valspar’s Filoli Gold Ecru and Silver Leaf) accenting deep, dramatic shades (navy, slate) recall the signature style of designer Dorothy Draper.
• The new “Movie Star” collection, launched at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, offers shades such as “Kiss Me Kate,” “In the Pink,” “Memory Lane,” “Simply Elegant,” and “Shining Star!”
• PlushHome, under the eye of owner Nina Petronzio, keeps Hollywood Regency relevant for a new generation with its line of eco-friendly furnishings and fantastic lighting fixtures that anchor a room’s look.