Hollywood Regency is elegance without rules. Glamour without guilt. Drama without heaviness.
Originally emerging in 1930s Hollywood and revived in the 60s and 70s, the style is bold, expressive and luxurious — yet surprisingly modern in 2026.
Where Mid-Century is calm and structured, Hollywood Regency is theatrical.
Where Scandinavian design is minimal, Regency embraces shine, texture and personality.
This is the style for people who want their home to feel like an experience.
1. What Defines Hollywood Regency?
Hollywood Regency sits at the intersection of Old Hollywood glamour and 70s retro decadence.
Key characteristics include:
-
brass, chrome and gold accents
-
mirrored furniture and reflective surfaces
-
velvet, silk, satin and lacquer
-
sculptural, oversized lamps
-
rich color palettes (emerald, sapphire, black, ivory, blush, gold)
-
animal prints, geometric patterns, Art Deco references
-
sexy silhouettes and soft curves
-
a mix of vintage luxury + modern boldness
The vibe: confident, cinematic, glamorous — but playful.
2. The Materials That Create the Look
Hollywood Regency is defined by tactile richness:
Brass & Gold
The signature metal.
Think brass coffee tables, bar carts, lamps and sculptural bases.
Mirrored Surfaces
A Regency essential.
Mirrored side tables, consoles, bar cabinets — reflecting light, glamour and space.
Velvet
Soft, deep, dramatic.
Perfect for low lounge sofas or sculptural chairs.
Lacquer
High gloss and rich color.
Often seen on cabinets, sideboards or dining chairs.
Glass & Smoke Glass
Round glass tables with brass or chrome bases are core Regency pieces.
Marble
Adds weight and quiet luxury.
Hollywood Regency is all about sensory impact.
3. Essential Hollywood Regency Furniture Pieces
1. Brass & Glass Coffee Tables
The most recognizable Regency object.
Often with geometric or sculptural brass bases.
2. Velvet Sofas & Lounge Chairs
Soft silhouettes in jewel tones — emerald, sapphire, burgundy.
3. Mirrored Consoles & Side Tables
Reflective, glamorous, ideal for hallways or living rooms.
4. Sculptural Lamps
Oversized, brass-based, dome-shaped or mushroom-inspired.
Lighting is the soul of the Regency look.
5. Bar Carts
A Hollywood must-have.
Often brass, with glass or mirror shelves.
6. Statement Rugs
Animal print, geometric patterns, or deep neutral tones.
7. Tufted Headboards
Soft, plush, elegant — adds instant upscale hotel energy.
4. The Designers Who Shaped Hollywood Regency
While not tied to specific designers like Danish Modern or Italian 70s, Regency style was shaped through Hollywood decorators and iconic brand aesthetics.
Dorothy Draper
The queen of bold color and oversized patterns.
Billy Haines
Hollywood’s go-to decorator in the 30s and 40s.
Willy Rizzo (1970s)
A major influence in the European Regency revival.
Famous for:
-
brass & chrome tables
-
smoked glass
-
glamorous geometric forms
Maison Jansen
Mixes French neoclassical luxury with Hollywood glamour.
Milo Baughman
Clean-lined American glam — chrome, brass, floating silhouettes.
These designers shaped the DNA behind today’s “Instagram Regency” aesthetic.
5. Hollywood Regency in 2026: Why It’s Back
Because the world is tired of minimalism.
2026 design culture craves:
-
warmth rather than cold minimalism
-
glamour instead of neutral sameness
-
texture and mood
-
curated eclecticism
-
nostalgia
-
photogenic interiors
Hollywood Regency delivers all of that — in a way that still feels elevated, not tacky.
It’s the perfect counterpoint to Scandinavian simplicity, and the perfect match for Italian 70s sofas, Space Age lamps, and chrome accents.
6. How to Style Hollywood Regency in 2026
1. Use Brass as the Anchor
A single brass coffee table can pull the whole aesthetic together.
2. Pair Velvet with Chrome or Brass
Soft + shiny = signature Regency contrast.
3. Mix Curves with Structure
-
curved velvet armchair
-
geometric brass table
-
sculptural lamp
Contrast creates depth.
4. Add a Single High-Drama Piece
Examples:
-
oversized mushroom lamp
-
mirrored bar cabinet
-
emerald velvet sofa
-
70s-style brass dining table
One hero piece is enough.
5. Keep Colors Selective
Choose one of these palettes:
Classic Glam:
Black, white, gold, mirror
70s Glam:
Cognac, smoke glass, brass, amber
Contemporary Glam:
Ivory, champagne, chrome, pale pastels
6. Layer Textures
Velvet + marble + glass + metallic = Regency magic.
7. Add vintage lighting
Lighting transforms everything — especially in this style.
7. Hollywood Regency + Other Styles (2026 Cheat Sheet)
Hollywood Regency blends extremely well with:
Italian 70s Design
Camaleonda, Soriana, Le Bambole — perfect mix of softness + glam.
Space Age
Bubble lamps + brass = futuristic glamour.
Mid-Century Modern
A teak sideboard next to a brass table? Stunning contrast.
Danish Modern
Warm wood + bold glam = unexpectedly harmonious.
Brutalism
Raw textures + glossy metals = editorial interior energy.
Regency is a hybrid style — it thrives on mixing eras.
8. How to Identify Good Vintage Hollywood Regency Pieces
1. Check the metal quality
Solid brass? Chrome?
Cheap pieces often use foil-coated metal.
2. Look for clean, geometric construction
Willy Rizzo tables, for example, have very precise sculptural lines.
3. Inspect mirror panels
High-quality vintage mirrors have depth and weight.
4. Feel the upholstery
Vintage velvet should feel heavy, not synthetic.
5. Check the glass
Smoke glass from the 70s has a unique tone and thickness.
6. Weight matters
Good Regency furniture is heavy — especially brass and marble.
Conclusion
Hollywood Regency is the antidote to flat, minimalist interiors.
It’s glamorous, nostalgic, sensual, sculptural and full of personality — perfectly aligned with the 2026 aesthetic of curated, expressive vintage living.
Whether you go for a brass coffee table, a mirrored console, an emerald velvet sofa or a sculptural lamp, Hollywood Regency instantly elevates any room.
It’s not just a style.
It’s a mood — and a celebration of living boldly.