Archive for the Home Category

Say hello to a new era in home furnishings. Hollywood Regency, in it’s hey-day, was all about making your guests feel as comfortable as possible in your home. That’s why certain elements of this design aesthetic channel 1930’s and 40’s hotel rooms. The look is a bit more staged than comfortable – i.e. your living room organized according to entertaining, serving, and conversation, rather than all pieces of furniture in full focus of the television.

Editing is key in this aesthetic; it’s way too easy to get carried away with all of the tufted furniture, crystals, and gold detailing. Try not to jump at every formal piece of vintage furniture you see – go for cotton twill upholstery over velour, and blown glass over multi-faceted crystals. Modernizing Hollywood Regency can happen in a lot of ways, too. You can make it fresh and youthful with a bold, graphic print area rug in a coordinating hue, or soft and traditional with natural elements like coral and distressed wood.  One of my favorite, and widely conveyed themes in regency is that of chinoiserie (meaning chinese-esque in French).  This can come in the form of greek key print fabric, vintage oriental print China, and faux bamboo furniture.

Last but not least, one should ideally aim for only one piece of the quintessential Hollywood Regency mirrored furniture in each room - before it starts looking like Vegas.

Pottery Barn Chinoiserie Drapes $69+

Williams-Sonoma Home Chippendale Bamboo Chair $562 (30% off!)

Target Sunburst Mirror $69.99

Inside Avenue Greek Key Bench $715

West Elm Safari Rug $99+



I’m not much for housewares - but when I saw an ad in Lucky mag while sipping vino at my girlfriend’s yesterday - I couldn’t ignore the vibrant prints I knew were Orla Kiely. At Teen Vogue we used to get the adorable little canvas totes with the colorful and minimalist designs - but as my beau does way more cooking than me and I can hardly bring myself to finish decorating our pad, this one just passed me by. No worries, though - looks like there is still a great selection available on retailer of the moment Target.com. Maybe Target should just solely do diffusion, what an idea - like a mass, nationwide Opening Ceremony for all designer diffusion brands. Regardless, I loved the little desert trays and serving bowls, maybe this will provoke me to actually buy some rather than serving friends dip in pots and pans!

Shop Orla Kiely for Target