Decorating
10 Winning Ways to Infuse Your Home With Hollywood-Style Glamour
As a nod to the 87th annual Academy Awards, we share our top tips on how to infuse your abode with drama and dazzling style
Although the annual awards season is almost over, we still have the biggest, glitziest and most prestigious event to come: the 87th Academy Awards (or the Oscars, as the awards ceremony is now officially known). To celebrate the countdown to Hollywood’s night of nights, an event that has also become one of (if not the) most important date on the international film community’s calendar, we’ve decided to mark the occasion the best way we know how – by looking to the Oscars (and Hollywood in general) for decorating inspiration. Below, we guide you through 10 ways to infuse your home with refined Hollywood-style glamour, which has become synonymous with the glittering awards ceremony. Intrigued as to what design tricks and tips have made the cut? Read on as we announce the winners below…
2. Welcome famous faces into your home
Are you an art lover or pop culture enthusiast? Then hanging a portrait of your favourite actor or actress (like this amazing artwork of movie star Marilyn Monroe) may be right up your decorating alley. Alternatively, you might like to display movie stills or posters on your wall instead.
Artwork: Appears to be ‘Pink Flavour’ by Michael Moebius
Are you an art lover or pop culture enthusiast? Then hanging a portrait of your favourite actor or actress (like this amazing artwork of movie star Marilyn Monroe) may be right up your decorating alley. Alternatively, you might like to display movie stills or posters on your wall instead.
Artwork: Appears to be ‘Pink Flavour’ by Michael Moebius
3. Choose a movie star-worthy mirror
I don’t know about you, but I would feel like a bona fide movie star if I were to primp and preen in front of a Hollywood vanity mirror (like the ones pictured in this transitional-style bathroom) every morning. Granted, I’m sure the novelty would wear off, but when it does, I’m confident my love of the glam, statement-making set-up wouldn’t fade, except perhaps on cleaning day…
Before choosing bulbs for your vanity mirror, think about how you will use it and the surrounding space – this will help you determine what type of globe will best suit your lighting needs. For example, will your vanity be your main make-up station? In which case, bulbs that mimic natural sunlight are probably the best option for you. Otherwise, if your mirror is just used for basic bathroom prep, then you may simply like to choose bulbs that will ensure your space is well-lit, and produce a light that suits your preferences in terms of colour temperature and intensity.
I don’t know about you, but I would feel like a bona fide movie star if I were to primp and preen in front of a Hollywood vanity mirror (like the ones pictured in this transitional-style bathroom) every morning. Granted, I’m sure the novelty would wear off, but when it does, I’m confident my love of the glam, statement-making set-up wouldn’t fade, except perhaps on cleaning day…
Before choosing bulbs for your vanity mirror, think about how you will use it and the surrounding space – this will help you determine what type of globe will best suit your lighting needs. For example, will your vanity be your main make-up station? In which case, bulbs that mimic natural sunlight are probably the best option for you. Otherwise, if your mirror is just used for basic bathroom prep, then you may simply like to choose bulbs that will ensure your space is well-lit, and produce a light that suits your preferences in terms of colour temperature and intensity.
4. Invest in luxe director’s chairs
Once reserved for outdoor entertaining areas and picnics, the old, humble director’s chair has been given the Hollywood treatment. Gone are the varnished wooden frames and canvas seats and backrests that we’ve come to associate with the iconic design; now premium materials like chrome and leather are used in their place, which has seen the classic chairs make their way inside the home, rather than being relegated to outside. Here, a quartet of tan leather and chrome director’s chairs not only provide comfortable seating around the dining table, but also evoke images of glam movie stars and sets, while infusing the space with a touch of Hollywood-tinged flair.
Once reserved for outdoor entertaining areas and picnics, the old, humble director’s chair has been given the Hollywood treatment. Gone are the varnished wooden frames and canvas seats and backrests that we’ve come to associate with the iconic design; now premium materials like chrome and leather are used in their place, which has seen the classic chairs make their way inside the home, rather than being relegated to outside. Here, a quartet of tan leather and chrome director’s chairs not only provide comfortable seating around the dining table, but also evoke images of glam movie stars and sets, while infusing the space with a touch of Hollywood-tinged flair.
5. Introduce elements that shimmer and sparkle
Nothing says glitz and glamour like crystal chandeliers, luxe mirrors and shimmering metallic surfaces, each of which take a starring role in this elegant entry. Plus, sparkly, high-shine furnishings and finishes like these not only exude elegance and luxe style, but will also enhance the mood of your space and can help create the illusion of spaciousness, too.
More: Heavy Metals: 12 Rooms With Dazzling Metallic Decor
Nothing says glitz and glamour like crystal chandeliers, luxe mirrors and shimmering metallic surfaces, each of which take a starring role in this elegant entry. Plus, sparkly, high-shine furnishings and finishes like these not only exude elegance and luxe style, but will also enhance the mood of your space and can help create the illusion of spaciousness, too.
More: Heavy Metals: 12 Rooms With Dazzling Metallic Decor
6. Add Art Deco accents
Take a leaf out of this Hollywood-esque bathroom’s style playbook and decorate your space with Art Deco design features and accents. Characterised by the use of rich tones, bold geometric shapes, symmetry, elaborate patterns, mirrored surfaces and ornamentation, the flamboyant design style echoes the glamour and grandeur of the golden age of Hollywood cinema (a period when actors like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant graced the silver screen), which makes it an ideal decorating scheme for those who wish to infuse their home with glitz, visual drama and luxe appeal.
More: So Your Style Is: Art Deco
Take a leaf out of this Hollywood-esque bathroom’s style playbook and decorate your space with Art Deco design features and accents. Characterised by the use of rich tones, bold geometric shapes, symmetry, elaborate patterns, mirrored surfaces and ornamentation, the flamboyant design style echoes the glamour and grandeur of the golden age of Hollywood cinema (a period when actors like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant graced the silver screen), which makes it an ideal decorating scheme for those who wish to infuse their home with glitz, visual drama and luxe appeal.
More: So Your Style Is: Art Deco
7. Think rich jewel tones …
Ruby red, regal sapphire, dazzling emerald, lavish amethyst and eye-catching citrine are just a few colours that come to mind when I think of Hollywood. What do they all have in common? They’re all rich jewel tones – hues that have the power to instantly lift a space and infuse it with glamour and an air of sophistication. To create a scheme that’s glam yet restrained in style, pair your jewel tone of choice with black, white or another neutral shade. This will create balance and allow your accent colour to shine.
Ruby red, regal sapphire, dazzling emerald, lavish amethyst and eye-catching citrine are just a few colours that come to mind when I think of Hollywood. What do they all have in common? They’re all rich jewel tones – hues that have the power to instantly lift a space and infuse it with glamour and an air of sophistication. To create a scheme that’s glam yet restrained in style, pair your jewel tone of choice with black, white or another neutral shade. This will create balance and allow your accent colour to shine.
Or if you desire a more high-impact scheme, you might like to take design cues from this space and pair a selection of contrasting gem-like shades together.
More: How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
More: How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
8. … or stick with a classic black and white scheme
Not too fussed on bright, bold gem-like colours? Then you can’t go wrong with a classic monochrome palette. Add touches of silver, gold and other high-shine finishes to ramp up the glam factor.
Not too fussed on bright, bold gem-like colours? Then you can’t go wrong with a classic monochrome palette. Add touches of silver, gold and other high-shine finishes to ramp up the glam factor.
9. Shine a spotlight on your space with studio-style lighting
Need a floor lamp for your living zone, bedroom or study? Why settle for a basic lamp when you can choose a chic studio-style spotlight instead? Not only do these striking industrial lamps ooze conversation-starting style and glam appeal (plus they’ll make your room feel like a movie set, too), but they also deliver practical directional lighting. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that studio-style lamps have gained a faithful following of decorating fans over the years – you can count me as one of them!
Need a floor lamp for your living zone, bedroom or study? Why settle for a basic lamp when you can choose a chic studio-style spotlight instead? Not only do these striking industrial lamps ooze conversation-starting style and glam appeal (plus they’ll make your room feel like a movie set, too), but they also deliver practical directional lighting. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that studio-style lamps have gained a faithful following of decorating fans over the years – you can count me as one of them!
10. Dress your space in touch-me textures
Luxe fabrics like velvet, faux fur and silk will make any room look and feel infinitely more sophisticated and glamorous. Pair these materials with sleek surfaces like chrome, glass, lucite, metal and marble, as well as edgy leather, to give the glam scheme another layer of visual interest and a balanced look. If you’re worried your space will appear a little too showy and lack heart, timber flooring and furniture will help cut through the opulent feel of the space and offer much-needed warmth.
More: Texture-Rich Tricks You Can Reach Out and Touch
Luxe fabrics like velvet, faux fur and silk will make any room look and feel infinitely more sophisticated and glamorous. Pair these materials with sleek surfaces like chrome, glass, lucite, metal and marble, as well as edgy leather, to give the glam scheme another layer of visual interest and a balanced look. If you’re worried your space will appear a little too showy and lack heart, timber flooring and furniture will help cut through the opulent feel of the space and offer much-needed warmth.
More: Texture-Rich Tricks You Can Reach Out and Touch
TELL US
Would you incorporate any of these ideas into your home? We’d love to know which ones you’d like to try, so share your thoughts in the Comments. If your abode already exudes Hollywood-style glamour, feel free to share your design tricks and post photos of your space below, too!
MORE
The Oscars 2015 Reimagined as Rooms
6 Style Lessons We’ve Learnt From ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’
History of Style: Be Inspired by the Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel
Would you incorporate any of these ideas into your home? We’d love to know which ones you’d like to try, so share your thoughts in the Comments. If your abode already exudes Hollywood-style glamour, feel free to share your design tricks and post photos of your space below, too!
MORE
The Oscars 2015 Reimagined as Rooms
6 Style Lessons We’ve Learnt From ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’
History of Style: Be Inspired by the Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel
The red carpet is an institution at basically any event on the showbiz calendar – from movie premieres to gala events and, of course, award ceremonies like the Oscars – so why not roll one out in your own home? Okay, just to be clear, we’re not suggesting you cover the path from your letterbox to your front door in attention-grabbing red carpet (because, well, that would look ridiculous, wouldn’t it); a more practical (and less OTT) solution would be to work a red rug into your scheme.
If you’re worried a large red area rug will look too overwhelming in your living area or bedroom, but are still keen to try this decorating idea, lay a long red carpet runner in your hallway instead. This chic hallway shows this design trick in action – notice how the red runner transforms the narrow space and infuses it with a hint of regal glamour.