Pagodas, Pink and Perfect Bed Heads

Following the theme of Hollywood Regency and chinoiserie, I have to share my latest 'must have'.  PAGODAS.  These temple icons look as good as a blue and white ginger jars, faux bamboo.  They are very regal and quaint.  A pagoda is the general term for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Nepal.  Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist and were often located in or near temples - but they're not temples.  Fascinating.

The fact that this style influenced architecture and design from roof shingles through to objet d'art.

Pagoda in white - outstanding against this wallpaper

Oh dear - lovely faux bamboo tole chandelier

Michelle Nussbaumer - white pagoda bedhead

I love the pink fabric covered bedhead against the turquoise wall

Lily Pulitzer design - Light, bright, Chinese Regency

Brass faux bamboo tole chandelier

Horchow coffee table - Chinoiserie Regency

Horchow Chair

Rococco style Pagoda bedhead

 Did I say pink?  Okay, here's two ring-ins I just couldn't resist.  Lovely light and chair in popping primary colours of red and green.

Julie Neill Pagoda Lantern - New Orleans

Michelle Nussbaumer - Green Emperor Chair

Hollywood Regency - LA cool meets Palm Beach 1950s meets Joan Crawford

Hollywood Regency has definitely made a dramatic return to interior design because of the likes of Kelly Wearstler , Jonathan Adler (who's manifesto is the funniest thing I've read in a LONG time) who've established it as the decor du jour.

Designers from Hollywood's Golden Age, like William Haines and Dorothy Draper, encouraged Hollywood movie stars to decorate their home with overtones of glitz and glamour, a new design style emerged. The 1930s Hollywood Regency style was a favorite of celebrities ranging from actress Joan Crawford to the Rat Pack.  I can remember seeing Faye Dunaway in "Mommie Dearest" and Joan Crawford's love of white and mirrors, she was definitely obsessive compulsive!

Because of the popularity of the style things like chinoiserie chairs, brass ornaments, and pieces like William (Billy) Haines pieces, this seems like a totally accessible (if not expensive) decorating style to adopt.  What annoys me is that everybody calls anything mid-century EAMES ERA.  Puh-lease.  Charles & Ray Eames were designers mainly of furniture, and logos (IBM) and various designs, but I don't think they'd slip into the Hollywood Regency category.  They were way more 'down home', and slightly more Frank Lloyd Wright.

Here's my very amateur take on it:  think LUX, LUCITE and lashings of LACQUER.  Colour, colour everywhere with silks and dramatic fabric designs, plush thick carpets and rugs. Or we can go further with some other themes:

• Lacquered Furniture
• Lucite Tables and Chairs
• Mirrored Furniture and Mirrors
• Fabulous and Bold Wallpaper
• Chinoseirie
• Dressing Table
• Lilly Pulitzer Palm Beach style

Nothing says glamor more than a chandelier. Glamor table lamps have crystal stems and fancy shades in white or black. Or add lamp shades in the color of the accent you have chosen to carry the theme throughout the room.


RESOURCES
Read more: How to Decorate Hollywood Regency Style
Some shops that sell the Hollywood Regency style online:

Jayson Home & Garden

Inside Avenue

Brocade Home

655 Home

Councill Furniture

Chloe Sevigny's apartment decorated in Kelly Wearstler's "Imperial Trellis"

Dorothy Draper Chandelier and wallpaper

Beautiful use of green, black and white.  Kelly Wearster, Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica

White with green highlights - Kelly Wearster, Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica

Moroccan glass panels look great stacked with display. Kelly Wearster, Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica

White & lucite - note the plates again (a personal fave)!

More plates complementing chinese regency style

Kelly Wearstler at Bergdorf Goodman

Mirrored tile ceiling

Billy Haines 'Seniah' Chair - love that fabric!

Gramercy Park Hotel - Ian Schrager (lux ++)

Schrager, Adler, Wearstler & Billy Baldwin - all hotel decor

Jonathan Adler - Chippendale in pink

Black & white textures

 The warm white panels in this beautiful restaurant contrast really well with the modern window frames.  I'm writing from Auckland, New Zealand and I have heard there's beautiful antique and vintage furniture shops.

Modern vs Vintage furniture really works

Thom Felicia's (Queer Eye for a Straight Guy) bathroom

Beautiful hotels - glorious design

Oyster Bay Hotel, Durban, South Africa Source: Verandah House

 Oyster Bay Hotel, Durban, South Africa

This beautiful hotel located in Durban, South Africa has the most beautiful interiors.  These pictures were featured on the fabulous blogsite Verandah House.  I love the clean white lattice effects set against turquoise soft furnishings, wood and gilt lighting.  Love with molto passion the cream beaded chandelier.

But wait....there's more.  Also featured on this blog was a fabulous hotel in Penang, Malaysia - the Eastern & Oriental Hotel.

Elegant spaces

I often think which interiors (or exteriors) I would feel comfortable in. I adore the verandah of this old Clayfield residence with the bamboo chairs!

Oh to have multiple residences with multiple rooms to experience and enjoy these surroundings!

Sparkling delights

For anyone who loves chandeliers, have a look at these delights...I think once you own a chandelier you're bitten for life.

Mental health break - lovely sparklies

Well dear friends today I'm having a TERRIBLE day. One of grumpy grumpiness and imperfections and annoyances all around. I've stopped momentarily to amuse myself with interesting collectibles I'd rather look at than an old computer screen. Out with hate and in with love!