Listed District’s Phenomenal Finds Vol. 13 – Hollywood Regency

Ellen Richardson, a graphic designer and Pleasant Plains resident, recently took her Craigslist hunting skills to the next level with the launch of her blog, Listed District. Listed District offers daily DC Craigslist findings of everything from Mid-Century and Industrial furniture, to bikes and the utterly strange.  Every week Ellen is going to share a roundup of some Phenomenal Finds with PoPville.

“It’s not the having, it’s the getting.”
-Elizabeth Taylor

As you’ve probably been able to tell, I’m drawn mostly to mid century and industrial pieces…my house is pretty much stocked exclusively with teak, walnut, and rust. So, for today’s Listed District finds, we’ll focus on something a little different – Hollywood Regency. As those who love it know, the Regency style is punctuated with over-the-top details and glamorous finishes (think, ‘Joan Crawford-meets-Palm Beach/Vegas’). Current designers are finding inspiration in the vintage (and still very pricey) designs of William Haines and Dorothy Draper. Jonathan Adler shares his thoughts on the style: “I define Hollywood Regency as Neo-classical lines mixed with Hollywood glamour and a top note of mod moxie. Hollywood Regency was a style of architecture and decoration popular in the 60s in LA that was a revival of classical regency style through a modern lens. Hollywood Regency added a layer of pattern and decoration and opulence and glamour to the minimalism of mid-century modernism.” -so wise.

It’s true, new Regency-style pieces are not always for the budget conscious. But, ironically enough, this style lends itself incredibly well to the savvy DIY Craigslist/thrift shopper. Everything that the mid century aficionado may hate about your Grandmother’s overstuffed and tasseled ottoman is what makes the well-trained Regency stylist swoon. Craigslist and local thrift stores are overflowing with unwanted pieces that just need a new luxurious lacquer paint job (DIY with high-gloss spray paint!). So, if you’re tired of all this mid century modern crap (it’s not crap and I love it…), then ‘glam it up’ with a little inspiration from the likes of Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler. Happy hunting!