Hollywood NOIR is the NEW REGENCY

Being the "style maker" that I am (I know my sister Kendra is rolling her eyes at this one!) I'm going to break down the difference between HOLLYWOOD NOIR and HOLLYWOOD REGENCY.  


If you haven't hear of the HOLLYWOOD NOIR design style, then I'm coining it as my re-discovery, I'm brining NOIR back! (calm down everyone...I know, I am excited too..;)


The Regency look started with William Haines in the later 1940s, while Noir pre-dates it by a decade or two.

HOLLYWOOD REGENCY

Both looks are an attempt to recapture Retro Hollywood but the styles couldn’t be more different.

HOLLYWOOD NOIR

Well known designer Kelly Wearstler reprised the Hollywood Regency Style a decade ago.  Remember the belted, full-skirted mom look, lots of chintz and hominess.

The colors are techno-brilliant with sunflower gold, powder blues, greens and that unfortunate shade I like to call Pepto Bismol pink.  It’s definitely eye-popping with low modern furniture, all buttoned-down with Asian chinoiserie and painted furniture.

Personally, I think the look is TELEVISION vs. the GOLDEN SCREEN. 


Backing up to the Hollywood Noir look of the 20's and 30's is like stepping into a richer and much more sophisticated era.

Think of that pale silhouetted glamour girl in her emerald satin gown descending the staircase into the gentlemen’s club.

The lighting is moody; the colors are crimson, sapphire, with lots of high gloss  glamour. It is unapologetically opulent.

You can bring the dramatic expressiveness of this legendary era into your home by seeking out the sumptuous furnishings of the period. Pair them with good vintage lamps and gleaming polished wood.

Draw the eye to classic movie posters featuring movie idols such as Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart or Joan Bennett. 


The search for the right furniture and accessories will lead you to some unique collections.  Don’t get frustrated if you're not able to find the NOIR look at your regular shopping spots.  Check out estate sales and auction houses, or drop into our showroom and find pieces to add a little NOIR style to your home!

Adding fur blankets, pillows or possibly if you're daring enough, a Sheepskin Pouf in grey in the right setting will create a fabulous NOIR appeal.

Any kind of Hollywood lighting, theatrical or cinematic will give the NOIR appeal.

Don't be afraid of sapphire blue and emerald green!  A modern fabric on an old french chair paired with a contemporary rug can give NOIR decadence.

Putting it all together can give you pure HOLLYWOOD NOIR STYLE!

Come into the CRAIG OLSEN design showroom to further your education and STAY TUNED FOR MY NEXT BLOG, in which I will invite you into MY OWN BEDROOM (get your mind out of the gutter;) and show you how to update your style with a few subtle changes to your personal space that will make all the difference in the world! 


CRAIG OLSEN, INC
130 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036


323.677.2111

Creating Quality Couture Pays off - We're #1!

Creating Quality Couture for The People has really paid off as we've just been voted #1 Best Furniture/Showroom in LA!

I wanted to thank all who voted and assure you I will continue to create beautiful Quality Couture for YOU in the years to come!!

Let's face it, we all need change in our lives from time to time.  I'm always changing my showroom to give it a new feel and keep things fresh.  Over the last couple of weeks I decided to capture my entrance vignette to show how easy it can be to give your own home a new look and feel by simply changing out pillows and accessories!

The following photos show by keeping your main furniture pieces neutral and classic you can easily re-create an entire new look! 

This Classic Style Sofa, which can be either contemporary or traditional, is shown in a neutral off-white washed linen.  The sofa is dressed in cool spring and summer blues and greens and accessorized the same in the photo below.

The next photo shows a more neutral dressing and we've added a pair French Bergere Chairs on either side.

See how we changed out the rug in the following set, added mosaic panels on either side to frame up the vignette.  The lamps, accessories and pillows were also swapped out to create balance.

Last but not least, I've changed the coffee table with this fabulous vintage goatskin table by Karl Springer.  Again, the lamps and accessories were swapped to pull the gold, blue and purple tones out of the mosaic panels.  

I hope this gives you an idea to freshen up your own space.

Thank You again for voting CRAIG OLSEN #1 for 2011!