Key Differences between Modern Glam and Hollywood Glam
Modern Glam Style
- uses more contemporary, modern and transitional furniture pieces
- can have minimalist traits because of its modern influence
- lighting pieces can range from crystal chandelier to mid-century modern to contemporary pieces
- can include simplified Hollywood Regency elements
- can include classic architectural details but done in a simplified way
- can have more of neutrals than jewel colors for a fresher look; or vise versa for more of drama; or can have both
- can display symmetry for a more formal look and also asymmetry for more of a casual vibe
- emphasis is on materials, finishes and comfort
vs
Hollywood Glam / Hollywood Regency Style
- same furniture pieces as Modern Glam, but can include classic pieces
- maximalist due to its Hollywood influence that favors the dramatic
- generally has statement-making, overscaled, extravagant lighting pieces
- can include Egyptian, Classic Greek, Classic Roman, Baroque and Art Deco (Machine Age plus air travel) elements
- greatly uses contrast in colors, patterns and textures to create visual tension
- tendency to have a more symmetrical layout due to its Greek influence and formal ambience, but can also display asymmetry
- emphasis is on glamour, luxury, entertainment and cinematic flair
Color Scheme
Color scheme is not crucial to these styles. Both Modern Glam and Hollywood Glam can come in any palette because their focus is on the overall ambience that the spaces convey.
Here are some options:
- mix jewel colors with neutrals for a regal touch
- use only jewel colors in dark tones for a moody version
- all white for an ultra sophisticated feel
- use neutrals only – black, grays, whites and browns, for a restrained look
- black and white in equal doses for a striking and dramatic effect
Other Names for Modern Glam
Other names for this Modern Glam Style will depend on the mix or majority of furnishings used. Some may call it Transitional Glam, Contemporary Glam, Transitional Hollywood Glam, Modern Hollywood Glam, etc…
Examples of Modern Glam Style
Below are some examples of this style, each broken down to its elements. Excuse the repetitions as you may find them unpleasant. They are inevitable in the efforts to be thorough.
***As you go through the descriptions, note that this site considers neutrals such as black, white and gray as non-colors. Plants and wood colors are also not considered when a particular color scheme is mentioned.
***Also, you may or may not agree with the color names used, due to the differences in how individual monitors display colors.
Modern elements:
- simplified wall paneling
- large panelings on headboard
- metal night stands in black finish
- clean lines and shapes
- simple draperies
- minimalist look
Glam elements:
- wall paneling
- jewel colors: blue-violet, violet, red-violet and red / pink in analogous color scheme
- drapes pooling on the floor
- gold accents
- symmetry
- luxurious and comfortable materials that give the space a very soft ambience
Great how colors are repeated on beddings, drapes and artwork for a visually well-put together space. A calming color scheme, with a bit dark and moody air. So fitting for a relaxing bedroom.
Modern elements:
- Mid-Century Modern Egg Chair-inspired piece
- simple, geometric shape of side table
Glam elements:
- jewel colors – emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, turquoise blue
- tufted pillows
- velvet upholstery and pillow covers
- polished, gold finish of side table
Modern elements:
- geometric pattern on side table
- off white wall
- black, white and gray area rug
- white floating cabinet
- clean lines
- contemporary furniture pieces
Glam elements:
- jewel colors: citrine yellow, teal, turquoise blue sapphire blue, amethyst purple, peridot green
- chrome finish on side and coffee tables
- gold finishes on accessories
- high gloss cabinet finish
Modern elements:
- monochromatic color scheme as part of minimalist look
- strong presence of black and white
- simple, modern coffee table silhouette
Glam elements:
- red-violet jewel color
- classic Chesterfield sofa
- wall paneling
- marble tabletops
- gold finishes
- symmetry in sofa and floor lamps
The use of contrasts provides this space with plenty of interest.
- matte (dull) versus polished
- plain versus patterned
- rectilinear versus curvilinear
- symmetry versus asymmetry
- horizontal versus vertical
- classic versus modern – in furniture pieces
Other things that make this space visually exciting:
- placing the coffee tables off center
- their deliberate difference in size and height, plus
- the accessories
Modern elements:
- clean lines
- large scale tufting on headboard
- simple, modern nightstands
- black, white and gray in the space
- minimalist look
Glam elements:
- tufted headboard
- symmetry
- tinges of gold
- classic pattern in flooring
Modern elements:
- sectional type sofa
- clean lines
- simplified wall panelings
- lots of white in space
Glam elements:
- velvet and silk
- wall paneling
- plush area rug
- jewel colors in analogous scheme: blue-violet, violet, red-violet and pink (red)
- rose and yellow gold finishes
The styling is playful in its use of asymmetry. It makes this modern glam living room look casual, friendly and welcoming.
Modern elements:
- lots of whites
- simplified wall panelings
- simplified circular and pointed arches
- chrome finished nail heads
- clean lines
- transitional style of the chaise longue
Glam elements:
- chaise longue – a classic furniture piece in Hollywood Regency Style
- emerald green velvet upholstery
- other jewel tones in the vases – turquoise blue and rose quartz pink
- exposed nail heads in the chaise longue
- side table with turnings
- wall panelings and arches
Modern elements:
- lots of whites
- clean lines
- minimalist look
- contemporary sofa silhouette
- simplified wall panelings
- contemporary area rug
- geometrical pendant lamp and vase pedestals
Glam elements:
- velvet sofa upholstery and pillow cover
- jewel tones – amethyst purple and rose quarts pink
- gold metallic finishes
- plush area rug
- wall panelings
Modern elements:
- contemporary sofa silhouette
- simplified Egyptian-inspired coffee table
- graphic area rug pattern
- black and white in the space
- simplified wall panelings
- spherical overhead accessory
Glam elements:
- jewel tones: teal and orange-like colors
- luxurious leather for sofa and pouf upholstery
- coffee table with high-gloss table top and bronze-like finished x-legs
- gold finish of dog head sculpture
- silky drapes
- classic floor pattern
- wall panelings
Pronounced Hollywood Regency influences:
- eclecticism – by using furniture pieces from different sources and different styles. Such as: Postmodern side table, Moroccan pouf, contemporary sofa and area rug and Egyptian-inspired coffee table with x-legs
- more of Egyptian influence which is a component in Hollywood Regency – use of black and dog sculpture as a more modern representation of Anubis – the Egyptian Death God in jackal form
Modern elements:
- simplified wall panelings
- lots of whites and grays
- modern chair, night stand and drop light
Glam elements:
- wall panelings
- velvet pillow cover
- silky chair upholstery
- jewel tone, emerald green
- fuzzy and plush area rug
- elegant portrait of a girl’s profile in the art piece
Modern elements:
- lots of white
- minimalist look
- simplified sofa silhouette
- simple, contemporary coffee table design
Glam elements:
- velvet upholstery and pillow covers
- jewel color – pink rose quartz
- sumptuous, sculpted area rug with classic quatrefoil pattern
- Victorian-inspired sofa
- black piping on sofa and pillow creating high contrast
- gold finish of coffee table and candle holders
- classic floor pattern
- wall panelings and carvings
- symmetry
The off-center placement of the coffee table for adds visual interest to the space – combining asymmetry with symmetry.
Modern elements:
- contemporary nightstands, armchair and table lamps
- transitional style of bed
- lots of white
Glam elements:
- multi-shaded chandelier
- wall panelings
- intricate cornice with carvings
- classic baseboard
- winged headboard with tufting
- luxurious area rug
Asymmetry created by the off-centered placement of area rug and the arm chair on one side of the room gives the space a less stiff look.
Modern elements:
- lots of whites
- modern furniture silhouettes
- contemporary drop light
- simple window drapes
Glam elements:
- jewel colors – sapphire blue, citrine yellow, turquoise blue
- classic onion pattern on the columns
- gold finish and accents
- chrome finish on table base
- polished floor and wall finishes
- silky chair upholstery
Modern elements:
- Mid-Century Modern Style sofa
- simple drapes
- lots of whites
- geometric pattern on area rug
- simple side table and planters
- clean lines
Glam elements:
- velvet upholstery
- jewel color- emerald green
- metal finish on nesting coffee table
- classic floor pattern
- animal fur as accent
- drapes pooling on the floor
Asymmetrical layout encourages the eyes to wander around the entire space. Also giving the space a casual feel.
The vintage telephone adds to the retro vibe coming from the Midmod sofa.
Modern elements:
- white walls, white side tables
- contemporary artwork
- contemporary center tables
- Midmod branching chandelier
- Acapulco chair-inspired piece
- contemporary sofa
Glam elements:
- velvet sofa upholstery
- gold metal finishes
- jewel color – rose quartz pink
- classic checkerboard floor pattern
- shiny, polished finish of the side tables
The Acapulco chair was designed in Mexico, but it is also identified with the Mid-Century Modern Style, since it came out around the 1950s.
Mismatched side tables, pair of coffee tables with different heights, off-centered chandelier and artwork, addition of accent chair on one side — they all bring a casual and inviting feel to this modern glam living space.
Modern elements:
- clean lines
- black and white marble
- simplified wall paneling
Glam elements:
- velvet arm chair upholstery
- marble tabletops
- gold finishes
- wall paneling
- jewel tone – emerald green
The arm chair has an interesting postmodern characteristic with its classic-inspired seat and a modernist base.
Modern elements:
- clean lines
- simple round mirror
- simple window treatment
- lots of whites
- modern take on the wash basin console
Glam elements:
- mosaic wall tiling
- polished and shiny finishes
- classic floor pattern
- marble for flooring
- gold and chrome metal finishes
- crystals on the wall sconce
- shaded wall sconce
- free standing bathtub with acanthus leaf and animal paw legs
- high contrast created by black and white combination for a dramatic feel
- cabriole leg for the wash basin console
Modern elements:
- minimalist look
- use of black and white
- clean lines
- contemporary sofa and ottoman
- simple draperies
Glam elements:
- jewel color – emerald green sofa and ottoman upholstery
- marble finish of the spiral staircase
- gold finish on the classic-inspired chandelier
This 3D rendered space features a beautiful “marble” spiral staircase. In real life, a faux finish can do the trick. Giving the handrails of this staircase a gold finish can bring the glam several notches up the scale.
Modern elements:
- use of blacks and gray
- nesting metal night stands in black finish
- modern area rug and arm chair silhouette
- minimalistic look
Glam elements:
- gold finishes on the vase and pendant lamp
- jewel colors – red-violet on the arm chair combined with the violet wall for an analogous scheme
- herringbone floor pattern
Modern elements:
- simple sofa silhouette with postmodern vibe
- minimalist look
- includes grays and blacks
Glam elements:
- jewel color – citrine yellow orange
- portrait of a glamorous woman
- shiny metal finish on the wall lamps
- velvety upholstery
- luxurious carpet
There they are. Spaces designed and decorated in the Modern Glam Style. See more of this style in this post where an entire condo unit is done in the same style, with a made-up client in mind.
And remember there’s a checklist you can download from the bar above. You can use it to plan for any Modern Glam decorating project.
Find more inspirations in Pinterest. Check out our Modern Glam Style board. And also our Hollywood Regency Style board for comparison.
Drop us a few words if you have any comment on this article.