History of Style: Be Inspired by the Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel
Pack your pearls and oversized sunnies and don your Hermés headscarf – we're off to one of the most iconic hotels of the 20th Century
Marlene Dietrich dined there in the ‘30s, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe escaped there in the ‘50s, and Faye Dunaway relaxed there in the ‘70s. Hollywood stars and starlets have been frequenting this iconic hotel for decades. It’s incredible to think that when the hotel was built back in 1912, the city of Beverly Hills was not even named yet. Two years later, growth prospered and the city was born. You know what they say – build it and they shall come!
After a restoration in 1992, The Beverly Hills Hotel is scheduled for another mini-makeover, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for their guests. In the meantime, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and look at some key features of the hotel’s decor, both past and present, so that you too can have a piece of that Californian charm right in your own home.
After a restoration in 1992, The Beverly Hills Hotel is scheduled for another mini-makeover, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for their guests. In the meantime, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and look at some key features of the hotel’s decor, both past and present, so that you too can have a piece of that Californian charm right in your own home.
Indoor plants can create a relaxed and luxurious environment within your home. Make the most of your ceiling height with larger palms in metal or woven basket planters to echo that BH Hotel vibe.
The palms at the BH Hotel create a lush backdrop to this glamorous suite.
Rouge up your walls
Love the BH Hotel so much? Then maybe adopting rose hued walls is just your style. Reminiscent of the old Hollywood days, nothing says BH Hotel more than blush walls, dark stained timber and contrasting green palms. Look to add a little bit of luxury in some of the styling elements, such as crystal lighting, ornately framed mirrors and antique brass items to decorate the space.
Love the BH Hotel so much? Then maybe adopting rose hued walls is just your style. Reminiscent of the old Hollywood days, nothing says BH Hotel more than blush walls, dark stained timber and contrasting green palms. Look to add a little bit of luxury in some of the styling elements, such as crystal lighting, ornately framed mirrors and antique brass items to decorate the space.
The iconic pink features on the hotel’s exterior as well, so why not go bold and create a warm and welcoming rose facade to come home to?
Manicured entrance
It really is about setting the scene early. As soon as you drive up to the grand BH Hotel, you can only imagine what it must have felt like for likes of Elizabeth Taylor in her heyday (she did happen to spend 6 of her 8 honeymoons there!).
Why not recreate the same feeling at your house? A welcoming entry at home is critically important to boosting your mood. But how do you go about it?
Start with some beautiful palms or bold vegetation in dramatic pots either side of the doorway. If you have a path leading to the front door, you can build up some structured hedging with palms and fernery interspersed throughout the garden. Play around with some pink-hued flowering plants to replicate that iconic colour palette, and you’re on your way!
It really is about setting the scene early. As soon as you drive up to the grand BH Hotel, you can only imagine what it must have felt like for likes of Elizabeth Taylor in her heyday (she did happen to spend 6 of her 8 honeymoons there!).
Why not recreate the same feeling at your house? A welcoming entry at home is critically important to boosting your mood. But how do you go about it?
Start with some beautiful palms or bold vegetation in dramatic pots either side of the doorway. If you have a path leading to the front door, you can build up some structured hedging with palms and fernery interspersed throughout the garden. Play around with some pink-hued flowering plants to replicate that iconic colour palette, and you’re on your way!
Martinique palm print in your home
If you can’t get enough of the palm phenomenon that is trending currently, then you are in luck! The BH Hotel is in fact the hotel made famous by its incredible Martinique wallpaper interiors.
If you can’t get enough of the palm phenomenon that is trending currently, then you are in luck! The BH Hotel is in fact the hotel made famous by its incredible Martinique wallpaper interiors.
You can incorporate your own palm-covered feature wall, whether it be in your living space, kitchen, hallway or bathroom. It instantly adds drama and a sophisticated retro atmosphere to any space. Shop around online for the best deals with this wallpaper design –the costs can vary quite a bit depending on how much you’re needing.
If you’re wanting to deck out your soft furnishings in this gorgeous Martinique print, it’s also available as a fabric.
If you’re wanting to deck out your soft furnishings in this gorgeous Martinique print, it’s also available as a fabric.
Statement dining chairs
When dining at the BH Hotel, you always dine in style. Back in the Hollywood heyday, chairs in the hotel’s signature rose colour filled the dining room and Polo Lounge. These days, the Cabana Café and refurbished Polo Lounge feature beautiful teals and greens throughout their seated areas.
To achieve a similar look in your own dining room, look for upholstered chairs in similar tones. You could also DIY your own upholstery on your dining chairs, or add a tailored chair cover over your existing chairs. For that extra special touch, ivory piping and monogrammed embroidery will really help resonate that BH Hotel charm.
When dining at the BH Hotel, you always dine in style. Back in the Hollywood heyday, chairs in the hotel’s signature rose colour filled the dining room and Polo Lounge. These days, the Cabana Café and refurbished Polo Lounge feature beautiful teals and greens throughout their seated areas.
To achieve a similar look in your own dining room, look for upholstered chairs in similar tones. You could also DIY your own upholstery on your dining chairs, or add a tailored chair cover over your existing chairs. For that extra special touch, ivory piping and monogrammed embroidery will really help resonate that BH Hotel charm.
Bathroom scenery
There’s nothing like relaxing in a gorgeous bath overlooking a private oasis. The key to achieving a similar look to the Hotel’s Bungalow Suites, is incorporating varied greenery inside the bathroom and keeping the colour palette warm and neutral.
Not all of us have access to a bathroom that opens up to courtyard space, yet we can try and utilise pockets within the bathroom to showcase a cluster of palms and indoor ferns. Try to concentrate your greenery around the bath as much as possible and, if space allows, sitting your bath on a bed of stones. An alternative is incorporating some well-placed stones throughout the bathroom to help echo that courtyard feel. Using a stone bathmat is a beautiful addition and, if you’re looking to retile your bathroom anyway, why not look at stone tiling panels for that extra luxurious feel.
There’s nothing like relaxing in a gorgeous bath overlooking a private oasis. The key to achieving a similar look to the Hotel’s Bungalow Suites, is incorporating varied greenery inside the bathroom and keeping the colour palette warm and neutral.
Not all of us have access to a bathroom that opens up to courtyard space, yet we can try and utilise pockets within the bathroom to showcase a cluster of palms and indoor ferns. Try to concentrate your greenery around the bath as much as possible and, if space allows, sitting your bath on a bed of stones. An alternative is incorporating some well-placed stones throughout the bathroom to help echo that courtyard feel. Using a stone bathmat is a beautiful addition and, if you’re looking to retile your bathroom anyway, why not look at stone tiling panels for that extra luxurious feel.
The BH Hotel incorporates greenery at every opportunity in its rooms, even in the form of a few leaves in a bathroom vase.
Black, white and yellow accents
More prevalent in the ‘95 restoration, a lot of monochromatic and bold detailing appears within the interior of the BH Hotel. It’s a smart and classic aesthetic and, when teamed with bursts of yellow, creates a glamorous look.
To echo the hotel’s enchanting look in your own home, try bringing this colour palette into your dining room, as in this space.
More prevalent in the ‘95 restoration, a lot of monochromatic and bold detailing appears within the interior of the BH Hotel. It’s a smart and classic aesthetic and, when teamed with bursts of yellow, creates a glamorous look.
To echo the hotel’s enchanting look in your own home, try bringing this colour palette into your dining room, as in this space.
You can also bring this style into your hallway/entryway or bedrooms. For the bedroom in particular, opt for a black bed frame, white bedlinen (with minimal black detailing) and a gorgeous yellow upholstered headboard or oversized cushions/pillows. Your guests will be booking in at your place before you know it.
Pay homage to the history
If only the walls could talk. The BH Hotel is absolutely all about the glamour, riches and romance over the decades of its operation. Countless Hollywood stars have escaped into the privacy of this iconic oasis. Just like Yoko Ono and John Lennon in the ‘70s, you can hide out in your BH Hotel bungalow-inspired home, or you can open up the doors to your guests and spoil them at your little weekender. Add a nice little nostalgic touch to their rooms by displaying the pictures of some of the notable screen royalties that graced the hotel back in the day. It’s a wonderful way to pay tribute to the history of such an opulent building and its stories.
Pay homage to the history
If only the walls could talk. The BH Hotel is absolutely all about the glamour, riches and romance over the decades of its operation. Countless Hollywood stars have escaped into the privacy of this iconic oasis. Just like Yoko Ono and John Lennon in the ‘70s, you can hide out in your BH Hotel bungalow-inspired home, or you can open up the doors to your guests and spoil them at your little weekender. Add a nice little nostalgic touch to their rooms by displaying the pictures of some of the notable screen royalties that graced the hotel back in the day. It’s a wonderful way to pay tribute to the history of such an opulent building and its stories.
Dramatic details
Subtlety is never an option when trying to recreate a grand BH Hotel feel within your home. Remember, this is a place where the Hollywood stars choose to go on vacation. They are still seduced by the luxurious grandeur and style, and a bold wall panelling/screen design instantly gives you that luxe feel. You could look at laser-cut metal, bamboo or wooden panelling as material options for recreating such a wall detail. Potted palms in the front finish off the look for a wonderful outdoor entertaining space. The perfect setting for an al fresco sunset dinner with friends, or that special someone.
Subtlety is never an option when trying to recreate a grand BH Hotel feel within your home. Remember, this is a place where the Hollywood stars choose to go on vacation. They are still seduced by the luxurious grandeur and style, and a bold wall panelling/screen design instantly gives you that luxe feel. You could look at laser-cut metal, bamboo or wooden panelling as material options for recreating such a wall detail. Potted palms in the front finish off the look for a wonderful outdoor entertaining space. The perfect setting for an al fresco sunset dinner with friends, or that special someone.
Ceiling stripes
For an iconic statement, look at striped detail for your ceiling. You can adopt this look inside the home (an entry or hallway, perhaps), or opt to keep it outside in awnings and shade screens. You could even add stripes under the eaves of your roof for a sophisticated look.
By keeping your stripe colours restricted to black, charcoal or olive green with ivory, you’ll have your own piece of the BH Hotel aesthetic in no time.
For an iconic statement, look at striped detail for your ceiling. You can adopt this look inside the home (an entry or hallway, perhaps), or opt to keep it outside in awnings and shade screens. You could even add stripes under the eaves of your roof for a sophisticated look.
By keeping your stripe colours restricted to black, charcoal or olive green with ivory, you’ll have your own piece of the BH Hotel aesthetic in no time.
The iconic Polo Lounge at home
This infamous watering hole is the social hub of the hotel. Made famous by the stars who graced it with their presence, the Polo Lounge was both a place where guests could relax at the bar, or dine day or night. Did you know Mia Farrow was reportedly turned away, back in the day, for wearing pants to the bar? How times have changed.
No matter the dress code, you can adopt a similar style within your own home. For the vintage look, stick to warm, strong, earthy tones, such as polished wood, rich coloured leathers, orange accents and brass detailing. Since the restoration, a fresh uplifting style succeeded, where olive greens dominate along with ivory accents and mirror/brass detailing. Make sure to showcase your show-stopping range of liquor, and don’t forget to pay homage to the polo scene by hanging some vintage polo artwork, adding a striking horse lamp, or decking out the space with some horse-inspired soft furnishings.
This infamous watering hole is the social hub of the hotel. Made famous by the stars who graced it with their presence, the Polo Lounge was both a place where guests could relax at the bar, or dine day or night. Did you know Mia Farrow was reportedly turned away, back in the day, for wearing pants to the bar? How times have changed.
No matter the dress code, you can adopt a similar style within your own home. For the vintage look, stick to warm, strong, earthy tones, such as polished wood, rich coloured leathers, orange accents and brass detailing. Since the restoration, a fresh uplifting style succeeded, where olive greens dominate along with ivory accents and mirror/brass detailing. Make sure to showcase your show-stopping range of liquor, and don’t forget to pay homage to the polo scene by hanging some vintage polo artwork, adding a striking horse lamp, or decking out the space with some horse-inspired soft furnishings.
Poolside styling
Your BH Hotel-inspired abode would not be complete without iconic poolside styling. Channel Lauren Bacall in the ‘50s, and keep the look classic with black-and-white striped soft furnishings. Daybed mattresses can be upholstered in bold stripes, deck chairs can be covered in striped chair covers, and if you’d like to tone down the drama for everyday living, why not stick to a plain fabric for your cushions. Incorporating a BH Hotel pink or lime green can really inject a playful hit of colour into the poolside space. Complete the style with matching hotel-like towels and keep the greenery manicured and potted around the space. You and your guests will not want to leave this little piece of heaven.
Your BH Hotel-inspired abode would not be complete without iconic poolside styling. Channel Lauren Bacall in the ‘50s, and keep the look classic with black-and-white striped soft furnishings. Daybed mattresses can be upholstered in bold stripes, deck chairs can be covered in striped chair covers, and if you’d like to tone down the drama for everyday living, why not stick to a plain fabric for your cushions. Incorporating a BH Hotel pink or lime green can really inject a playful hit of colour into the poolside space. Complete the style with matching hotel-like towels and keep the greenery manicured and potted around the space. You and your guests will not want to leave this little piece of heaven.
Lime green outdoor accents
Just like the hotel’s outdoor areas, you can adopt the vibrant lime green hue to your outdoor soft furnishings and accessories.
Combine this citrus shade with palm print fabrics, wicker furniture accents and potted palms. It’s fresh, exotic and goes perfectly with a long island iced tea, oversized sunglasses and your summer kaftan. Just remember to select fabrics that are outdoor treated for water, UV rays and insects. This will alleviate fabric damage and will keep your cushions looking top notch for your very important guests.
Just like the hotel’s outdoor areas, you can adopt the vibrant lime green hue to your outdoor soft furnishings and accessories.
Combine this citrus shade with palm print fabrics, wicker furniture accents and potted palms. It’s fresh, exotic and goes perfectly with a long island iced tea, oversized sunglasses and your summer kaftan. Just remember to select fabrics that are outdoor treated for water, UV rays and insects. This will alleviate fabric damage and will keep your cushions looking top notch for your very important guests.
Bedroom dressing
Give your boudoir an instant hotel lift by incorporating sumptuous linens and texture, as in this BH Hotel room. What better way to relax and snuggle into a bit of hotel luxury after a hard day by the pool fighting off the paparazzi?
Give your boudoir an instant hotel lift by incorporating sumptuous linens and texture, as in this BH Hotel room. What better way to relax and snuggle into a bit of hotel luxury after a hard day by the pool fighting off the paparazzi?
And don’t forget to add a glamorous dressing room if you can.
TELL US
What’s your favourite feature of The Beverly Hills Hotel, and how would you incorporate it into your home?
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Nothing screams lush Beverly Hills Hotel (BH Hotel) living like an abundance of palms – inside and out. From the moment you coast up the driveway, to the lobby and surrounding areas of the hotel, potted palms and greenery are there to greet you.