Everyone wants their home to feel both elevated and cozy, but actually achieving this balance is easier said than done. It requires the perfect equilibrium of luxurious and lived-in details with a mix of patterns, fabrics, and finishes. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas's modern yet traditional space is the perfect example.
The actress and actor power couple shared a video in their living room, revealing its artful mix of styles. Their walls exhibit beautiful blue and cream wallpaper in a traditional but refreshingly bright wallpaper. As the camera pans around the room, we see large gold frames holding various art pieces and an intricately carved cream fireplace. A green sofa and pink lamp add unexpected, contemporary warmth.
'The combination of the bold wallpaper idea and the gold decor accents and wall frames create a really regal and upscale effect that's also very warm and cozy,' says acclaimed NYC-based interior designer Kathy Kuo. She continues, 'It's the perfect living room design motif for an intimate cocktail party with friends and loved ones. All elements are expertly curated but still feel very lived-in and comfortable.'
The space is proof of the magic that can happen when one combines conflicting interior design styles. Rather than slotting neatly into one look, this space combines several for something completely original. Ruben Gutierrez, principal at Miami-based Errez Design states: 'Catherine Zeta-Jone's dining room is classic, yes, but it has a modern edge. Her ornately detailed picture frames are classically elegant and manage to be grand without crossing into stuffy territory. Her wallpaper's intricate pattern is the kind of design that pulls you in the longer you look at it, like a story unfolding slowly.'
Contrast is key to the success of the look. Gutierrez tells Homes & Gardens, 'The white fireplace idea anchors the room. It’s simple, almost stark compared to the ornate gold frames and the patterned wallpaper, but that’s exactly why it works. It gives the room balance, grounding all the details with something clean, timeless, and steady. The fireplace is the quiet hero here, holding the space together, but not too tightly.'
Shop The Edit
Luckily it's easy to bring the eclectic, lived-in energy of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas's home to your own without a full remodel. Integrating touches of blue, gold frames, and unique grounding accents will have a similar effect, without the commitment.
Prefer paintings to full wall color? This wall art from West Elm fits the bill.
This rococo-style gilded frame is perfect for displaying photographs or intricate artwork.
This smooth, sage green vase is handmade and elegantly shaped, ideal for holding delicate dried flowers.
Replicating the style is as simple incorporating items you love to make your home feel unique. 'To get this look at home, pick art or photos that mean something and frame them in something gold and bolds,' advises Gutierrez. He suggests: 'Choose a wallpaper that has a bit of complexity but doesn’t overwhelm. Finally, anchor it all with something simple and timeless like a white fireplace or a clean focal point.'
Zeta-Jones and Douglas's space is yet more evidence that mixing styles isn't something to fear. In fact, it's in the unique alchemy of combining varied design philosophies that allows one to create something truly beautiful and innovative. When you decorate with your heart, you can't go wrong.
