Charli XCX may be synonymous with 'Brat green,' AKA the neon hue (originating from her album cover) that dominated our feeds last summer. However, when it comes to interior design, her color palette is notably more traditional.
British-born Charli pays homage to her roots with a Tudor-inspired, manor-style home; the only difference is that it's on this side of the Atlantic. Of all the rooms in her somewhat gothic home, the living room feels the most eclectic – comprising playful paper chains, chintz prints, and vintage suitcases dotted around the space. However, if you were to ask us for our favorite furnishing, we would have to draw attention to her retro gold sofa, seen to the left of the ornate rug.
Charli has perfected her room's eclectic, maximalist aesthetic with this gold sofa – a retro-style staple that somehow works against the traditional wooden backdrop. Despite the conflicting aesthetics, the '60s-inspired piece complements the Tudor-inspired dark wood, creating a unique aesthetic that feels surprisingly modern. It's a look that hasn't gone unnoticed by estate agents, who say Charli has perfectly balanced this tricky hue.
'Golden-brown tones have this ability to instantly take a space back in time while still feeling warm and welcoming. There’s something about that mix of gold’s richness and brown’s earthiness that just works. It’s the kind of palette that makes a home feel lived-in but still intentional,' comments Eric Bramlett, a realtor and owner of Texas-based Bramlett Real Estate.
'I’ve worked on plenty of projects where clients wanted that retro feel, but the key is knowing how to use these shades without making a space look outdated.'
Firstly, Bramlett emphasizes the importance of balance, something Charli has mastered. Instead of overwhelming her space, she has introduced just one pocket of gold, allowing it to make a statement against the darker and more neutral tones.
'With too much gold, a space can start feeling heavy. You want to mix it up – maybe add warm honey-colored walls with deep walnut furniture or a golden velvet sofa against a neutral backdrop. The best retro designs aren’t just about the colors themselves but how they play with the rest of the space,' Bramlett says.
'I’ve seen homes where golden-brown tones are layered in through wood finishes, textured fabrics, or even vintage-inspired wallpaper, and it completely transforms the atmosphere.'
While we can't all have Tudor wood paneling as deep and rich as Charli's, Bramlett explains that gold tones work well with other wooden shades and neutrals.
'One thing that works well is pairing golden brown with neutrals like beige, cream, or even soft gray. That way, you keep the warmth but still allow for some contrast. In older homes, I’ve restored mid-century wood paneling instead of painting over it, letting the natural golden undertones shine,' he says.
'In newer spaces, bringing in vintage-inspired lighting—those brass or amber glass pendants – can help tie everything together without making the design feel forced.'
Shop the look
We've scouted the internet, and we think this sofa is a beautiful alternative to Charli XCX's. It has traditional details, including rolled arms and a tufted, in a retro gold colorway that bring a time-honored flair to any kind of home.
You don't need to invest in a sofa to go gold. With its plentiful pleats and soft velvet texture, this round pillow will enhance any sofa or accent chair you already love in your living room.
In a beautiful gold colorway, this sofa is like Charli's, only smaller. It's the perfect choice for more compact urban homes, or for placing in a different space. We expect it would look just as stylish in the corner of a bedroom, or even in an entryway, if your space allows.
'I always tell clients that retro design isn’t about recreating a time period exactly—it’s about taking the best parts of that era and making them work for today,' Bramlett adds.
'Golden-brown tones are one of those elements that never really go out of style, as long as they’re used the right way.'
