Famous Love Stories

Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan

There have been four Great Gatsby movies, released in 1926, 1949, 1974, and 2013. While you can still watch and enjoy the latest three, the one made during the decade in which its set is sadly lost to time. 

The 1920s has been seen as a benchmark for style, design and pushing boundaries. Afterall, could you imagine a preceding decade where you could wear a pink suit with two-tone brogues? The world imagined by F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of glitz and glamour and follows the struggles of Jay Gatsby to win back his love, Daisy Buchanan. The story takes us to glorious homes and hotels, with dazzling interiors and while a tragic tale, there are many stylish elements you can take into your own home.

The Great Gatsby is synonymous with the feeling of hope enjoyed after the First World War and its style can be replicated easily in the home. To do so, we need furnishings that interact with light in a nonuniform way.

Velvet is a great fabric for this. Partnered with a striking colour like teal or emerald, the material will reflect light creating shimmer within the home. Additionally, the inclusion of metallic shades in metallic cushions, lamp shades or blinds, for example, will achieve our style objectives and bring some 1920s glamour into the 21st century.

Bonnie and Clyde

The 1930s saw the real-world crime drama of Bonnie and Clyde. Excitement and adventure are remembered alongside the mindless violence and, of course, love. These events occurred during the great depression, between 1932 and 1934, and whilst most of us first heard of this love and crime story from the movie, at the time it gripped the nation!

During the adventures of these criminal lovers, these gun-toting bank robbers travelled across several of the southern states of America including Texas and Louisiana leaving mayhem in their wake.

From a style perspective, think pinstripe double-breasted suits, ribbed knit sweaters, tweed pencil skirts and various hats. But along with clothing, there are many style tips from these fabrics and textures we can incorporate into our interiors.

1930s style is as beautiful today as it was almost a century ago and many of us look to this decade for design inspiration. The era is synonymous with geometric patterns, black lacquer, golden shades and luxurious fabrics. But as an alternative to the dark and smoky style of the world of Bonnie and Clyde, you can opt for the lighter ice cream tones of the Florida art deco style!

Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund

Casablanca is one of those classic love stories presented in a way that’s chic and full of character. 

With a love triangle featuring Blaine, Lund and Ilsa’s husband, Victor Laszlo set amidst the tragedy of World War Two, Casablanca is filled with romance and intrigue. With period costume, and the sophisticated decor of the famous Rick’s Café Américain where Sam is famously told to play As Time Goes By, this film is oozing with inspiration both from a particular point in time, and from a specific place. 

Since 1912, Morocco – the country where Casablanca is the largest city – had been a French colony, and during those years, French culture and decor had merged with local Arabic styles to form something truly unique. 

In this style, attention to detail is of paramount importance. Frills and acute focus on lighting will capture the style and sentiment of Casablanca, especially when combined with suitable colours.

While the film was shot in black and white, 1940s Moroccan interiors were far from it. Joyous use of orange, terracotta and soft green furnishings were found throughout many spaces, usually against pristine white walls. There was also excellent use of cushions to help relaxation against the North African sun, and plenty of wooden details. 

Antony and Cleopatra

Looking back beyond the 20s, 30s and 40s, all the way back to the ancient world, few love stories have struck chords as well as Antony and Cleopatra! This tragic tale sees the grandeur of Rome combined with the already ancient glory of ancient Egypt.

Set amidst the war-torn Eastern Mediterranean during a conflict between Roman generals following Caesar’s death, Julius’ captain, Mark Antony falls in love with the queen of Egypt – and rumoured former lover of Caesar – Cleopatra. This tale has captured the imagination of audiences from the Shakespearean age through comedic interpretations in the Carry-On films, to the modern day. 

While the togas, headdresses and pointy swords of this bygone age have passed into memory, there are still components of antiquity that we enjoy in the 21st century. 

Both Egypt and Italy are hot places, so keeping cool is of paramount importance. While ensuring plenty of fresh air circulates your space will save you from the heat, decorating your space with the right furnishings will help even more! 

Voiles and natural shades of cream with pops of terracotta will help you keep cool while adding the influence of the mediterranean to your space. For little nods to the Roman and Egyptian worlds, use gold tones sparingly to add ancient sophistication to your decor. One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding a gold inner to your lamp shades! If your room gets particularly hot, consider adding a free thermal lining upgrade to your curtains or Roman blinds to help block the warm air from entering your space.