The Vintage Shelf To Look Out For If You Like '60s Hollywood Regency Decor

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Pop culture has always influenced interior design movements, but Hollywood Regency decor was the first to spring from the silver screen. As 1930s Hollywood entered its Golden Age, the style promised to bring the glamor and opulence of moviegoers' favorite films into their own homes. At the time, movie stars like Joan Crawford commissioned film set designers, such as Dorothy Draper and former actor William Haines, to decorate their fabulous Old Hollywood estates. Designs associated with the movement embraced the maximalism of Old Hollywood, with animal prints, metallic finishes, and bright, bold colors. If you're interested in adding a bit of Hollywood Regency history to your own home, Syroco shelves are worth keeping an eye out for during your next thrift store trip.

Syroco shelves were created by and named for the Syracuse Ornamental Company. Though the company was founded in the late 19th century, its products — including shelves — enjoyed popularity throughout the 1960s and 1970s. With their golden giltwood finishes and Rococo-inspired curves, the shelves' design is emblematic of the playful maximalism that defines the Hollywood Regency aesthetic. Although Syroco products of the time were made to look like all-natural wood, they were actually made with wood pulp, fillers, and flour in order to mass produce them more cost-effectively and efficiently. Naturally, that composition makes Syroco shelves a more affordable alternative to their genuine wooden or gold counterparts.

If a Syroco shelf is on your wishlist as a vintage decor item that will instantly elevate your home, searching secondhand is your most affordable option. Although vintage websites and resellers might sell shelves from the '60s and '70s for hundreds of dollars, they can be found for much more affordable prices at your local thrift store, or on resale platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. While looking for a vintage Syroco shelf, look for items without major scuffs or age-related wear, and check the bottom of the piece for a maker's mark identifying its authenticity. Shelves made in the 1960s or later will feature a black and gold "Syroco" label, and may also have the words "Syroco Inc. Made In U.S.A." along with a product number.

Syroco shelves' ornate design makes them eye-catching decor pieces in their own right. However, they're also fit for showcasing a favorite trinket, art piece, floral arrangement, or any other meaningful items within your home. Keep in mind that the shelves are often lightweight, so they might not be able to hold quite as much weight as traditional wood shelves. To care for your Syroco shelf, dust it using a dry, soft cloth. Keep water or chemicals away from it, as they can damage their golden finish.