There are times in the design culture when two trends collide, and such is the case with the 1970s members’ club aesthetic. A portmanteau of the revival of louche 1970s glamour and the current fascination with members’ club interiors, it encompasses both an exclusive, ‘IYKYK’ air, and a tactile, atmospheric energy that creates the perfect backdrop for entertaining spaces.
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The interior designer Nicole Fuller is among those pioneering the look, particularly in New York, where she is based, and where the aesthetic arguably has its roots. For a recent project – the interior of the Italian design platform Artemest’s gallery space in West Chelsea, New York – Fuller recreated the feel of a vintage club setting with lashings of Dedar velvet, art-deco accents and luxurious furniture and accessories. She describes her vision for the space as “immersive”: “You can dance in the centre of the room, feel at home, yet experience the energy of a club.”
Fuller believes the current vogue for 70s-style opulence stems from the isolation of the Covid years: “There’s a hunger for social spaces – spaces to connect and celebrate,” she says. “Glamour and opulence feel like a reclamation of joy. It’s not just interiors – it’s about dressing up again, about indulgence in life, wellness, and personal style. The 70s were vibrant and electric; that escapism and emotional intensity feel really relevant now. What’s happening culturally is that club culture has come back with a force. It’s about energy, creativity, and collaboration.”
It’s a style that translates from public spaces to residential environments too, as evidenced by a home Fuller designed recently in the West Village neighbourhood of New York. Here, the sitting room, with glossy walls and a statement chandelier, makes the perfect party space, furnished with a low-slung, oversized sectional sofa, and opening into a sultry den, with walls in a deep petrol-blue lacquer and velvet upholstery. The kitchen is similarly moody in tone, with rich wood joinery and black-framed, fluted-glass cabinets.
The look, says Fuller, is “opulent, but it’s also personal, immersive, and full of stories. I want people to feel transported the moment they walk in – to dream, to connect, and to experience beauty in every detail.”
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Here's how to get the 1970s members’ club aesthetic for your interiors
The current movement towards burgundy and rich chocolate brown ties neatly into this look. The colours to aim for are rich, but always soft, with no jarring contrasts.
Tactility is the key: materials such as velvet, bouclé and faux fur can be layered together on upholstery, cushions and throws to encourage lounging. Fuller chose Dedar velvet for the curtains at the Artemest Galleria “for how it absorbs and reflects light, creating drama, tactility, and a sense of opulence that’s not everyday – it’s an experience”.
Metal accents are vital in rooms with deep colour palettes, in the form of brass or chrome legs on tables and chairs, and metal accessories. Ambient lighting from table and floor lamps will bounce off these reflective surfaces without creating a harsh glare.
Arrangements of furniture and accessories that draw the eye and create spaces for intimate conversation help to create a clubby feel. A tray on a sideboard dressed with coloured glassware and candles; a grouping of house plants; even a pile of books will all add texture and depth to a room. Zone furniture into separate seating areas in an open-plan space, to create different places for drinks, playing cards, reading and eating.
In addition to the look and feel of soft textures, it’s important to address scent and sound: “I’m never in my studio without music or candles. It’s about mood, emotion, and even fragrance when you walk into a space,” says Fuller. Any club will have its signature fragrance, so identify one that makes you feel relaxed and use candles and scent diffusers to switch the mood from day to evening.
A club environment is one that encourages relaxation, leisure and fun. Creating your own bar at home will create a similar feel, whether it’s a full-scale fitted bar in backlit onyx complete with undercounter sink and fridge, or a simple trolley with ice bucket, glasses and bottles. Dress with candles and portable lamps to create an ambient glow that brings a Friday-night vibe, whatever day of the week.
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