Truman Capote's eclectic living room turns wallpaper into a glamorous marker of 'old money' luxury – it's a stunning portrait of American style

What are 'American style' interiors? The answer is as enigmatic, multifaceted, and broad as the country's history, but looking into the homes of past icons is a great place to start to understand the aesthetics that have shaped us.

Truman Capote's Brooklyn Heights living room, shot by Slim Aarons in 1958, is one such space. The literary titan's home is awash in patterns. From the brocade on the side table to the checkered fabrics thrown over the armchairs to the swirly throw pillows, every surface is alive with geometry. Knick-knacks including vases, flowers, and ceramic cats line every surface.

Though Capote's space is extremely busy, it feels more 'old money' than overbearing. Looking at a photo feels like stepping back in time to a period of extravagance and eccentricity, reflective of the author's personal brand. So, how did his designers keep a maximalist scheme so sophisticated?

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According to experts, this characterization comes down to one addition: wallpaper. This way of adding pattern makes a room feel instantly luxurious and elevated, and thus is a hallmark of the chicest examples of American design.

'I've always had a deep affection for wallpaper - it's such a versatile and transformative element in design,' comments interior designer Laura Hammett, founder of luxury home brand Laura Hammett Living. 'There’s something wonderfully tactile about it, and the way it can completely change the atmosphere of a room. Wallpaper offers a layer of texture and depth that paint simply can't achieve, and it has the power to tell a story or evoke a feeling in a space.'

This style works especially well when you are designing a small living room, as we can see in Truman Capote's space.

Philippa Thorp, Founder and Director of luxury design studio Thorp, explains: 'Luxury isn’t about square footage, it’s about intention. In small spaces – such as powder rooms, reading nooks, entryways, or even closets – a bold pattern can transform what might otherwise be an overlooked corner into a design moment.'

She continues: 'A vibrant botanical print or an intricate geometric design draws the eye and gives a small area purpose and identity. These patterns create the illusion of depth and interest, making the room feel considered and layered rather than cramped or utilitarian.'

Archival photos of famous spaces are a way to get in touch with the design past, and inform the design future. When you rely on techniques that have withstood the test of time, you can't go wrong.