Anne Hathaway’s Velvet and Wood Living Room Reimagines 'Old Money' Style – It’s the New Approach to Quiet Luxury in 2026

Inside the 1906 chalet where Pamela Shamshiri blended storybook theatricality and soft pastels to revive a historic estate

Anne Hathaway
(Image credit: Jeff Spicer/Jeff Spicer via Getty Images for The Walt Disney Company Limited)

As we look at the defining interior design trends of 2026, the 'old money' aesthetic reigns supreme. However, Anne Hathaway’s Californian cabin-style home embodied this quiet luxury trend long before it took over social media.

Designed by Pamela Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri, this 1906 country house draws inspiration from the romance and idiosyncrasy of architect Myron Hunt’s original vision – a Swiss chalet unexpectedly nestled in Southern California, perfectly capturing a cozy winter energy amidst the sunny landscape.

The primary goal of the renovation was to preserve the integrity and charm of the historic architecture while adapting it for modern living. Shamshiri introduced fresh layers of room color, texture, and furnishings that exude old-world charm, reflecting the home's natural evolution over time.

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Its owners, actress Anne Hathaway and her husband, jewelry designer Adam Shulman, were eager to embrace the chalet’s storybook theatricality. As Shamshiri noted, 'Conversations with our clients about the mood they wanted to create brought up names like Yves Saint Laurent, Wes Anderson, and David Bowie. We all imagined a house filled with music and beauty.'

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Quiet opulence and glamour define the living rooms, which have been tailored perfectly for festive holiday gatherings. The layout features sociable back-to-back sofas that encourage warm, fireside conversation, while a gold-leaf-filled table catches the seasonal light and a vintage disco ball injects a celebratory, party-ready energy.

Shamshiri collaborated closely with the couple on mood boards while studying Hunt's archival style, remarking, 'We came up with a narrative together, then made it happen.' Because the property was originally designed as a hunting lodge, the extensive wood paneling initially made the interiors feel dark. To breathe year-round warmth into the home, the spaces were refreshed with a lighter touch of soft pastel shades.

The cavernous former ballroom – now a music-and-living space featuring a stable door and exposed rafters – anchors a spectacular winter theme: an extravagant New Year's Eve party. An antique Turkish mirror ball crowns the room, playing off the gold edges of the coffee table, while the luxurious, velvety textures of the generous sofas provide a cozy, inviting contrast to the newly paneled walls and rustic beams.

In a conversation with Homes & Gardens contributor Juliet Benning, Shamshiri explained, 'We wanted to preserve as much of the original 'bones' of the house as possible.' Great effort went into sourcing 'old money' furnishings appropriate for the period. Because Hathaway and Shulman are enthusiastic collectors of antiques and mid-century modern Italian design, the home is articulated with intriguing pieces and artwork. Numerous faces peer from portraits on the walls, making it easy to imagine them enjoying the vibrant, festive social atmosphere the homeowners foster during winter soirées and summer gatherings alike.


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Jennifer Ebert
Editor

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens, bringing years of interiors experience across the US and UK. She has worked with leading publications, blending expertise in PR, marketing, social media, commercial strategy, and e-commerce. Jennifer has covered every corner of the home – curating projects from top interior designers, sourcing celebrity properties, reviewing appliances, and delivering timely news. Now, she channels her digital skills into shaping the world’s leading interiors website.

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