Everything that Oscar de La Renta touches turns to gold. Whether it was dressing first lady Jackie Kennedy or styling Amal Clooney for her wedding, the fashion designer's legacy is one of ultimate elegance and timeless beauty. Of course, his homes followed suit.
A glimpse into the stunning dining room in his New York apartment feels like a trip to Portugal's Blue City. Photographed in 1949, the space is a melange of blue and white textiles, ceramics, and wallpaper. The back wall is covered in geometric paper, which stretches up into a leopard print-covered fabric ceiling with pretty scallops at the edges. Oscar's furnishings and rugs continue the timeless theme.
The space is a masterclass in pattern-drenching where blue and white chinoiserie adorn every surface. Though it was photographed over 75 years ago, interior designers say it's still full of lessons for decorating our homes in 2026.
Recreate Oscar's Look at Home
Stunning transferware elevates de la Renta's patterned walls, and these historically inspired but modernly durable plates allow you to do the same in any home. This set of 6 can be used purely for dining, purely for decor, or both.
There's nothing like a chinoiserie lamp, and this ceramic one is absolutely perfect. It would be a beautiful addition to the sideboard in your dining room for a pattern-forward pop.
A wall mirror is a fantastic addition to a pattern-drenched room because it breaks up the monotony of the wallpaper. This curvy version is a great dining room pick.
Oscar de la Renta's embrace of bold character is perfectly in line with design trends for the coming year. His eclectic, eye-catching approach is cycling back into fashion.
'In 2026, we're seeing the home as a real expression of self,' explains Dominique Hage, principal at D. Hage Designs.
'All these different sides of yourself, rather than this matching design throughout. It's a different type of curation now. It's based on authenticity, not trying to emulate what the Kardashians have. Even in our really luxurious projects, it's all based on whether those references are true to the client, their culture, their history, their life. Humanity is necessarily really messy and ugly and colorful and gaudy.'
When embracing maximalist decor like Oscar's, many people have misapprehensions about making their homes 'too much.' Experts say that in 2026, leaning into these fears can have stunning results. It's the boldness that creates the beauty.
Dominique advises: 'Interior design doesn't have to be all so "tasteful." We'll be seeing lots of clashing colour blocking. Allowing yourself to have gaudy elements is the point.'
Oscar de la Renta's home makes a case for combining strong patterns through a mix of textiles and ceramics. It showcases that even the boldest designs can be timeless if they reflect the personality of the person who lives there. As we move into 2026, design is less about mastering the 'right' look and more about settling on the right look for you.
