Paul McCartney's home embraces a lived-in look. Ultra-modern, minimalist design has wavered in style for years, and the iconic musician offers an alternative to the fading look. The result is an incredibly human style that reflects the personality of the person who lives there.
Rather than blindly following trends, the Beatle's living room embodies the timeless style of '60s design. McCartney's space is filled with warm, natural wood, from the built-ins to his coffee table and piano. Cozy textiles like the white and blue curtains and the plaid bench bring texture and off-beat character. Nearly every free surface in the room is covered in artistic artifacts: books, records, and sheet music. The overall effect is a space that practically invites you in.
The cozy living room embodies the anti-trend philosophy spread across the interior design space in recent years. For instance, Etsy's trend Expert, Dayna Isom Johnson, predicted the rise of 'Rom-Com interiors' in 2024. This phrase, describing cozy interiors with an inviting, lived-in feel as seen in Rom-Coms from the 90s and early 2000s, is just a new name for a style that has always existed, it's a curated, midi-malist look created for the atmosphere it creates rather than simply the aesthetic.
The retro-style sensibility of McCartney's living room, which takes inspiration from the 1960s and 1980s, furthers this feeling of lived-in coziness that defines the space. Jennifer Ebert, interior design expert and digital editor at Homes & Gardens, says, 'Sixties-style design tends to be a celebration of pattern and upholstery. The fabric on McCartney's windows and piano bench brings in this feel. The warmth of the wood stain in the space also takes inspiration from this period.'
She continues, 'Rather than being constrained by decorating based on this era McCartney's space takes inspiration from different periods while incorporating an individual flair. The antique Tiffany Lamp in the background rbings a sense of history into the space, while the presence of personal artifacts tell a story about the lives of the people who live in the home.'
Shop H&G's Retro Living Room Edit
To help you recreate Paul McCartney's look, we compiled high-quality, textural pieces that can either be used together for a vintage '60s feel or incorporated into existing decor to add character.
This Tiffany-style lamp from Wayfair has a look that is indistinguishable from original designer versions but at a fraction of the cost. Pottery Barn tends to have high-quality textiles at an accessible price point, and these stylish floral curtains are no exception. Finally, our editors love the way this Wayfair coffee table can bring natural wood into your living room alongside the function of an additional shelf. With these pieces, designing a living room is no problem.
However, decorating in a retro style isn't about prescriptively following a look you've seen before. Replicating the look requires paying attention to your personal style, and decorating based on your own interests. It's an exercise in authenticity that works best if it's a collection of things that you love. To discover your interior design style, focus on figuring out what colors, patterns, and threads run through different spaces you have put together.
Paul McCartney has never been one to follow interior design trends, he starts them. This space is evidence that authenticity, warmth, and inviting energy will never go out of style.
