Fit for a queen: how do you spruce up the Hollywood home of the world’s greatest drag star? With maximalist prints, lots of orange and lots of disco balls, says interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard
When your friend of almost 30 years asks you to decorate his dream house, it’s an honor.
But when that friend is the most famous drag queen in the world – like mine – you have to go out of your way to tailor their home to their personality.
RuPaul is one of those rare people whose career has made the world rethink its ideas.
He views life as a stage – and has performed on that stage in many forms, in both male and female drag.
That’s why I wanted to transform the Hollywood Regency-inspired Beverly Hills mansion he shares with rancher husband Georges LeBar into an epicenter of old-world glamour.
RuPaul in his palatial pink hall. A 1940s console and sofa upholstered in Kerylos linen from Bullard’s fabric line add a historic feel. For a similar pink shade, try Inner Shell from littlegreene.com
The walk-in closet, created by merging two bedrooms, is filled with vibrant designer clothes, shoes and bags – many of which were custom made for RuPaul
An orange Château range from lacornue.com crowns the kitchen at duchateau.com. Hexsation lanterns from Corbett remind RuPaul of old-fashioned diving helmets
I wanted a spiral staircase so theatrical it would make Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld cry, a ballroom fit to rival any Studio 54 moment and a spectacular array of closets for the outfits, accessories and wigs he created during his 40 years career had accumulated.
In short, I wanted to create the House of Ru.
I added dramatic 20-foot-tall metal-framed windows to the building’s facade to immediately announce the glamor you’ll find behind the lacquered front doors.
Once inside, you are greeted by towering marble columns, inlaid stone floors and bold neoclassical-inspired parquet work softened by rose-pink walls.
The home office, lacquered in Hermèsorange, contains some of RuPaul’s many gongs, including twelve Emmys and multiple MTV awards. A 19th-century French desk from Ceylon et Cie in Dallas adds an extra touch of glamour
In the dining pavilion, circus-style stripes create a dramatic yet intimate atmosphere – ideal for dinner parties. The decor is inspired by the card room in the Elizabeth Taylor film Boom
A fluted sunrise headboard, Murano glass lamps and bold floral Artemis wallpaper from houseofhackney.com give this guest room a 1920s vibe. Try jonathanadler.com for a similar nightstand
Twenty-seven enormous glitter balls – the largest of which is six feet in diameter – dominate the disco area, while the walls are filled with photos of RuPaul’s favorite icons, including Diana Ross
The textures and palettes are a further nod to the Hollywood Regency era, with velvet, silk, leopard prints, Greek key prints, fringes and tassels, all modernized with plenty of Hermès orange tones to provide the most vibrant backdrops.
It’s the ultimate in customization and the perfect trophy for a man who entertained us in the most spectacular way.
- This is an edited excerpt from Star Style by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, to be published by Vendome on October 12 Press, £65
- TO PRE-ORDER A COPY FOR £55.25 WITH FREE POSTAGE UNTIL OCTOBER 8, VISIT MAILSHOP.CO.UK/BOOKS OR CALL 020 3176 2937