If you’re anything like me, you may be feeling a bit blue now that the Season 3 finale of The Gilded Age has come and gone. And if you’re a lot like me, you’ll be missing the sets and costumes just as much as you’ll be missing Marian and Peggy each Sunday.
From the corner of 61st Street in New York City to the famous mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, I can’t help but gawk at the gorgeous, glam interiors behind the balls and the luncheons. And these sets are more than eye candy: They’re a literal physical manifestation of the tension between the “old New York” and the new that drives the entire series. The contrast between the dark academia-style elegance of the Van Rijn household and the opulent pastel paradise across the street at the Russells’ palatial new build says it best, I think.
Throughout this latest season, especially as we saw Gladys contend with the literal and metaphorical dreariness of Sidmouth Castle, I’ve found myself more and more curious about the real history, characters, and relationships upon which the show was based — as well as the real homes in which it is set. I can’t speak fully to the show’s historical accuracy, but after a bit of research and simply recording my own observations as a viewer, I’ve put together a list of what I would call the hallmarks of Gilded Age glamour.
If you’re feeling as inspired as I am after this last season, read on to find out how you might implement some of your favorite 19th-century trends in 2025. I’m calling it: Bertha on a Budget. Someone get me a patent!
How to Get the Gilded Age Look in 2025
Wall Moldings & Gilded Details
Frequent Apartment Therapy readers (and avid Pinterest users) will already know that decorative wall moldings are just as popular in 2025 as they were in showrunner Julian Fellowes’ 1885. But you don’t need to be lucky enough to have a 19th-century New York brownstone to get the look. Brooklyn-based artist Scott Csoke actually painted his own moldings, and two years later, I’m still obsessed with this apartment.
While actual gilded wall moldings have since fallen out of fashion, gilded details are still all the rage when it comes to wall art. The most iconic example that comes to mind is Anthropologie’s Gleaming Primrose Mirror. For a fresh take (and one that’s easier on the wallet), I love these new vintage-inspired wall shelves, also from Anthropologie. A perfect blend of form and function!
Every glimpse we’ve gotten of Bertha’s bedroom makes me want to crack open a can of pink paint immediately. The blush tones combined with the abundance of luxe fabrics — the decadent drapery and that upholstered headboard especially — make the room feel like the physical manifestation of Bertha’s fiercely private softer side.
Again, this room feels both timelessly elegant and right on-trend today. We’ve been seeing drapes used as wall treatments for months now; and even more recently, fabric buntings just like Bertha’s are back in full force as well! I can’t help but think this is another one of many modern trends Mrs. Russell would approve of (along with universal suffrage and no-fault divorce, of course). Try making your own bedroom into a modern sanctuary with richly layered fabrics and upholstered accents in your favorite muted shade.
Bertha’s well-documented love of all things French is actually a historically accurate detail; high-society American women looked to Europe for inspiration for both their homes and their dresses ( … and for their daughters’ husbands). The Gilded Age was known for its Beaux-Arts architecture — a style defined by a combination of Europe’s most extravagant periods — and its interiors were similarly influenced.
We see a definite rococo influence, for one, in Mrs. Russell’s love of pastels and pattern-mixing. Try out a classic toile print paired with a floral pastel rug for a polished, timeless feel.
On the other hand — or, on the other side of the street — in contrast with the Russells’ pastel palace, we also see a lot of dark, moody interiors on the show, like the Van Rijn/Forte household. While Bertha is on the front lines of fashion, a purveyor of all things new and “trendy,” her taste was often referred to in the early seasons as gaudy. Aunt Agnes’ style, however restrictive, was generally considered the more acceptable of the period.
If you, like me, are obsessed with the gorgeous antiques and moody aesthetic of the Van Rijn household, I recommend experimenting with bold colors and rich, warm wood tones. You don’t necessarily need to go so dark — the living room above, shot in a classic Brooklyn brownstone, shows how you can indeed pair wood pieces and detailing with complementary jewel tones, without making the room feel too dark and dated.
Oh, and for a finishing touch, consider outfitting your nightstand with a stylish alarm clock or two in support of our favorite footman — I mean, entrepreneur!