Maximalist decor ideas to steal from Empress Eugénie

With renewed attention on the Empress after the theft of her jewels from the Louvre, it’s worth remembering that her flair for decoration was every bit as dazzling as her diamonds

By Marco Mansi

22 October 2025

who was Empress Eugenie steal her decor style

If you love maximalist decor – rooms that feel layered and full of personality – you’ll find a kindred spirit Empress Eugénie. Her style and treasures are back in the spotlight, courtesy of the infamous robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris, but there is more to her legacy that iconic jewels. Here we uncover her impeccable taste in interiors and decode how you could recreate her home decoration style.

Who was Empress Eugénie?

Born in Granada in 1826 and later Empress of the French as the wife of Napoleon III, she was one of the great tastemakers of her time. Her influence spanned fashion, jewellery and interiors. She championed the couturier Charles Frederick Worth, also loved by Empress Sisi, and revived the style of Marie Antoinette, filling her palaces with theatrical glamour and historical allusions.

Recreate Empress Eugénie’s maximalist decor

At the Tuileries Palace, long the seat of French royalty, her salon privé offered a masterclass in maximalist decoration, as captured in an exquisite 1868 painting by Giuseppe Castiglione. The room glows with deep green walls and a vivid red carpet, its surfaces alive with gilt frames, polished wood and rich fabrics. It feels both opulent and cocooning – luxurious yet unmistakably personal. And there’s plenty we can borrow from her.

Salon Of The Empress Eugenie At The Tuileries Palace

Hang art generously. Cluster paintings to create rhythm and make a space feel collected rather than simply decorated.
Go bold with colour and texture. Deep greens, reds and golds add depth and intimacy, flattering everything within.
Bring nature indoors. Tall plants or ferns lend life and movement, whether in a grand room or a small flat.
Use fabric in unexpected ways. Heavy curtains or draped doorways can define a room’s layout while adding a touch of theatre.
Revive opaline glass. It’s time to bring back these milky icons of 19th-century decoration.
Mix styles with confidence. Persian rugs, Chinese porcelain and French antiques coexist beautifully when the palette holds them together.
Details matter. Even practical elements – scalloped blinds, tasselled trims – can elevate a room from pleasant to memorable.

Empress Eugénie’s salon reminds us that confidence is the real key to great decorating. Away from the gilded state rooms where she performed her imperial duties, she created a private world that reflected her romantic temperament and sure sense of beauty. And while we may not own crown jewels or reign over a palace, we can still dream big – and decorate boldly.