Inside the Wes Anderson designed train carriage – 5 style tips we're stealing for our home

Film director Wes Anderson has collaborated with luxury train company Belmond to redesign their Cygnus carriage – onboard their British Pullman train. 

The partnership – that marks Anderson’s latest film, The French Dispatch – saw the director experiment with his distinctive style on a historical canvas – but these features are not limited to the rails. 

Instead, we’re stealing modern decorating ideas from the art deco-inspired carriage, which blends Anderon’s signature symmetrical lines, unique color pallets, and Art Nouveau style. This is how to recreate his aesthetic in your interiors. 

1. Make a statement with symmetrical lines  

If you were to define Anderson’s signature with one feature, it would likely be his symmetrical lines – and the Cygnus carriage is no exception. 

Here, the space uses stark lines to create bold shapes that boast a sense of symmetry on both sides of the carriage. This is not only a nod to the 1920s (when symmetry was a recurring staple), but it also creates a grand statement that is eternally pleasing to the eye. 

The result is irresistibly Wes Anderson – thus making it a modern living room idea for an admirer of the silver screen. 

2. Craft a flowing color scheme  

Throughout his career, Wes Anderson has channeled a spectrum of hues – from the powder pinks of The Grand Budapest Hotel to the eclectic oranges in The Royal Tenenbaums. However, in the Cygnus carriage, Anderson has chosen to accentuate green – an organic favorite of the season. 

While the power of green needs no introduction, the director has reshaped our painted wall ideas with his ‘color drenching’ technique that sees various tones of green around the carriage – creating a maintained scheme without overpowering the space. 

3. Layer textures with an Art Nouveau twist 

The Cygnus carriage has mastered decorative textures – from the pattened seat coverings to the crowning metallic roof – and, perhaps most notably, the ornate wood panels. The combination of these contrasting materials is a characteristic of early twentieth-century interior design that was dominated by diverse materials (as exemplified above). 

4. Create a focal point with a tablescape  

Wes Anderson’s entire aesthetic oozes maximalism, but nothing captures this style quite like the carriages tablescape. 

While regent cutlery has elevated dining rooms for centuries, Anderson has brought the traditional table to the contemporary day – with an eclectic twist. Key features include the painted china that complements the colors of the seat – and the bottle holder that pays further homage to the directors’ whimsical style. 

5. Reimagine everyday objects  

The Cygnus carriage, like all of Wes Anderson’s spaces, plays with the most conventional of home decor pieces to turn them into something extraordinary – and you can do this in your home, too. From the small table light and simple mirror to a discreet coat holder, everything in the carriage has a function – but they also contribute to the overall scheme. 

So, it is time to get excited about your home essentials because the coat rack hidden in your hallway may contribute to the space you have always wanted. 

The British Pullman train offers a choice of day journeys throughout the year from London Victoria Station. ‘Pullman Dining by Wes Anderson’ starts from £400 (approximately $550) per person. The ‘Pullman coupé by Wes Anderson’ starts from £1,800 (approximately $2380) per coupé. You can book via belmond.com.