Interior Design at the Movies

John Waters said he’d never met a movie he didn’t like. I’m paraphrasing, but John said that if he found a movie’s plot unwatchable, he’d turn his attention to something else, like the lampshades. I’ve tried this myself and find that, except for westerns, it works really well.

The kitchen that launched a thousand other kitchens

I find that whenever I watch a movie I get lost in the interiors. Well, not all the time. But I do sometimes lose track of the plot because I’m staring at the wallpaper, or the lampshades. This is one of the reasons I often watch movies multiple times. Once for the plot and several more for the interiors.

These images are from the only movie I can think of where the film was more popular because of the set design than anything else. Of course I’m speaking of Something’s Gotta Give. The production and set designers were Jon Hutman and Beth Rubino. Who cared if Keanu sounded a bit wooden? The wooden chair in the dining room was to die for.

So I thought I’d share some of my personal production and set designs (in no particular order). Rent them this weekend and we can share our opinions.

The Bourne Supremacy: I like the German assassin’s house – particularly the asymmetrical tile floor. Two characters fight for their lives on that floor and all I can think about is if the tile was custom. Production designer: Dominic Watkins

Scoop: I love, love, love Peter Lyman’s London pad. I feel like a very humble designer when I watch that part of the movie. The staircases are wonderful. And I love the front hall table with the plants on it. Production Designer, Marie Djurkovic and Set Designer, Philippa Hart did a masterful job. They often work together.

Out of Africa: I swear this movie launched Ralph Lauren’s home design stores. It’s certainly responsible for the whole English Country Home/Over-Stuffed Chintz Sofas Look. Production designer – Stephen B Grimes, Set Decoration – Jose MacAvin

Gosford Park: I read that the production and set designers, Stephen Altman and Anna Pinnock installed hand-painted French wallpaper, costing $19,000, in Lady Trentham’s bedroom. At the end of filming the home owners insisted that paper come off because it didn’t match the bedspreads. Another fun fact is that all the downstairs scenes were shot on a set. They used special glass in all the windows to make them look old.

Brazil: Steampunk anyone? Production Designer: Norman Garwood

The Gay Divorcee: Here’s some great, absolutely over the top Art Deco. I love the Venice set. What a hoot. RKO used an art department, but a lot of designs were created by Carroll Clark.

A Star Is Born: The 1954 version with Judy Garland and James Mason. Their home over Big Sur (?) is mid-century cool. Production Designer, Gene Allen, was the Art Director for My Fair Lady. Set Designer: George James Hopkins.

The Incredibles: I know it’s a cartoon. But Art Director, Ralph Eggleston, and Production Designer, Lou Romano, did an excellent job recreating that mid-century California suburban look.

North by Northwest: I like watching Cary Grant wearing his pants almost up to his armpits. Oh, and who can forget the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired, cantilevered house near the end of the film? Yet another mid-century wonder. Production designer: Robert Boyle, set decoration by: Henry Grace and Frank McKelvy.

So that’s my list for now. I’m sure I’ll think of more later. So, maybe I’ll make this a repeating feature. In the meantime, why not do my work for me and let me know your favorites?

Photo credit: Bob Marshak