Before we delve into the set design of this movie, we must take note of Jane Fonda’s brilliance at playing the merciless mother-in-law (Viola) that we all hope to never have. Fonda definitely stole the show and we may just have to do a second installment of Double Take to cover her palatial Wallace Neff estate in the movie. But for now, let’s ooh-and-ahh over Charlie (Jennifer Lopez) and Kevin’s (Michael Vartan) Craftsman style home.
Missy Stewart, production designer of Monster-In-Law, explained that it was important for the set design to reflect the architectural elements common in the area. So this Craftsman house in Pasadena became the home of Charlie & Kevin. You will notice that the interior palette is rich in orange — purposely vibrant with hints of pastels and limes to cue Charlie’s character.
To recreate this look, we might as well start with the guava colored sofa in the living room, similar to the fenton sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Toss a couple of Thomas Paul’s silk pillows to add even more color. And now soften the punchy scene with an iconic 1950s Akari light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. These illuminated sculptures epitomize the simplicity of Japanese aesthetics and cast a soft glow on the neutral grey walls. Benjamin Moore’s seattle grey would be a good paint option for your walls. As for that striped chair by the fireplace, why don’t you join us by designing your own Monster-In-Law inspired chair on the Norwalk Furniture site. I could play all day long.
Let’s proceed to the master bedroom. I’m a huge fan of Sarah Richardson (and can even hum the tune of her show, Design Inc.) so when I searched for a simple headboard it didn’t take me long to find the Nicola upholstered headboard from her collection. A simple wooden bench stands at the foot of the bed while a cowhide covered chair sits to the right. If I had the budget, I would probably go for Le Corbusier’s iconic LC1 sling chair. This sleek upholstered cowhide seat is set in polished chrome — such an interesting juxtaposition of materials but I guess we could expect nothing less from such a talented architect and designer.
And now to my absolute favorite part of the entire house (I bet this is Erin’s favorite too)…drumroll, please…the framed subway roll signs. Did you know that you can score your very own vintage NYC subway roll signs on eBay? Thanks for the tip, IMDb readers. They are placed in the living room and kitchen, alongside racks and shelves of Le Crueset cookware.
Alright, stay tuned for more fabulous set designs from Monster-In-Law. If you missed previous editions of Double Take, please check them out here:
- Mandy Moore’s apartment in Because I Said So
- I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry apartment
- Failure to Launch house
- Mia’s apartment on Cashmere Mafia
- Apartment on P.S. I Love You
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith house
- Carrie’s blue apartment in the Sex And The City movie
- Chateau in A Good Year
- Viola’s estate in Monster-In-Law
- Rose’s bedroom on In Her Shoes
- Carrie’s apartment on Sex And The City
- Caitlin’s office on Cashmere Mafia
- Victory Ford’s apartment on Lipstick Jungle
Image credits: New Line Cinema, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Design Public, Norwalk Furniture, Benjamin Moore, Noguchi Museum Store, Sarah Richardson Design, Design Within Reach, Golden Teak, House of Memories, & Bed Bath & Beyond.
19 responses so far ↓
1 Design for Mankind : Apr 22, 2008 at 9:09 am
YOU MAKE ME CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 Diana : Apr 22, 2008 at 10:03 am
Love the pillow selection!
3 Christy : Apr 22, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Oh what a great chair! I too am in the process of decorating a craftsman home. They are wonderful because they have a nice, open feel, but at the same time the use of so much rich, deep wood can make the place feel like a cave. I love the bright colors. So inspirational. Thanks!
4 Rosa : Apr 22, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Sometimes when I watch movies, I am more interested in the decor and style of home than with the storyline. I swear! I love to watch the old b&w’s of deco days and just ooh and aw over just about everything in the sets. I love how your showed us MIL. Thank you. PS I think I could move right in, don’t you?
5 mrs. french : Apr 22, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I absolutely love this wonderful feature you do. Although this movie is a little too close to home…with a lot less style sense.
6 bandelle : Apr 23, 2008 at 10:26 am
I’m so glad that you all like this feature
And yes, I could definitely move into this house. I particularly like the mismatched chairs in the dining room. So far my favorite of all of these double takes has been Victory Ford’s apt in Lipstick Jungle. BUT, there is no way I could get away with candy colored walls with my husband.
7 Erin : Apr 23, 2008 at 2:26 pm
These double takes are so great. Can you please please please do one of Something’s Gotta Give. That Hamptons House is hands down my favorite movie set of all time!
8 bandelle : Apr 23, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Oooooh, Erin. What a fantastic idea. Diane Keaton’s breezy Hamptons house is gorgeous. And I see you’re up to some home renovations — looking forward to seeing what you do with your pink radiator!
9 Diana : Apr 24, 2008 at 9:39 am
Finally updated my blog love list and added you - hope you don’t mind!
10 Katherine aka. Urban Flea : Apr 24, 2008 at 2:21 pm
so super cool! i LOVE your blog. i work at domino mag and have just started my own design blog, www.urbanfleadesign.com. i linked to your site, and would be forever indebted to you if you did the same for mine! in the meantime, keep up the awesome work and cheers!
xo Katherine aka. Urban Flea
11 Anonymous : Jun 26, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Thank you so much for posting this! You have no idea how long that I have been waiting to find some information about that house! I love it, thank you!
12 bandelle : Jun 26, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Oh, you’re welcome. That’s sweet of you to say that. If you liked Viola’s house in the movie, I did another Double Take here.
13 elisa : Jul 19, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I was wondering if you could tell me more about the asain print in the back wall of the bottom photo. It is my favorite! And it would work really well in my bright red diningroom with asain furniture! Thanks for getting this info out jer!
14 bandelle : Jul 19, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Elisa, it is a gorgeous print but unfortunately there weren’t enough close-up shots in the movie so that we could get a good look. I wish I could help you. Good luck!
15 katrina : Nov 22, 2008 at 11:57 am
Love these double take features! well done! Do you have any information on the turquoise/white abstract painting hanging above Charlie and Kevin’s bed? thanks!
16 bandelle : Nov 23, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Katrina — When I composed this Double Take I actually searched pretty hard for the source of this painting because I would love it for our bedroom too. Can anyone else help Katrina?
17 Jennifer : Jul 5, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Do you have any idea where I could find the floor plans for this house? I read somewhere it was designed by the Hinemman brothers but I can’t find any information on them.
18 Amy : Oct 13, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I, too, would be interested in the floor plan, and any other information, on this house.
Thanks!
19 Anonymous : Dec 29, 2009 at 4:23 am
hi i also love the painting above charlie and kevins bed and i have put a request through etsy.org to have the artist recreate the banvas at a very reasonable rate. of $130 including postage….hope this can help
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