Erin from Design For Mankind generously released her fourth e-zine last week, where she featured artists and photographers who have found inspiration in the most unexpected ways (download your copy here). I’ve found that writing this Double Take series has been an unexpected source of inspiration (thanks for the encouragement, Erin), as I’m often more intrigued by the set designs rather than by the plot. But if both aspects are fantastic then I’ve hit jackpot!
Soon we’ll feature some of your terrific movie suggestions for Double Take, but we just had to finish exploring Monster-In-Law. Viola’s (Jane Fonda) quintessential Southern California mansion is almost as grand as her character. Let’s see how they furnished this Mediterranean-inspired estate…
Unlike the vibrant orange accents of Charlie & Kevin’s house, Missy Stewart (production designer) purposely kept Viola’s palette fairly neutral with some cooler undertones. Most of the seating in the living room is upholstered in creams and whites, including the sofa, chaise, and ottoman. The profile of the earl collection is reminiscent of some of the pieces but with a tufted touch. Rest your feet on the petrie ottoman before heading over to dine on the louis upholstered armchair, similar to a classic Louis fauteuil. And what better way to divide the room than to use the four ladies soapstone room divider from Modabode.
Since I associate soft creams and whites with Martha Stewart, her Valspar paint collection may provide just the right hue for the walls. Perhaps the zen garden sand would be a good match.
Fancy a cup of tea on the patio? I could spend many hours reading a book on the santenay lounge chair while sipping irish breakfast in my juliet tea cup from Wedgwood. Add a soft spring touch with a couple of small asian floral toss pillows. Finally, accent the space with a bamboo outdoor floor lamp and a hand carved ebony buddha statue.
Can we please take a moment to drool over the architecture and gardens of this Wallace Neff estate? Neff’s Spanish Colonial style is sprinkled across Southern California, which is now well-documented in the book entitled, Wallace Neff and the Grand Houses of the Golden State. The set designers only spruced up the already immaculate rose garden just a little for the winter filming months, otherwise it looks as glorious as it does in the movie all year round. Hmmm…I think I’ll take that cup of tea in the garden instead, thank you.
Keep those terrific Double Take suggestions coming. We’ll try to feature as many as we can, including the upcoming Sex And The City movie. If you missed previous editions of Double Take, please check them out here:
- 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
- Charlie & Kevin’s Craftsman house on 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, Crate & Barrel, Modabode, Martha Stewart Colors, Ballard Designs, Wedgewood, Cooking.com, World Market, Dharma Sculpture, and Amazon.com.
16 responses so far ↓
1 Eric Hundin : May 6, 2008 at 9:48 am
I found your blog on MSN Search. Nice writing. I will check back to read more.
Eric Hundin
2 M&Co : May 6, 2008 at 11:48 am
LOVE your double take’s! Its my favorite blog feauture in the world!!
I suggested for Erin you should do the Holiday movie. I’d swap houses with Cameron Diaz any time 
3 bandelle : May 6, 2008 at 11:56 am
Eric - thanks for your lovely comment.
M&CO — Oh, I want to swap too. But it would be absolutely perfect for you since you love black & white decor — just like your home!
4 Design for Mankind : May 6, 2008 at 1:47 pm
A knock-out? Please. But I SO appreciate the encouragement!
Thank you, dear Kylie.
5 Emily@designsmack : May 6, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Amazing!! You’re so talented
6 mrs. french : May 6, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I heart that sweet tea set.
7 melissa lewis - off the wall : May 6, 2008 at 8:28 pm
That bamboo floor lamp is fabulous!
8 Jamie O'Neil : May 7, 2008 at 5:57 am
I love your Double-Takes! It’s how I found your site, I googled Victory Ford’s apartment on Cashmere Mafia and up popped your site with it’s fabulous Double Take. Keep up the amazing work!
9 bandelle : May 7, 2008 at 8:37 am
Oh, thanks so much! Have you heard whether Cashmere is coming back?
10 this is glamorous : May 12, 2008 at 11:55 am
Completely love your Double Take series, and this one is fantastic!
11 Emily : May 18, 2008 at 6:06 pm
i’m dying to know where charlie’s (lopez) apartment bedding came from…. it’s so pretty!
12 Emily : May 18, 2008 at 6:06 pm
i’m dying to know where charlie’s (lopez) apartment bedding came from…. it’s so pretty!
13 bandelle : May 19, 2008 at 8:53 am
Emily — are you talking about the white bedding with fuchsia flowers? I love it too but I couldn’t find it anywhere. Can anyone help Emily?
14 Acai Berry Power : Aug 27, 2008 at 1:06 am
Nice bog you have here. I pretty much lurk the internet when I’m bored and read all I can about the organic lifestyle, but I really liked you view on things. I’ll bookmark the site and subscribe to the feed!
15 Cathy : Oct 5, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I also have been searching all over for the floral bedding in Charlie’s (lopez) bedroom in the moving Monster in Law. Someone has got to know where to get it!! If someone does know where to get it, PLEASE email me!
16 Cathy : Oct 5, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Oh and my email is catherine.gamm@gmail.com
Thanks! I just have to find that bedspread!!!
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