I was trying to figure out why Sarah Jessica Parker looks so different in this movie and my husband pointed out that it’s her hair (thanks Jon). This realization came just at the right time for Erin’s fabulous Mankind Mag issue that’s all about hair. Filled with beautiful illustrations, photography, and even a memoir written by the editor herself called Autohairography. Also check out Design For Mankind’s new look — everything is getting a makeover.
We have our dear reader, Jane, to thank for suggesting Failure to Launch for this week’s Double Take. Jane wrote, “The movie could have been in Japanese and I would have still been mesmerized by the interior of Sarah Jessica Parker and Zooey Deschanel’s home.” So let’s just see what she means…
The eclectic style of this apartment could definitely be recreated with Craigslist finds and a really good upholsterer, as you would imagine their characters (Paula & Kit) would have done for their home. But to jumpstart the living room, how about the jordan sofa in a natural canvas accented by the goldfinch, somerset, and brush pillows. It would be highly entertaining if we enlisted Kit’s help to spray the cortez armchair (now on sale) in white. She seemed like the type of person who would have been lucky at garage sales and repurposed many objects around the house. For the dining area we could add a set of montgomery chairs, which echo the loopback motif of that armchair we just sprayed.
One of my favorite pieces in the house is the antique mirror in the entryway. Either the crown mirror or the more moderately priced copperwood mirror would be a great match. Illuminate the entryway with the flock black table lamp and add a little kick to the color palette with the slender orange lombok water vessel.
For artwork, we have two very special sources. After hours of searching for the perfect wire dress form I came across the work of Leigh Pennebaker, an artist in New York who focuses on “sculpted clothing.” I’m not sure if these are available for purchase but we can all enjoy browsing her amazing portfolio. On the other hand, the custom artwork from phunklab that has been circling the blogosphere recently is definitely available on Etsy (via perfect bound). Thanks to Australian artist, Fleur Northcote, you can customize your photographic portrait in almost any color.
Here are two Failure To Launch inspired DIY projects:
1. Wallpapered door - did you notice the dandelion design? Spruce up the back of your door with your favorite wallpaper. This would be a very inexpensive project, especially if you use remnant pieces. Just make sure your edges are straight and measurements exactly fit the flat side of the door (it will drive you nuts otherwise).
2. Painted drawers - add some drama to your built-ins by painting the drawers in a contrasting color. The salmon color on their built-in cabinet seems to really pull out the other orange accents in the room. If you want to take it a step further, get your toolbox out to attach these osteon drawer pulls.
And no wonder Jane was drawn to this set design. Jeremy Conway, production designer for Sex And The City (remember Carrie’s blue apartment?), was responsible for this fantastic home. Jeremy — we love your work!
Interested in more set design inspired rooms? Here are the latest posts from my Double Take series:
- Mia’s apartment on Cashmere Mafia
- P.S. I Love You apartment
- House in Mr. & Mrs. Smith
- Carrie’s blue apartment in the Sex And The City movie
- Chateau in A Good Year
- Viola’s estate in Monster-In-Law
- Craftsman house from 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: Paramount Pictures, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, Pillows and Throws, Crate & Barrel, Pier 1, Ballard Designs, Horchow, World Market, Leigh Pennebaker, Design Public, phunklab, & Anthropologie.
22 responses so far ↓
1 Krissy : Aug 6, 2008 at 9:41 am
wow! gorgeous overload. Love that couch
2 Jessie Cacciola : Aug 6, 2008 at 10:11 am
it’s the lighting! she’s glowing in this movie!
loved the movie, and I loved the apartment. i love refined eclectic. i would use all these tips. especially the painted drawers! thank you, thank you for this one, kylie! so unexpected. xo
P.S. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13562501
3 Caitlin Losey : Aug 6, 2008 at 10:32 am
I looovvve this house, and I realllly love this double take part of your blog!
Any plans/ ideas for Kirsten Dunst’s apartment in Elizabethtown/ Charlotte’s apartment in Sex and the City?
4 bandelle : Aug 6, 2008 at 10:45 am
Caitlin — Charlotte’s apartment is definitely on the list and I just love your suggestion about Elizabethtown. I haven’t seen it yet but Netflix will get my order shortly
5 bandelle : Aug 6, 2008 at 11:26 am
Jessie — thanks so much for directing us over to revamp boutique. What a perfect wire dress form!
6 Jude : Aug 6, 2008 at 12:57 pm
You’ve hit it out of the ballpark . . . again!
7 alston : Aug 6, 2008 at 1:39 pm
awesome art suggestions…that wire form is rockin’!
8 M&Co : Aug 6, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Another gorgeouse double take! And I love those pillows! .-)
9 Design for Mankind : Aug 6, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Awww, thank you Kylie! Another lovely from you.
10 yasmine : Aug 6, 2008 at 9:06 pm
i love this series of yours.
and eep. zoe is always gorgeous.
11 Diana : Aug 7, 2008 at 7:54 am
Love these interiors. I don’t think I’ve seen the movie, must check that out too!
12 Alia : Aug 7, 2008 at 9:19 am
You know I saw this movie and I always thought that room was awesome!!! Looks like someone has been reading my mind!! hahahah!
13 Plus Size Jackets : Aug 8, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I love the wallpaper door, the printed pillows… okay okay I love everything!!!
Perfection!!!
14 Daisy : Aug 8, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I love this post. I have always liked the little place in this movie. It’s cute.
15 M&Co : Aug 10, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Could you please do Boogie nights?! For some strange reason I started watching it tonight and the set design is awsome!
16 ballard designs : Sep 4, 2008 at 6:01 am
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17 Amanda : Oct 1, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Hello- love this blog about movie apartments! I pay so much attention to great finds and crafty ideas with decorating in movies- if that makes sense. Anyway- I would love to know where some things can be found from Kristen Dunst’s Apartment in Elizabethtown, I’ve been searching everywhere can’t seem to get far. thanks!!
18 bandelle : Oct 1, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Amanda — I’m so glad you share the love of set design
Kirsten Dunst’s apartment in Elizabethtown seems to be a favorite so I’ve added it to the list. I’ll let you know when it’s up. Our next movie is, “Because I Said So” with Mandy Moore…have you seen it? I loved her apartment. Thanks so much for the suggestion.
19 milad Jama : Oct 14, 2008 at 4:07 pm
great work any chance you could do the talented mr.ripley, dickie’s house especially the study and bedroom?
20 bandelle : Oct 16, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Oooh, I’ll try. Great suggestion!
21 Catherine : Oct 16, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I just love this room - I recently found your site and love that I can check out how to crete some of my fave movies. Thanks. Here’s a movie to check out, how about “Because I said so..” With Dianne Keaton. The youngest daughters studio’s is ssoooo funky. You’ll love it!
22 bandelle : Oct 16, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Catherine — great minds think alike because that’s exactly the next film that I will be featuring. I LOVED Mandy Moore’s apartment in that movie. Thanks so much for your comment and I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog.
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