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Double Take: Because I Said So

February 23rd, 2009 · 44 Comments

After a brief hiatus, Double Take is back. And this time we are focusing on Milly’s (Mandy Moore) apartment in Because I Said So. The story of a meddling mother, played by Diane Keaton, in her daughter’s romantic life is the cure all for Friday night boredom or a girly night at home. Mandy Moore’s boho-chic apartment is the envy of many, including readers Brenna Yeary, Catherine Allaway, & Christina Thornell. Thanks for the suggestion!

Interior design of Mandy Moore's apartment in Because I Said So movie

Production designer, Shana Seymour, and set designer, Maggie Martin, created a worldly and eclectic atmosphere by using many imported pieces and jewel tones throughout the home. To recreate the look, let’s start with the chester sofa upholstered in a plum velvet. Top this tufted beauty with a selection of Indian sari pillows and multi-striped pillows from World Market. For accent tables and a tv stand, try the alston chest, this green lacquer trunk, or even the Ming Chow nightstand.

For inexpensive lighting to a complete knockout pair of lamps, I suggest the iridescent bulb string lights and the peacock murano glass lamps from Swank Lighting. As you make your way toward the kitchen, line your hallway with some ventilated lockers. These used lockers come in just about any color and style. When you’re in the kitchen, fill your shelves with colorful crockery including these butter yellow dishes from Sur La Table.

Set design of Mandy Moore's apartment in Because I Said So movie

I thought the chalkboard fridge idea was genius. After a little Googling, I discovered Daily Danny’s step-by-step instructions on how to transform your old fridge door to a chalkboard — perfect for writing little messages to your loved one in the mornings. This sure beats my magnetized notepad!

Cake in Because I Said So movie

As I watched this movie with a hungry stomach, it was hard not to notice the gorgeous wedding and birthday cakes made by Leigh Grode and Joan Spitler, otherwise known as the Cake Divas. These two cake designers hail from Culver City in California and were commissioned to create all of the elaborate cakes seen in the movie.

Polka dot dress in Because I Said So

And finally, did anyone else like Mandy Moore’s polka dot dress? Although I could not find an exact match, this Robbie Bee brown cap-sleeve dress with polka-dots is quite similar and could be accessorized with any belt, including the ivory square knot belt or the lemon double knuckle belt. Costume designer Shay Cunliffe wanted to give this story a distinctive quality so you will notice polka dots throughout the clothing, sets, and even on the cakes.

If you enjoyed this Double Take, you may like to read some of my other set-inspired posts, including:

Image credits: Gold Circle Films, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Berber Trading, World Market, Shimu, Pier 1, Target, Buy Used Lockers, Sur La Table, Daily Danny, Dillard’s, The Limited, & Linea Pelle.

Tags: Double Take

44 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Paloma of La Dolce Vita : Feb 23, 2009 at 10:07 am

    You do such an incredible job with these posts, Kylie! Someone posted a picture from your Double-Take on the Russian’s apartment in SATC on Decorum the other day.

  • 2 Jamie : Feb 23, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    oh I love this movie! I watched it with my Mom on my getaway birthday trip to Santa Barbara. Great Mother daughter movie flick! I remeber loving her very eclectic colorful apartment. I love the brown polka dot dress you found, kidda a takeback to julia roberts dress in Pretty Woman except with sleeves of course.

  • 3 Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall : Feb 23, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    Yea! So glad your Double Takes were back. They were always one of my favorite things I would find over here!!!

    This movie is perfect for a Double Take. Thanks for getting us all this great info and links. Loving these Peacock Lamps:)

  • 4 Marianne : Feb 23, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    Love the Double Take! Please keep this going!

  • 5 Melissa : Feb 23, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    I’m glad your Double Take feature is back.

  • 6 ugg : Feb 24, 2009 at 3:36 am

    Love the Double Take! Please keep this going!

  • 7 Kelley : Feb 24, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Great post! I would sell my kids for those peacock lamps.

  • 8 Paige : Feb 25, 2009 at 11:18 am

    I loved everything about this movie except for the actual story. The clothes and interiors were fabulous! And I’m a sucker for Mandy Moore. She is just so darn cute!

  • 9 Anonymous : Feb 25, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    oh, YAY! i love when you do these :) but i also understand how much WORK they are. whew! what a roundup! loved the chalboard fridge. and diane keaton is SO my mother.

  • 10 cassandra : Feb 25, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    and… i forgot to sign in. that’s me above. not so anonymous :) ha!

  • 11 blair : Feb 25, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    What a fantastic post! Love the chalkboard fridge idea to. And I have such a soft spot for polka dots!

  • 12 dolce chic : Feb 26, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    Such a wonderful post. This is one of my favorite movies..I absolutely love this set!

  • 13 Apt34 : Feb 27, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    that chalkboard fridge it totally brilliant!

  • 14 Michelle : Feb 27, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Thank you so much for writing about this. I was obsessed with that apartment when I saw the movie!

  • 15 Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall : Mar 2, 2009 at 12:25 am

    Hey there girl. I am updating my blogroll and was wondering if you had a badge for your blog. Preferable 120 x 60 or something close. Let me know. Sorry I’m leaving this here, but I couldn’t find your email.

  • 16 Diva Style : Mar 2, 2009 at 11:55 am

    Hi there! This is delicious! It’s so funny, ever since I started looking at the silver screen interiors on your blog, I pay much closer attention to those in films I view. :-)

  • 17 Brandie : Mar 2, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    You never fail to select rooms that while I was watching the movie I was totally distracted by because I liked the style so much! Thanks for another great “double take.” :)

  • 18 karina : Mar 4, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    I love the wardrobe of Diane Keaton

  • 19 Lillian : Mar 4, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    I am new here. But I have learned a lot from your article. Thanks for your wonderful sharing. I am glad I found your blog :)

  • 20 bandelle : Mar 4, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    Welcome, Lillian! I hope you’ll continue to visit. Thanks for your sweet comment.

  • 21 Anke : Mar 6, 2009 at 4:46 am

    Wow - do you ever sleep? :) How long did it take you to put this together? Incredible! I will so paint my fridge with chalkboard paint one day…

  • 22 Catherine : Mar 8, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    I’m glad the Double Takes are back - they make me dream I can do it - I love the way you find everything - I just have to look here in Oz! Thanks also for picking my suggestion to come back with - Hee Hee . I’m soo excited you picked mine. :)

  • 23 Jessica : Mar 9, 2009 at 10:47 pm

    Thank you SO MUCH for this post. I have been periodically searching for photos of this set ever since I saw the movie a couple of years ago. FINALLY! Now I just have to find some money to go shopping :)

  • 24 Nicola : Mar 10, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    Wow - what a fabulous idea - I love these double takes - very clever. I also loved this movie + the polka dots - especially the littel red ones on the tulle of Diane Keation’s wedding dress and I loved how they rearraged their apartments all the time - so much great furniture in such great spaces and I didn’t notice that fridge - so cool.

  • 25 Webkatalog : Mar 18, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again - taking you feeds also, Thanks.

  • 26 Catherine : Apr 9, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    have you ever done a double take on “Sleepless in Seattle” specifically Tom Hanks’ apartment with that beautiful pyramid clock? Thanks for allowing me to dream….

  • 27 bandelle : Apr 14, 2009 at 11:47 am

    That’s a great suggestion, Catherine! I loved that movie.

  • 28 Jennifer : May 17, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    Have you watched the Holiday? It stars Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. Kate’s character has the cutest house and they both wear the BEST clothes! I think it would be an amazing movie to do a double take for. And I love your double takes. I was looking for screenshots of Because I said so and found this website. Now it is on my favorites list.

    Thanks for all your hard work, J

  • 29 Anonymous : May 31, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    I love these! I had to look at all of them. Your blog is amazing. You should do set designs for practical magic, nanny mcphee, and penoeple… just saying :)

  • 30 Yoli : Jun 2, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    This is great! I am so glad I found this blog!

  • 31 bandelle : Jun 4, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    Thank you so much, Jennifer, Anony & Yoli! I even loved Jude Law’s apartment in The Holiday so that movie is a mist. Anon, you mentioned three movies that I haven’t seen so now I’m all curious :)

  • 32 Sharee McFadden : Jun 5, 2009 at 11:39 am

    I love this! I’m so glad someone decided to do this. What about a double take on Meryl Streeps office at Runway in Devil Wears Prada?

  • 33 Emily : Jun 14, 2009 at 9:35 am

    Hi, I really like this movie i actually watched it about 5 times at a friends house. I was also looking for a important outing dress and i saw her red & white polka dot dress but i don’t know where to find it! But the movie was really great. somebody please let me know where that dress is from!
    plz & thx
    Emily

  • 34 Anonymous : Jun 28, 2009 at 11:10 am

    Great work, I love your double takes…Please do Scarlett Johansons characters apartment in “He’s just not into you”.

  • 35 kiamy : Jul 9, 2009 at 2:45 am

    hi!!! am googling over the wedding cake used in the movie but to no avail, i cant see on. i amon a lookout for the 3rd wedding cake, the one with all white-rose petals budding from the cake, m not sure if its a 3 tier cake,but it seems like it. thanks.

  • 36 kiamy : Jul 9, 2009 at 2:48 am

    hi!!! am googling over the wedding cake used in the movie but to no avail, i cant see on. i amon a lookout for the 3rd wedding cake, the one with all white-rose petals budding from the cake, m not sure if its a 3 tier cake,but it seems like it. thanks. its from the movie because i said so. thnaks

  • 37 Double Take: Mr. & Mrs. Smith : Jul 11, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    […] Mandy Moore’s apartment in Because I Said So […]

  • 38 Anonymous : Jul 19, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    This is my favorite movie of ALL times…I don’t know why but I love it!!! I especially love how they designed Milly’s apartment…what great taste! Does anyone know where I could find the artwork hanging in Milly’s apartment or know of the artist/piece’s name?

  • 39 Staci : Aug 21, 2009 at 2:00 am

    Hi!! I have been DYING to find out what brand Mandy Moore’s white dress in the movie is from. It was in the scene of Diane Keaton’s birthday. I love it!!!! Please anyone let me know where I can find it!!!

  • 40 EmmaSweet. : Oct 4, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    Ah i adore all this!the movie,the home sweet home. . . . .Im young very young. . . OKay im 15 But I hope someday My home Is Pretty enough to look like this♥

  • 41 Liz : Nov 3, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    Thank you for this. MM’s room is my inspiration for my living room, with my personal touches of course. I was so happy to see that sofa. It’s basically what I’ve been looking for, though I really need a sectional. Any thoughts? Thanks again and job VERY well done!!

  • 42 Ranna : Dec 12, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    Hi Kylie,

    I stumbled upon your blog when searching for a dress Jessica Biel wears in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. The last scene, at the wedding, Jessica sports a beautiful cocktail dress with lace and I was wondering if you knew how to find the designer or a fullbody picture. Like I said, I stumbled upon your blog but I absolutely love it and you have gained a new reader :) I hope you can help me out because it is driving me up the wall not finding it. warm greetings from a cold Sweden

  • 43 Anonymous : Dec 27, 2009 at 2:15 am

    Hi, does anyone know where I could find the blue, silky shirt Mandy Moore is wearing in the scene where she ends her relationship with Jason? I adore it and think it is lovely!

  • 44 Babi : Jan 24, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    Love the “Double Takes” articles and this whole blog! What about Debra Messing’s apt in The Wedding Date?

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