Eek— one of my favorite Double Takes EVER is here! The sweet Kylie from Bandelle has done it again, uncovering the decor secrets of the new Sex and the City movie [which I haven’t yet seen, so don’t spoil it for me!]. Here she goes…
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Just as the storyline of the Sex And The City movie did not disappoint, the set designs also exceeded my expectations. Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda’s abodes were updated in the movie but the most dramatic transformation was Carrie’s apartment. This time the glamour was not strictly reserved for Carrie’s closet only. Jeremy Conway (production designer) and Lydia Marks (set decorator) infused her Upper East Side apartment with high fashion and vintage decor. Let’s see if we can recreate this chic Bradshaw apartment…
Rarely do we ever mention the wall color first in our Double Takes but I think you’ll agree with me that the intense ocean blue paint was the most noticeable change. Pick up a gallon of Benjamin Moore’s electric blue for the same look in your own space (via article written by Shaila Wunderlich of the Chicago Tribune).
The Hollywood style mirrored vanity was definitely a showpiece, so I dug around and found a similar vintage treasure offered by John Salibello through 1stdibs. Restoration Hardware’s chenille dining chair would tuck neatly under this vanity, dressed with a Chanel silk twill scarf — a very Carrie accessory.
Conway upgraded Carrie’s shelf headboard from the SATC series to an upholstered paneled bed similar to the Erickson bed. Her crisp white sheets are accented by a neutral plum coverlet and toss pillows. Lamoon’s modern couture pillows could work well in the space, as the swirl motif would echo the curves in Carrie’s overleaf rug by Marni. Now try customizing your own saarinen side table to sit beside your bed.
I recall a Love poster hung at the entryway of Carrie’s apartment. It reminded me of an Us Weekly article that I read in the May 19, 2008 issue featuring a similar piece in Jessica Alba’s nursery. This Love needlework design was created by Paul Smith and is now available at the Rug Company. Perhaps Conway and Marks commissioned the designer for another Love piece, just perfect for Carrie’s apartment.
And one more noticeable design idea to mention is the grouping of photographs and prints above Carrie’s bed. To avoid a cluttered look, keep your artwork and frames within a certain color scheme. Perhaps we can take some tips from Erin’s organized collections on Apartment Therapy.
Need more style ideas? To find the source of specific furniture pieces, pick up a copy of the June/July issue of Traditional Home, which features several of the sets on the Sex And The City movie (pg 82-87 & pg 160). Stylish Erin of Elements of Style has other great suggestions for mirrored vanities, artwork, and modernized pieces around Carrie’s new home. And Paloma from La Dolce Vita dishes on the lighting featured in the movie, thanks to her husband who worked on the sconces and floor lamps throughout the sets.
Image credits: Us Weekly Chicago Tribune, Traditional Home, Benjamin Moore, Restoration Hardware, Chanel, 1st Dibs, Bedroom Furniture Direct, Pillows And Throws, The Rug Company, Retro Modern, & Apartment Therapy.