Another fabulous Mad Men episode last night! Almost as enjoyable as watching the program for me is reading the blogs the morning after which analyze each and every storyline, character and setting. So, here I am, jumping on the blogging bandwagon and posting about one of today’s most popular TV shows. What I really love to do is watch each show twice – once for the character and story development and another just to study the sets.  The painstaking detail and the historically accurate precision that has gone into creating the sets and props are, in themselves, the stuff of a college level course!  The show is like a living time capsule from the 1960’s.

Here are just a sampling of the sets that exemplify the time period:

Would you like to add some Mad Men glamour to your home?  Knoll continues to produce furniture from that era.  Here are some examples:

As part of a whole house project this past year, I totally redesigned the master bathroom. My clients craved an open, relaxing spa-like retreat. Their original master bathroom – a confined space that was divided into three separate rooms – failed to satisfy their needs. The final design boasts an open concept floor plan that transforms the space into a large, functional retreat that is flooded with natural daylight.  A custom, two sided stainless steel mirror suspended from the ceiling with flanking pendants over a large his/her vanity in the middle of the room serves as the bathroom’s centerpiece. Other highlights of the room are intricate mosaics, floor to ceiling limestone tile, a corner soaking tub, a large shower with all of the amenities, a separate dressing vanity and other areas of functional storage. All of these elements were woven together to provide the clients with a high-end spa experience that they can enjoy in the comfort of their own home. This “extreme makeover” is featured in the latest issue of  New England Home magazine (September/October 2010).

Intrigued?  Pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look, page 138!

Traditional wing chairs are high back lounge chairs that have “wings’ attached to the back of the chair. Most often used near a fireplace, the wing chair was designed to enclose the head and torso and protect the occupant from drafts and to contain the heat from the fireplace.  Here’s a photo of a typical Queen Anne wing chair, still used in today’s traditionally decorated homes:

The style of the wing chair has evolved and contemporary furniture designers have taken the traditional silhouette to create modern wing chair styles. Some adhere to the classic form of the traditional wing chair; others have taken more liberties.  Here are some examples:

Which modern wing chair appeals to you?

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