If you're like us, you've been obsessively watching the HBO series "Girls," Lena Dunham's spot-on portrayal of post-grad, pre-career life in New York. We’ve been laughing, cringing, and taking note of the disheveled and lived-in interiors, which ring as true as the plot lines.
In particular, we like the Tribeca loft by production designer Laura Ballinger Gardner, who conjured up a home for what she calls "a modern urban New York family.” Working with set decorator Rich Devine, she created a groovy space featuring loungey seating and dashes of unapologetic color. Gardner, a sage in the world of production design and art direction (her work can be seen in Brokeback Mountain, The Fighter, and HBO’s Veep), divulged her sources; recreate the look with the following elements.
Photos by Rich Devine.
Above: The family loft, dreamed up by Gardner, is a mix of modern and vintage. The Place Sofa from Vitra offers sprawling seating; a West Elm ottoman is reupholstered with a vintage carpet (an idea dreamed up by Devine). The rug is vintage Moroccan sourced from Imports from Marrekesh.
Above: Gardner's sources span the high/low spectrum: For the children's play area, she and Devine used a Vitra Cité chair ($4,130 at AllModern), Dexton Great Plains Canvas Teepee ($125.99 at Amazon), and Mxyplyzyk ottomans. For a similar carpet, consider Ikea's Vitten Rug ($129).
Above: The photography on display throughout the apartment illustrates the parents’ artistic backgrounds, says Gardner. The play area wall features prints by Youngna Park, Paul Madonna (both sourced from 20X200), and Michelle DeBakey, The Eames Elephant is $320 from Hive Modern.
Above: A vintage framed Fritz Kahn hangs on the wall in the corner family workspace. The Crane Fog Desk Lamp is from CB2 ($99) and the Vitra Vegetal Chair can be purchased at All Modern ($635).
Above: The shelves are painted a crimson red; the rocking chair is from Denmark (similar Danish chairs may be found at Horseman Antiques).
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation