This week I went to a design lecture by the designers who created the sets for the Sex & The City series and the movies (creative producer John Melfi, production designer Jeremy Conway, and set decorator Lydia Marks). My friend belongs to the National Arts Club on Gramercy Park, so she invited me – so much fun…
The invite read: Illustrated Lecture & Discussion: “Come hear the design dish and meet the creative team who brought the SATC characters to life by creating the amazing spaces they lived in.”
When the HBO series first aired, there was very little money for decorating, but clearly that changed… From flea Markets to Designer Showrooms and pricey antique stores like Alan Moss – they went from rags to riches, literally.
The designers used video clips to walk us through the sets, giving commentary on furniture choices, paint colors, wallpaper, art selections, and even storage solutions. Many of these you may never have noticed, but others you would. Remember Carrie’s closet? We all do - the walk through she had for years and the “what dreams are made of” one she married into.
I tend to pay attention to backgrounds. I can’t help myself, but there was more than met even my eye… Another interesting fact - they had to recreate the design after the series wrapped and again for each of the two movies. Nothing was saved – a storage unit in this situation would have paid for itself in spades.
But the biggest revelation was Carrie and Big’s 5th Avenue Penthouse. When I saw it in the movie, my heart stopped. As did hers…
“I think I died and went to real estate heaven!”
I agree, and strangely it felt familiar - like I’d been there before. I had….
They shot the penthouse scene in 2 East 63rd Street just steps off 5th Avenue – an amazing 75 foot wide by 20,646-square-foot limestone mansion plus interior courtyard. I had been there for a Designer Showhouse years ago, and thought I recognized it. Incidentally I went again the day after the SATC lecture to see Holiday House, and there it was again…just as I remembered it. In the movie they filmed in the entrance, the living or ballroom, and the courtyard, which was supposed to be a penthouse terrace. I should know by now nothing in the movies is actually the real thing.
Some people never forget a face. I’m like that too, but I’d add to that – I never forget amazing architecture and what it felt like to be there. Déjà Vu confirmed. Yes I’ve been to real estate heaven – not once but twice…
Here’s more on the mansion’s history in the NY Times. Like movies and many other great buildings of the past, the dream and the reality are very far apart. The original owner lived there for only one year and today it sits empty. Someone could really enjoy this place – someone like me.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/realestate/04scap.html
The designers used video clips to walk us through the sets, giving commentary on furniture choices, paint colors, wallpaper, art selections, and even storage solutions. Many of these you may never have noticed, but others you would. Remember Carrie’s closet? We all do - the walk through she had for years and the “what dreams are made of” one she married into.
I tend to pay attention to backgrounds. I can’t help myself, but there was more than met even my eye… Another interesting fact - they had to recreate the design after the series wrapped and again for each of the two movies. Nothing was saved – a storage unit in this situation would have paid for itself in spades.
But the biggest revelation was Carrie and Big’s 5th Avenue Penthouse. When I saw it in the movie, my heart stopped. As did hers…
“I think I died and went to real estate heaven!”
I agree, and strangely it felt familiar - like I’d been there before. I had….
They shot the penthouse scene in 2 East 63rd Street just steps off 5th Avenue – an amazing 75 foot wide by 20,646-square-foot limestone mansion plus interior courtyard. I had been there for a Designer Showhouse years ago, and thought I recognized it. Incidentally I went again the day after the SATC lecture to see Holiday House, and there it was again…just as I remembered it. In the movie they filmed in the entrance, the living or ballroom, and the courtyard, which was supposed to be a penthouse terrace. I should know by now nothing in the movies is actually the real thing.
Some people never forget a face. I’m like that too, but I’d add to that – I never forget amazing architecture and what it felt like to be there. Déjà Vu confirmed. Yes I’ve been to real estate heaven – not once but twice…
Here’s more on the mansion’s history in the NY Times. Like movies and many other great buildings of the past, the dream and the reality are very far apart. The original owner lived there for only one year and today it sits empty. Someone could really enjoy this place – someone like me.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/realestate/04scap.html
2 comments:
Sounds like a good lecture. Love, love, love that first photo.
It's a beautiful space and seeing an interior courtyard is so rare. How great to have all the doors open and live inside-outside in NYC? An absolute dream...
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