R.I.P. Playboy Club

One of the most stylish shows of the fall season fell victim to low numbers and a certain special interest group after three episodes this past week.

Sadly, many of you never got to see the incredible sets of NBC's The Playboy Club (replicated to a bunny's ear on location in Chicago) and the sixties modern apartment interiors designed by production designer Scott Murphy, art director Gary Baugh and set decorators Beauchamp Fontaine and Tricia Schneider. I was working with one of the shelter publications on a set design story (which will not come to pass) and happy to share this incredible work with you.

Murphy used to work for architects Frank Gehry and Richard Meier prior to his career as a production designer and it shows -- his work on The Sopranos earned him three Emmy nominations for art direction. The Playboy Club featured two story sets complete with cocktail lounges, dance floor, pool tables, restaurant and of course, the trademark bunny logo. I feel certain this show would have garnered him a fourth nomination.

While the sets certainly have the sixties vibe, many of these interiors work today. If you want to create your own retro interiors, look for the usual suspects -- designs by Eero Saarinen, Knoll and Herman Miller along with Tulip and Eames chairs -- real or knock off. And of course a place to mix the requisite cocktail.

Enjoy the time travel and R.I.P. Playboy Club.

Modified sunken living room was the epitome of chic
and no room at that time was complete without the requisite bar

Alternate view. Note the oversize table lamp
and ceiling fixture that gives a nod
to Achille Castiglioni's Arco Lamp

Shades of olive and creme for the walls and low-level tufted modular furniture

Chrome and glass for the dining room
with color block venetian dividers

Nothing says sixties like Avocado Green appliances

This kitchen design scheme works for today as well

Love the faux wood screen behind the bed and corner tufted box style upholstered chair

Speaking of the sixties (and for those of you who love Mad Men), be sure to catch my article in Array Magazine on the show's star Bryan Batt who played art director Salvatore Romano. Batt is a true Renaissance man - actor, author, shop owner and designer. His new book big easy Style: Creating Rooms You Love to Live In (Clarkson Potter) hits the bookstores this month. Below are a few of the enticing rooms featured in the book.

Photo Credits: NBC, Array, Clarkson Potter

Sixties Redux: A Single Man

Yet another visit to the sixties comes to theaters December 11th (limited release) with the debut of A Single Man (Weinstein Company). Set in early sixties Los Angeles at the height of the Cuban missle crisis, the film follows a day in the life of George Falconer (played by Colin Firth), a British college professor who is dealing with the death of his long-time companion. Julianne Moore plays his close friend and London socialite Charley who helps him through the ordeal (and longs to return to a tryst the two shared years ago).

Based on the Christopher Isherwood's cult classic, the film marks the directorial debut of fashion designer and creative director Tom Ford. The leap from fashion to film has certainly been a success for the "God of Gucci" as the film is garnering alot of Oscar buzz since its debut at the Venice Film Festival. And what Ford has done for Gucci will no doubt be reflected in his use of color, minimalism, light and the design of the film.

The style of the sixties have been beautifully captured by none other than Dan Bishop, production designer of the highly stylized Mad Men (and who better?). Firth's character George lives in a Neura-style glass house filled with perfectionism, designer suits, wood panelling and modern furniture. Moore's Charley is total sixties glam from her heavy eyeliner, pastel lipstick and "updo" hairstyles to Oscar nominated Arianne Phillip's Mod costumes (she was nominated for Walk the Line and was a long time stylist for Madonna).

Ford had much input on not only the film's direction but the overall look as well as Moore explains, "From the clothes to the soft furnishings, Tom was very passionate about what you want from a director. George's life was reflected in the modern but conservative furniture in his house and my room was exactly how I imagined Charley's would be. Tom's a guy who looks at the whole picture." And while the film looks expensive, the production and costume designs were done on a budget as Ford painted all the paintings in George's house himself and many of the costumes were vintage.

Ford and Firth

For more on the film, read writer Anne Thompson's wonderful interview with Tom Ford on Thompson on Hollywood.

Photos courtesy of The Weinstein Company - Edward Grau @ The Weinstein Company 2009.

Sixties Style: An Education

Premiering this month, An Education (Sony Pictures Classics) is the latest film to chronicle the style of the sixties. Set in 1961, the film tells the tale of a teenager's coming of age in pre-Beatles London. Played by actress Carey Mulligan as Jenny, the viewer watches her go from a sixteen-year-old prepster to a stylish ingenue overnight -- as a result of her whirlwind romance with a thirty year old playboy (Peter Sarsgaard).

Carey Mulligan as Jenny

Fashion plays a supporting role in the film and the costumes were designed by Emmy award winning designer Odile Dicks-Mireux. Jenny goes from drab grey uniformed student to a sophisticated young woman with shades of Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn and Catherine Deneuve. Mireux drew her inspiration on pop icons of the time and found many of the cast's wardrobe from vintage dealers. Floral sleeveless chintz dresses, leopard coats and accessories and the classic little black dress complete her transformation while the menswear suits and trenchcoats were inspired by Sean Connery in Dr. No. The designs offer an interesting look at London before we know it historically - swinging Sixties, Carnaby Street, etc. with a nod to Mad Men.

Leopard styles completely fit in with today

Mulligan with Peter Sarsgaard

Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr. No

The film is in limited release -- for more see the official website.

Photo Credits: Sony Pictures Classics