There's a new program on AMC of 4 or 5 weeks titled "Mad Men" that is a Design Addicts' *** dream. Premise is an advertising agency in 1958, 1959 with a near obsessive attention to detail on set. Tons of mid-century modern pieces, and lots of 50's kitsch. It's noteworthy on several levels, it's one of the few serial television programs that actually shows ceilings which gives it a hyper sense of reality,(few programs ever actually show ceilings, and when in camera they present a great sense of scale). It is also shot entirely on film which gives it a gorgeous texture. Creator is Matt Weiner late of the Sopranos, so he knows what he's doing. The title sequence alone is worth the cost of admission and would definitely "fall" into the category of award winning graphics. Careful viewing of this program will reveal a treasure trove of modern background detail, down to the period appropriate accoutrement seen in something as simple as a vanity drawer when opened by a character on set. And no, I am in not in any way associated with the program, it's just a good mid-century drama.
Mad Men
Thank you for shouting in the wilderness a year ago about the arrival of Mad Men, BTM. A response is well overdue.
I'm only now catching the first season via Netflix. I pause every episode to admire the design work. Gorgeous furniture, beautiful film, rich nuances in the pursuit of authenticity. It's hard to believe more people here on Design Addict aren't raving about this aesthetic feast. I too am mad for the Mad Men.
Thank you for the kind words Brent
It is a great reference piece as they seem to have really done their homework at least with regard to set design. Fresh Air on NPR just interviewed Matt Weiner shortly after the show received 16 or so Emmy noms and he pointed out that they go out of their way to impart a lot of authenticity. Like newlyweds would have furniture pieces that were handed down from parents so stage sets have a mix of MCM and early american or some other style, at times quite eclectic. I've TiVo'd the season 2 premiere to watch tonight. And yes that title sequence is a cornucopia of visual delights.
I haven't seen Mad Men, (the...
I haven't seen Mad Men, (the snippets of dialogue on Fresh Air actually came across as stale and writerly to my ears -- I am sure I'm missing out), but if you like the themes and the look of the series, you might check out Elia Kazan's excellent and underrated (and recently rereleased to DVD) The Arrangement, as it sounds very similar.
Mad fans
Apparently, you are not alone in your love of Mad Men.
http://www.someecards.com/upload/newest/my_screw_ups_pale_in_comparison_...
i remember
i remember last summer when i was watching mad men and raving about the show and the furniture and none of my friends had any idea what i was talking about. now, after 16 emmy nods it's on the brink of becoming a cult show that has the possibility of continuing on thru the 60s and 70s. i look forward to it!
Jeremiah
Anyone know the make of the...
Anyone know the make of the couch in Don's office?
There's a picture and a bunch of answers on this site - looks like the best guess is Baughman.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/seating-sofas-armchairs/good-question...
my guess is that it's...
my guess is that it's baughman. When I saw it that's what popped in my head. We were watching the dvds of the first season and the chairs by Don's desk in the first episode (pilot), as well as the milo sofa/chair set are different than they are now.
I believe the chairs by his desk are Hvidt chairs. They're quite righteous.
Now i haven't begun watching the 2nd season, but an merely the first season's season finale away from spending way too much time in front of the tv watching the 13 episodes on our dvr. The show is fantastic by the way.
I realize this post is six years old, but i just watched my first episode today, and...well, am kind of dissapointed.
Can someone who has better knowledge chime in, please?
They were sitting on chairs which I believe to be Eames Aluminum Management chairs, but then...quite not.
Five star casters on an early sixties chair, and then the backrest is missing the upper weld (see picture). Kind of like those cheap reproductions.
I read about all the fuzz...Herman Miller being involved in designing the set and so on, but this seems kind of like they didn't do their homework quite right, did they?
I realize this post is six years old, but i just watched my first episode today, and...well, am kind of dissapointed.
Can someone who has better knowledge chime in, please?
They were sitting on chairs which I believe to be Eames Aluminum Management chairs, but then...quite not.
Five star casters on an early sixties chair, and then the backrest is missing the upper weld (see picture). Kind of like those cheap reproductions.
I read about all the fuzz...Herman Miller being involved in designing the set and so on, but this seems kind of like they didn't do their homework quite right, did they?
I dunno about those chairs--not my area of expertise. But I do know that they were very accurate with period details in general, even to what undergarments the women wore under their office clothes (when the undergarments were never seen).
I think it's a show that doesn't necessarily grab you immediately. The furniture and decor is interesting but it was the characters and storylines that drew me in and kept my interest.
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