Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Retro Office

By coincidence, a friend of mine called me yesterday for consulting on an office project she is working on and the style of it is the Mad Men offices for 2010.... she read yesterday's post... ha! I had to do a little research so I could get some of the signature piece just right...

Don Draper in his luxurious corner office

Even though today's offices are not as big and luxurious as the ones in the 1960's I was able to point her in the right direction to get the feeling of the show and the masculine style of the workplace. First was to get the exact same office used in the show by looking at a couple of videos,to find out it's an Eames Executive chair. The desk was a more difficult task but I though maybe that I could reinterpret  the one on the show for one that has the same configuration and details but with modern materials.

Eames Executive Chairs by Herman Miller upholstered in leather

Homework Desk by Bensen of Vancouver (image credit)

For guest chairs it would be nice to have something that keeps he same clean curvy lines as the ones in the office photo but also that softens the look of the desk and go with the desk chairs.

Carson Chair by Bernhardt Design

During my research I was able to find that the set designer of the show had the lounge furniture made at a store in LA called Futurama. The pieces have a wood frame/shell and a soft padded interior on top of a steel base giving them a very similar look to a famous Florence Knoll piece.

Don and Roger enjoying an afternoon drink while talking business... (image credit)

Finally you cannot work without some accessories that make the desk look fantastic and so I found them. They are leather and also have that manly-man feeling but still look very elegant. Of course it needs the perfect desk lamp to finish dressing up the desk.

Smokador™ Traditional Leather desk accessories by Knoll

AJ Table Lamp by Louis Poulsen (image credit)

Some of you commented that you don't watch the show and I strongly recommend it not just because of the good looking people but also because visually is so well designed and the things it talks about like feminism, office politics and the era of the "perfect gentleman" (please note quotation marks). If you want to catch up you can visit the website and look at the videos.

Have a fun day, especially at work!

14 comments:

  1. There is no better show. I'm making Mad Men cookies this week in honor of. I can't wait until Sunday night.

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  2. This is such a cool post, love it!

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  3. That Herman Miller chair is to die for!! If I had that here at work, I'd never leave!

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  4. oh man, mad men is the best show ever because the story line AND the visuals are like SO juicy!

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  5. oh i love that chair!

    Missy
    Blending Style, Beauty and Fashion
    http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com

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  6. I love that table lamp in the last photo. Gorgeous!

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  7. Hey, wow,...thanks for your visit and kind comment. Count me in as a Mad Men lover. Zowie, what’s not to like. You have a great blog and so informative and cool. It’s great to see you do your research, some people just wouldn’t bother. Wish I could hang with you in New York. I have never been but it is sure on my list. I know that the Mad Men set designer has purchased stuff at the store I sell at (Wertz Brothers in Santa Monica)
    (shameless plug) and also at some of the 50-60’s stores on Retro Row here in Long Beach.

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  8. I love that...That lamp is amazing...How fun and stylish:)
    Kisses darling and have a fun day:)

    ps: I am hosting a great GIVEAWAY, so please join in:) ...I bet you will love it!!!

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  9. I have some friends who are set designers and they love working on shows like this because of all the great designs. And to add to your Mad Men comment--it should also be watched for the superb writing and acting:)

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  10. The designs are great. I'd like to work in an office like this. Though probably I'll get a tiny one with no windows... sigh.

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  11. Gorgeous! I've never watched Mad Men, but really need to... I keep hearing such good things about it! Love your blog!

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  12. very cool! and i love mad men...so much :)

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  13. awesome post! is it sunday yet??!!

    xo Alison

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  14. I love this look! What a great post... I think this look for an office is so so cool. Masculine and so modern. Love it!

    xo

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