In the new film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, based on the 1974 British spy novel by John le Carré of the same title, fear of a Soviet mole sets the paranoid mood of the British Intelligence agency. The decor follows suit. Think metal filing cabinets that lock, soundproof rooms, rows and rows of industrial filing cabinets, and many secret files stored in carts.
Everything is very much function over form. The color palette is a mix of muted forest green and mustard yellow (mainly seen in the soundproof room the agents all meet in). Metal tanker desks, architect lamps, and other retro furniture create the dismal atmosphere within which the spies, stealthily played by John Hurt, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth amongst others, delve into finding out who the mole is. The set design feels quite authentic, almost serving as a character itself in the movie.
Here's how to add touches of an updated take on 1970's, British, Cold-War-esque, decor to your space.
Get the Look
1. Go-cart Carbon Five-shelf Bookcase
2. Tennsco Shelving Starter Unit
3. Edsal 85 in. 6-Shelf Steel Shelving
4. Meurice Antique Brass Finish Adjustable Pharmacy Floor Lamp
5. Tico Table Lamp by Thomas O'Brien
6. Adesso Atlas 41 in. Satin Steel Desk Lamp
7. TPS Carbon File Cabinet
8. HELMER Drawer Unit on Casters
9. Letter/Legal Stockholm File Box
10. Bankers Box 72231 Magazine File
11. A modern take on soundproof wallpaper via Unplggd
Images: All movie stills via Cinema Undressed and Focus Features. Product Images: As linked above.
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"Dismal atmosphere"...not exactly what I'm going for, myself.
I guess if you lived through the 70s the first time, once was enough.
Why?
All the styling for this film was incredible. I would also watch it again just to see the rooms and objects, even though I only like small touches of these sorts of things in my home.
The pod-like soundproofed room where they had the top level meetings was unbelievably cool. It may have been dismal, but it was dismal chic! Great post.
I too would watch it again to try catching what I missed the first time.
However, "think metal filing cabinets... industrial filing cabinets... and many secret files".
That could have been written with much more style ;)
I saw the trailer for this and the period seemed so real I kept expecting to see a young Michael Caine pop up. Looks like a good movie.
Just saw this film yesterday! The art direction was superb. Personally, I wouldn't want a whole space like this, but I love a bit of industrial to add edge to the frills.
Darnit! I shouldn't have read this post, now I'll be distracted by the designs when I see the film, LOL.
I couldn't watch A Single Man without being completely absorbed by the fashion and set design.