Mad Men At Home: A Breakdown Of The Basics

Mad Men... you had us at hello. We watched the entire first season in just two days a few weeks back. And it was glorious. The design and colors and mood and Draper--don't get us started. We've come up with some must haves for a Mad Men inspired space after the jump.

We took pretty good notes while being glued to our television for 48 plus hours. We came up with design notes and items for inspiration that will give your space the "Mad Men vibe." You'll want to start with your local thrift stores, eBay, Craigslist and yard sales for these inspirational items.

The lighting on Mad Men is what really creates the sultry vibe--that and the massive amounts of cigarette smoke in every scene. We suggest using side table lamps, accent lamps, task lighting and wall sconces. If you have overhead lighting, it's best to cap it off and focus on where you can make surrounding lighting set the mood. Also be sure to check out Abby's post earlier today on numerous lighting options from Z Gallerie.

Every hour, on the hour, advertising execs are pouring gin, scotch or anything containing alcohol out of retro decanters into covet-worthy rocks glasses. We find a lot of relatively inexpensive vintage glasses at our local thrift store. You also might want to pick up a vintage telephone or an old IBM typewriter for a more accurate effect. We also noted the color palette used on the set of Mad Men. Tons of wood paneling, muted colors (blues, yellows, browns) that can be achieved by painting or faux wood wallpaper.

While most of the show's color palette is muted, you do see pops of color in the ladies clothing. If you want to add pops of bright color to your own Mad Men inspired space, we suggest a bright accent piece or two.

We also noticed the use of patterns and prints in the set design of this AMC show. Plaids, floral or theme prints, and houndstooth can be used in your curtains, wallpaper, pillows or throws. You might also want to try layering a sheer curtain underneath your heavier, patterned or solid print curtain.

Besides the lighting, furniture plays a huge role in making this set design a classic. Clean lines in the couches and chairs are a must (no skirts on these big items). We also noticed the heavy use of accent tables in each room with the proper vintage ash tray or rocks glass topping them off.

No white boards allowed. If you must have a place to take notes or keep memos, try using chalkboard paint or find a vintage chalkboard at your local thrift store.

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Comments (15)

god, I love this show.

I want to live in the Sterling Cooper offices. Every week I moon over them. Every scene is more beautiful than the next. Great post!

I too watched the entire first season in just two days. The show is fantastic and the set dressing is outstanding.

I covet the furniture in Mr. Sterling's office and I covet Don Draper!

There are so many more elements that are key to achieving the Early-60's period look:

Oversized ceramic table lamps with huge deep-drum shades on long credenzas or matching end tables.
Upholstery that's either Tufted, Tweedy or Brocade - Microfiber hadn't been invented yet!
Abstract and Impressionist Artwork - preferably big and vintage.
Lots of wood in medium tones - No Wenge, Espresso or Light Maple.
Anything Louis Seize or Regency - no KD/laminated furniture.
Lots of Brass and Crystal.

I like the show, but this post is pathetic. Talk about being out of your depth. "If you want to add pops of bright color to your own Mad Men inspired space, we suggest a bright accent piece or two."

No kidding?

AMC had a great Q & A with Amy Wells, the set decorator, and there's rather more going on than "covet worthy" glasses.

http://blogs.amctv.com/mad-men/2008/10/interview-with-amy-wells.php

Haha...

"Every week I moon over them."
At first I thought you meant you show the show your behind... that's what mooning means to me!

Love the show too. I want to be that sexy secretary with the red hair!

@Lilli K.: Who DOESN'T want to be Joan?! She's fierce.

One interesting note: a neighbor worked as a secretary in a high-end New York ad agency in the late 50s-early 60s. She said she couldn't watch MAD MEN because the style was so off. She said that the ad agencies were very fashion forward - their target market was wearing the styles shown on the show, but the women in the ad agencies were wearing Pucci and Mary Quant by 1961. The Braniff Pucci air hostess outfits were 1965. And the ad agency women had already moved on past that look.

But to make it accurate to the ad agencies would kill the sense of 1961 that everyone else has in their heads. Don't remember the exact quote, but the future happens at different times in different places.

Might depend on the agency. Sterling Cooper is supposed to be sorta behind the times. Roger's new secretary Jane turned up in 1962 dressed like it was 1965, but she's younger and more ambitious than the other women at Sterling Cooper.

Well, apart from Peggy, who just went thru her own makeover and at least no longer looks like 1955 . . .

Love the show and everything about it.

Palmetto: Being rude just for the sake of being rude, THAT is what's pathetic.

I've been looking for a source for those huge drum shades on the lamps: I have a number of vintage lamps, but the big shades either decay or break very easily. And all the shades one can buy are, at most, 15 or 18 inches deep. I'm looking for 26 or so.

Has anyone found a place that makes new versions of the big drum shade on the lamp in that last photo?

"I've been looking for a source for those huge drum shades on the lamps"

Lamps USA has a decent selection, but if you'd like a custom size at a reasonable price, fast shipping and a choice of styles and colors, have a look here:

http://www.fenchelshades.com/