When we posted about the set of Pushing Daisies (R.I.P), we received a fair amout of emails asking us to please, pretty please also do a feature on Penelope, a movie starring a pig-snouted Christina Ricci in a modern fairytale about self-acceptance...and a shaggy-haired James McAvoy (...what? He's really quite charming in this movie...even without the Scottish accent...). Anyway, while we were watching this delightful little film, we couldn't stop commenting on the sets: they are brilliant. So, without further ado, we present the very clever set decor and production design of Penelope--and no, there's not a speck of mid-century modern anywhere...(Warning: some of these photos are a bit spoilery, so please proceed with caution if you intend to watch this movie).
Penelope's Room
Penelope's bedroom/playroom is pure, undiluted fantasy. Her room seems like it's a reflection of the character: Originally painted in cheery shades of green, red, and purple, the colors have faded as Penelope has grown out of her childhood fantasies. The lighting gives the space a moody feeling.
Terrariums and caged birds are visual metaphors to Penelope's life locked up in her home--but without the bitterness and resentment. We're particularly fond of the varying side tables holding her collection of terrariums. The one-way looking mirror allows Penelope the safety of being able to interrogate potential husbands without scaring them off initially with her snout (and offers a great view of gorgeous Chesterfields).
A nice wide angle shot of Penelope's room from the entrance. Two steps lead up to the main floor which features a swing and brilliant crimson tree with a library alcove and a bed alcove.
We pulled this shot from the Behind the Scenes featurette to show all the different levels and entrances of the room--and to get a great shot of the terrariums.
Penelope returns to her room after a brief stint in the outside world. The red tree seems to pop out from the background...
Penelope's bedroom. We love, love, LOVE her shades. If anyone has their bed in a bay window alcove like this and can't figure out window treatment for it, this is a cool idea. It's semi-sheer fabric in a deep violet to blue gradient that allows light to come through and you can see a faint outline of the cityscape. It's very whimsical and possibly not that realistic if you are, say, living street level, but the concept is clever.
Out of everything featured in this shot, the one thing that caught our attention was her chalkboard. Framed in a beautiful white frame with ornate scrollwork, this chalkboard adds a feminine touch to something ordinary.
The organized chaos of Penelope's desk.
Penelope's armoire looks like the ones that are always popping up on Craigslist, usually named something like "French shabby chic" or "Asian Armoire." However, what makes hers unique is the decoupage pattern of origami printed squares, and the moulding painted a solid crimson to emphasize the lines of this classic piece of furniture.
Miscellaneous Screenshots That We Also Loved
Unlike Penelope's room, the rest of the house is done up in strict black and whites, with a touch of navy here and there. The placement of furniture is often symmetrical. The overall look of the film is very Victorian-Gothic, so a lot of the props (like the candlestick shown here) echo that same style.
The kitchen/casual breakfast area.
The library has too many great things to point out, but we'll try: The subtle paisley pattern of the navy wallpaper, the antique leather Chesterfields, the black Bougie lamps on the end tables...and yes: James McAvoy.
Penelope's classroom. We love how she carries over some of the more unique aspects of her bedroom into the classroom, from her terrariums to the green-covered books in the built-in shelves.
Lemon's office at the newspaper. The newspaper offices are featured in dark green and blue tones, and have envious vintage details like their rotary phones, old typewriters, and classic file cabinets and card catalogues.
The exterior of the Wilhern home. Or is it a castle?
Set decoration by Bridget Menzies, Production Design by Amanda McArthur, Art Direction by Ged Bryan and John Reid
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i'm adding it to my queue now!
it's weird that they changed the shade on the bourgie...
one of my favorite movie sets ever! thanks for featuring this.
This set and most of the Series of Unfortunate Events both have that Victorian Gothic feel -- which might be replacing Mid-Century Modern as the Next Big Thing. I hope so, because I love it.
This movie was amazing. It's on my to-own list.
Now if we could only source her wardrobe, too...
http://embritadesign.blogspot.com
This was such a cute movie, and the set was fantastic. But I did love her wardrobe even more...
My favorite set was Nanny McPhee. So beautiful.
Thanks for posting about this - I loved the sets and the movie! Now if only someone would do a detailed post about Christina Ricci's fabulous wardrobe in the movie, I'd be all set!
Wow!, Thanks so much for posting on Penelope!
I have loved her room ever since i saw the movie, which is totally a great movie that everyone should watch, especially on valentines :-D.
I must see this movie. I must have a Victorian Gothic decor. I must marry James McAvoy.
That is all.
the clothes are from anthroplogie
btw, loved the movie
I wasn't expecting much from this but really loved it. Fun movie for sure.
Hi, I'm a bit late to this post but...I LOVED this movie as did my 12-yr-old daughter. I just wanted to let anyone who was thinking of re-creating her bedroom know that several of the prints on the walls are by artist Mark Ryden. He, incidentally, has quite an affection for Christina Ricci and has done a number of portraits of her.
See : markryden.com under paintings.
"Terrariums and caged birds are visual metaphors to Penelope's life locked up in her home --"
Being very picky - they are not terrariums in Penelope's bedroom, they are glass domes or bells - or cloches. The purpose of the domes is to display waxed flowers, gilt clocks and other precious decorative art to avoid dust.
This is an amazing set by Bridget Nelson who also decorated the set for St Trinian's.