Sex and the City 2 – Design Breakdown

This weekend, I could resist the urge no more and made my way to the movie theater with a friend to see the newest installment of Sex and the City. 

Just as I had hoped, the movie fulfilled all of my over-the-top, campy and color-filled needs.  It was a complete indulgence of fashion and interiors that over stimulated the visual senses.

Don't even get me started about the fashion!   There were some hits, and there also were some maaajor misses (read: Miranda channeling cowboy chic in the desert).

And…according to one website, apparently Carrie wears over 40 different outfits throughout the 146 minute movie - so there's a lot of fashion to take in (that's about one outfit every 3 minutes) – so we'll leave my fashion commentary for another day.

But, what I did find fun was the producers found a way to work yet another "set design" into the film by calling out at the beginning of the movie that Carrie and "Big" had relocated to a smaller condominium in their building.  Which obviously warranted an additional apartment to decorate.

Being in this industry, I can't help but be slightly distracted watching movies and television because I'm constantly taking note of the interiors, furniture layouts etc… and I'm always cataloguing all of  the familiar products being used on set.

In Carrie's newest digs, she ditches the bohemian collected feel we've previously seen from her and instead take on a very uptown glamorous style.  There was a lot of sparkle.  But, it wouldn't be Carrie if there still weren't some unexpected quirks thrown in here and there.

Again, this chronicle of product placement could go on for days – but here were just a few pieces which stood out to me during the movie that really made her new apartment just as fashionable as she is.

Birdie Blossom tapestry pillow from The Rug Company – designer Paul Smith.   This single pillow evoked just enough whimsy into her otherwise serious new home.

Hallings Secretary from Hickory Chair – designer Thomas O'Brien.  LOVE that the interior is done in a rich dark tone.  Very unexpected seriousness. 

 
Seen here:  Retro looking velvet fabric on the caned chairs in Carrie's living room, by Larsen – called "Primavera" in colorway Indigo/Earth.

And finally…one of my favorite rooms in the entire house…the foyer.  (aaahhh!)

Seen here:  The wallpaper is by one of my all time favorite designers, Katie Ridder.  It's called "Oiseau" and in the colorway Chocolate, available at Holland and Sherry showrooms (to the trade).

ALSO seen here:  FABULOUS (what I'm assuming are) VINTAGE lamps.  The addition of these one-of-a-kind finds make this space truly unique and infinitely more interesting.  Find some of your own vintage lamps on 1stdibs.com or Center 44 in New York!

All in all, the movie was cute.  I'd give it 3+ stars for the plot…4 stars for being entertaining…and 5++ stars for leaving me inspired.

Happy Decorating.

Marita Simmons

Images:  His House Her Help, Maddie G Designs, 4 BP,3 BP, Filmofilia