Interior set design has played a leading role in series TV since … well, always. What upscale urbanites didn’t lust after Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s swank Manhattan pad at 623 East 68th St. (which would actually place it in the East River) or shudder at the grim tenement one-bedroom of Ralph and Alice Kramden? And how many Americans were immune to the gaudy glamour of the Denver estate of the Carrington clan in “Dynasty” or the compound of the rascally Ewings in (of course) “Dallas”?
Lately, TV set design has achieved true “above the title” status.
In 2014, “Empire” and its vivid depiction of the lifestyles of an über-wealthy hip-hop family set the gold standard for high-style TV decor, but Lee Daniels isn’t the only showrunner eager to stake a claim on the design world. This fall, we’re lucky enough to have a whole host of new shows on the docket—and the fantastical interior designs they’ll offer up.
But there’s a plot twist: This isn’t the stuff of Hollywood fantasy. You can get the look of a TV home, too. All you need is the inspiration. Check out our top five favorite new fall shows for design ideas. We offer images of interiors that capture the vibe, and then list a sampler of products (some not pictured) that could help you create the look in your own home.
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‘Time After Time’
Who knew conspiracy theorists had such good taste? This CW end-of-the-world asteroid dramedy/romance offers serious style inspo. We’re head over heels for Xavier’s (Joshua Sasse, whom you may know from “Galavant”) supermasculine, industrial apartment. Half-painted walls—painter’s tape still dangling—mix with blocky, wooden art pieces and quirky accents (like an old-school chrome bike) to completely reinvent the concept of loft living.
Get the look
If the glam interiors of “Empire” leave you desperate for more, take a peek at Lee Daniel’s newest Fox show: “Star,” a behind-the-scenes look at an up-and-coming pop superstar’s journey.
While most of the show is set in a rundown part of Atlanta (hence the “up-and-coming” part), Lenny Kravitz‘s as-yet-unnamed character keeps an über-luxe pad guaranteed to make Lucious Lyon jealous. With Art Deco–inspired accents, lots of gold and glass, and black accents against pristine white walls, Kravitz’s character’s space is an ode to modern luxury with a hint of Hollywood Regency glamour. (And judging from Kravitz’s design collaboration with CB2, it might have a bit in common with the actor’s own taste.)
Get the look
Regardless of whether your decor dreams lean historic or futuristic, HBO’s “Westworld” offers something enticing in its strange (in a good way!) design. Although the show takes place in the future, half of it is set in an Old West–themed amusement park, so you can expect to see opulent saloons, old-timey wooden floors, and enough vintage swinging doors to inspire an entire patio remodel. The other half takes place in a “Matrix”-like gray-and-steel warehouse where people get plugged into the throwback fantasy—oppressive, certainly, but the moody color scheme might spark a new trend—which we think you can nail with just the right touch of elegance to make it feel as if you’ve stepped into another world.
Get the look
What kind of a list of fall TV shows would this be without mentioning the season’s most highly anticipated (well, in some corners) comeback? Lorelai and Rory kept most of their signature style for this Netflix miniseries—the chintz, the antique iron-legged sewing table, the old-school furniture—but we’re excited to see how much has changed. And even if it remains the same (cluttered, kitschy, classic), we’re not complaining—we’ve been inspired by the Gilmores’ style for years now and have some ideas for how you can make it your own.
Get the look
Plank armchair, $880, roveconcepts.com. Magenta jacaranda China Seas toss pillow, $40, etsy.com. Rose floral digital print shade Spencer table lamp, $170, lampsplus.com. 1960s oval spindle magazine holder, $125, onekingslane.com.
