Home decor based on your favourite TV or movie character?

Kitchen inspired by The Simpsons might be a stretch, but more subtle influences can help

It used to be that the trendsetters in home decor were the royal families of the world, especially in England. But the new royalty lives in Hollywood. And their power to dictate what is fashionable and trendy extends beyond pop culture to include many aspects of life including home decor.

There was a story trending online last month about a happily married couple with a newly renovated kitchen that matched that of their favourite show: The Simpsons. And they loved it. Good for them. 
I might not suggest the exact replica of an animated TV program to my clients, but there can be value in having specific characters in mind when you’re working on your home as those characters from TV shows and films give you very clear ideas about the direction of your space.

When we worked with a client on a little pied-à-terre in the heart of the city, there was lots of conversation about how he wanted the space to look. What he was describing was how he wanted the space to feel. We listened to him say words such as “sophisticated,” “man cave,” “hotel” and “nice,” which seemed a little oxymoronic, but when someone said, “Something suitable for 007?” his face lit up.

With that kind of clarity you can start to concentrate on features that would be important to that character. The martinis, shaken, not stirred, are an integral part of Bond, so we most certainly needed to have a bar. In this location, we had a small niche in the wall that seemed to have no purpose, so that became the bar. The lower section of the bar also serves to house all of the electronics for the oversized television and music system.

We offered no argument on the television, the automated draperies and the music system, all activated with a remote control. Hiding the mechanics in the lower bar was also imperative as Q would never allow it to be any other way for James.

The space is generous for a hotel but smaller than a normal condo, so the size was right. Mr. Bond was no stranger to hotels, so achieving that feeling would be easy. We created mood with colour: doors and trim in black and the walls in a light grey coupled with dark cabinets. The panelled fridge created an ideal backdrop for a quick nosh with the beautiful double agent before they retired to the living room.

The shape and fabric of the furniture become perfectly clear when we think of James. Classic but simple lines, masculine grey fabrics, down-filled cushions and a sumptuous fur throw all speak to the 007 experience. The accessories of munitions boxes, black and silver accents with glass coffee tables and side tables all give us that sense. Even the bedroom with a king-sized bed, full height headboard, oversized bedside tables and bullet-shaped lamps all feel like a Bond set. You can imagine Moneypenny emerging from the ensuite bath in a silk robe.

The process of putting together a space inspired by a character or a series is much the same as shopping for a good friend you know incredibly well.

Taking inspiration from pop culture can be a really helpful way to get the process moving along, and it may help you and your mate converge on “a look” for your mutual dwelling.

Hopefully neither one is going with Family Guy as inspiration, but if you both are, you may end up with a home and an entertainment venue rolled into one!

Article exclusive to STREETS OF TORONTO