The easy mix of colour and antiques in Lorelai’s house on “Gilmore Girls” schooled Charleston designer J.P. Horton on lived-in eclecticism. To this day, Dallas designer Jean Liu balances square and round shapes in her projects, having adored the mushroom-shaped houses of Smurf Village growing up. Here, what six decorators took away from their childhood favourites.
If you need décor inspiration, it might be worth streaming Netflix for the shows you loved to cadge some ideas.
“I grew up in a minimalist-designed house in Florida, and ‘The Golden Girls’[1985-1992] brought out my maximalist tendencies. There was great palm-frond-y wallpaper and fretwork Chinese Chippendale chairs. It was long before the internet so impossible to find the wallpaper, but I had a rattan armchair in my bedroom.” — Jason Oliver Nixon, High Point, N.C.
BOTTLED UP On the set of a ‘Jeannie’ reunion special, the reality behind the luxurious, fantastic chamber is exposed. Photo via Getty Images
“All the visuals of Brideshead House [‘Brideshead Revisited,’ 1981] were shot at Castle Howard, done in the great English style. A 17th-century cabinet layered with a 19th-century carpet and an art deco sofa. That show lit a passion inside me for interiors. So much visual splendor!” — Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Los Angeles
“The colors on ‘The Brady Bunch’ [1969-1974] were very of that time, but to me it felt fancy—cool burnt orange, avocado green and brown. My room wasn’t inspired by it, but the vibe was: I chose black and white. Today I like a touch of retro in a contemporary interior that takes you back but feels fresh.” — Jeff Andrews, Los Angeles
‘The Golden Girls’ Photo via Getty Images
“Anne Francis was my first crush. She played a private eye [on ‘Honey West,’ 1965-1966] and had a radio in her lipstick case and tear-gas earrings. Her wardrobe, her apartment, were sultry and confident and powerful. I learned that what surrounds you helps people understand who you are.” — Jeffrey Bilhuber, New York
“The set of ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse’ [1986-1990] was about color, pattern, the way they conflict and complement. The walls intersect and have shapes and curves. Doors and windows are asymmetrical. It’s jarring and exciting.” — Matthew Boland, Scottsdale, Ariz.
‘Pee Wee’s Playhouse’ Photo via Getty Images
“It was all about the inside of Jeannie’s bottle when I was 6 to 8, watching ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ [1965-1970] reruns. To live inside a jewel box is a very girlie dream. It instilled the idea that an interior can create joy and magic. I still use color and embrace the feminine in design.” —Young Huh, New York
