The REAL Movie Stars: Eat, Pray, Love

This week I have to showcase a movie based on one of my most favorite current books, “Eat, Pray, Love.”

If you have ever had a book (or movie for that matter) speak to straight to your soul, then you can understand my connection to this story. Without getting too philosophical on ya’ll, I will just say Liz Gilbert is a courageous woman who has a way with words that melts my heart and clears my head all at once.

The book, and therefore the movie, follows a woman on a journey through Italy, India, and Bali on a year long quest to find herself after a harrowing divorce and failed rebound relationship. If you have ever needed the courage to eat that plate of pasta or to open the search to find a closer relationship with God, Eat, Pray, Love is your ticket. Not to mention, if there are three places in the world to bring more beautiful scenes in a movie, I challenge you to show us! 

Without further ado, I give you the beauties that are the Eat, Pray, Love set designs…

*Disclaimer: I can't seem to find a picture but you must check out the amazing chevron patterned hard wood floors on Liz's New York City Suburb home in the beginning of the movie.  She goes into her bathroom in a midnight moment of desperation praying that God show her the way back to happiness. As emotional and wonderful the scene is, I can never focus on anything except that floor!

Then we move on to David's (the yogi from Yonkers) NYC studio apt, which I find is a nice preview and segway into what is to come esthetically on the journey.

Then comes Rome and in particular the apartment that Liz calls home for the next four months. Although the place is kind of a slum with scaffolding holding up the ceilings and having to boil bath water, it has this amazing charm and authenticity. A simple beauty.

"Il dolce far niente" The sweetness of doing nothing.

The journey continues onto an ashram in India. The actual ashram didn't bring much excitement to me in the terms of decor and design, but outside the walls are where the true beauty really lays.

I have a weird love for Indian weddings. If anyone would like to invite me to one, I will be happy to attend!

Liz then finishes her year in Indonesia, visiting a Balinese medicine man named Ketut Leyer and finds true balance in life when she meets her soul mate, Felipe.

I know this story has inspired a lot of men and women to take an internal evaluation of their lives and to even embark of journeys of their own. With the beauty of these countries showcased, I can't blame them...

Bon Voyage!

The Real Movie Stars: SATC

Wow, has it really been 2 weeks? Sorry about that, with traveling for work and life in general, things for me have been hectic. Plus, I am a full believer as to not push things and I figured a quick sabbatical would be better than half-assed forced entries. Anyway, I’m back at it and here with another great group of sets. 

If you are a woman (or a man with really great taste) and haven’t lived under a rock for the last decade then the image above sends waves of nostalgia through your body. Sex and the City gave life to the strong, independent single woman who lives life to the fullest, mistakes and all.

In this installment of The REAL Movie Stars, I want to take a look the beautiful digs of one Miss Carrie Bradshaw.

It all begin in the one bedroom apartment with a killer walk through closet filled with drool worthy clothes and shoes. 

I know Carrie only uses her kitchen to store extra sweaters, but really? They couldn't do a little better?

I will always have a sweet spot for Carrie’s original apartment. It has this weird combo of old mismatched decor that isn’t all that glamorous but its because all the glamour is in that closet. Can you blame her?

After being left at the altar and being so close to calling this closet home in the first movie,

Carrie returned home and had Charlotte’s friend Anthony give it a complete face lift.

Besides the lamps, I think it's trying to hard.

However, like any good fairytale, Carrie finally got the man for good and in the second movie we get a peek into the home Carrie and Big share as husband and wife. 

Marrakesh winged headboard

The mirror, the lamps, the wallpaper = love!

I want that couch so bad!

Which place is your favorite? Personally, Big and Carrie’s place had me at winged headboard and those blue 3d tiles in the kitchen!

The REAL Movie Stars: Featured Set Designs Edition 1

Recently I was talking with a girlfriend about places we draw design inspiration from. Although it is no secret that my design bible is always Restoration Hardware’s source books (love) but there are so many places out there to grab inspiration. Our discussion quickly led to a source I often overlook, movies and TV show sets.

I will almost always comment on a kitchen or couch, even a vase or piece of art in a scene, but as soon as the DVD comes out of the player, its outta my mind. Really, it’s not fair that I retain so little. Set designers have the most genius jobs and budgets to drool over and they deserve more from me.

That is why I am going to start a new post series every Monday dedicated to beautifully designed sets from movies and TV shows. Introducing The REAL Movie Stars: Featured Set Designs.

Let’s start with one of my most favorite movie houses, the Venice, CA bungalow used as Johnny’s pad in “Because I Said So.” I think I love it so much because of its small size. Living in a tiny house, its great to see similar spaces in a film. 

What a view? Venice Canal, CA

Dining Area- Love the yellow ladder back chairs

Kitchen- Those shelves above the window are a great way to showcase a collection.

Kitchen- Obsessed with the navy oven and the way it plays off the distressed yellow cabinets.

Living Room- When you can see straight through the house from the front door, its important to keep things simple low-profiled. The mix of textures and colors are wonderful.

Accent those windows and doors, esp. in a small space.

When you have limited interior space, maximize your outdoor living.

The open door policy wouldn't work in PA for about 10 of the 12 months, so I am envious of this.

Love this sweet bungalow. All images (via)

Of course, there are some changes I would make if this were my home like adding more artwork, modern light fixtures, a sleek gray tweed couch in place of the over sized red armchair, etc. All in all though I am smitten with this bungalow. Too bad it recently sold and is way out of my price range (1.26 mil)

What are your favorite small space homes featured in a movie or TV show?

Check back next week when I take a look at some great TV families homes.