design redux: carrie's apartment remodel from sex and the city

as i gushed yesterday, i've been obsessed with the apartment makeover in SATC ever since i saw the movie. thank goodness for the internet - one of my darling readers (thanks, j!) sent over this link to an interview on casasugar with jeremy conway, the production designer on the set - aka, the great mind behind the stylin' digs.


if you're into the hows and whys, definitely head over and check out the full interview - casasugar did a fantastic job! and i'll do you one better by suggesting the chicago tribune's interview with the set designers as well.

but if you're just in it for the gory details, here's what i know:

* that stunning paint color is benjamin moore's "electric blue".

* as for those lovely settees flanking that amazing shelving unit (above), well, you're out of luck - they were custom-designed. but the upholstery fabric you can have. it's called amanda lee, and can be yours for $110/yd from the silk trading co.

* the coffee table is vintage, so sourcing doesn't help. but i did just see a freakishly similar version in june's elle decor, which you can find here for $1,950. or, check out this knockoff version at horchow, for under $500, proving once again that sometimes close enough is okay. you could also go old-school and pick up the version from her original apartment, which you can find at room and board (actually designed by them to match the table in the series - how cool is that?).

* the lovely eggplant-and-cream rug in the center of the room comes to us courtesy of the rug company - the design is called overleaf, and it's by marni. pricing runs about $80/sf.

* update! that fab neutral rug in the seating area is also by the rug company - the design is called 'palazzo,' and it was created by one of their founders, suzanne sharp.

last, but most certainly not least: for J, who was kind enough to find me these stunning pics, i'll return the fave by granting her wish.

"After watching the Sex in the City movie, I am in LOVE with Carrie’s apt remodel. I know you saw the film & I am hoping you caught a glimpse of the amazing LOVE print she had framed and leaned against the wall at Charlotte’s baby shower. Can you suggest a version for my home?"

well, J, i can tell you that the "real" version from the movie is called "love too", by veteran design guru paul smith. it's handwoven wool and silk needlepoint, measures right around 3'x4'9", and retails for $2,550, and can be yours by contacting the rug company. if you're crushing on this piece as much as J is, do a search on the rug company's site for "paul smith," and you'll find loads of other needlepoint lovelies, plus all of his fantastic rugs.

and if you can't quite spring for the original, here are a few prints on etsy that might tide you over: from artsyschmartzie, bellabella and jennifer ramos.

so, that's what i know for now...naturally, i'll keep you all posted if more info comes my way.

(credit where credit is due: photos courtesy craig blankenhorn/new line cinema ©2008 via casasugar, the chicago tribune and the rug company.)

because everyone else is doing it...

i feel a bit remiss just completely ignoring the SATC premiere. but, on the other hand, i was sort of proud of being the only blogger in creation who hadn't mentioned it yet today :) then, i realized, the name of this blog being what it is, you all might want my two cents. or maybe not :)

in any case, my very NON-spoiler-like thoughts are that it was very well done - better than i expected, actually. for those haters that are annoyed it wasn't oscar worthy, i will only say: um, duh. it is sex and the city, not citizen kane.

and, i will add that i think it says something about where i am in my life right now that i was vastly (vastly) more enthralled with carrie's apartment makeover (is that a spoiler?) than any of the fashion...well, okay, except the wedding gown photo shoot (which i do not consider a spoiler, as it was on the cover of june vogue). if only i could find pictures...but i'm working on it.

other than that, i sort of refuse to deconstruct any movie, but especially one that's meant to be fun, light, and iconic in the best of ways.

(image credit to the daily mail...thanks, guys!)

oh, and happy SATC premiere day!

the hubs surprised me with tickets to the movie tonight...now that's love! so, in honor of carrie and the gang, here's a worthy friday splurge for you!

i know those dior extreme gladiators have been absolutely everywhere lately, because of their notable appearance in the movie. but, well, as O would say..."me no likey" (and if you got that, you should definitely challenge your friends to a game of SATC trivia). i much prefer these gorgeous sandals from master manolo's spring runway collection. truly the ultimate "strappy sandal," they have that gladiator vibe, but aren't going to scream last season by the time the movie makes it to DVD.

if you're looking for a real SATC-worthy splurge, i highly recommend these bordeaux beauties...if you have one of those lifestyles in which you don't actually have to walk anywhere, you'll look absolutely stunning just standing still.

(PS...just a little tip from me to you: if you have any interest in seeing the movie, i'd do it this weekend...much as i despise crowds (and opening weekend, for that matter), the internet is going to positively ruin the movie by monday. so, see it before it's picked apart, overanalyzed and "spoiler alert"-ed to death.)