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high drama seT decoraTor chrisTina Tonkin and producTion designer loren weeks combine conTemporary silhoueTTes wiTh edgy arTwork and accessories on The seT of gossip girl To creaTe a sexy, personaliTy-filled abode fiT for manhaTTan’s eliTe.
soCIal affaIr The CW’s small screen hit Gossip Girl may be a guilty pleasure of teenage girls everywhere, but, when it comes to taking inspiration from the show’s effortlessly posh interiors, there’s nothing guilty about it. Case in point: Bombshell blond socialite Serena van der Woodsen’s New York digs. Set decorator Christina Tonkin and production designer Loren Weeks are the masterminds behind the oft-coveted looks, incorporating pieces from brands such as ABC Carpet & Home and Brooklyn furniture duo HellmanChang. The crowning glory of the über-glam penthouse setting is the fictitious family’s collection of Pop artwork that adorns the walls, particularly of the Cyan Design’s Vivien table lamp injects any space with glitz while emitting a crisp yet soft glow. Vivien table lamp, price available upon request; cyandesign.biz
Delivering a burst of color in a rainbow of hues, Richard Phillips’ 1998 painting of a fashion model gives a nod to the mod era. Spectrum print by Richard Phillips, $250; worksonwhatever.com
living room, where a color-rich portrait by Richard Phillips and an ode to fashion great Prada hang at opposite angles.
The van der Woodsen dining room is approachable with its neutral walls, marble-topped table and glass vase from Crate & Barrel, yet full of attitude with a red shag rug and curvy Cherner armchairs.
Juxtapose simple lines with fashionable details. An off-white Desiron couch in the living room sits neatly among bold pieces like an X-legged side table and the dining room’s Cherner armchairs. Maintain a formal presentation. Despite its flashy touches and unique details, the living room maintains a formal layout, so as to honor the tradition of its Upper East Side locale. Choose a versatile base palette. The production team stuck with a neutral background of cream, tan and gray, infusing punches of red, blue and yellow with accessories and artwork. The iconic Z side table from Hellman-Chang gets a glamorous facelift with finely-cut crystal mesh, starfire glass and Swarovski crystals. Z side table—Crystal Edition, price available upon request; hellman-chang.com
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Incorporate a unifying theme. Shades of turquoise surface in an antique lamp, plush throw and carpet in the living room, and continue into the van der Woodsen kitchen. Display edgy artwork. The Gossip Girl characters are fashion, art and design enthusiasts, and their collection of eye-catching—rather than purely complementary—art reflects this.