You may recall my interview with the lovely and talented ladies of Arent & Pyke a little while ago? Remember the one where I banged on about how much I love them, and how proud I was that they were my friends? Yes, that one. So, it was only logical to invite them to do a guest post here on yellowtrace, right? So please welcome my dearest friend, Sarah-Jane Pyke, who has put together this killer post. How friggin’ awesome is it? Love, love, love… – x dana

When I watch a film I’m often struck by the landscapes, the scenery, the clothes, the colours…. but it’s the houses that really stick with me.  I’ve never worked out if this something that everyone does – or just other designers? Or maybe just me?  The house becomes another – silent – character in the film, not using words, but still setting the tension and tone for a scene.

When we chatted about this in the office three films came to mind immediately – A Single Man, I Am Love, and Broken Embraces. After seeing each of them for the first time, we all came in to work thrilled, talking about the colours, the imagery and the houses. I love a film that transports you in to the story – and in each of these homes I could imagine how I would feel, the life I would have, if I lived there. More than that, I could imagine the sort of a person that would inhabit that sort of a space, and before we meet, we are already familiar. Pretty powerful stuff!

Here is a little taste of the moments we loved, and that stayed with us….

 

George (Colin Firth) contemplates life alone in his restrained, masculine, Modernist  bungalow. Poor George. A Single Man, 2009.

 

By contrast, Charley (Julianne Moore) surround herself with every excess – including patterns, shapes and textures. A Single Man, 2009.

 

This scene has spurred on a bedhead revival in our office. I can respect a woman who matches her telephone to her décor. A Single Man, 2009.

 

The suffocating formality of life for the Recchi family is played out in their equally formal, silent house. I Am Love, 2009.

 

Emma (Tilda Swinton) is oh so perfect in her perfect plum dress on her perfect yellow carpet. I Am Love, 2009.

 

I really wanted to be a guest at this table. The glassware, the china, everything “just so”.  Not sure I could break the spell by actually eating though…… I Am Love, 2009.

 

I love the drama of block colours and pattern – brilliant. Only Penelope Cruz could look this good after falling down the stairs. Broken Embraces, 2009.

 

Colour, colour, colour! I just can’t look away. Broken Embraces, 2009.


Images stills taken from the following movies:

A Single Man, 2009. Directed by Tom FORD. The Weinstein Company.
I Am Love, 2009. Director & Writer: Luca Guadagnino. Magnolia Pictures.
Broken Embraces, 2009. Director & Writer: Pedro Almodovar. Sony Classics.

About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

11 Responses

  2. Kate

    ‘I am Love’ was not only a brilliant movie but visually delicious, one of my favourites.
    Good choices!

    Reply
  3. Harriet

    LOVE this Sarah-Jane! Three of my favourite films. I would add The Royal Tenenbaums and Mon Oncle as favourite design movies too…

    Reply
  4. captain kk

    when i saw the title of this post in my reader, the first thing i thought of was that spectacular house in ‘a single man’ & then bam, i clicked through to here and there it was. i couldn’t agree more. the houses always stick with me. what about the amazing houses from ‘ice storm’ too? oh and that awesome house from ‘a clockwork orange’.. awesome! i find it hard to focus on the films sometimes because i can’t help but notice how the sets have been styled. so good to know i’m not the only one :)

    Reply
  5. Tully

    Love your post. If you are looking at architecture in films you should look at Alfred Hitchcock’s work; starting with North by Northwest, Vertigo & Rear Window

    Reply
  6. Tully

    p.s Rear Window more from the point of view of architecture being used as a ‘character’ of the film rather than an example of beautiful architecture

    Reply
  7. Lauren

    No, you’re definitely not the only one! I haven’t got around to seeing these films yet so I’ll get onto it. A house that I love is another Julianne Moore film ‘Far From Heaven’. Have you seen it? It’s a great film too!
    Another film where the house is a character in the film is The Holiday, I can never decide which house I’d want, Cameron Diaz or Kate Winslet…?

    Great post – thanks!

    Reply
  8. amourette

    What a fantastic post. It must have been difficult to choose which stills to use – all three of these films are so visually rich.

    Reply
  9. Bron

    Awesome post!

    And Lauren, I agree with you re: The Holiday. Always loved that movie for the houses they live in!

    Reply
  10. Gema

    I love art Direction and interiors in cinema. In fact we’re developing a project of History of furniture trough films.
    For the moment we’ve only made one film (and it is in spanish: “The dog in the manger” by Pilar Miró). The set is on the XVII century (very far from the examples you posted).
    But the research is even funnier.
    Next movie, I hope, It will be The dangerous liasons.
    I’let you know.
    In case you want to take a look:
    http://tallerymedio.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/mueble-y-cine-estrado/
    http://tallerymedio.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/mueble-y-cine-estrado/
    Sorry, because it is in spanish.

    By the way, georgeous blog. You’ve got a eye to pick the best!

    Reply
  11. Portrait of a House by Frederik Vercruysse | Yellowtrace

    […] I thought that this stunning collaboration between Belgian photographer Frederik Vercruysse and Buyse Seghers Architects titled ‘Portrait of a House’ is a perfect fit – beautiful and inspiring; gentle, subtle, yet incredibly powerful. In fact, I find myself feeling deeply moved and quite emotional looking at these images. I also love how they make me experience architecture and interiors in a completely new way. (It also reminds me of a very fun post written by our friends some time ago which asks this question – Can a House be a Character?) […]

    Reply

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