Architectural Digest has released behind-the-scenes images of hit TV comedy Modern Family. The images explore the interior design and decor choices for each family's home and give you slightly different view of the rooms to what you see on TV.
I love each one; the sexiness and exotic twists of Jay & Gloria's home, the down-to-earth eclectic combinations of Claire & Phil's home and the ultra modern, clean lines of Mitchell & Cameron abode. Although they are only 'sets' they are superbly designed to match character personalities and are quite believable as real homes.
Gloria and Jay Pritchett’s House
While the majority of the filming is done on a soundstage, the exterior of the Pritchett house is a two-story contemporary home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Richard Berg (Set Designer) notes that they “found this house after we were 80 percent finished with the stage build (of the interiors and exteriors), so adjustments had to be made. The footprint in the rear did not at all match the layout we had onstage, so we modified the shape of the windows to accommodate that. We also matched the outdoor fireplace.”
While the majority of the filming is done on a soundstage, the exterior of the Pritchett house is a two-story contemporary home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Richard Berg (Set Designer) notes that they “found this house after we were 80 percent finished with the stage build (of the interiors and exteriors), so adjustments had to be made. The footprint in the rear did not at all match the layout we had onstage, so we modified the shape of the windows to accommodate that. We also matched the outdoor fireplace.”
Gloria and Jay’s Entry
The main rooms, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Louisburg Green with white trim, are outfitted with furnishings in muted fabrics to give the house a natural, West Coast vibe. A lamp with a zebra-pattern shade from the L.A. shop Plantation Design and a boldly striped Crate and Barrel rug provide a dash of flair.
The main rooms, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Louisburg Green with white trim, are outfitted with furnishings in muted fabrics to give the house a natural, West Coast vibe. A lamp with a zebra-pattern shade from the L.A. shop Plantation Design and a boldly striped Crate and Barrel rug provide a dash of flair.
Gloria and Jay’s Kitchen
When the series began, Jay had recently married his second wife, the vivacious Colombian-born Gloria, and his previously white-on-white interiors exploded with animal prints and vibrant reds. Benjamin Moore’s Currant Red covers the kitchen walls.
When the series began, Jay had recently married his second wife, the vivacious Colombian-born Gloria, and his previously white-on-white interiors exploded with animal prints and vibrant reds. Benjamin Moore’s Currant Red covers the kitchen walls.
Claire and Phil Dunphy’s Lounge Room
The Dunphy's are a fairly traditional American couple with three children and a taste for catalogue-order furnishings. Berg describes their home as “Pottery Barn meets Restoration Hardware.” He says “the secret sauce” in the Dunphy residence is the stripes, including the upholstery on the armchair in the living room. “The stripes and splashes of bright colour enliven what could otherwise be a pretty humdrum space,” says Berg.
The Dunphy's are a fairly traditional American couple with three children and a taste for catalogue-order furnishings. Berg describes their home as “Pottery Barn meets Restoration Hardware.” He says “the secret sauce” in the Dunphy residence is the stripes, including the upholstery on the armchair in the living room. “The stripes and splashes of bright colour enliven what could otherwise be a pretty humdrum space,” says Berg.
Claire and Phil’s Dining Area
A hub for many of the show’s story lines, the Dunphys’ kitchen and dining area features a French country–style table accented with a Crate and Barrel leaf-print runner, a crystal lamp from Plantation Design in L.A. in the corner, and colourful Pier 1 Imports plates on the walls.
A hub for many of the show’s story lines, the Dunphys’ kitchen and dining area features a French country–style table accented with a Crate and Barrel leaf-print runner, a crystal lamp from Plantation Design in L.A. in the corner, and colourful Pier 1 Imports plates on the walls.
Claire and Phil’s Fireplace
Reflecting Claire’s desire for a home that is comfortable and eclectic, most of the furniture is of the upscale chain-store variety (Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Pier 1 Imports), mixed with vintage pieces. The painting over the mantel was done by an artist on the production team.
Reflecting Claire’s desire for a home that is comfortable and eclectic, most of the furniture is of the upscale chain-store variety (Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Pier 1 Imports), mixed with vintage pieces. The painting over the mantel was done by an artist on the production team.
Cameron Tucker and Mitchell Pritchett’s Living Room
For Cameron and Mitchell’s ground-floor apartment, the designers used muted shades of green with occasional bold red and orange notes, and they sprinkled Asian-style pieces throughout. “We saw the couple as being new to the parenthood plateau and fresh off the plane from years of travel and singledom,” Berg says. “Their interior design is a reflection of their pre-Lily time together.”
For Cameron and Mitchell’s ground-floor apartment, the designers used muted shades of green with occasional bold red and orange notes, and they sprinkled Asian-style pieces throughout. “We saw the couple as being new to the parenthood plateau and fresh off the plane from years of travel and singledom,” Berg says. “Their interior design is a reflection of their pre-Lily time together.”
Cameron and Mitchell’s Dining Room
Clean lines and minimalist furniture are the basis of Cameron and Mitchell’s dining room, where the accent pieces include a green Pottery Barn vase, a table lamp from Lawson-Fenning in L.A., and a Georgia O’Keeffe–esque painting by Gus Harper. Berg devised a colour system for each set and explains, “The overriding philosophy regarding colour was to make certain we recognised where we were fairly quickly upon cutting from one space to the next. Hence the blue, green, and red colour coding.”
Clean lines and minimalist furniture are the basis of Cameron and Mitchell’s dining room, where the accent pieces include a green Pottery Barn vase, a table lamp from Lawson-Fenning in L.A., and a Georgia O’Keeffe–esque painting by Gus Harper. Berg devised a colour system for each set and explains, “The overriding philosophy regarding colour was to make certain we recognised where we were fairly quickly upon cutting from one space to the next. Hence the blue, green, and red colour coding.”
Lily’s Bedroom
The whimsical mural in Lily’s room depicts dads Cameron and Mitchell as angels, a playful nod to Michelangelo’s painting of God and Adam in the Sistine Chapel. “I thought it was a reference Cameron would know, as well as one that many viewers would relate to,” says Berg. “The reference is so hyperbolic I thought it would be funny.”
The whimsical mural in Lily’s room depicts dads Cameron and Mitchell as angels, a playful nod to Michelangelo’s painting of God and Adam in the Sistine Chapel. “I thought it was a reference Cameron would know, as well as one that many viewers would relate to,” says Berg. “The reference is so hyperbolic I thought it would be funny.”
Images and captions courtesy of Architectural Digest.
