Jono Fleming's Guide To TV's Most Memorable Interiors

Our good mate, Jono Fleming - stylist and interior designer extraordinaire, analyses some of TV's most memorable interior and set design moments.

When searching for home inspiration, one of the first places I go to is always film and television. It’s a fountain of wealth and knowledge when creating a look, theme, or mood for a space. The trick is figuring out what you love about a certain image or set, and how to extract those particular elements into a liveable space. After spending a lot more time indoors last year, and with plenty of time to binge watch tv, let’s dive in to some of our favourite shows and movies, and breakdown how to bring these into reality.

Barcelona Apartment

Known for her iconic fashion moments and campy dark humour, everyone’s favourite assassin, Vilanelle from Killing Eve, stunned viewers in the show’s third season when she moved into the most incredible apartment in Barcelona. The moment this space came up screen, it went straight to the top of my dream destinations list.

Filmed on location, this apartment has strong Moroccan influences, mixed with Catalan Modernism, which was popularised by Antoni Gaudi (if you’re not familiar, definitely look this one up!). Ornate arches and Moorish detailing are paired with strong patterned tiles. Arched windows are paned with coloured glass in decorative patterns, bathing the space in beautiful hued light.

Whilst we all can’t tile our walls with Moroccan stone, you can bring this look to life at home with bold, clashing colours. Deep earthy reds paired with sky blues and sunflower yellows add a strong sense of colour identity to a space. Find ornate objects to bring the space to life, or if you are keen for a subtler approach, coloured glassware would be a simpler option. Don’t be afraid to be bold here, it’s punchy, but so is this iconic villain. And, when the world is back to travelling, the best part? This apartment is available to rent on Airbnb so you can live out your espionage fantasy in real life, one day.

Villa Albergoni from Call Me By Your Name, Styled by Violante Visconti di Modrone, Shot by Sony Pictures & Giulio Ghirardi

Villa Albergoni

From Spain, we travel over to Italy, and find ourselves placed in the 17th Century Italian Villa, set as the backdrop for the love story of Elio and Oliver. And looking at the place, it’s hard not to fall in love (with the home at the very least). The key takeaways in this interior is that it’s a family home, lived in by intellects, travellers, and collectors, so the pieces on display are layered, with history and stories of their own. As quoted by the film’s set decorator, Violante Visconti di Modrone, “Not everything needs to match, but to create a home you need to create a balance, because every object says something about the people that live in it”.

Whilst the colour palette is centred in faded yellows and browns, pops of green through upholstery, or a deep red Persian rug, add layers to the space. The floors are laid in a large cut terrazzo, trimmed with a forest green marble. This gives the space a sense grandeur and history, and is easily translated into the home through materiality. Especially when it comes to terrazzo, whilst it’s been used heavily in minimal ‘scandi’ (for lack of a better work) renovations, it’s Italian origins shouldn’t be ignored. Pair your terrazzo with marbles, dark timber chairs (op shop finds are key here), and brass to really create an opulent look fit, for an Italian villa.

New London from Brave New World, Production Design by David Lee, Set Decoration by Poppy Luard, Images Co NBC Universal

New London

The short-lived series, Brave New World, debuted in 2020 only to have it’s time cut short (a classic 2020 move, right?). However, for those interested in interiors, this is one to take a peek at because the show’s vision of a utopian/dystopian future is actually something exciting to explore on the design front.

With sets resembling that of a high end hotel, there’s lots to absorb and incorporate into your own home; the future is here! The designers of this show were keen to design a future that wasn’t overly space aged, but rather rooted in some form of reality. Ironically the way to look ahead is to reference the past, and much like 2001: A Space Odyssey did, production designer David Lee borrowed from the icons of mid century design. Verner Panton, Foscarini, Pierre Paulin, all have pieces that help set the mood of this New London.

The clean, crisp lines we often associate with tech, are all apparent in the architecture, however the apartments in the upper class are covered in velvets, chenilles, and silks. Rich, textural fabrics that are associated with luxury, contrast sharply to the lower classes that reside in small, concrete abodes. However, don’t turn your nose down to these living conditions, the spaces are cleverly designed and use formed concrete to create (perhaps) the ultimate small space living situation, dystopia and all that aside.

Malibu House by Scott Mitchell, Set Design by Shane Valentino, Shot by Fade To Black Films

L.A Mansion

Whilst the intention for this location might have been to have a sleek, sharp interior that reflects the cold, disconnected protagonist of Susan played by Amy Adams, I have to admit, this is one drool-worthy home. Seriously. Bright pops of contemporary art (her character is an art dealer) are contrast against stark concrete walls, built in joinery, and deep, black furniture and accessories.

This is LA chic minimalism at its finest. But would you expect anything less from designer and bourgeoning auteur Tom Ford? And whilst the design does play on minimalism, this is the home of an art collector - objet, books and curios are neatly placed along shelves and occasional tables. This is well thought out and expertly styled.

Probably the most liveable and obtainable of all the locations we’ve reviewed, it focuses on small sculptural pieces, lamps and decor dotted around the living space. If you’re recreating this look at home, less is more. Make sure any items placed are the focus of that styled moment. It’s all about editing, and bringing life to a moody interior with a pop of colour from florals or a single book. Keep it simple, keep it chic and you too could live in your curated, art filled, gallery home.