‘Mad Men’ set decorator Amy Wells on the hunt in HomeGoods
Mad Men set decorator Amy Wells usually faces the same daunting task: creating authentic 1960s interiors for the hit AMC show, which has a devoted following of design enthusiasts. With consumers budgets tight and bargain-hunting more important than ever, The Times posed a different challenge: Prowl the aisles of a discount store, separating the finds from the forget-its. Wells chose Home Goods, the furnishings spinoff of T.J. Maxx, which had opened a branch in Glendale. Ive schlepped out to the one in
Wells admired a tall glass table lamp with a genie-bottle shape, popular in the 1950s and 1960s. They have a very good lamp selection compared to most discount places, she said. I like this one because its plain and has a classy hard-back linen shade. At $44.99, she would buy two. Under $100 is a great deal for a pair of lamps. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
I like the owl because hes unusual and intricately carved from onyx or some stone like it, Wells said, noting that it would look good on a coffee table or bookshelf. Hes got some real weight to him and looks folkloric but contemporary. And also, I just like owls.
(Some of the merchandise in this gallery may no longer be available, as Wells’ excursion was photographed in December, when The Times also followed Philippe Starck as he shopped Big Lots and Kelly Wearstler as she scouted the aisles of Cost Plus World Market.) (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Theres not a lot of furniture Id take home, Wells said of the selection, which largely consisted of chairs and accent tables. Two possible exceptions that she might use on a set, though not necessarily for Mad Men: a tufted metallic ottoman and a studded Parsons-style table. They both have a certain Hollywood glam to them, Wells said. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
I like natural materials, the set decorator said, showing off a handblown glass sphere that caught her eye. I am very cautious about bringing plastic and synthetic things into my own house. Many of the HomeGoods glass pieces might pass as Italian but were produced in China or Poland. All these glass things are great for decorating because they catch light, Wells added. Sometimes you want something that has a little glint to it. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
In the decorative accessories section, Wells was tickled by a sculpture of a hand with fingers crossed. It floats above the base and is silver-leafed wood, which make it look expensive, she said, adding that it would work with Asian decor. But mostly it feels whimsical. I could see it being used for a character who is superstitious. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Flipping through the rug rack, Wells spotted this natural white wool shag, 8 feet by 10 feet, for a mere $299. One of the things I do to save money on the show -- and in real life -- is I go to carpet warehouses. Melrose Carpet has the best remnants. You can get a really good piece of wool carpeting, and theyll bind it into an area rug for around $2 a linear foot. The HomeGoods rug would have been even thriftier, but it already had been placed on hold for another customer. I definitely wouldve bought it, Wells said. It would look fantastic in so many different rooms. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Mirrors with beveled frames looks more expensive, Wells said, assessing HomeGoods stock. For $39.99, these are incredible if you need a mirror above the mantel. You dont have to spend a lot, and the simple design also means it could fit into almost any kind of interior style. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
An ornate mirror poses more of a challenge. It would fit into many Mediterranean-style California homes, Wells said, though it might be more dramatic in a smaller space, such as a powder room or dressing area. Actually, for 79 bucks it has a really good looking finish, she said. You could hang it in a modern setting -- like near a streamlined sofa -- as a counterpoint to make the room more intriguing. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A $49.99 metallic-glazed ceramic garden stool in an uncharacteristic modern shape won Wells approval. I worked on a movie with [former Gucci designer] Tom Ford called A Single Man, and he loved clean-lined things in pairs, she said. I could imagine two of these flanking a sofa. They could be side tables or an extra place to sit. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Metallic decorative wall panels, $19.99 each, reminded Wells of the 1970s. You know it could be interesting to use them in groups, she said. On ‘Mad Men’ we bought a whole bunch of Pier 1 screens and pieced them together and painted them white to cover a large window. Imagine four of these together, in different colors or sizes. That could be pretty cool, and for 80 bucks you can decorate a whole wall.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
This is actually a really pretty green vase. It has a beautiful glaze on it. Lets guess where its made. Vietnam? Wells asked, looking at the bottom of the piece. Indeed, it was stamped as Vietnamese. For $59.99, its the kind of piece that is timeless. You could even put it in a Craftsman house -- and it will never go out of style. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
You should always stay out of the kitchen section with me because I can stay there forever, Wells said. This metal cocktail shaker got the thumbs-up: Theres a lot of home and office bars in Mad Men, and this shape is so classic it fits into any time period, from the 1930s to today. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
By the time she had walked the last aisle, Wells had picked out a bevy of items that could be worked into different types of homes.
Back to L.A. at Home, the home and garden blog. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)