On The Set: Designs From Madmen's Jet Set Episode

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Tamara Matthews-Stephenson is the creative talent behind Nest by Tamara, a captivating journal dedicated to interior design, history and lifestyle inspiration. With a passion for design and a keen eye for aesthetics, she shares her expertise and insights. Tamara has established herself as a prominent figure in the world of interior design and her design philosophy is rooted in the idea that a well-designed home can elevate the quality of life, combining beauty with functional everyday living. Her blog is a testament to her dedication to helping readers achieve this balance. Beyond her writing, She is also an accomplished interior designer who is known for her talent blending diverse styles which has earned her a loyal following and recognition within the interior design industry. She has worked on a wide range of projects- from luxurious urban homes to cozy beach houses. Additionally, she is the Creative Director and Owner of root cellar designs, LLC, an artisan line of textile and wallpaper sold exclusively to the design industry. She designs and manufactures her wares in the United States and sells her line through trade showrooms around the country. Connect with Tamara Matthews Stephenson through email at rootcellardesings@gmail.com and at nestnestnest.blogspot.com for weekly stories, or through her fabric and wallpaper designs at rootcellardesigns.com and embark on a journey to transform your living spaces.

Posted by Tamara Stephenson November 26, 2017

On The Set: Designs From Madmen's Jet Set Episode

The Jet Set Episode of MadMen,

a Fine Specimen of Mid-Century Design

Season 2, episdode 11

actress Laura Ramsey makes a debut as Joy in the episode

The Madmen television series seems a study in American culture at a time when we were collectively trying to reinvent ourselves. It captures design, architecture, home and work values, the struggle of the ever-evolving role of women and men living and working together in our society, and throws it together in one fascinating assembly.

Today, I am excited to highlight my favorite show, the Jet Set episode. Over the holiday weekend, we finished up the entire series on Netflix. While the show ran on television years ago, I only caught glimpses of it then. To watch it season to season in a row, I feel plunked into a world shaped by afternoon cocktails, a world that actually existed in America during the 1960s. It is wonderfully fascinating, and seems true to life with only the bit of exaggeration to keep up enthralled.

The Jet Set episode is a design and architecture aficionado's dream. It serves up prime examples of Mid Century architecture but also peeks at interior design, fashion and the lifestyle during this era. But, in addition to the architecture and design eye candy, the episode allows Don Draper to venture away from his sometimes stilted post as the advertising head showing him in a sort of break down, questioning his life. He meets up with an international group of wealthy Europeans at a hotel bar, not his usual crowd, these folks are a departure from the Madison Avenue set in suits. This is a world he is unfamiliar with-- old European money, bon vivants traveling on a whim, unencumbered by the daily grind of a job. He is invited to a weekend retreat in Palm Springs. During the episode he is noticeably awkward and out of place in this unfamiliar setting, and his normally suave persona is off kilter. An interesting evening ensues.

about the house:
Known as the Frank Sinatra estate in many circles, or the Fox Residence or the Farralone estate in others, the home has a long-history. It is located in a Los Angeles suburban neighborhood, Chatsworth. It was originally designed in 1951 by Architects Pereira and Luckman (they also designed the LA airport).   Since then, it has been used as filming for Dreamgirls, Californication, Madmen and other commercials and shows.  With a sprawling 10,000 square foot, it has wide-open plan rooms and expansive windows overlooking the pool and patio.  Wow, if houses could talk...it is rumored Frank Sinatra rented the house, and Marilyn Monroe stayed in the guest house and spent time with Jack Kennedy there.

On the set they also did a bang up job with the interiors by showcasing topical prints, bright colors and upholstery and juxtaposing this with the modular furniture. It all feels authentic to the time frame. Check it out on Netflix and see the photo highlights here...

Happy Nesting

XO Tamara