Set Decorator Andrew Baseman SDSA knew it was essential that the NY townhouse assigned to the star spies in the hit series MR. & MRS. SMITH would key us into the high-end world they are literally stepping into for the first time. Reviews of the series are expansive in their appreciation: “...spectacularly appointed...gorgeously appointed...tastefully decorated...lavish...impeccable...”
So, of course, we asked Andrew to take us behind the scenes!
*For this Part 1 of our coverage of the series, Andrew brings us through the sets in the same order that John and Jane encountered each room upon entering “their” house for the first time. Part 2 will follow tbd, with Set Decorator Michael Nallan SDSA, who took over when Andrew stepped off to set decorate a major upcoming feature film, as we will explore an array of sets that followed.
First, a storyline synopsis from the studio:
“Two lonely strangers land a job working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travels and a dream brownstone in Manhattan. The catch: new identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. & Mrs. John and Jane Smith. John [Donald Glover] and Jane [Maya Erskine] navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a burgeoning new relationship. What’s riskier, espionage or marriage?” – Amazon Prime
And, now, from Set Decorator Andrew Baseman SDSA, the Smith Townhouse, as first revealed to the spy couple, room by room, floor by floor!
1st Floor, Entry Foyer...
“Not only are John and Jane captivated by their new luxe townhouse, designed and decorated by The Company, their "Hot Neighbor” (scripted name, played by Paul Dano) is also intrigued. When he first glimpses the entry foyer, he comments on the 17th Century Portuguese floor tiles. So naturally, we found actual 17th century Portuguese floor tiles!”
1st Floor, Entry Foyer. Photos: Left, by A. Baseman; Right: Donald Glover & Maya Erkskine, photo by David Lee/Prime Video © Amazon MGM Studios.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of these magnificent tiles which survived over 300 years being glued down to the stage floor and ending up in a dumpster, so I asked for them to be installed with the provision that they would not be damaged when the set was struck. Sadly, this short scene was cut from the episode, but the tiles live on.”
1st Floor, Living Room...
“The townhouse furnishings are intentionally sparse, as it was our impression that The Company wanted John and Jane to curate art and add personal items of their own choosing. As the series evolves, more dressing is added to reflect their own taste and to show the progression of time.”
1st Floor, Living Room. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
“I used many black and white items in the set dressing to show the yin and yang of the protagonist’s personalities. My favorite example is the painting over the fireplace “The Swan” by the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint.
To me, it perfectly exemplifies John and Jane's opposing personalities, yet ties them together.” **Spoiler alert!!** “In the final episode, they are seen lying on the carpet in the Office, John dressed all in black and Jane in white, mirroring the swans in the painting.”
“The small lamp on the credenza to the right of the fireplace is another black and white bit of dressing. I used many pairs of items, such as the blue and white Chinese ginger jars on the top shelf, and the pair of bronze foo dogs on the mantle, in a standoff but looking like they are ready to attack each other.”
1st Floor, Living Room, reverse...
“Other examples of black and white and pairs of items can be seen in the ceramic vases and a matching pair of vintage European lamps on the credenza.”
1st Floor, Living Room, reverse. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
1st Floor, Living Room & Kitchen...
“I love Asian ceramics and thought Jane would, too, so I put a collection of small Yixing teapots on the top shelf in the kitchen.”
1st Floor, Living Room & Kitchen. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
Kitchen...
“The creative team requested an open kitchen with a green backsplash, so we found these beautiful handmade celadon green tiles, which cover the entire back wall.”
Kitchen. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
1st Floor, Dining Room...
“Since the first floor of the house was designed with large arches between rooms, you can see straight through from the living room, kitchen and dining room. In coordinating the colors of all 3 rooms, the dining room rug and the red lacquered cabinet to the left of the fireplace tie in the red of the living room sofa. The fireplace mantle and linen curtain colors are the same in both the living room and dining room, which helps create a unified color palette.
1st Floor, Dining Room. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
The Austrian Biedermeier cabinet at right is filled with an eclectic assortment of antique white ceramics, including two 17th century plates encrusted with barnacles retrieved from a ship which sank in the South China Sea, and a bowl with gold Kintsugi repair.”
[Editor’s note: Andrew Baseman is an expert in the Japanese art of repair.]
1st Floor, Office (Spy Lab)...
“The design of the office changed dramatically from its initial conception, as it was originally written to be a slick, stark, modern room with loads of high-tech built-in cabinets.”
1st Floor, Office (Spy Lab). Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
“This more traditional version was inspired by Don Vito’s home office in THE GODFATHER and includes a large painting, Masaccio’s “Expulsion from the Garden of Eden,” which opens to reveal a cache of weapons. Although John and Jane were given matching his-and-hers desks, their black and white lamps and desktop dressing reflect their individual personalities.”
2nd Floor, Guest Room...
“John begins the series by sleeping in the Guest Room, which contains a masculine assortment of ethnic and contemporary furnishings.
2nd Floor, Guest Room. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
2nd Floor, Guest Room, reverse. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
"He eventually moves in with Jane, joining her in the primary bedroom upstairs, but often returns to the guest room to nurture his large assortment of plants.
2nd Floor, Library...
“Although they have a gym, pool, rooftop garden and other various unseen rooms, John and Jane use the library for peaceful moments..."
2nd Floor, Library. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
"Until the final episode, when they... “
[Editor’s note: **spoiler alert!** You’ll have to see the episode!]
3rd Floor, Primary Bedroom...
“Jane claims this room for herself in the first episode, but eventually shares it with her ‘husband’. The carved wood Chinese bed was cut down to allow the actors to be lower and more intimate in the room setting.
3rd Floor, Primary Bedroom. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
The casually draped linen bedding and soft white plush rug help achieve the down-to earth request from the creative team. The bedside lamps are purposefully mis-matched, as are the dressing elements on the cabinets.”
Basement, Whisky Bar/Wine Cellar...
“This is the only room with extreme symmetry..."
Basement, Whisky Bar/Wine Cellar. Photo by A. Baseman, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
"...allowing John and Jane a chance to mirror each other, face to face, sipping whiskey and plotting their next mission.”
Editor’s note:
Set Decorator Andrew Baseman SDSA would like to acknowledge the SDSA Business members who aided and abetted in establishing this luxurious spy nest, especially:
City Knickerbocker | Fennick Studio Props | Fabric City | Furnish Green | Visual Alchemy | Aisling Flowers | Art for Film | Bridgeman Images
