BIG BANG THEORY
Set Decorator Ann Shea SDSA
Production Designer John Shaffner
CBS
Set Decorator Ann Shea SDSA
continuously proves that a universe of possibilities exists as she collaborates
with Production Designer John Shaffner on three hit series: TWO AND A HALF MEN,
MIKE & MOLLY, and THE BIG BANG THEORY – each with its own unique look!
Their work was recognized once again with Emmy nominations this year.
[Click here for more on the 2011
Primetime Emmy Awards.]
THE BIG BANG THEORY initially exploded onto the screen with the apartment of two brilliant but socially inept physicists, Leonard and Sheldon. Filled with a combination of vintage-futuristic furnishings, the apartment became the series’ iconic set.
Season Four brought sets belonging to two of their fellow CalTech scientists, Howard’s Bedroom and Koothrappali’s Living Room.
Penny, the girl-next-door—literally, she lives across the hall—is their polar opposite, as reflected in the bright cheerful palette and feminine décor of her apartment.
Over the course of the series, Shaffner and Shea have created innumerable sets, including a variety of laboratories and restaurants, and even a comic book store. Shea gives us a glimpse of some of the current sets, and generously shares her resources.

Koothrappali’s Living
Room
“Kooth is a very eclectic character,”
Shea notes. “Although he’s a scientist, he unintentionally has this funky
style. As an astrophysicist, he’s interested in sci-fi and, of course,
outer space, He also comes from a wealthy Indian family. We try to reflect
that he is proud to be Indian and retains his heritage but also embraces the
western world. He has things around that he has brought from home and
also has new expensive telescopes that he can afford because of his wealthy
background.”
· Sofa: Silica Three Furniture
· Arm chair: Warner Bros.
· Side table: Warner Bros.
· Coffee table: Omega Cinema Props
· Dining table & chairs: Warner Bros.
· Desk & desk chair: Warner Bros.
· Art: Pinacoteca, Jupiter Images, Art Pic
· Rugs/carpets: Crate & Barrel for large, Urban Outfitters
for smalls
· Robots: RC Vintage
· Kitchen appliances: Lowes

“Howard is another geek physicist and fancies himself a sexy ladies
man.,” says Shea. “And although he lives with his mother, he has created a sexy
room to entertain the ladies which pretty much only happened in his mind until this
season when he met his fiancée, Bernadette.
- Bed: Omega Cinema Props
- Bed
linens: Omega Cinema Props
- Carpet/rug: Omega Cinema Props
- Bed
tables: Warner Bros., Omega Cinema Props
- Drawers
& storage: Pinacoteca, Warner Bros.
- Bookcases: Warner Bros.
- Lamps: RC Vintage, Modern Props
- Sconces:
Lowes
- Figures
& collectibles: Sideshow Collectibles, DC Comics, RC Vintage, Modern Props
- Swords:
Hollywood Toy
- Artwork:
Brandon Ragnar
- Guitars:
Guitar Hero
- Drum set:
Guitar Hero Drums
Penny’s
Bedroom
“Penny is a sweet, pretty Midwestern girl who is the guys’ neighbor
and has become the guys’ buddy. She is completely the opposite of them and
has no idea what they are talking about most of the time,” Shea points out.
“And she’s very messy!”
- Bed: Custom designed by Shea
- Bed linens:
Anthropologie; Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Chair:
Urban Outfitters
- Rugs:
Urban Outfitters
- Dresser: Warner Bros.
- Curtains:
Pier One
- Bed
table: IKEA
- Lamps:
Lamps Plus
- Lanterns:
World Market
- Sconces:
Brown & Gold Lighting
- Artwork: Art
Pic - Katie Hinton (artist)

Date
restaurant – one of many for this series
- Booths:
Lennie Marvin
- Chairs: Omega CP2
- Linens:
Crate & Barrel
- Artwork:
Art Pic
- Panels:
Modern Props
- Credenza: Warner Bros.
- Chandelier:
Universal
- Lighting:
Modern Props
Tandoori
Palace Indian restaurant
- Seating: Omega CP2
- Linens:
Crate & Barrel
- Runners:
Pier 1
- Valance:
Warner Bros. Drapery Dept.
- Statuary:
Warner Bros. Hand Props, Universal Hand Props
- Side
tables: Omega Cinema Props
- Artwork:
Hollywood Studio Gallery
- Panels:
Warner Bros.
- Credenza: Omega Cinema Props
- Sconces:
Universal
- Candlestick:
Universal
- Vases:
Universal, Warner Bros.
JPL telescope remote viewing room
Shea recalls, “This Keck
telescope remote viewing room at Jet Propulsion Laboratory wasn’t supposed to
look too decorated, but rather as if it had a hodgepodge of furnishings pulled
from all over the building.”
- Sofa:
Universal
- Chairs:
Universal, Warner Bros.
- Desk
chairs: Warner Bros.
- Desks:
Warner Bros.
- Coffee
table: Warner Bros.
- Computers:
Jargon Entertainment
- Monitors:
Jargon Entertainment
- Copier/printer:
Warner Bros.
- Lamps:
Warner Bros.
- Sconces:
Universal
- Posters/artwork:
NASA
- Refrigerator/microwave:
Lowes
- Globes:
Edmund’s Scientific
Comic
Book Store
Shea reveals, “Our
characters are huge comic book fans. This set was in one episode and the
writers and producers liked it so much they wrote future episodes set in this
set. The books and comics are all DC Comics.”
- New DC Comics:
Provided by DC Comics
- Old DC
Comics: House of Secrets
- Posters:
Acme Archives
- Figurines:
Sideshow Collectibles
- Artwork: Eric Joyner