The Standoff

All Photos have been reprinted with permission from SET DECOR Magazine (Spring 2007)



In Fox network’s new television series THE STANDOFF, Emily Lehman and Matt Flannery are top-notch crisis negotiators. Trained to talk their way through volatile situations, they are experts in their field. However, their personal relationship causes some concern for their boss and colleagues in the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Unit. Although they should be split up for being romantically involved, they’re too valuable as a team.

The show advances the premise that in life and love, everything is a negotiation. Set Decorator Michele Poulik, SDSA knows this only too well. The 2-story psychiatrist’s office set shown below was designed, constructed, shopped and dressed in 3 days! She shares some of the sources that were invaluable to her in developing this high-end look with a very tight time frame.

All Photos by Ken Haber


Sources for "The Standoff"-Photo #1 Psychiatrist’s Office (wide w/orange sofa)

1. Artwork
Art Pic
2. End table
Ob*jects
3. Vase
Ob*jects
4. Drapery
20th Century Fox Drapery
5. Desk & Credenza
Ob*jects
6. Lamp
Ob*jects
7. Pillows
Ob*jects
8. Desk Chair
Modern Props
9. Sculpture
Ob*jects
10. Artwork
Art Pic
11. Pedestal
Omega Cinema Props
12. Chair
Modern Props
13. Books
Faux Library
14. End table
Ob*jects
15. Sofa
Ob*jects
16. Throw
Target
17. Rug
Joyce Tanner
18. Artwork
Hollywood Studio Gallery
19. Lighting
RC Vintage


It’s all about negotiation for THE STANDOFF’s FBI CNU team. For the show’s set decorator, it’s all about teamwork and resources, particularly in a time crunch. Poulik notes, “Tom Fichter’s artful design of the Psychiatrist’s Office was skillfully executed by Construction Coordinator Mike Brooks and his crew in the course of 3 days, overlapping with my extraordinary team of set dressers led by Michael Zufeld.”

Set decorators usually mine a wide variety of resources for one show. However, when there are only hours to shop for a particular set, miracles can happen if you know who has the exact look you need.

Sources for "The Standoff"-Photo #2 Psychiatrist’s Office (wide with cream sofa)
1. Sofa
Ob*jects
2. Table
Omega Cinema Props
3. Artwork
Ob*jects
4. Sconce
Ob*jects
5. Pillows
Ob*jects
6. Sculpture
Ob*jects
7. Table
Ob*jects
8. Books
Faux Library
9. Artwork
Hollywood Studio Gallery
10. Chair
Ob*jects
11. Flowers
Tic Toc
12. Table
Omega Cinema Props
13. Loveseat
Ob*jects

Note: All sources are from the Los Angeles area.