I am so excited to see Sterling Cooper Draper Price’s new digs in the Time Life building. Apparently there is a non-existent second floor, and they have The Emporer’s New Conference Table. The set designers on this episode are so genius. I’ve been all over AMC.com today looking for videos about the new sets but so far I’ve come up with nothing, but they are great about feeding us tidbits about their process so I feel hopeful there will be some good videos about the sets there soon.

There were many nuances in the set design. Betty, who now has a new husband in her bed, has tossed out the peacock blue velvet upholstered headboard for something more traditional (along with all of her fifties nipped-at-the-waist frocks for frumpier roomy suits and a double strand of oversized pearls). Don has moved into a depressing, pre-furnished, divorced dad apartment in the city (above), complete with bunk beds for overnights with the kids. It has absolutely no feeling of home, unlike his old house in the ‘burbs.

The most exciting thing about the episode were the shiny new offices of the new firm, Sterling Cooper Draper Price. Some of the artwork has evolved, their are shell chairs and Saarinen everywhere, and everything looks just a little bit more modern than the old firm. I can’t wait to see Cooper’s office and accompanying artwork, which they did not reveal last night. Doesn’t this area look like something that could exist in some hip start up? I love the detail of the Lanvin shoe on the inspiration board on the right.Oh wait, you can’t see it in this shot, but you can in the one below it:

Roger Sterling’s white office is my favorite. Complete with tulip table, I’m blanking on what that white lamp is called (please help me in the comments section! Thanks CapreeK “Nesso Table Lamp by Giancarlo Mattioli for Artemide”), white mirrored console, graphic black and white curtains and black and white painting. Check out the chrome table lamp and coat rack!

Breaking through more glass ceilings, Joan now has her own office. She’s kept it more traditional:

Still no conference table – it will be funny to see how that works out:

Finally, Don’s office hasn’t changed much. He still likes his mid-century modern dark woods, though it’s lightened up a bit. The spirits are still the most important part of the office:

Did you watch? What was your favorite part of the set design (or the show, I’m always happy to dish about this show!).

all images from amctv.com

Yesterday I was cruising Tumblr, and one of my favorite rolls to follow over there, my farmhouse, had posted an insanely eclectic living room that made me very curious. It turned out it was designed by Gary Spain Design and I just had to see more. While I cannot seem to find a thorough “about” column, the pictures tell a lot. Gary Spain design’s service include not only interior design, but set design and styling as well. I thoroughly enjoyed going through each slideshow on the site, and there are a wide range of styles included. Here are a few more favorites (it’s hard to choose):

He mixes in bold art and classic busts:

Arranges a perfect David Hicksian tablescape:

Creates serene and beautiful work areas that blend right into any room in the house:

And mixes color, art, and modern to perfection. Wow.

all images via garyspaindesign.com

“A modern Chinoiserie breakfront, a Dunbar Japanese-influenced sofa, silk Dupriani drapes, Murano vases, and a classic Drexel end table.”

-Betty Draper’s Decorator

I find set design so fascinating, especially when they completely nail the surroundings from a certain era. Mad Men takes place during such a transitional time, and it’s so much fun to see different influences showing up in the design. Here Mad Men‘s set designer explains how this breakfront set the tone for the room and everything else followed it. LOVE this bar set…

…and this stereo:

Love what I think is purple grasscloth, the orange trim on the drapes…

The art is getting a bit more abstract. Oh, and I love that Betty doesn’t care a bit about the hearth being the heart of her home…

…so she covers it up with this fainting couch:

The decor is a major part of this show, and I’m so glad that this week’s episode really gave it its due.

all images via amc.com from this video.