The last few months have been huge in TV Land, what with many shows wrapping up their current seasons and some signing off for good (Goodbye, LOST, 24! We’ll miss you!). This got us thinking about a number of shows, past and present, and a very overlooked, yet defining cast member they all have in common: furniture.
There are (arguably) two main things that determine a show’s appeal and success: the main cast and the storylines written for them. The chemistry among the show’s cast, as well as each member’s individual appeal, is a key factor in winning over an audience, whereas interesting and captivating storylines are what drive a show and keep fans tuning in for more.
But those things alone do not define a show. That’s where the little things come into play; things like costumes and music and set design… And with set design invariably comes furniture. There are plenty of shows with great casts and storylines, but what sets all these shows apart is their sense of style and the image they convey.
We’ve chosen five shows where furniture is just as important as the more obvious elements, and we’re finally giving these furnishings their long-overdue credit. Keep in mind, this is just the beginning of a series of homages. There will be many more to come.
Friends
If ever a show truly lived up to its name, Friends was it. This sitcom chronicled the lives of six friends, each of whom had their own distinct personality. These personalities were reflected through the furniture and design in their respective homes. Nerdy paleontologist Ross Geller’s apartment exuded a studious, elegant vibe, with a mostly brown color scheme and lots of leather. This was in stark contrast to Monica and Rachel’s apartment with its offbeat design and mismatched furnishings which worked to create a cozy, inviting feeling. Joey and Chandler’s apartment offered a peek into their personalities as well: barebones decoration with a foosball table and the home entertainment system as the focal point. And who could forget the wipe board hanging on the back of the door? Jennifer Aniston may have started a ‘90s craze with “The Rachel” hairdo, but Friends as a whole ignited an interior design revolution for twenty- and thirty-somethings all across America.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is going on its… 127th season now? That’s just fine by us. The animated family’s surname has become commonplace throughout the world. Aside from its memorable cast of characters, the show features several hallmarks, from Bart’s ever-changing after-school lines during the opening sequence to Ralph’s oddball lines (“My cat’s breath smells like cat food!”). But probably the most recognizable hallmark of the show is the one that manages to unite the family: the couch. At the end of each opening sequence, the entire Simpson family scrambles to their beloved couch to sit and enjoy some quality time in front of the television. In addition to being the centerpiece of the Simpsons’ living room, the couch is also the foundation for a plethora of gags, ranging from subtle changes in seat positioning to huge showcase extravaganzas featuring dancers and other characters from the show.
Frasier
We first met Dr. Frasier Crane at a bar where everybody knows your name. The pompous psychiatrist initially seemed out of place in the small Boston hangout, but his own tinges of neuroses soon made Dr. Crane a perfect complement to the Cheers gang. But it wasn’t until the show’s spin-off, Frasier, that the good doctor moved to Seattle and unleashed his full-blown (and lovable) pomposity. Nothing revealed Frasier’s endearing arrogance more than his posh furniture selection which he describes as “eclectic.” The centerpiece of his collection: a suede couch, which is “an exact replica of the one Coco Chanel had in her Paris atelier.” Nothing could have possibly trumped this magnificent couch… until Frasier’s father, Martin Crane, moved in, bringing his old, puke-green easy chair recliner with him. This was the source of many comical conflicts in the Crane household, but nothing was more amusing than the time Frasier accidentally destroyed his father’s beloved recliner and then paid a hefty fee to have an exact replica constructed, ironically making the easy chair recliner the most expensive piece of furniture in Frasier’s collection.
LOST
We’re big LOST fans here at El Dorado Furniture – well, at least this blog writer is. Say what you will about the show, it was arguably one of the most mind-boggling, intelligent, and engaging television dramas ever produced. LOST literally kept audiences guessing up until the very end. And while the show depicted some momentary departures from the mysterious island, the remaining survivors managed to make the best of the tools at their disposal in order to make life on the island more comfortable. From John Locke constructing a crib for Claire’s baby to the gang piecing together a stretcher for the (many) injured victims, the makeshift furniture assembled from scraps of the wreckage of Oceanic flight 815, clothing, wood, and stone served as a constant reminder of the survivors’ plight and a reminder that they were a long way from home – and for one gripping hour every week, so were we.
Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami
When most people think of Miami, two things immediately come to mind: beaches and style. The beaches speak for themselves, but Miami has spent years cultivating its world-renowned signature style. It’s for that very reason that the Kardashians decided to extend their D-A-S-H product line to the Magic City. Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami is a spin-off of the infamous reality series Keeping Up With the Kardashians. The show follows the exploits of Kim Kardashian’s sisters as they struggle to launch their new D-A-S-H store while living it up on the Miami streets. At the end of the day, however, a girl’s gotta rest, preferably in a well-furnished home. When it came time to furnish the sets, the show’s designers needed furniture that captured the essence of Miami’s unique lifestyle while exuding that unique Kardashian flair. El Dorado Furniture’s huge selection of contemporary furniture was the answer. El Dorado has provided furnishings for many of the sets on the shows first and second seasons. A recent episode even featured Kim and Kourtney browsing our very own Kendall Boulevard showroom! Man, those designers have excellent taste!
Narratives are for entertainment purposes only and frequently employ literary point of view; the narratives do not necessarily reflect the opinions of El Dorado Furniture, its officers, or employees.
Have a comment or topic suggestion for the author? Shoot him an e-mail at vcapo@eldoradofurniture.com.
