The Dainty Dish

In 2 months we will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief.  In just 2 months we will remember that truly good television really does exist, hidden somewhere underneath the Real Lives of Kardashians and plastic Housewives.  In 2 months we will be sucked back into a deliciously rich storyline that keeps the viewer distracted at work, trying to make predictions for the next episode.  In 2 months we will be seduced once again with the mysterious smirk and pompous rhetoric of Don Draper, Dick Whitman, Jon Hamm or whomever he may be. 

In an effort to satiate my craving for the sexiest, most intelligent drama on TV these days (in my humble opinion of course), I have been indulging in Sunday morning re-runs on AMC.  Besides picking up on so many tiny nuances that add to the storyline while watching episodes a second time around, I have become romanced by the streamline furniture, simple textures, and the purposefully modest use of gold and pops of bold colors to accent the design style utilized throughout the show.  Set decorator for the show, Amy Wells, strikes the perfect balance between supporting the storyline through careful selection of a drama-enhancing backdrop and adhering to the authenticity of Mid-century Modern design.  For more about Mad Men’s brilliant set and production design, click here.  Here are just a few designed-to-perfection settings we have seen throughout the seasons: 1. Sterling Cooper 2. Don’s Office 3. Break Room 4. Draper House

Always a fan of vintage clothing, I never incorporated the charm of this era into my traditionally rustic home decor.  So I decided to give it a shot in our new Athens abode.  I must say the combo of clunky distressed furniture mixed with the simple lines of the 1960’s is a very attractive combination.

I acquired a few pieces to achieve this new look from a variety of places: chairs from my generous YiaYia and Papu’s home, Modern Star (an awesome vintage shop here in Athens), and the hit or miss ads on Craigslist.  Here are my new Mad Men inspired loves: First, 2 lovely chairs passed down from my sweet grandparents

And below: End tables with classic Mid-century Modern lines and a record console from the late 1960’s.

This aesthetic will certainly be a new criteria for me as I select future items to furnish our little home.  For these new additions, thus far, create an atmosphere as inviting as Don Draper’s “come hither stare” with the refined sophistication of that handsome silver fox Sterling.  All that’s missing is a pack of Lucky Strikes, a slug of Maker’s Mark and the cacophony of typewriters to fill the air. 

March 25th cannot come soon enough.

- Kristen