Mad Men, Old and New

Do I need a new addiction?  I may not have a choice--Mad Men is back.  Well, for me, it's new.  Everyone I know tells me I should watch, so I thought I'd give it a shot.  With a few hints from friends who are die hard fans on what's happening, I began my Mad Men journey.  Of course, as I started watching, I was fascinated by the interiors!  The agency has a new office, Don has moved into a small apartment in the West Village, and everyone seems a little bit more on edge. (Could it be they're drinking even more?)

The original, slightly Doris Day feeling of Sterling Cooper's light wood paneling, multicolor-pastel doors, and Rothko paintings has given way to something less consistent and, in some cases, very different.  I've taken some screen shots to compare the original season to episode one of season four.

Sterling Cooper from Season One . . .

Wide swaths of wood paneling, with alternating doors in pink, sea foam green, pale blue. 

Don's old office . . .

And new. It's brighter and the palette is more creamy and beige.

The change in Roger's office is even more dramatic--it's all in white.  (The old one looked much like Don's). Has he reformed?  Is he the new voice of purity and reason?  Doubt it, but it'll be fun to watch.  I like the way silver accents are used, and the different uses of texture--metal, plastic, marble, mirror--provide different levels of sheen, making it compelling and not just monochromatic.

The reception area uses accents--blue, red, and gold--in the fabric against a gray floor.  Overall, there's a lot more glass and light.  The off-white area rug on the white floor in the second office is a great way to subtly delineate space.  And the blue couches and aqua glass accents (lamp and, of course, an ashtray) are delicious.

There's still a bit of the original palette in one hallway, with alternating panels of pastels.  And, of course, there's Joan, who, as I'm starting to understand, is as colorful (and curvaceous) as ever.

I'd love to know what you think of the new look. Do you think the new palette reflects the new season?

Official Mad Men website

Comments

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[Karen]

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Thank you!

--Karen

[Pangaea Interior Design, Portland Oregon]

Well I guess I'm going to have to start watching just to check out the set design if nothing else. What a big change between seasons! I do like the softer new look better. Wonder if it has that much to do with the season or if they just didn't like the old look.

[Living in Color]

Okay, okay-- and I'll ask you for the dish I don't quite "get" when I watch- cool?

[Ashleigh]

Oh Sonu,
You HAVE to start at the begining...you've missed soooo much!
Fellow Addict,
Ashleigh