Sitcom Style: Inside America's Favorite TV Homes

by Diana Friedman

All the Style of Famous TV Homes, Now in Yours!

From Archie Bunker’s Barcalounger to the framed peephole on Friends, sitcom decor sets the tone of our favorite shows—and defines the lives of its characters. Now Sitcom Style brings you a behind-the-scenes peek inside more than two dozen of the most recognizable homes in American pop culture: the sets of our favorite TV shows from the past half-century.

The sets of situation comedies aren’t just a collection of random props that surround the actors; they’re statements of style. They’re designed to convey a particular mood, to both reflect and enhance the personalities of the people who live in them—just like anyone’s home. So Sitcom Style is more than a glimpse into a make-believe world; it’s also a fascinating exploration of how to bring personal style into your own living room. Set designers share their secrets and strategies for creating some of the most thought-out homes in America, and you can learn how to recreate these styles in your own home, complete with shopping resources!

What’s more, Sitcom Style is also a nostalgic stroll through the most beloved locations in the American consciousness. From the early days of I Love Lucy, The Addams Family, and I Dream of Jeannie through seventies’ favorites like Three’s Company and Happy Days to the eighties’ The Cosby Show and Roseanne and recent megahits like Friends, Sex and the City, and Will & Grace, Sitcom Style is an at-a-glance look at how America has lived for the past fifty years. And for true TV buffs, each chapter includes information on the set designers, years of production, favorite quotes, and trivia.

A completely unique combination of pop culture and interior design, Sitcom Style is a must whether you love the TV world or want to spice up your own decor at home.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 22, 2005

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely terrific guide to the hallowed interiors of sitcom homes. I feel that this should've been much, much longer. There are several shows that should've been included, such as Bewitched (sacrilege that this was omitted!), The Golden Girls, Dick Van Dyke, Family Ties, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Overall, perfect for the pop culture, sitcom, and interior design geek. Makes me happy when I peruse it.

[Virginia Pulver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even as a child, I was fascinated by the floorplans and design choices of those people I observed on television. What was behind that closed door? What would her closet look like? Why did they choose THAT couch? I would become obsessed with how the characters lived. This book made me smile, but frankly, I lust for more! I long to see actual floorplans of what the set represented. I read this book in small bursts, over morning coffee. It was a delight. I was reminded of TV shows and characters whom I haven't thought of in years. I enjoyed the rationale behind many of the design choices. The book is fun. I have a sudden longing to watch "My Three Sons" and other tropes from the past!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some interesting behind-the-scenes information about sitcom sets in this book, but I got the feeling that the author wasn't very familiar with a lot of the shows. I think the book would have been more interesting if the author had chosen shows she was more familiar with.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more insight and detail into the design stuff would have been cool, but it was ok.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun, albeit dated. I wish they'd included more floor plans because some of these places make zero sense and I need a map.

[Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

- from the jacket: "A completely unique combination of pop culture and interior design...I Love Lucy, I Dream Of Jeanie, Archie Bunker, Three's Company, The Cosby Show, Friends, Sex In The City, etc. More than two dozen sitcom sets are examined in great detail to explain how they are not just a collection of random props, but statements of style, designed to convey a particular mood, and to reflect and enhance the personalities of the people who (pretend) to live in them."
- I really enjoyed it

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was definitely cool to be able to look at and analyze some of these classic TV sets. I wish that some of the older ones (Happy Days, Leave It To Beaver) could have been looked at in detail, but I suppose that pictures don't exist and the original set designers are no longer around. It did become a bit repetitive though.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bet you never thought about why your favorite TV show looks the way it does. Somebody had to and the author lays it all out for you.

[Keli Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE pop-culture and I have seen a LOT of tv shows ..so I had a lot of fun reading this book :)

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book about house styles from tv!

[Elizabeth Lund]

Entertaining. Also includes lots of decorating tips, which often seemed like a stretch. Some shows unfortunately didn't have any interior shots.

[Kerri Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining book on the pop culture of TV homes. Enjoyed how the set designers created the rooms and the trivia of each show.

[Cindy May]

great photos from a lot of my favorite shows