Top 5 Midcentury-Modern Interior Designs Featured on Screen: From Mad Men to North

Over the years, midcentury-modern design has made its mark on the big and small screens in various ways. From the high-flying escapades of films like Catch Me If You Can to the symbolic use of design in shows like Severance, midcentury-modern interiors have played a significant role in shaping visual storytelling.

The colorful, expressive look of midcentury-modern design is a feast for the eyes, with its bright colors, geometric patterns, and chrome accents. Born from a hopeful post-World War II America, this era exuded optimism, which translates beautifully onscreen.

One standout example of midcentury-modern design on TV is Mad Men. With its meticulous attention to detail and seven seasons to explore the era, the show captures the essence of midcentury-modern life like no other. Don Draper’s penthouse, with its sunken living room and floor-to-ceiling windows, is a standout example of the style.

In the psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling, the film uses midcentury-modern aesthetics to illustrate the mental turmoil of the characters. Shot in Palm Springs, California, the film showcases real-life modernist structures like the Volcano House and the Palm Springs Visitors Center.

For a classic example of midcentury-modern design in film, look no further than Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. The Vandamm House, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, features iconic midcentury design elements like oversized table lamps and geometric decor details. Hitchcock cleverly incorporates these architectural details into the narrative, making the design an integral part of the storytelling.

While not all buildings in North by Northwest are midcentury modern, the film showcases a mix of architectural styles, including the modern-style 430 Park Avenue. These films and shows offer a glimpse into the allure and versatility of midcentury-modern design onscreen.