Designer Dad : On Location "Parenthood"

As a designer, I have always taken notice of homes in movies and on television.  As a kid, I would sit with a sketchpad and draw the floor plans of the rooms that I liked.  I even imagined what the rooms would be beyond what we were allowed to see on television.  There was something magical and exciting about those home settings that sparked my imagination - whether they were homes like those featured in I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch, Please Don't Eat The Daisies to checking out the classics with the homes in I love Lucy (their Connecticut house) and The Andy Griffith Show.  Later on, I was inspired by the main home settings in the shows thirtysomething and even Family Ties.  Homes on screen were always something that intrigued me.

Years later, as a grown up designer, I still value the importance of homes seen on television or movies because they inspire me personally, but I have also found how they can be an inspiration and empowering creative tool for the everyday homeowner wanting to make their home better.  A visual guide - a tool that can help you figure out what you like or respond to.  So even though you may be sitting back watching your favorite show or film - I want to motivate you to take notice of the homes you are seeing with new eyes and with a new purpose.  

Adam's house foyer design seen on "Parenthood"

Having done makeovers on television and in magazines for years, I always have people coming up to ask me: "How do I figure out my own home style?"  or "I just don't know where to begin to figure out what my style should be because I'm not a designer."  My answer usually is - "What house in a film or on television have you seen that you respond to?"  Their answer is the starting point.

In my role as Contributing Home Editor for Family Circle Magazine - I still get those questions and many more.  The bottom line is that we want our homes to be good to us and our families.  However, in the midst of our busy lives and hectic schedules - our homes sometimes take the backseat.  Being a husband, father of two and a homeowner with that ever-growing To Do List on my fridge - I understand that clearly.  So I wanted to explore other ways to help people figure how to find their style, design their homes and truly make it inviting for them - by making design accessible and attainable to everyone.  

I tried to address that earlier this year with the release of my book NO PLACE LIKE HOME.  I dedicated a whole chapter to using film and television homes as a way to guide you towards what you like, making note of that and then integrating those ideas or solutions into your own home.  Maybe it's a paint color you love.  Maybe it's a kitchen style.  Perhaps it's the way the sofa and chairs are arranged in the space.  Details that can help convey what you like and respond to.  In the end, giving you more clarity on what your home should be.  

Now, with this series of Designer Dad : On Location features - I'm taking all that one step further.  I'll be visiting the home sets of some of the top television shows on television and talking with the talented designers that bring those spaces to life.  To me, they are visual guides to illustrating to you how to bring a look or mood together directly from the places you already know and love on television.  Plus, these environments are usually capturing the essence of how we really live.  The idea that the rooms are not overly-styled or picture perfect is something that I also respond to because that is not how you and I live.  So I am bringing together my love of home design - with my love of the magic of film and television.  

So begins my on location creative journey...

Adam's house foyer view as you enter the home

Parenthood is one of my favorite shows on television.  I think it reflects the way many American families live today.  I like the multi-generational factor and how it puts a positive focus on the importance of family once again.  At the same time, I believe that the various home settings on this show also reflect or capture the essence of well-lived rooms in the varied American-style homes seen across our country.

Steven Jordan is Parenthood's Production Designer.  I recently talked with him to get a sense of his creative process and how he brings to life the settings for the various characters on this highly successful series.  You'll find our conversation about the show's home sets below.  

At the same time, I also wanted to share as many visuals and design notes as possible with you, so you'll also find below my "noted images" to take you on the visual journey of this program from a home view perspective.  

Adam's living room set from "Parenthood"

When the series began, what was the starting point with each house interior for you? 

SJ:  I had several conversations with Jason Katims our Executive Producer and then did my own research and character development.  I did a script break down, a character breakdown and played with color for each character to set a mood and tone for each one.

Did the producers say “this is what we are looking for here” or did you sit with the actors and discuss their characters?  

SJ:  All conversations were with the producer, no actors.

Are there sketches you began working with?  

SJ:  Yes, we did sketches for Zeek and Adam's.  

A mood board for Zeek and Camille's House on "Parenthood"

Did you do a mood board or what I call – a Look Book for each main houses? 

SJ:  Yes, we did mood boards for all of the main character sets.  

You are creating homes for fictitious characters but you are creating homes – so is the design approach like any other real home would be?  

SJ:  Absolutely, the process is the same but you take certain factors into consideration such as, how do we light the sets, how do the rooms flow?  We need to create depth so people aren't standing against flat walls, create a layer of life, i.e. where do people pay their bills, where do the kids keep there toys, where do they play, where do people relax.  

The only difference between creating a real home and a set is that we take into consideration the composition of a shot, actor staging and accommodating the shooting company.  You can design the most beautiful set in the world if they can't light it it's a failure.  

Each home is such a great example of how real families live – how do you keep the settings on the pulse and relevant to today’s family home? 

SJ:  Observation, observation, observation.  To do this job you have to be a great observer of how people live.  You don't want to create a set that looks like a magazine layout, doing this helps motivate the actors to believe they are in a real home and not just a set.

Adam's Family Room and Dining Room - Kitchen seen beyond

What is your favorite area or “moment” as a designer on each of the main house sets from Parenthood?  Is there one home set you love above all others?  If so, why?

SJ:  Zeek's interior and exterior is my favorite set.  My favorite moment is Zeek and Camille's screened porch. I find it to be the most calming space and where I would go to relax.

Zeek and Camille's Dining Room Set with the porch beyond

Are all of the main home interiors of the show actually sets or are they real locations? 

SJ:  They are all sets.

How would you describe the mood or style of each of the main house locations? 

SJ:  Zeek and Camille's- sense of family history, three generations of Braverman's here- has a casual elegance to it (shown above).

SJ:  Adam and Kristina's- virtually a younger/more contemporary version of Zeek and Camille's house (shown above).

SJ: Julia and Joel's - reflects the most upwardly mobile lifestyle (shown above).

Where do you turn to for resources when designing these homes?  Do you shop retailers to make them very authentic to today’s family?  

SJ:  It's a combination of things, we use retailers, antique shops, flea markets and garage sales like any other family in America.

Adam's Dining Room Area

I’m a firm believer in lighting making design come to life – how important is lighting in the home interiors you create? 

SJ:  Lighting is one of the most important aspects of any set and one of the most difficult.  Lighting creates the mood, it warms the set.  Every time I open a new set I insist that all the lamps are plugged in and lit, I am not a fan of overhead lighting.  The lighting sources I choose helps motivate the cinematographer, set lighting and define character. 

Any favorite colors you like working with now? 

SJ:  The whole show is based on the Benjamin Moore Historical Colors and the Farrow and Ball collections. 

Are there any visual changes with the homes this new season? 

SJ:  Actually there are, across the board almost all of the art work has been changed.  This was done basically to freshen up a three year old series.

What is your favorite part of the job that you do as a creative person? 

SJ:  I love to see the idea go from paper to reality.  I love the process.  

Is there one home on the show that is similar in style to your own home? 

SJ:  I guess my style falls somewhere between Zeek and Adam's homes.

At home myself, there are certain things I do for styling or to make my spaces more visually appealing – what do find yourself doing in your own home?  

SJ:  Flowers are huge - as is lighting and I like to set up still settings - be it photographs on a piano or a collection of antique toys.

What details of the homes on the show do the fans of the show tell you they love? 

SJ:  Usually it's the paint colors.

Adam's House Master Bedroom

Was there any one thing that inspired you to become a production designer?  

SJ:  I was inspired by the collaboration process.  Working with the directors, actors and writers.

What did you design before you did Parenthood?  

SJ:  I started with Woody Allen as a set decorator on Stardust Memories.  Then I was an Art Director with Paul Mazursky for several films.  Other work includes the film Clueless, The Brady Bunch Movie, Never Been Kissed and television shows, Third Watch, Fringe and various other films and television shows.  

When you get to the set in the morning – what is the first thing you will do? 

SJ: I make sure all the lamps are on!  Check in with the director to make sure they are happy.

For the fans out there that are all about making their homes better and more inviting – what are the three things you have learned that truly make a home a home?

SJ:   Lighting, Comfort and a Great Kitchen.

Thank you to Steven Jordan for taking the time to talk with me.  A sincere appreciation to him and his team for their inspired creative work on this family-focused series.  

Now, it's all about the visuals to inspire you...I'm excited that you are actually able to see the rooms as rooms - not just a small part of them in the background of a shot.  With these images, you can see the rooms come to life and see how the tapestry that Steven has created for the each environment truly has something to offer.  Enjoy!

Adam's House - Family Room from "Parenthood"

Adam's House - Family Room new angle from kitchen

Adam's House - Dining Room Area

Adam's House - Family Room and Kitchen

Adam's House - Kitchen

Adam's House - Master Bedroom

Adam's House - Max's Room

Adam's House - Max's Room

Zeek and Camille's House - Foyer

Zeek and Camille's House - Dining Room seen from hall and kitchen

Zeek and Camille's House - Dining Room with view to hall and kitchen

Zeek and Camille's House - Kitchen

Zeek and Camille's House - Kitchen seen from hall

Zeek and Camille's House - Living Room with Dining Room beyond

Zeek and Camille's House - Living Room from hallway

Crosby's House Boat - Galley Kitchen/Living Room

Crosby's House Boat - Galley kitchen towards living room and bedroom

Julia and Joel's House - Family Room from Dining Room

Julia and Joel's House - Entrance Hall and Living Room seen from Dining Room

My goal is that you have been inspired by these rooms and my talk with Steven Jordan.  By sharing all this with you - I hope that you have noticed things about each space that you can appreciate, maybe incorporate into your own home, perhaps you can see spaces in new ways or maybe you have found a style that speaks to you.  By going on location - I want to start to empower you with more ideas that can help make your home even better for you and your family.  It's a journey and we are all on it.  

The season premiere of Parenthood airs tonight.  Check out everything about the series and more:  PARENTHOOD.

The next Designer Dad : On Location will be my behind-the-scenes home visit to the hit show The Good Wife.

In the meantime, stayed tuned in for my daily, family-focused home and design ideas for the everyday family.

- Stephen Saint-Onge