Rattan and floral fabric take center stage in these stills from The Golden Girls.
Thank you for being a friend. Not just because you were on my TV screen every week, Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia. But because a sense of peace came over me every time the opening credits of The Golden Girls ended and the screen was filled with a close-up of your house. And then we were transported inside, where tropical fabric, high ceilings and a plethora of lush plants were juxtaposed with your over-sized clothing and large enamel jewelry.
And when you made a reference to going “out on the lanai,” my first question was “What’s a lanai?” It almost didn’t matter–Even as a grade-schooler, I knew it had to be good.What makes Golden Girls style so awesome? Perhaps it’s the way the look combines tropical and Asian motifs in a way that references both Florida resort elegance AND a low-key vacation vibe. In addition to the undeniable comedic talents of Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty, the interior design highlights of this popular television series that ran from 1985-1992 clearly made an impression on viewers.
***FOR BETTER-QUALITY PHOTOS THAT CHANNEL GOLDEN GIRLS STYLE, check out this new post!***
There are several signature elements of Golden Girls style:
- Rattan flourishes, especially on furniture (see the stills above)
- A tropical palette, reflected in soft-toned floral fabric and teal cushions
- lush vegetation motifs, from house and patio plants to fabrics and wall decor
- ceramic vases in signature ’80s colors (see the stills above)
- Asian touches, such as porcelain vases and wall art
Now let’s take a look at another still from the show and brainstorm some ways to bring Golden Girls style home to roost:
A tropical tablecloth and rattan chairs highlight this still from an episode of The Golden Girls.
It’s hard not to love the cool tones of the tropical tablecloth, the abundance of plants on the standing shelf, and the white rattan chairs, which could easily be updated to high-end design territory today if the cushions were re-covered in a geometric print. If we turn our attention below, we see three ways to add Golden Girls glam to your home.
Evoke a tropical vacation by filling an apothecary jar with white sand and some of your favorite marine finds (shown below, left). Then add a touch of lattice patterning (middle), which manages to give an air of crisp elegance mixed with a laid-back vibe when used as a textile or wallpaper highlight in a room. Finish with a bit of bamboo or rattan, as shown in the frame on the vintage painting (right).
Vintage and modern touches can a new twist to Golden Girls style.
Now let’s journey to Blanche’s room, where an abundance of palm leaves on the bedspread can’t help but climb their way up the walls. Check out the resort-like feel of this space, as well as the elegant curves of the furniture:
Palm leaves abound in Blanche’s room.
We’ll end with a look at a few more tropical touches that can bring the Golden Girls’ Miami resort style to your abode:
Vintage items bring the Tropics home.
The mauve triangular ’80s vase above (top left) is balanced with the softness of magnolia blossoms. Can’t you just see this piece on Blanche’s dresser?! A cloisonne vase (top right) brings Asian floral style to a room, while a vintage Georges Briard dish offers a modern take on seashells.
Thanks for joining Mirror80 in this celebration of Golden Girls style. Like a beachy breeze, this ocean-side look makes a summery statement, all the while celebrating some of our favorite ladies of the small screen.
REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR NEW GOLDEN GIRLS POST for better-quality images!
The Golden Girls are quite funny! I have seen a few episodes, I paid attention to the interior to 🙂 I like the colorful furniture.
Thanks for all your sweet comments on my blog! 🙂
I have a kitchen table and chairs that match theirs
I love this! The part about the atmosphere of the apartment bringing a sense of peace is so spot on. I remember feeling that way as a kid whenever I watched Golden Girls and it feels great to finally put a finger on the specifics of the design that lent to that. This blog is amazing.
Thanks so much for your comment and your kind words, Nicole. It's nice to know others were comforted by the decor of the Golden Girls!
Does anyone know what the name of the art print used in the kitchen on the Golden Girls set, containing the oranges?? I've been wanting a lithograph of this for my apartment. Thanks!!
Hopefully someone can shed some light on this mystery! It's a great art piece!
I have been searching for the same thing for months! Still no luck.
I painted a replica…I could never find it either
I’m impressed, Tammi! Hats off to you for your creativity!
I love the rattan furniture in the living room, does anyone know who designed it?
I wish I knew! These folks may be able to shed some light on the subject. On their website, they claim to have rented their rattan/tropical furniture for use on the Golden Girls set–feel free report back if you make a discovery!:
http://www.tropicalsunrattan.com/servlet/the-temp…
Like Jtro i am looking for the rattan livingroom. Please let me know if you found out about the designer. Thank you
And I love the leafy overlarge scale of the “jungle” wallpaper. Where can I find it? Thanks for any info.
Hi Savvy Steph! I love the wallpaper as well! It closely resembles the iconic wallpaper of the Beverly Hills Hotel (or perhaps it is the same pattern)! Here is a link with some pics–you can order the paper here as well: http://designerwallcoverings.com/WallpaperStore/i…
Thanks for your comment!
The wallpaper decor in Blanche’s room is not palm leaves but banana leaves.
I think the painting on the wall of the family room, just left of the kitchen swinging door, was painted by my grandmother. She lived and painted in Naples, Florida. It is a scene of water lilly’s. This painting hung in her house until it was sold. She displayed her painting in their office supply business in Naples. Any confirmation or denial woudl be appreciated.
Wow, Russ! What an amazing connection the The Golden Girls! Thanks for sharing this tidbit. Maybe someone will write in with more info. I wonder if you could head over to IMDB and find a production or art design contact for the show, then get in touch with that person about the painting. Again, thanks for sharing!
It’s a Monet! Claude Monet’s Waterlilies.
I think anyone who was and is a fan of The Golden Girls really “gets it”. We feel at peace, just like the article says, because we always feel welcome in their home. I often watch the reruns and think what a wonderful world they live in. I get a similar feeling from the house on Who’s the Boss and I think it has to do with the depth of the set. Both the houses on the Golden Girls and Who’s the Boss were visually deep as there are various other seating areas beyond those of the main living area and they all look comfortable. So glad to see so much love still for this show and an appreciation for the set. Great post!
Thanks so much for your comment, John! By the way, are you the actor John Nevitt? Just thought I’d ask… Either way, I’ve enjoyed reading your comments, and you really seem to know a great deal about interior and set design from the ’70s and ’80s. Thanks again!
You’re welcome, Kate. I do some local theater but I’m not the same actor of the same name listed on IMDB. I’m glad you enjoy reading my comments. I do have a love of interior design and the house on The Golden Girls was always a happy place for me. There was one episode where Rose dated a much younger guy who was into Miami Vice. I didn’t notice until years later upon seeing a rerun of that episode that there was framed art by Carlos Sanchez of a black deco leopard in the boyfriends apartment. I have that exact same print! Oddly enough, I haven’t been able to find much of the 80’s stuff from that artist or information about him online, but having that little tie-in to my favorite show in my own home feels pretty special.
How fun that you spotted your leopard art on The Golden Girls! I had a similar feeling when I spotted one of my ’80s art prints on an episode of The Carrie Diaries (’80s revival teen show on the CW–prequel to Sex and the City). It was featured in a high-powered office scene. : – )
I’d like to purchase the onion and garlic ceramic wall decor, where can i purchase it?
I wish I had a lead on this… Any readers out there have an idea?
They’re form Mexico, check ebay.
Now thanks to the days of pausing the DVR, I wondered if anyone else spotted the exclamation point on the front door? I noticed in an episode (almost all 🙂 where Dorothy slammed the door on Stan! The GG set really embodies peace, doesn’t it? I just could not wait to see what the gals would get themselves into next. I have been watching this for 20+ years. I often watched with my Nana, and now when I watch it, it is as if she is still here. I think the jungle scene is perfect for Blanche’s Boudoir!
I couldn’t agree more, Denise! I could watch reruns for hours. This is truly a show with great writing, amazing comedic timing from the actors, and a true sense of tranquility, especially in the transitions between scenes when the music plays and we get different shots of the house! I remember being on a high school band trip in Orlando and taking the tour at MGM Studios. We drove past the exterior of the Golden Girls’ home (all of the exterior shots were taken from there). I was probably one of the only kids on the bus clicking away with my little disposable camera… And I hear you on the jungle scene for Blanche!
DoeS anyone know where to buy the copper (?) wall art in the kitchen? I’ve always loved them and cannot find anything close to it.
I don’t have any leads on that copper wall art. Anyone else know where to find something similar?
They are Jello copper/tin molds that can be found in local thrift stores (such as Goodwill, Value Village etc) and on line ebay, etsy
HELP PLEASE… ive been trying my best to find the wall paper,comforter set and the curtians that blanch had in her room. can you please tell me where can i get them from????
I just read a article on Blanche’s bedspread. It was specially made for the show and apparently was very expensive. Interesting fact- The producer would actually take it home with him, for fear of possibly having something happen to it.
Does anyone know the name of the big picture that hangs just inside the kitchen doorway? It is of what seems to be a flower market , and features a green and white awning.
Lynn, I hope someone responds quickly. I wish I knew more about the artwork from the set. Clearly there is great interest in multiple pieces! Thanks for your comment.
I have wanted a copy of that painting for YEARS. May have to paint it myself!
Hi, I’m looking for the tablecloth that was bright blue and bright orange. The one that is pictured here is very different. Does anybody know where I can purchase it? Also could you please put a picture of it on here? I used to rewind my VCR all the time, to get the perfect picture of it. Then one day my phone froze and I lost all my pics. Thank you. Can’t wait to see it again.
I loved this show from it’s beginning. Still watching also. What I’m interested in most of all is the outdoor furniture. Beautiful yellow patio chaise chairs and tables. Just gorgeous. Where can I find? I’ve searched ebay, only rusty things. Please help. What company made them? Thank you, Tracey