Pic Fix: Lobby Love

An ’80s lobby, as shown in the 1987 film The Secret of My Success (artwork by Frank Stella)

Our latest obsession: ’80s Lobby Chic, the commercial interior design style that celebrated all things sleek, shiny and sophisticated. For the first week of 2012, we wrap up our coverage with additional posts on this glossy aesthetic. Because the sophisticated sheen of marble, mirror and metal was too bright to contain in one week’s time! Today we spotlight a few non-residential spaces for your enjoyment.

If you think the look of Lobby Chic left the building 25 years ago, think again. Below we feature a still from the 2010 film Last Night starring Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Eva Mendez and Guillaume Canet. The hotel room of Alex (Canet) features a cylinder coffee table and a sofa/chaise combo. Not pictured: the room’s maroon and gold brocade wallpaper. In this brilliantly designed space, industrial touches meet boutique elegance. Let’s hear it for the return of the cylinder!

A still from the 2010 film Last Night

We can’t forget about the metal… Though the still below (from Baby Boom) features a conference room rather than a lobby, its grid-filled background reminds us of the strong presence of brass and marble in ’80s commercial interiors:

A still from the 1987 film Baby Boom

So what started it all? Let’s go back to the roots of grand lobby flair.  I have my friend Bruce to thank for pointing me in the direction of this next image. He calls designer Warren Platner “the link between modernism and the shiny ’80s.” Platner was featured in a November 2010 Dwell article by Alexandra Lange.  The American Restaurant in Kansas City (shown below) was designed by Platner in 1974. Gold tones are where it’s at:

The American Restaurant, designed by Warren Platner; Image from Dwell.com

Have a glimmering Monday…