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’80s Movie Style: Wall Street

June 6, 2016 by Kate 12 Comments

Wall Street movie New York

Welcome to New York in the ’80s, where money is power in a city that never sleeps. This is the dynamic setting of Wall Street, a movie that features skilled acting by Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas, as well as a plot involving a romance with an interior decorator, wonderfully played by Daryl Hannah. Directed by Oliver Stone in 1987, the film explores issues such as excess and decadence. And interior design! Yes, this is going to be good. What follows is Mirror80’s most stylish ’80s Movie Style post to date…

The Players

One of my favorite Wall Street elements is the fact that every character gets a carefully crafted, dramatic close-up. Here are a few to get us started…

Wall Street Charlie Sheen

Wall Street Daryl Hannah

Wall Street Michael Douglas

Even the scenery gets its moment to shine. In fact, the interiors of this film are basically another character–a more likable character than any of the others, in fact. But we’ll talk more about the film’s amazing design later. Let’s get some context for the story first, shall we?!

Wall Street architecture

Wall Street follows the corruption of idealistic Bud Fox, a New York stockbrocker who will stop at nothing to reach success. The film pits him against a powerful, threatening, unscrupulous corporate raider…

Wall Street Charlie Sheen Bud Fox

…who is about to be eaten by his own cell phone. Seriously, that’s a really big phone. Ladies and Gentlemen, Gordon Gekko:

Wall Street Michael Douglas giant phone

Things get interesting when Bud strikes a deal with Gordon after providing him with insider information. Gordon takes Bud under his gilded wing, introducing him to the world of upscale dining, beach mansion parties, limousine rides…

Wall Street Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen

…and limo accessories like built-in computers and adorable cocktail glasses pre-stuffed with watermelon-motif paper napkins. No really, those napkins are going to be the inspiration for my next summer party.

Wall Street limo watermelon napkins

Things get even more interesting when Bud socializes with Gordon’s party guests one evening. As you can see from the photo below, they include Gordon’s wife (played by Sean Young) and Gordon’s mistress (played by Daryl Hannah). Yes, that’s two replicants from Blade Runner at one beach house party. Let’s hope Michael Douglas was a fan of Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic.

Wall Street Sean Young and Daryl Hannah

No plastic pineapple lamps and jars of seashells at this beach house. Instead, high-end sculptural wall art reigns:

Wall Street movie Gordon Gekko beach house

There’s an Etruscan vase on the coffee table:

Wall Street movie Etruscan vase

The painting below is by Jim Dine, and there’s even a cute robot that performs butler duties. Yay!

Wall Street Jim Dine art

It doesn’t take long for Bud to fall for Daryl Hannah’s character (Darien, who as mentioned, is a decorator), and the two begin a romance based on their shared desire to have meaningless lives of acquisition. So when she decorates his brand new high-rise apartment, you know true magic is going to happen…

Bud’s Apartment

What follows is basically a primer on how to decorate an ’80s penthouse using the most over-the-top, excessive techniques at your disposal, all the while showcasing designer artwork and channeling an upscale feel. And it begins with faux brick sheeting:

Wall Street movie Charlie Sheen's apartment

…covered in fragmented dry wall that is promptly painted blue…

Wall Street apartment decorating scene

…and finished off with silver and gold leafing!

Wall Street apartment gold leafing

It’s only the best for Bud, and these details prove it:

Wall street decorative details

The living room is fabulous, but it’s the kitchen that really got my attention. The red paper towel holder and red knobs, coupled with black textured cabinetry and the latest in foodie gadgets makes me want to pour a glass of wine and eat pasta for days.

Wall Street movie kitchen

There’s even a sushi maker, and I love that Charlie Sheen takes the time to craft his own five-star buffet of yuppie nibbles while holding down his old job and simultaneously working for the city’s most powerful Wall Street player.

Wall Street movie sushi maker

Hey, there’s always time to enjoy a meal with the one you love. Especially if the plates feature a bold zigzag design that borders on tribal!

Wall Street Charlie Sheen Daryl Hannah

Here’s the decorating montage from the film:

Let’s get a good look at the apartment! The sculpture on the wall above Charlie Sheen is a piece by Keith Haring. It’s clear that this penthouse is supposed to be comically excessive while still reflecting some of the era’s top trends. The marble-painted door frame and gold leafing on the crown molding are…a bit much. But who cares when everything comes together to create such a fun opulent vibe?!

Wall Street Bud Fox apartment

You’re even encouraged to laugh at the impracticality of the place–there’s a funny bit where Gordon Gekko accidentally puts his plate through the coffee table (see below and look for the food and napkin on the floor). Yep, there’s no glass top on that sculptural piece.

Wall street movie coffee table

But that doesn’t stop Gekko from making a killer pitch to Bluestar Airlines just minutes later. I can’t take my eyes off that wall behind Gordon. That sconce! That crazy wall treatment! I’m loving the layered look:

Wall Street Bud's apartment

But let’s peel away some layers now, shall we…

Art and Power

Throughout the film, artwork plays a key role, underscoring the characters’ power. Gordon is an avid collector, and some of the most memorable scenes feature impressive pieces from his stash, like the green and black Joan Miro painting that resides in his office.

Wall Street Gordon Gekko office

For an amazing post on the different pieces in the film, visit Anthony White Artwork. The details and photos are fabulous.

Wall Street art Charlie Sheen

We can’t forget this bold work that hangs in Bud’s apartment, which appears to be a 1985 piece called The Collectors by Lucas Samaras:

Wall Street movie artwork

The monetary value of the artwork is at times discussed in Wall Street, and high-end art is considered a symbol of status, a symbol that Bud acquires on his rise to the top. But can he choose money over his values indefinitely? Will he be able to look at himself in the mirror? Will it all come crashing down, and if it does, can he at least keep the pasta maker and those zigzag-border dinner plates?!

Wall Street movie Charlie Sheen

You’ll have to watch the film to see what happens. Lots of high-stakes drama, insider trading and moral dilemmas. But as you can see, this post was focused on the design. And that’s the way I like it! Thanks for reading. XOXO, Kate

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Comments

  1. Sean says

    June 9, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    This is a fantastic post. Great research, screen captures and writing. I haven’t seen this since it was released but I just may have to revisit it. (I totally forgot Sean Young was even in it.) Though I can’t believe you held your tongue on Daryl’s bizarro fringed mesh tassled giant saucer plate hat. It gave me Til Tuesday flashbacks! That hat’s possibly worth a post of its own. 😉

    Reply
    • Kate says

      June 9, 2016 at 9:58 pm

      Hi Sean! Thanks for your comment. I love your observation about Daryl’s hat. And netting. And pink tassles! I hadn’t made the Til Tuesday connection, but you’re so right! Daryl just needs spikier hair and a rat tail. Thank you again for your kind words.

      Reply
  2. Jano Montalvo says

    June 22, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    I love so much this post. That movie seems so rich in details. I want to see it!
    And the “making of” of the decoration… wonderful.

    Thank you Kate!

    Reply
  3. Steve Leidecker says

    October 25, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    Who made the coffee table in buds apartment it’s awesome.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      October 25, 2016 at 1:45 pm

      Hi Steve! I’m not sure about the coffee table. I did some research and haven’t come up with anything at this point. We’ll see if someone else responds down the line. Otherwise, I’ll let you know if I find some helpful info. Thank you for your comment!

      Reply
  4. David Bilandzija says

    September 10, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    I’m pleased as punch that someone took notice of the placement of artwork throughout this film. I think it deserves to be highlighted.

    Reply
    • Christopher S says

      September 17, 2018 at 1:58 pm

      Yes, it is very exciting to view, I appreciate what this film has done. I would love to re-create this feel in my own home.

      Reply
  5. Bruce Sinclair says

    October 4, 2018 at 6:50 am

    There is a NY Times article extant detailing all of the artwork, especially in Gekko’s office, which actually was at 222 Broadway in NYC; The Jackson-Steinham trading floor was in the same building btw. Great article though!

    Reply
  6. B R Sinclair says

    October 4, 2018 at 6:51 am

    There is a NY Times article extant detailing all of the artwork, especially in Gekko’s office, which actually was at 222 Broadway in NYC; The Jackson-Steinham trading floor was in the same building btw. Great article though!

    Reply
  7. Poor Financier says

    June 26, 2019 at 9:57 am

    Son of a friend of mine made his first dish of nigiri sushi, using the same good old ASM 50 (of AUTEC make) as seen in this movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0LGIEwnSi8

    Reply
  8. ThatDudeFromEarth says

    March 16, 2022 at 9:10 am

    It’s interesting to see some of these images… Back in the 80s I worked as an art handler in NYC and actually hung some of the paintings in the penthouse/set that was used to portray Gordon Gekko’s apartment.
    I went looking for info on some of the lesser known pop art artists whose art I used to handle and luckily found this… not what I was looking for exactly, but interesting nonetheless.
    Lots of crazy times in the pop art scene back then… the movie, as over the top as it seems doesn’t even come close in regards to the lifestyle and behavior of a good many of the “collectors” back then.
    Well, back to my search… thanks for interesting article.
    Cheers.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 22, 2022 at 10:36 pm

      I’m so glad that you wrote in–it sounds like you were right in the middle of the art collecting action during this exciting decade! And how amazing that you contributed to the set of Wall Street! Thank you for your kind words about the post. It would be an honor to have you join the ’80s design group on Facebook if you’re interested–one of the group’s experts may have the pop art info you’re looking for, and we’d be lucky to have you. No pressure at all to join. I wanted to mention it since I moderate the group and people ask specific design questions on a regular basis. Here’s the link just in case: https://www.facebook.com/groups/117645861976786 Thank you again for your comment!!!

      Reply

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Mirror80 is a blog that celebrates the intersection of modern design and retro style. I'm Kate, and I enjoy exploring the look and feel of the "recent retro", with a focus on the late '70s through the early '90s. Welcome to Mirror80. Read More…

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