Written by: Brendan Brehm Saturday, February 18th, 2012 .
Ever wondered what it would be like to step inside your favorite TV show? Showtime figured that most people would answer yes to that question and decided to make it possible by creating the Showtime House. This “house” is unique for a couple of reasons. To begin with, it is spread over three penthouses at the top of Manhattan’s luxurious Cassa Hotel and Residences; but even more interesting than the house’s location is what’s inside the penthouses. In 2010, Showtime brought together a team of top-notch interior designers from around the world to create a series of rooms inspired by seven of their most popular TV shows.
'Weeds' Lounge
The seven TV shows that inspired the rooms at the Showtime House are: The Borgias, The Big C, Weeds, Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, and the United States of Tara. If you’ve ever caught any of these shows, you’ll know that they each have a very distinctive style. However, the job assigned to the 14 interior designers wasn’t to copy each show exactly, but to interpret the style and themes, and then weave them into a design that is innovative in its own right. Except for The United States of Tara, which was translated into a loft and roof, each TV show was allotted two rooms.
Californication: A State of Mind
As you can tell from the pictures in this article, the designers channeled the characters’ personalities into everything throughout the room, from the furniture to the wallpaper. In the Californication room entitled “Californication: A State of Mind” we see mirrored floors and walls covered in jumbled up letters. This confusing atmosphere where letters seem to be everywhere, but don’t form any words, reflects perfectly Hank Moody’s (played by David Duchovny) writer’s block.
Dexter's Refuge
Over in Dexter’s (of the show Dexter) “Refuge” we get another psychological portrait. Dexter is a blood pattern analyst for the Miami Police Department by day and serial killer by night. Not surprisingly, his refuge is a little on the creepy side. Yet, he is a conflicted serial killer, so we see in the elegant design a balance between his killer tendencies and his desire to maintain a normal home life.
'The Borgias' Media Room
Technical innovation was also an important element in the design of the Showtime House rooms. In particular, the “Media Room” in The Borgias section used interactive technology to immerse guests in the mood set by the TV show. The room, drenched in blood red light, features projectors and speakers that respond to the visitors’ movement through the room. Upstairs, on the United States of Tara roof, a ghost-like Tara (who suffers Dissociate Identity Disorder) follows guests as they pass in front of the digital mirror. Meanwhile, over at The Big C “Clarity Lounge and Contemplation Room,” a 3D TV has been set into a wall of living plants.
'The Big C' Clarity Lounge and Contemplation Room
Unfortunately this version of the Showtime House is now closed, but we look forward to the next edition. Until then, you can still take a virtual tour of the rooms over at the Showtime House website.
