“I`ve been cheating on fashion with furniture,” quips Carrie Bradshaw

“I’ve been cheating on fashion with furniture,” quips Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica
Parker, at the beginning of Sex and the City 2. A sequel to the smash TV show and its successful
cinematic spin-off, the movie finds Carrie growing up, learning how to share a new apartment
with now-husband Mr. Big (Chris Noth), and extending her passion for all things fashionable to
the world of interior design.
“Carrie is trying to make a new apartment for the two of them, not just for her,” says Jeremy
Conway, the production designer for the TV series and both films. To that end, Conway, along
with set decorator Lydia Marks of Marks & Frantz, created a space that blends masculine elements, such as linear midcentury furnishings and dark woods, with feminine accessories, including whimsical rugs and cheerful botanical-themed fabrics.
But the stylish settings aren’t reserved for the married couple. The movie features a mix of inspiring interiors, from the familiar spaces of Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia
Nixon) to a brand-new Times Square office for Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and even a luxurious,
Moroccan-themed hotel.
Carrie and Big’s living room includes a sofa by Montauk Sofa upholstered
in blue wool-mohair from Donghia and a pair of beige midcentury side
chairs. The bright floral Birdie Blossom Cushion by Paul Smith for the Rug
Company adds a classic “Carrie” touch.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
Recognizing that Carrie wouldn’t cook, Conway designed the kitchen and
dining area of the couple’s home with Mr. Big in mind by including such
modern touches as aqua-blue tiles by Heath Ceramics from Ann Sacks installed on the kitchen walls.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
In the dining room, an oxidized-metal chandelier by Property hangs above a French
1940s mahogany table from Alan Moss. The custom-made chairs were upholstered in a
Lee Jofa print fabric.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
A blown-glass chandelier by Lindsey Adelman Studio is a showstopper in Carrie and Big’s hallway.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
Carrie and Big’s bedroom is a striking blend of pattern and texture. The
custom-headboard is covered in fabric by Kravet and pops against the
neutral Rococo Stripe wallpaper by by Cole & Son from Lee Jofa. The
bedding is from Anichini.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
The closet is a functional his-and-hers space, with Big’s clothes on the left and Carrie’s
(mostly) on the right. It’s more subdued than the flashier closet of the first film, set decorator Lydia Marks says: “The ‘wow’ factors are the woodwork and the hardware. It’s more
grown up and sophisticated.”
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
Carrie occasionally delves into the supergirly closet of her former apartment,
which is also featured in the film. “It’s a treasure chest,” production designer
Jeremy Conway says of the space, which is filled to the brim with bright colors
and bold patterns. The room is anchored by the Margherita runner by the Rug
Company, whose pieces are used in many of the film’s interiors. “Their carpets
are designed by fashion designers,” set decorator Lydia Marks says. “What
could be more appropriate than that?”
This chic space was rebuilt to look exactly like Carrie’s apartment
in the first film. In the living room, chairs upholstered in fabric
from Wolf Home surround a glamorous mirrored cocktail table
from ABC Carpet & Home.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
In Charlotte’s Park Avenue apartment, the fanciful kitchen takes center stage. Production
designer Jeremy Conway chose a white-and-cream color palette to serve as a backdrop for
a plethora of cupcakes. Set decorator Lydia Marks outfitted the space with colorful accents,
from the pastel-striped window shade to the bright red knobs on the Wolf range. Whiteand-gray ceramic tiles add a subtle pattern to the floor.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
The most modern setting in the film is Samantha’s Manhattan office. The minimal
space features a Vitra desk, bright white accessories, and sweeping views of Times
Square. “It’s so Samantha,” production designer Jeremy Conway says. “The oversize
billboards. The advertisements. The energy of it is everything that she’s about.”
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
Miranda’s beautiful Brooklyn brownstone is the movie’s most relaxed and down-toearth setting. This simple parlor kitchen has winning prewar architectural details, like
the painted blue carved millwork arching over the range.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
The film’s Abu Dhabi scenes were primarily filmed at a hotel outside Marrakech in Morocco. Here, the girls enjoy cocktails on a terrace filled with glimmering metallic accents.
Photographer: Craig Blankenhorn
But wait, there’s more ...
Candace Bushnell, the author of the novel that inspired both the TV series and
the movies, has an apartment as chic as anything in the new film. To check it
out, click here.