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Explore film design with expert interviews & behind-the-scenes insights.
Episodes
Friday Apr 11, 2025
Friday Apr 11, 2025
In this episode of the Film and Furniture Podcast, host Paula Benson goes solo to take us on a deep dive into one of the most recognisable and discussed design elements in film history: The Shining’s hexagonal carpet. Celebrating the 45th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s psychological horror masterpiece, Paula reveals the story behind the infamous Overlook Hotel carpet, shares her own research journey in tracing its origins, and explains how you can bring an official version of this legendary design into your own home.
Episode Highlights
🛋️ The Origins of Film and Furniture: Paula shares how The Shining’s carpet helped spark the idea for Film and Furniture, becoming a cornerstone of the site’s celebration of design in film.
⬢ The Hexagonal Carpet's Legacy: Discover how this hypnotic geometric pattern became not only synonymous with Kubrick’s film but a global design phenomenon, endlessly referenced across pop culture—from Toy Story and The Simpsons, to Ready Player One and a Gucci fashion campaign.
👀 Who Really Designed It?: Paula details her journey of discovery confirm the carpet's true designer—David Hicks, one of the most influential British interior designers of the 20th century. The pattern is officially known as Hicks’ Hexagon.
♟️ Kubrick’s Strategic Vision: How the carpet’s graphic form aligns with Kubrick’s symmetrical visual style, chess obsessions, and interest in war strategy, enhancing the sense of dread and tension in The Shining.
🧠 A Sixth Sense?: Could the hexagonal pattern be a visual metaphor for “the shine” itself—Danny’s psychic gift? Paula explores symbolism and the carpet’s unsettling presence as part of the film’s psychological power.
📚 Conspiracy Theories and Chess Moves: From shot-to-shot continuity quirks to deeper symbolic interpretations, Paula references Julie Kearns analysis of the carpet’s role in Kubrick’s visual storytelling.
🎬 Behind the Scenes: Learn more about the film’s production design by Roy Walker and art direction by Leslie Tomkins, and how film sets were built at Elstree Studios in the UK.
🛍️ How to Own The Shining Carpet: Paula reveals how Film and Furniture now supply official licensed versions of the original David Hicks design: Authentic high quality 1 ply wool, hand-tufted rugs and carpets available to the public.
🎭 Host Info
Host: Paula Benson – Founder and Editor of Film and Furniture
🎞️ Films Mentioned
The Shining (1980) – The subject of this episode.
Toy Story, Minions, Ready Player One, The Simpsons, BoJack Horseman, Passengers, The Substance – Pop culture references to the carpet.
2001: A Space Odyssey – Chess game connection.
Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Dr. Strangelove, Full Metal Jacket, Napoleon (unmade) – Kubrick’s exploration of war and strategy.
🔗 Links & Resources
🔗 Order the officially licensed Hicks’ Hexagon rugs
🔗 Order the officially licensed Hicks’ Hexagon carpet
🔗 Read our article on The Shining and the Overlook carpet
🔗 Discover the book David Hicks Scrapbooks
🔗 Explore our full collection of furniture and décor seen in films: Film and Furniture Marketplace
🔗 Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive content and giveaways
📺 When to Watch/Listen to This Episode?
This episode is a perfect listen whether you’ve seen The Shining a dozen times or are just dipping your toe into Kubrick’s eerie world. It’s also a visual podcast, so feel free to watch along to see imagery and references as they’re discussed.
🎨 Credits
Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Video/Podcast Editor: Paula Benson
Graphics: Paul West (@Form Design and Branding)
With thanks to: Warner Bros.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share with fellow design and film fans!
Friday Mar 28, 2025
Friday Mar 28, 2025
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Film and Furniture Podcast, host Paula Benson dives into the world of Luca Guadagnino's film Queer with production designer Stefano Baisi. Stefano shares the process of creating the film’s surreal, dreamlike film sets, where furniture, decor, and architectural elements play a significant role in telling the story. From historical research to designing imaginary worlds, this episode explores how every detail in the set contributes to the psychological depth of the film.
Episode Highlights
🎥 Research and Immersion: Stefano takes us on his personal journey retracing William Lee (and William Burroughs') steps across Mexico and Ecuador to bring authenticity to Queer’s design.
🏠 The Challenge: Stefano reflects on his transition from interior architecture to production design for film, and how it shaped his approach to set design.
🎨 The Influence of art and film: Stefano discusses the influence of matte paintings by the film artist Albert Whitlock and the artists Francis Bacon, Michaël Borremans and Francis Alÿs on the film's visual language, as well as the films Naked Lunch, Blue Velvet, The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus.
🏠 Designing Lee’s Apartment: The careful crafting of Lee’s apartment, reflecting the character’s isolation and inner turmoil through furniture and set details.
⛵ Ship Ahoy Café: The design of the Ship Ahoy café, inspired by nautical themes merged with an American diner style and expat atmosphere.
🌿 Building the Jungle Set: The challenge of recreating the Ecuadorian jungle on an Italian studio lot, mixing real plants and fake foliage to create an authentic but fantastical setting.
🌙 Surreal Set Design: The process behind the dreamy, almost hallucinatory sequences in Queer, including the profound scene where the characters share a connection through ayahuasca.
🎭 Guest & Host Info
Guest: Stefano Baisi is an Italian production designer with a background in interior architecture at Luca Guadagnino's design studio.
Host: Paula Benson – Founder and Editor of Film and Furniture
Films Mentioned
- Queer– Stefano’s work as production designer.
- Naked Lunch (1991) – Surrealist set design and its influence on Queer’s aesthetic.
- Blue Velvet (1986) – An influence on Lee’s apartment
- The Red Shoes - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
- Black Narcissus (1947) - The British psychological drama film jointly written, directed and produced by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Links & Resources
🔗 Buy the Mexican Copa Chabela Cuadrada (square glass)
🔗 Read the book Queer by William Burroughs
🔗 Read the Film and Furniture article on Queer
🔗 Books on Francis Bacon
🔗 Books on the artist Michaël Borremans
🔗 Books on the artist Francis Alÿs
🔗 Discover where to find furniture and décor in film in our marketplace:
🔗 Sign up for our Newsletter for exclusive content and giveaways
When to Watch/Listen to This Episode?
You can watch or listen to this episode before seeing the film to enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you prefer to avoid them, watch after seeing the film—it might even make you want to watch the film all over again!
🎨 Credits
Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage
Video/Podcast Editor: Ira Putilova
Graphics: Paul West (@Form Design and Branding)
With thanks to A24
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a comment!
Friday Mar 14, 2025
Friday Mar 14, 2025
In this episode of The Film and Furniture Podcast, host Paula Benson sits down with production designer Stanislas Reydellet to explore the striking production design of Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance. Reydellet, a key creative force behind the film, shares the details of crafting a visually immersive world—one that is both unsettling and meticulously designed. From grand, minimalistic apartments to corridors that evoke a psychological journey, this episode explores the interplay of set design, furniture, décor, colour, and symbolism in storytelling.
🎥 Episode Highlights
• A visionary approach to filming The Substance—including a 110-day shoot and 20 days dedicated to microscopic details.
• Elizabeth’s apartment—how its vast emptiness reflects isolation, status, and a retreat from the world.
• Furniture transformations—how the evolving bed, chairs, and décor reflect shifting psychological states.
• The mechanics of blood—how 2,000 litres of fake blood were engineered for one of the film’s pivotal moments.
• Design influences—the impact of the Memphis Group and Ettore Sottsass on the film’s aesthetic.
• A nod to The Shining—the hexagonal carpet in the TV studio corridor and how it was adapted as a subtle yet powerful homage.
• The bathroom as a lightbox—inspired by Jean-Pierre Raynaud, its sterile, minimalist design heightens the film’s surrealism.
• Obsessive attention to detail—from designing the perfect USB key to crafting a unique custom typeface for the film’s fictional brand.
🎭 Guest & Host Info Guest:
Stanislas Reydellet – Production Designer for The Substance
Host: Paula Benson – Founder and Editor of Film and Furniture
📌 Links & Resources
🔗 The official Hicks Hexagon carpet and rugs as seen in The Shining – https://filmandfurniture.com/product/the-shining-overlook-hotel-rug-hicks-hexagon-official-240-170/
🔗 Read the article: https://filmandfurniture.com/2025/03/behind-the-scene…of-the-substance/
🔗 Discover where to find furniture and décor in film in our marketplace: https://filmandfurniture.com/store/
🔗 Explore the Film and Furniture features on the design, furniture, and décor of film: https://filmandfurniture.com/features/
🔗 Sign up for our Newsletter for exclusive content and giveaways: https://filmandfurniture.com/membership/
⏰ When to Watch/Listen to This Episode?
You can watch or listen to this episode before seeing the film to enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you prefer to avoid them, watch after seeing The Substance—it might even make you want to watch the film all over again!
🎬 Films Mentioned
The Substance (2024)
The Shining (1980) – Kubrick’s influence, including the hexagonal carpet reference
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – The film’s visual language and lighting effects
A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Aesthetic references in the film’s mood boards
The Fly (1986) – Body horror and transformation influences
Requiem for a Dream (2000) – Psychological and stylistic elements
The Picture of Dorian Gray – The film’s thematic connection to identity and transformation 🎨
Credits
Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage
Video/Podcast Editor: Laura Spini
Graphics: Paul West (@Form Design and Branding)
With thanks to MUBI
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a comment!
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
🎙️Episode Summary
In this episode of The Film and Furniture Podcast, host Paula Benson takes us on a design-centric journey through the 97th Academy Awards, highlighting the nominees and winners for Best Production Design and other key categories. From the magical world of Wicked to the gothic atmosphere of Nosferatu, the futuristic landscapes of Dune Part Two, and the intensity of The Brutalist, Paula explores how these films create unforgettable worlds through design. With in-depth insights on each nominee, the conversation also touches on other notable Oscar winners Anora, Emilia Pérez and The Substance, focusing on their unique visual styles.
🍿 Episode Highlights
Wicked: A deep dive into the world-building brilliance of this musical reimagining, designed by Nathan Crowley. The film's sweeping design transports audiences into a magical world, with set decorator Lee Sandeles playing a crucial role.
Nosferatu: A look at Robert Eggers' gothic horror masterpiece, featuring impressive set designs by Craig Lathrop that creates authentic interiors and eerie castles
Dune Part Two: Patrice Vermette, the production designer, and Shane Vieau, the set decorator, join Paula to discuss how the film's design showcases the different cultures and houses of the Dune universe.
The Brutalist: A conversation on the film's striking set design by Judy Becker and Patricia Cuccia, reflecting the life of a fictional visionary architect, and inspired by the works of post-war architects like Marcel Breuer.
Conclave: An exploration of this political thriller’s minimalistic, symmetrical design and bold colour palette, brought to life by production designer Suzie Davies.
Other Oscar Winners: A look at Emilia Pérez, Anora, and The Substance, discussing their design choices, from gritty realism to profound cultural reflections.
Host:
Paula Benson – Host of The Film and Furniture Podcast and expert in film design and interiors.
Mentioned Films:
- Wicked (Directed by John M. Chu)
- Nosferatu (Directed by Robert Eggers)
- Dune Part Two (Directed by Denis Villeneuve)
- The Brutalist (Directed by Brady Corbet)
- Conclave (Directed by Edward Berger)
- Emilia Perez (Directed by Jacques Audiard)
- Anora (Directed by Sean Baker)
- The Substance (Directed by Coralie Fargeat)
⏰ When to Watch/Listen This Video? You can watch or listen to this video podcast before seeing the film, and it may enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you're sensitive to them, feel free to watch it after you've seen the film—chances are, it might make you want to watch it all over again!
Support the Show: If you love our podcast, please subscribe, rate, and review! It really helps us grow and continue bringing you interviews with the creative minds behind your favourite films and design.
📌 Links & Resources
🔗 Explore the Film and Furniture website for many other fascinating articles on the design, furniture and décor of film
🔗 Discover where to furniture and décor in film in our marketplace
🔗 Sign-up to our Newsletter
🔗Follow us on Instagram for more design inspiration from your favourite films
🔔 Subscribe for more exclusive interviews on film design, furniture, decor and set decoration!
Credits
Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Series Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage
Video/Podcast Editor: Paula Benson (featuring previous episodes from Laura Spini, Ira Putilova and Emma Youell).
Graphics: Paul West @Form Design and Branding
With thanks to all the relevant Film studios.
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
In this episode of The Film and Furniture Podcast, host Paula Benson sits down with the Oscar nominated production designer Craig Lathrop to explore the haunting world of Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu. They dive deep into the intricacies of world-building in gothic horror, where every detail—from furniture to lighting—plays a role in creating an atmosphere of dread and tension.
Craig shares his process behind designing the set for Nosferatu, including his collaboration with set decorator Beatrice Brentnerová and director Robert Eggers. We discuss how they brought historical accuracy to life, the influence of gothic and romanticism art, and the careful attention to detail that made the world of Nosferatu so immersive and chilling. Craig also takes us behind the scenes of iconic sets like the Harding house, Orlok's castle, and the creation of the coffin and crypt.
Episode Highlights
✔️ Craig Lathrop’s history of working with director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman).
✔️ The creative process behind building the gothic world of Nosferatu, including designing entire towns and castles.
✔️ The influence of artists like Caspar David Friedrich on the film’s visual language.
✔️ Crafting the details of the Harding and Hutter homes, including the furniture and design elements.
✔️ The eerie design of Orlok’s castle and the thought process behind the sparse, decaying interiors.
✔️ The significance of the coffin, inspired by Polish sarcophagi, and its role in Orlok’s history.
✔️ How Nosferatu blends historical accuracy with horror, occult influences, and emotional storytelling.
🎭 Guest Info
Craig Lathrop – Production Designer for Nosferatu
🎤 Host:
Paula Benson – Host of The Film and Furniture Podcast
🎬 Mentioned Films:
- The Witch (2015)
- The Lighthouse (2019)
- The Northman (2022)
- Nosferatu (1922) directed by F.W. Murnau
- Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) directed by Werner Herzog
⏰ When to Watch/Listen This Video? You can watch or listen to this video podcast before seeing the film, and it may enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you're sensitive to them, feel free to watch it after you've seen the film—chances are, it might make you want to watch it all over again!
Support the Show: If you love our podcast, please subscribe, rate, and review! It really helps us grow and continue bringing you interviews with the creative minds behind your favourite films and design.
📌 Links & Resources
🔗 The officially licensed Hicks Hexagon rugs and carpet as seen in The Shining
🔗 Discover furniture and décor in film in our marketplace
🔗 Explore the Film and Furniture website for many other fascinating articles on the design, furniture and décor of film
🔔 Subscribe for more exclusive interviews on film design, furniture, decor and set decoration!
Credits
Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage
Video/Podcast Editor: Laura Spini
Graphics: Paul West @Form Design and Branding
With thanks to Focus Features/Universal Pictures
#Nosferatu #Nosferatu2024 #GothicHorror #ProductionDesign #RobertEggers #FilmAndFurniture #SetDesign #film #oscars #oscars 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this episode of The Film and Furniture Video Podcast, host Paula Benson chats with production designer Mark Scruton, who brings us behind the scenes of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Mark shares his experience collaborating with Tim Burton, the creative process behind reviving the iconic Maitland/Deetz house, and the intricate film set designs that define the film’s world. From Victorian mourning aesthetics to the challenges of designing a surreal underworld, Mark reveals how every detail contributes to the film’s rich visual storytelling.
🎬 Episode Highlights
✔️ Working with Tim Burton – How Mark has developed a strong creative rapport with the visionary director.
✔️ Recreating the Maitland/Deetz House – The challenges of bringing the iconic home back to life after 30+ years.
✔️ The House’s Evolution – How its design reflects Delia’s artistic transformation.
✔️ The Black Veil Mystery – Was it real fabric or CGI? Mark spills the details.
✔️ Production Design Tricks – The use of forced perspective, surreal colour palettes, and the art of making real-world sets feel truly otherworldly.
✔️ Designing the Afterlife – How inspiration from global subway systems shaped the eerie train station.
✔️ The Importance of Physicality – Why real sets, props, and furniture enhance the performances and the film’s authenticity.
🎭 Guest Info
Mark Scruton is a production designer known for his work on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Wednesday, and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. With a deep appreciation for Tim Burton’s signature style, Mark’s designs balance gothic surrealism with practical storytelling.
⏰ When to Watch/Listen This Video? You can watch or listen to this video podcast before seeing the film, and it may enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you're sensitive to them, feel free to watch it after you've seen the film—chances are, it might make you want to watch it all over again!
📌 Links & Resources
🔗 Read the article
🔗 Discover where to buy key items of furniture and décor in Beetlejuice 2 in our marketplace
🔗 Explore the Film and Furniture website for many other fascinating articles on the design, furniture and décor of film
🔗 Sign-up to our Newsletter
👀 Check out the Tim Burton exhibition at the Design Museum
🔔 Subscribe for more exclusive interviews on film design, furniture, decor and set decoration!
Credits
Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage Video/Podcast
Editor: Ira Putilova
Graphics: Paul West @Form Design and Branding
With thanks to Universal Pictures
#Beetlejuice #MarkScruton #TimBurton #SetDesign #ProductionDesign #InteriorDesign #FilmDesign #BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice #SetDecoration #DesignInspiration #Architecture
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
In this episode of The Film and Furniture Podcast, Paula Benson interviews production designer François Audouy about his work on A Complete Known, the film directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan.
François takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable film, which captures the cultural revolution of the early 1960s, exploring how music, art, and society collided to shape history.
François shares insights into the creative process of designing iconic sets, from Bob Dylan's meticulously recreated apartment, filled with period-accurate furniture and details, to the authentic feel of iconic folk venues like Gerde’s Folk City.
We also explore the homes of pivotal figures such as Joan Baez, brought to life by Jessica Chastain, and the handcrafted homages to Pete Seeger’s cabin, with François revealing how even cooking a meal on set helped create a truly lived-in atmosphere.
We discuss the influence of Greenwich Village, the authenticity of the Newport and Monterey Folk Festivals, and the role of Columbia Records in showcasing Dylan's transformation as an artist.
With a focus on authenticity, texture, and historical detail, François shares how his team created a world that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Listen to this episode to uncover how the design of A Complete Known brilliantly brings the spirit of the 1960s to life, and get an inside look at the world of production design for a film that immerses its audience in one of the most transformative times in American culture.
When to Watch/Listen This Video?
You can watch or listen to this video podcast before seeing the film, and it may enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you're sensitive to them, feel free to watch it after you've seen the film—chances are, it might make you want to watch it all over again! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!
Links mentioned in this video:
Film and Furniture website: https://filmandfurniture.com/
Find furniture, lighting and décor in this film:
https://filmandfurniture.com/film/a-complete-unknown/
Sign-up to our Newsletter: https://filmandfurniture.com/membership/
Read our feature: https://filmandfurniture.com/2025/02/the-times-they-were-a-changin-the-film-sets-of-a-complete-unknown/
Credits
Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage Video/Podcast
Editor: Laura Spini
Graphics: Paul West @Form Design and Branding
With thanks to Searchlight Pictures
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
In this exclusive video podcast with Film and Furniture’s Paula Benson and Dune: Part Two production designer Patrice Vermette, and set decorator Shane Vieau, we reveal how the film’s designs go beyond aesthetics to reflect the cultures and identities of the film’s three primary worlds: the resilient Fremen of Arrakis, the oppressive Harkonnen of Giedi Prime, and the opulent Imperial society of Kaitain.
Discover how Vermette and Vieau’s creative vision brings Denis Villeneuve’s exploration of colonialism, environmentalism, and religion to life in this extraordinary continuation of Dune’s visual and narrative storytelling.
Through meticulous world-building, the design team infused the sets, furniture, and architecture with symbolism and cultural depth, blending practical craftsmanship with artistic vision.
When to Watch/Listen This Video?
You can watch or listen to this video podcast before seeing the film, and it may enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you're sensitive to them, feel free to watch it after you've seen the film—chances are, it might make you want to watch it all over again!
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!
Links mentioned in this video:
Film and Furniture website
Find furniture, lighting and décor in film: The Film and Furniture marketplace
Sign-up to our Newsletter
Read our feature: Design Secrets of Dune: Part Two: How Spaces Shape Cultures
Credits
Film and Furniture Founder and Editor: Paula Benson
Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage
Video/Podcast Editor: Emma Youell
Graphics: Paul West @Form Design and Branding
With thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures