Monday, April 6, 2009

Decorator nod: Karin Weisel and Elaine O'donnell and" In Treatment"

I was so happy that my favorite show returned to HBO last night - "in Treatment". I knew that the show had moved to New York - probably to be closer to the home of it's star, Gabriel Byrne and to benefit from the tax rebates available in NYC  - But I didn't know that they fictionally relocated the show to Park Slope Bklyn. 

So our shrink, Paul has moved from Maryland to his new digs in Park Slope Brooklyn. You see, his wife left him last season. You see, although he is an incredibly capable therapist, he is distant and cold to those closest to him.  And, it became evident that he was in love with one of his patients. So the wife left him. It is not clear at this juncture why he has moved to New York, especially since he has two children and his shrink ( the excellent Diane Weist) is in Maryland as well.  

I couldn't catch the credits, but my friend Kate had told me that Elaine Odonnell was one of the set decorator on the new set.  Tonight I caught the credits. Karen Weisel was the main decorator although Elaine did a number of sets as well.  They both  did a great job. I loved his previous office - it was chock full of books, antiques and  sailboats - It was very warm and cozy office  filled with mica shades and leather and mission furniture.  There were probably a tad too many sailboat references in the previous set for my taste, however, but then I am just quibbling with perfection.  

Most of the drama took place in that office, so I imagine that they  needed to fill it with as many clues to Paul's personality - His desire for transport? to sale away? To be absent within his own life?

The new  set feels appropriately more  transitory - His life has obviously been painfully  turned around - The couch is defintely from Crate and Barrel - One of my favorites there.  but there are warm touches created with pillows and lamps - There is one sailboat for good measure - The set is architecturally a   spot on recreation of a Park Slope Brownstone's garden apartment. 

I literally went into a depression last year when the show's season was over - no kidding. It filled my evenings all last spring. 

Now I am so happy it is back. 


1 comment:

  1. I also notice that the set is not fully developed highlighting his recent move. I wonder how much set dressing came from last season. It would make sense that he would have packed everything and moved. Isn't the sofa the same? I noticed his chair is different. There have been several articles in the times about the move and aside from Gabriel Byrne's desire to be in NYC, the show now has a sense of place where last season felt like anytown, USA.

    jr

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