There are certain prerequisites to a Wes Anderson film. A quirky band of characters that wouldn’t appear out of place in a children’s storybook, for one. Then comes his absurdist, oft-existential narratives, for two. And last, but certainly not the least, is the visual time capsule Anderson dreams up through his cinematography and set design: bold colour schemes, pleasing symmetry and a keen eye for all things vintage.
He’s known to have built out of the very world we live in, often relying on presently available architecture to create his whimsical worlds—such as Görlitzer Warenhaus, a department store in Görlitz, Germany for The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). An Instagram page and book titled Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wally Koval was inspired by this very instinct; that our own world holds the key to satisfying our many whimsies—more than we could ever imagine.
Should we then attempt to take our cues from Anderson’s masterfully poetic oeuvre and apply it to our daily lives, perhaps a shot at recreating the very spaces we live in might be our best bet. Understandably, it would take much more than just mere touches of vintage, kitschy decor to actually fully transform your homes into something akin to an Anderson-worthy set. Across his spanning body of work—of which newly-announced Asteroid City will soon add to the list—the auteur has demonstrated his flair for drenching his worlds in colours that speak of feeling. Abandonment and grief are carried through red as in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) whilst yellow becomes the backdrop for longing and nostalgia in Moonrise Kingdom (2012).
But once you’ve settled on a palette of your choice, consider screening his films once more, where each shot might prove as inspiration for embodying the sentiment of his retro-esque, unusual escapades. Think elaborate wallpapers, evocative lamp structures or statement tapestries, alongside more storied timepieces to add to your top shelf. To help you out in the process, we’ve curated a Vogue-approved range of Wes Anderson-inspired decor—perfect for transforming your home into one worthy of the film director’s candy-coloured oeuvre.
1 / 10
B&B junior armchair, $2,935
Take your cues from the striking red of The Royal Tenenbaums and deck out your living room with a statement designer piece by Italian architect Gaetano Pesce—one that will imbue your home with the same playful whimsy of Anderson’s films.
Available at Space Furniture
2 / 10
Antique Flemish tapestry, $6,230
Anderson definitely has a knack for referencing time periods through his overt visuals but at times—like in The Darjeeling Limited—the auteur also loves paying ode to the wondrous destinations around the world. In a majestic combination of both, this tapestry captures the historical magnificence of a century now considered age-old.
Available at 1st Dibs
3 / 10
Hay Sobremesa Stripe vase, $152
With its summery palette and bountiful volume, we’ll see this piece blending right into the garden scapes of Asteroid City‘s fictional American town come June—just like we were transported all the way back to the 1950s.
Available at Finnish Design Shop
4 / 10
Opinion Ciatti original bookcase, $1,150
The cluttercore capture in The French Dispatch might just have been every bookworm’s dream. And what better way to lean into the idea of organised mess than to give your books a dedicated stacking section?
Available at Space Furniture
5 / 10
Hay slit wood table, $370
Remember: colour is key. So with this vivid blue dream—that also comes in a myriad of other pastel favourites—you’ll be able to do just that much more with your chosen choice of palette.
Available at Finnish Design Shop
6 / 10
Flos table lamp, $1,805
Even if you’re not looking to completely overturn your existing home palette, this picturesque lamp is an easy way to invite a dash of bright into your home. Team it with other quirky tableware and top shelf items for added impact.
Available at Space Furniture
7 / 10
Antique map of Asia and Australia, $237
Once again, The French Dispatch is remembered for its evocative frames; where rooms are filled with time treasures that marked an epoch in history. Should a change of wallpaper not be in the realm of possibility for you, then adding on a world map might just be a good way to slowly begin converting your study or living room into a vintage dream.
Available at 1st Dibs
8 / 10
Kartell All Saints mirror, $1,000
Should you be leaning into a cooler palette of blues and greens, perhaps this brilliant mirror pick would serve as the perfect contrast—whilst adding a somewhat space-age overtone that we might see Anderson utilising in the near future.
Available at Space Furniture
9 / 10
Two tone royal portable typewriter, $1,058
Nostalgia is a strong ‘Anderson’ theme that begets the numerous absurd objects filling his sets. As for your own top shelf picks, opt for a typewriter: to remember the time period it once belonged to, whilst being assured of its continued utility.
Available at 1st Dibs
10 / 10
Aida bar stool
This is one piece that would fit right into the kaleidoscopic dream of any Anderson film. With its contrasting two-tone pairing (for which, you can mix-and-match the hues on your own), a line of these bar stools might add to the eclectic air of your soon-to-be-transformed home.
Available at Roche Bobois
