Fictional Interiors - 'Pretty Woman'

This week I am taking a look at the interior locations and sets that featured in the classic movie (and one of my all time favourites ‘Pretty Woman’ (1990). The film featured many gorgeous interiors that were a perfect mix of late 1980s-1990s, Art Deco and Beaux Arts styles. The glamour and sophistication created an air of wealth and opulence that fascinated the main character Vivian just as much as it amazes the viewers of the film.

The main on site location for the movie was the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel located in the centre of the world famous Rodeo Drive. The exterior shots of the hotel and the beautiful central lobby and famous elevator scenes were filmed at the real hotel however the fabulous suite that Edward and Vivian Share was in fact a set that was built in the Disney Studio in Burbank. The interior of the Regent Beverly Wilshire is styled in a Beaux Arts style that has changed very little since its construction in 1928 but was given a 65 million dollar facelift in 1991. The Lobby itself is relatively small but features exquisite white marble floors, walls and pillars, a striking central chandelier and ornately carved wooden elevator doors with polished brass accents.

Some of the lobby, bar and corridor scenes as well as the Famous Piano Lounge/Ballroom scene were filmed in the now demolished Ambassador hotel in midtown Los Angeles. The ballroom was empty during the time of filming so the set dressers had to transform the space by adding tables, seating, lighting and the piano in the same style as the Beverly Wilshire to ensure that the room looked like it was part of the same hotel. Built in 1921 the Interiors were strikingly similar to the Beverly Wilshire with its marbled walls and floors and extravagant lighting so it was easy to move between both locations without it being noticeably different on screen.

A set was built at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank to film the scenes in Edward’s penthouse suite to make it easier to light and film but also because the hotel itself did not have a space that felt right for the design that the filmmakers wanted. They cleverly designed the set to be in keeping with the actual rooms of the hotel with soft cream and pastel tones and heavy wooden mahogany furniture that gave a fabulous balance of Beaux Arts and classic 1980s glamour and opulence. The bed and iconic bath tub were styled on many luxury hotel suites in los angles and complimented the overall interior design and colour scheme.

The scene in which Edward takes Vivian out for dinner to meet his business associates (the escargot scene) was filmed on location at a wonderful restaurant called ‘Rex’ now ‘Cicada’ in Los Angeles. Located on the ground floors of the James Oviatt Building with an upper mezzanine and designed in a French Art Deco style this restaurant embodied all the glamour and opulence that made this scene special and signified a huge change in social surroundings for Vivian. The building itself features many wonderful features such as stained glass windows and elevator doors designed by Renee Lalique and the restaurant interior retains all its art deco features such as polished stair rails, moulded plaster panelling and carved wood furniture.

For more ideas on creating your very own interior space inspired by the opulence of the movie, take a look at our latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - Pretty Woman