Decorating
Fun Houzz: How to Re-create Monica’s ‘Friends’ Flat
Channel the shabby chic style of the iconic TV show and let Monica Geller be your interior stylist for the day
On Friends, Monica’s flat has hosted countless Thanksgiving dinners, been the site of hilarious sibling feuds, nurtured friendships that span decades, and enjoyed an eclectic and unforgettable style. At some point or another, most of us have wished we could pack our bags, take the next flight to New York, and move in with Monica, raid Rachel’s wardrobe, and hang out for hours at Central Perk. The harsh realities of the Manhattan housing market did little to dampen our enthusiasm.
In honour of the famous fictional gang of friends, discover ways in which you can channel some of the key aspects of Monica’s flat into your own home. Just remember to keep things tidy and use a coaster, or Monica may just chase you down with her vacuum cleaner…
In honour of the famous fictional gang of friends, discover ways in which you can channel some of the key aspects of Monica’s flat into your own home. Just remember to keep things tidy and use a coaster, or Monica may just chase you down with her vacuum cleaner…
Embrace exposed brick
Monica’s kitchen has been witness both to some incredible whipped salmon mousse and Rachel’s tragically failed traditional English trifle, which combined mince and custard (although Joey had no problem with it…).
Throughout all the culinary and emotional roller-coasters, Monica’s kitchen continued to sport its classic, slightly rustic exposed brick walls. Copy the look with real bricks, brick slips or brick-effect panels.
Monica’s kitchen has been witness both to some incredible whipped salmon mousse and Rachel’s tragically failed traditional English trifle, which combined mince and custard (although Joey had no problem with it…).
Throughout all the culinary and emotional roller-coasters, Monica’s kitchen continued to sport its classic, slightly rustic exposed brick walls. Copy the look with real bricks, brick slips or brick-effect panels.
Choose blue or turquoise kitchen units
In addition to the exposed brick wall, Monica’s kitchen is famous for its bright turquoise kitchen cabinets.
If you’re not willing to commit to a bold turquoise shade, eggshell blue cabinets could be the way to give a nod to the show’s style.
In addition to the exposed brick wall, Monica’s kitchen is famous for its bright turquoise kitchen cabinets.
If you’re not willing to commit to a bold turquoise shade, eggshell blue cabinets could be the way to give a nod to the show’s style.
Display mismatched crockery
Although Monica is a neat-freak, she’s also a gifted chef. Therefore her kitchen is almost exploding with all her necessary pots, pans and crockery. Collect brightly patterned teapots, bowls, jugs and mugs from flea markets and second-hand shops, and display them prominently in your new Friends-worthy turquoise cabinets.
Although Monica is a neat-freak, she’s also a gifted chef. Therefore her kitchen is almost exploding with all her necessary pots, pans and crockery. Collect brightly patterned teapots, bowls, jugs and mugs from flea markets and second-hand shops, and display them prominently in your new Friends-worthy turquoise cabinets.
Mix and match chairs
The show made an effort to re-create the shabby chic, flea market-sourced aesthetic of young city dwellers. This included mismatched furniture and plenty of vintage pieces. Monica’s dining and kitchen table sports four different vintage chairs, which fit perfectly with the rest of the flat’s quirky style. Gather an eclectic selection – or choose four old dining chairs and paint them in different colours.
Explore 10 ways to mix and match your dining room style
The show made an effort to re-create the shabby chic, flea market-sourced aesthetic of young city dwellers. This included mismatched furniture and plenty of vintage pieces. Monica’s dining and kitchen table sports four different vintage chairs, which fit perfectly with the rest of the flat’s quirky style. Gather an eclectic selection – or choose four old dining chairs and paint them in different colours.
Explore 10 ways to mix and match your dining room style
Expose any beams
Although Monica’s flat has an open-plan kitchen and living room, the spaces are subtly divided by an exposed beam next to the fridge.
Beams add a rustic touch to an otherwise very urban modern space. If you don’t have one to expose, cheat the look and have one fitted.
Although Monica’s flat has an open-plan kitchen and living room, the spaces are subtly divided by an exposed beam next to the fridge.
Beams add a rustic touch to an otherwise very urban modern space. If you don’t have one to expose, cheat the look and have one fitted.
Employ eclectic repurposing
For a more general take on the Friends aesthetic, go for bright colours and standout, vintage pieces. The bright gramophone and colourful repurposed colander lights in this image would definitely not be out of place in Monica’s packed kitchen. Just make sure you keep the really kitsch pieces, like Pat the giant white ceramic dog, out of sight. Monica did force Chandler to put it out on the balcony, after all.
For a more general take on the Friends aesthetic, go for bright colours and standout, vintage pieces. The bright gramophone and colourful repurposed colander lights in this image would definitely not be out of place in Monica’s packed kitchen. Just make sure you keep the really kitsch pieces, like Pat the giant white ceramic dog, out of sight. Monica did force Chandler to put it out on the balcony, after all.
Hang thick patterned curtains
Monica’s kitchen and living room are decorated with thick, old fashioned floral curtains, perhaps a nod towards the flat’s original owner, Monica’s grandmother. Thick floral curtains are a great way to block out light, ensure privacy, and add a touch of vintage style to any shabby chic ensemble.
Monica’s kitchen and living room are decorated with thick, old fashioned floral curtains, perhaps a nod towards the flat’s original owner, Monica’s grandmother. Thick floral curtains are a great way to block out light, ensure privacy, and add a touch of vintage style to any shabby chic ensemble.
Take purple into the bathroom
Monica’s signature purple extends to parts of her bathroom, too. Although Monica’s bathing space is not nearly as spacious as this one, it still manages to capture a luxurious feel through purple accents, plenty of candles, a thick curtain and, most importantly, a vintage bath.
Monica’s signature purple extends to parts of her bathroom, too. Although Monica’s bathing space is not nearly as spacious as this one, it still manages to capture a luxurious feel through purple accents, plenty of candles, a thick curtain and, most importantly, a vintage bath.
Fit multi-paned balcony windows
Although the gang primarily used the balcony to spy on Ugly Naked Guy, Monica’s large multi-paned windows were an essential component to the flat’s look. Check out the windows and doors range at Crittall for this aesthetic.
Although the gang primarily used the balcony to spy on Ugly Naked Guy, Monica’s large multi-paned windows were an essential component to the flat’s look. Check out the windows and doors range at Crittall for this aesthetic.
Run with the gold peephole frame idea
The famous empty gold frame that adorned the peephole on Monica’s front door can easily be re-created with a can of gold paint and a flea market find. However, empty gold frames can add a touch of shabby chic glamour anywhere in your home. In this bathroom, multiple empty frames are grouped together to create a gallery effect.
The famous empty gold frame that adorned the peephole on Monica’s front door can easily be re-created with a can of gold paint and a flea market find. However, empty gold frames can add a touch of shabby chic glamour anywhere in your home. In this bathroom, multiple empty frames are grouped together to create a gallery effect.
Another way to incorporate an empty gold frame is to include it in a greater ensemble of framed prints and odd objects.
Incorporate shabby chic accents
If you’re not completely ready to commit to purple walls and turquoise kitchen cabinets, you can still pay subtle homage to Monica’s style by incorporating small vintage pieces throughout your home. Flea markets and second-hand shops are a great source for finding weathered, colourful, textured and quirky pieces for your home.
But remember: just because it’s old, it doesn’t mean it can be allowed to accumulate dust! A trusted vacuum cleaner, mop and surface sprays are an indispensable part of keeping your flat Monica-approved.
TELL US…
Did you always love the interiors in Friends? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
If you’re not completely ready to commit to purple walls and turquoise kitchen cabinets, you can still pay subtle homage to Monica’s style by incorporating small vintage pieces throughout your home. Flea markets and second-hand shops are a great source for finding weathered, colourful, textured and quirky pieces for your home.
But remember: just because it’s old, it doesn’t mean it can be allowed to accumulate dust! A trusted vacuum cleaner, mop and surface sprays are an indispensable part of keeping your flat Monica-approved.
TELL US…
Did you always love the interiors in Friends? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Arguably the most noticeable aspect of Monica’s flat is the bold, purple wall colour in her living room. You can incorporate this trend in multiple ways: you could have one brightly coloured feature wall, opt for a lighter shade of purple, or stay true to the show and go for a bright and daring look in your living room. Whatever you choose, you want to make sure that room becomes ‘The One with the Purple Walls’.
See 9 ways to be brave with colour