Moonrise Kingdom – cinematic inspiration from Kike Pawlik

If you’re in the mood to liven up your home, our interiors expert Kike Pawlik suggests taking cues from one of cinema’s finest auteurs, and, of course, Moonrise Kingdom.

If you feel a little bit bored by your home décor and are looking for something unusual yet tasteful, then it’s a perfect time to be inspired by Wes Anderson’s work. With an instantly recognisable aesthetic style, the works of Anderson are more than just films.

Over the course of his career Wes Anderson’s singular canon has become an accidental icon of interior design. Even those unfamiliar with Anderson’s movies have certainly come across some piece of design, fashion, or décor inspired by his work.

His vibrant and exciting approach to set design is for those with passion for art and symmetry and a love of colour. Channelling Wes’ signature style will give you the ability to showcase unique prints and wallpapers, while allowing vintage objects and household items to stand alone as focal points.

Retro Rainbow, Furniture Village

HomeSense

There are many ways in which you can incorporate the Anderson ouevre into your home and surroundings and to create an unusual, lively, and imaginative living space. His signature style calls for bright colours, bold furniture, and works of art placed in unexpected ways throughout a space. 

One of the easiest ways to add personality to a room is with eccentric wallpaper. Consider using bright, vibrant patterns in the living room, bathroom or as accent walls throughout your house. Define your space by a unique and memorable colour palette.

Chair, £280, Habitat

Pendant light, £85, cultfurniture.com

Choose a colour scheme and composition early, but don’t be afraid to deviate as this will help you emphasise important details like a piece of décor or furniture that you really want to make stand out.

All the while, there’s plenty of room for personal touches that make your space reflective of your individual taste as Anderson’s approach permits the rethinking of every object. Look for often perfunctory items like kitchen utensils, clock, phone and table lamps that spark your interest and brighten your space.

Chair, £299, DFS Furniture

Framed Print, £28, abstracthouse.com

A good example is adding a record player, as this is a common trope of Wes Anderson’s cinematic worlds. Statement furniture is a great way to make your room pop, so try to curate items that reflect your individuality, but also enhance the aesthetic of your room.

Colourful sofas, patterned rugs and other bright pieces create an anchor that can set the tone for an entire room. To bring an iconic quirky look into your home, combine pieces from different styles and decades. Incorporate vintage items such as mirrors, picture frames, retro posters and antique coat stands.

Sofa, €599, michaelmurphy.ie

One of the keys to transforming your living space into something akin to one of Wes Anderson’s excruciatingly detailed movie sets is the use of symmetry. To create a visually satisfying interior, you can place two mirrors on the wall instead of one, switch a large sofa for two that can face one another or place two chairs on either side of a door in a hallway.

Retro telephone, £44.95, cuckooland.com

Clock, £25, cuckooland.com

Whatever you opt for, one-point perspective and vivid colour palettes allow for a visually stunning interior. Using all these tips, you’ll be able to make your home as visually appealing and memorable as any of Anderson’s most decorative movie sets from The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, Moonrise Kingdom or others. 

Embrace individuality and authenticity of your space, make your home to ‘be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons’. Always be playful and keep your eyes open because inspiration is everywhere. 

For more from Kike Pawlik, follow her on Instagram. If you were inspired by Kike’s Moonrise Kingdom feature, check out more of her interiors articles by clicking here. All prices correct at time of publishing.