While we mourn Matthew Perry, here’s a tribute to his cozy and totally goofy apartment on ‘Friends’
While we mourn Matthew Perry, here’s a tribute to his cozy and totally goofy apartment on ‘Friends’
The news coming out of Hollywood this weekend was surprising and sad.
Matthew Perrywho will forever be known for his unforgettable portrayal of the sarcastic but kind Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends, has died at just 54 years old.
Whether you recognized the high-strung Monica, who played her Courteney Cox, Lisa KudrowLovely boho dietz vibe, or David SchwimmerSerious and likable Ross, many fans felt that Perry Chandler was the most likable of the close-knit group.
The genius of “Friends” lay not just in the hilarious antics of beloved characters, but in the show’s ability to teach a generation of viewers how to create an existing family. The series also taught us how to live with roommates and put together a wide range of furnishings in the form of home decor for small entry-level salaries.
Who doesn’t want to curl up on Monica’s couch or curl up in Chandler’s chair after a long day?
Sure, it was hard to believe how large the apartment was (in New York City’s West Village, no less). However, the actual contents made sense, especially the silly elements at Chandler’s place, which he shared with his best friend, Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc).
“One of my favorite parts of the show is that apartments and furnishings played a role in the series,” he says. Pamela O’Brien Designed by Pamela Hope. “Monica’s apartment served as the home base that housed the entire group. However, the fact that Joey and Chandler set up their apartment to be fun and enrich their humorous lifestyle was a new perspective.
To help ease the pain of Perry’s unexpected death, here’s a tribute to the apartment’s boyishly charming decor, which was at once cozy, cozy, whimsical, and goofy.
Leather chairs
(Amazon)
Who can forget the pair of matching plush chairs that Joey and Chandler will sink into with loud sighs? The two soft leather BarcaLoungers featured in the show, two of the boys’ prized possessions, were made possible by Joey’s large check for his work on the “Days of Our Lives” television series.
The accent lounge chairs were a distinct upgrade from the patio furniture the duo had been using. The beauty ($280, Amazon) shown here is similar to the one in the Friends collection and won’t break the bank either.
Foosball table
(Amazon)
When this key decor piece was first introduced to the apartment decor in the episode titled “The One With the Dozen Lasagnas,” we didn’t get to see it in action as Ross declared it “the most beautiful table I’ve ever seen.”
However, when the camera shot widens, we see Ross admiring not the dining table or the kitchen at all, but the football game.
Monica asks if the boys will balance their plates on the little football players’ heads, and Joey says, “Who cares, we’ll eat in the sink!”
Yes, foosball is king, and eating standing up might be worth it if you have a foosball table in your home. This one ($130 from Amazon) also has its own cup holders. Who needs a dining table?
Magna Doodle
(Goal)
Clearly, the idea of putting a doodle board on the back of Chandler and Joey’s apartment door had a deeper meaning.
Her comment was an idea that came from a photographer, and Magna-Doodle often had messages containing a joke that only the cast and crew would know. Early in the series, a short shopping list appears on the board, although silly faces appear later.
But perhaps the funniest letter was the one written by the burglars who robbed the boys’ apartment: “Thank you for all you do!”
Grab a whiteboard ($15, Target), and think about the smiles Chandler brings you every time you use it.
Laurel and Hardy poster
(atsy)
This classic movie poster ($23, Etsy) of the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy has hung in Joey and Chandler’s apartment for years, highlighting their enduring friendship.
The monochromatic shot fits the boys’ aesthetic to a T.
Dart board
(Amazon)
Of course, darts and foosball go hand in hand, and young roommates in their first apartment may gravitate toward bar games as decor. Later in life, when there is a family, throwing darts at will may not be easy.
In one episode, the boys have a heart-to-heart conversation with Chandler’s friend Janice (Maggie Wheeler), while Chandler furiously throws sharp objects. Play it safe with your own set ($35, Amazon).
White dog statue
(Amazon)
There’s a scene in “Friends” where Joey and Chandler walk into Monica and Rachel’s house (Jennifer Aniston) flat, riding atop this white greyhound figurine ($25, Amazon) while saluting and eating a sandwich.
In fact, it looks like Aniston was possessive in real life. She then gave it to the show’s designers when she joined the cast, and ended up living in the boys’ apartment behind the leather chairs.
“The living situations on ‘Friends’ and the constant swapping of spaces and roommates were something many of us could relate to in our own lives,” O’Brien says. “I think it highlighted how important home is to all of us.”