Here’s What Monica’s Apartment From ‘Friends’ Would Look Like Today
As millennials, moving frequently is so common that we sometimes have trouble remembering our *current* address. But if there’s one apartment we’ve got memorized down to every.last.detail, it’s Monica’s from Friends. The show’s central hangout (well, besides Central Perk) is engraved in our memories, which is what makes Modsy Director of Style Alessandra Wood’s latest project so interesting. In honor of the 14th anniversary of the show’s final episode, which aired on May 6, 2004, Wood reimagined the loft as it would look today, bringing the beloved space into a new era and teaching us some design tricks at the same time. Hint: Some of the controversial purple gets to stay in the picture.
That iconic door remains intact, but the rest of the space was kitted out to make it more accommodating to a family of four (supposing, of course, that Monica, Chandler, and the twins opted to stay in the city). Wood terms the look “Rustic Warmth,” and it’s easy to see why. More masculine notes, like the hide rug and leather armchair, bring richness to the space, while an on-trend Moroccan pouf and plenty of pillows make it eclectic and inviting. “[T]his style is all about mixing the right pieces to make your house feel like a home,” Wood tells Brit + Co. In her eyes, it’s all about achieving a balance. After this look for your own home? “Maybe pair a rustic piece like a large, weathered wooden chest with a vintage rug and plush furniture with linen upholstery,” she advises.
It’s clear that the couple has stayed up-to-date on the trends: Those deep blue cabinets with brass hardware are straight out of the latest home magazine. (And who better to tackle the challenge of open shelving than neat-freak Monica?)
But Wood didn’t stop there: She reimagined the space through the eyes of the show’s other characters. If Joey had taken over the lease, his place might lean toward what Wood calls “Atomic Industrial” styling. “We think this looks shows off Joey’s matured style over time with the combination of vintage metals and reclaimed wood alongside Atomic era furniture,” says Wood. (Joey, matured? We’re intrigued by the thought!) Her juxtaposition of clean lines and unique textures might appeal to “those who swear by mid-century modern furnishings, but also love weathered spaces that show more than a century’s history,” she tells us.The exposed beams of the apartment were a major jumping-off point for Wood’s design, but it’s easy to see how Joey’s place stays true to his roots with the foosball table. Plus, we can bet that gleaming SMEG fridge is stocked full of sandwiches.
Finally, Wood took Rachel’s style for a spin. Rachel was easily the most glamorous of the bunch, and her apartment proves she took some serious inspo from her Ralph Lauren days but puts her own feminine spin on the space. “This look is for those who are drawn to clean lines and spare rooms, but can’t resist luxurious textures, rich materials, and iconic accents,” explains Wood. Statement pieces like a pink couch feel right at home in Rachel’s world, and she certainly didn’t skimp on the finishes. “You can’t go wrong with a combo of velvet, leather, metal, and marble in a subdued color palette,” says Wood. The new layout shows off the apartment’s oversized window to great effect (we’re assuming Ugly Naked Guy has long moved on from his apartment across the way). To achieve this glamorous-yet-grounded look, Wood advises like-minded individuals to “create the perfect middle ground between drama and minimalism by anchoring your rooms with clean-lined furniture, then glam it up in the accessories department.”
Which character’s style are you jonesing for? Or does the original still win out? Let us know @BritandCo!
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(Images via Modsy)
