In honor of the return of fall TV (as well as this week's news that Friends is headed to Netflix), we've rounded up the most iconic apartments on television for a little weekend redecorating inspiration.
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1
I Love Lucy: Lucy and Ricky Ricardo
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The iconic on- and off-screen couple created an inviting ambience in their Upper East Side apartment—not an easy feat with the stiff, structured style of 1950s decor (and in black and white, no less).
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2
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Mary Richards
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Naturally, the ultimate working girl had a dream apartment to match her modern lifestyle. Mary's one-room apartment, which sat on the third floor of a Victorian mansion in Minneapolis, boasted hard-wood floors, shag carpeting, a sunken living room and a huge bay window. Mary added personal touches with groovy furniture, potted plants and an 'M' wall decoration—ultimately painting the picture of '70s interior perfection.
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3
Frasier: Frasier Crane
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Frasier Crane's Seattle high-rise isn't exactly your standard bachelor page. The eclectic decor reflects the psychiatrist's cosmopolitan lifestyle—save for his father's dilapidated armchair.
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4
Friends: Monica Geller
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Arguably one of the most famous sets in television history, Monica's Greenwich Village apartment played host to some of the show's funniest moments. Originally owned by Monica and Ross's grandmother, the residence features two bedrooms, an open living area and a wall of windows opening onto a balcony. We can only assume the purple walls and eclectic decor were left over from the elderly Geller's occupancy.
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5
Sex and the City: Carrie Bradshaw
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Carrie Bradshaw's famous Upper East Side walk-up reflects the writer's eclectic fashion sense—it's a mix of old and new, lived-in and just a little bit messy. As Sex and the City production designer Jeremy Conway told hbo.com, "It can't be too extravagant or neat as a pin, because let's face it—how many single women live like that?" We'll admit it—we were a bit bummed to see that iconic interior go in the series' first film.
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6
Sex and the City: Samantha Jones
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While Carrie's apartment reflects her harried lifestyle, Samantha's sleek suite in the meatpacking district plays off the PR maven's loud, sexy personality, from a huge bed draped in red to an ultra-modern (unused) kitchen.
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7
Will and Grace: Will Truman
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The NYC lawyer knew how to make masculine tastes look refined in his Upper West side abode.
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8
What I Like About You: Valerie and Holly Tyler
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Holly and her big sister, Valerie, shared a funky Upper West Side apartment, complete with exposed brick walls, a windowed wall looking onto a balcony (perhaps the architect was a Friends fan?) and quirky, colorful furnishings.
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9
Gossip Girl: Blair Waldorf
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Blair Waldorf's palatial Fifth Avenue penthouse is the ideal residence for an Upper East Side scion. The two-level apartment features a curved staircase, marble columns and Central Park views, which the Waldorfs emphasized with rich fabrics, glossy wooden accents and ambient lighting.
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10
Gossip Girl: Serena van der Woodsen
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The van der Woodsen's Fifth Avenue apartment provides a modern contrast to the Waldorf's classic taste. The carefully curated decor includes sculptural furniture, modern artworks and fashion-inspired accents (note the Richard Phillips painting hanging along the staircase).
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11
Scandal: Olivia Pope
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With a luxurious, serene ambience, Olivia Pope's retreat is a clever take on her polished wardrobe. Think muted color palettes, subtle yet rich fabrics and chic—but never extravagant—decoration.
Julie Kosin is the senior culture editor of ELLE.com, where she oversees all things movies, TV, books, music, and art, from trawling Netflix for a worthy binge to endorsing your next book club pick. She's the former director of audience strategy and entertainment at HarpersBAZAAR.com. When not glued to her laptop, she can be found taking pictures of her dog or haunting used bookstores.