As Mad Men concludes with its seventh and final season, Interior Design magazine goes behind the scenes to explore the thought and craftsmanship behind the show’s celebrated set design. In an exclusive interview, creator Matthew Weiner explains the inspirations and design choices that shaped the look and feel of the series’ most iconic spaces.
Cindy Allen of Interior Design—who is the only magazine editor granted full access—toured the major sets, including Don Draper’s Park Avenue apartment, the advertising agency offices inspired by the Time & Life Building, and numerous backdrops staged on four soundstages in Los Angeles. The resulting feature highlights how careful research, period-accurate furnishings, and thoughtful color and material choices helped make Mad Men’s world feel authentic and lived-in.
The full interview in Interior Design delves into set details—from selecting midcentury furniture and custom pieces to recreating the textures, lighting, and everyday objects that define late‑1960s interiors. Weiner and the production design team discuss how each environment supports character, story, and the show’s evolving aesthetic over seven seasons.
Below is a curated photo gallery showcasing many of the sets and props discussed in the interview, illustrating the deliberate layering of period pieces, upholstery, artwork, and lighting that became synonymous with Mad Men’s visual identity.
- A custom Florence Knoll–style sofa and matching chair anchor the account-executive lounge at the agency. Photography by Eric Laignel.
