Cinema Chic

It's easy to be seduced by the glamour of old Hollywood. By taking cues from the rakish leading men and their screen sirens, you too can fashion a sexy, if not dangerous, apartment. While you won't learn how to build a professional screening room, here are a few tips toward creating a sophisticated space just perfect for movie night.

Start by collecting poster art from your favorite flicks. This is one instance that a poster doesn't automatically equate to dorm style. Check at the bookstore or online for comprehensive listings of film noir titles. Many are available for under twenty bucks on eBay. Don't worry about investing in an original unless you're particularly passionate about it. The great thing about reprints is their great condition. If the poster is two-sided, it was created for movie theatre lit cases. You can find industry poster frames at theatre supply wholesalers. They are very substantial and unlock from the front, which is a big bonus if you want to be able to change the coming attraction according to your whim.

Before you start purchasing frames or other decorating accessories (1) measure your wall space and pertinent furniture and (2) decide on a color scheme. For the look of a vintage movie palace, pick deep hues with metallic accents. Go with either brass/gold or silver/brushed aluminum. Consistency with details will help pull the look together. Furniture with sweeping geometric lines works best. Choose navy, black, or deep purple cotton velvet slipcovers for existing furniture. (Black gets very linty.) Add velvet or "leather" ottomans and oversized pillows for extra floor seating. Thick gold or silver braided cord and tassels from the fabric store can be used as curtain tiebacks, giving the feel of theatre ropes. Invest in your window treatments. Use a double traverse rod for movie room windows. The smaller rod accommodates a rod-pocket sheer to let light in but keep privacy. The larger rod accommodated the hooks for thermal drapes. These are a bit more expensive, but have a twofold advantage: the thermal backing keeps heat in and cuts your electricity bills; it also makes the room completely dark for a premium screening experience. If you don't have a built-in entertainment center, mount a curved piece of PVC or a bedroom canopy kit to hand rod pocket velvet curtains above the television. Just like a real movie screen!

Accessorize with elements which reflect the luxurious living of 1940s celebs: faux fur throw blankets and pillows backed with satin, table lighters, and retro cocktail wares. Glass vases filled with calla or tiger lilies evoke a movie star's dressing room. Use a swank cigar box to house the remotes. Old film canisters make perfect memento boxes or snack trays. Try serving popcorn in a silver champagne bucket for a little glitz. Chalk the night's feature on wall-mounted clapboard.

If you're serious about this space, the next step is great lighting. Tivoli, the roped lights used in cinema aisles, is available by the foot from theatre supply. Run Tivoli around the room's perimeter, attaching to the floor molding. For a quicker fix, tall halogen lamps still give that retro feel.

Don't forget to represent your personality. Fill your space with black and white photos, friends and family mugging for the camera included. If you're short on closet space, display your most theatrical clothes on small rolling rack. Add some coffee table books on film noir or admired directors. Complete the scene with a few exotic pieces from your true or fictional travels.

The next step is to type and print a catalogue of your movie collection. Treat it as a mini-library so you can keep track of what's borrowed and over-due. Put address labels on loaners as a little reminder. Take chances with obscure titles like early Bogart mafia flicks. Now all you need to do is invite some friends with equally good taste, pop some corn, and dim the lights. If you can find a Maltese falcon that would be pretty cool, too.