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Martha Says: ‘You’re Hired’
The words “you’re fired” have sparked viewer curiosity week
after week and ultimately catapulted Donald Trump’s show, “The
Apprentice,” to high ratings. While the recently canceled “The
Apprentice: Martha Stewart” didn’t match the ratings of the
Trump show, it did provide a chance for several
companies to get invaluable exposure
for their interior furnishings products.
Just like Trump’s version, the contestants
on Stewart’s show have to set up camp in a
New York City living space. Rather than
reside in a suite at the Trump Tower on 5th Avenue, Martha’s spin-off has contestants staying in
a posh loft.
Traditional and contemporary furniture is mixed with clean, sleek lines in an industrial setting.
The design team consisted of Kelly Van Patter (production designer); Bridget Edwards (set decorator);
and David Park (lighting designer).
South Florida lighting manufacturer Luraline was chosen to provide lighting fixtures for the loft.
Selected for the kitchen area were the Reflecta silver dome pendants.The pendants add an industrial
touch to the contemporary styled kitchen, which consists of stainless steel counters and rolling units that complement
the dark family style tables and center-island.“We received all the lighting by contacting Luraline directly and
asking them to participate in our product placement for the show,” said Van Patter.“Basically, we decorated the entire
loft by having different vendors supply us with product in exchange for exposure.” Illuminating the bathroom area are
wave pendants, which feature an eclectic style that blends well with the loft’s modern décor.
“The only challenge was the set director’s need for the product in such a short time frame,” said Kurt M.
Mandelik, Luraline’s vice president,“but we were able to ship the product to the client within their time restraints.”
Between the fixtures and the finishes selected, designers achieved the look they were after from the very beginning.
The Project: The contestant
loft for the “The Apprentice:
Martha Stewart” television
show, New York, NY
The Challenge: Incorporate an
industrial lighting design into
a contemporary styled loft.
The Solution: Pendant
lighting fixtures
—John-Michael Kobes
December 2005 LD+A 27