Behind-the-Scenes of the Architectural Digest Greenroom

I have a whole new respect for the phrase “The show must go on!” After nearly six months of drawings, meetings, phone conferences and visits to all sorts of fabricators, our Greenroom is finally installed!  As I watched this week, I was dazzled by the transformation of a huge, empty, black stage into a camera-ready venue for the stars.  Our own Greenroom required carpenters, electricians, lighting specialists, draftsmen, glass fabricators, custom upholsterers, furniture craftsmen, wood-flooring installers, A/V specialists, framers and florists—not to mention the fabricators and jewel setters involved in creating our Hearts On Fire diamond chandelier.  All of this was but one element in the beehive of activity happening at The Nokia Theatre in preparation for the upcoming Primetime Emmys telecast on Sunday, September 21st, at 8 pm EST on ABC.

Very much like a giant pop-up book from one’s childhood, the room’s walls and floors arrived on huge, flatbed trucks and were assembled according to a puzzle-worthy set of instructions.  Birger Juell’s fabulous inlaid, interlocking floor gave us the first glimpse of the room coming together.  I’ll admit there were a couple of nail-biting moments.  As one of the workdays was ending, one of the assemblers remarked, “OK Mark, I think it’s looking great.  We’re just about finished.”  I responded, “Finished?! Where’s my ceiling?!”  This “small” detail had been overlooked and subsequently, horrifyingly, not fabricated.  After a few panicked conference calls, they assured us that an entire, custom truss system and ceiling would be made overnight and delivered to the site by the next morning.  They must have Santa’s elves working somewhere in Hollywood—the very next day, a beautifully made, custom-welded and fit structure was delivered and installed.  Peace (and sanity) was restored.  It seems to be the norm on this set.

Toward the end of our last day, we were greeted by members of the LAPD and several tall, intimidating gentlemen in dark suits.  Our diamond chandelier had finally arrived for a brief test run!  Having been installed and wired only minutes before, the chandelier’s skeleton was ready for its final touch: more than 3,300 individually set diamonds weighing in at over 1,000 carats.  Each strand was carefully attached while we all watched the transformation from structure to shimmering sculpture.  It can be yours for $10 million.

Of course the purpose of room is to cradle, comfort and simultaneously dazzle its occupants.  The stars—honorees and presenters themselves—add the finishing layer of color, energy and life to the space.  I’m honored to have been a part of its creation.  I’m eager to hear what they think.