The one thing that can cheer anybody up is a good movie. 2016 saw a host of new releases, ranging from the utterly memorable to the just so-so. Nonetheless, the magic of the silver screen is undoubted. While we all love a good story line, what also struck us at the close of 2016 was the meticulous attention to detail and design elements in a lot of films we watched. With awards season around the corner, we bring you our round up of the films that we felt really nailed it last year, from the perspective of design and decor.



Ki & Ka

Ki & Ka, starring Arjun Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, was a film that really focused on its sets. Since Arjun Kapoor’s character loved trains, he collected many models during the film. Their home was fitted out with a beautiful mini railway track, a breakfast nook with a little window from which chugged out mini trains carrying toast, and a larger than life wall clock, reminiscent of what one sees in a train station. Even the couples' bedroom was complete with rustic decor and was made to look like room inside a vintage train. We greatly enjoyed the visual treat that the set designers offered us in this movie.



Mohenjo Daro

Director Ashutosh Gowariker is known for his attention to detail, and this was once again on full display in his film, Mohenjo Daro. Creating a film that is so rich and vivid in its portrayal of an era in history is no easy task, however the art directors of this film managed brilliantly. They created a sense of opulence using the most basic materials - stone, brick and wood included. Drawing on the artisanship of that period, the film sets include hand-painted wall murals, ancient vases, marble baths, and items featuring a lot of carving.



Rustom

​Given that the protagonist of this film was a Parsi, the decor of his home wonderfully depicted his Irani heritage.Vintage furniture, delicate china, pastel walls, lace curtains, potted plants and more made up the home of Akshay Kumar and his wife, played by Ileana D’Cruz. Even the mansion that is owned by their rival, played by Arjan Bajwa, is breathtaking, with opulent interiors and sprawling gardens complete with a gazebo. The set design made this into a period film in its own right, which we greatly enjoyed watching!



Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

What we loved in this film was the juxtaposition seen in the design of two of the protagonist's homes: Ranbir Kapoor’s open plan, studio space and Aishwarya Rai’s vast and elegantly fitted out mansion. Ranbir’s home was small, but a study in how best to make use of a tiny space. The open-style breakfast bar, plate-glass French windows that looked out onto the city and the little bedroom with an en suite bath, spelt casual yet trendy, perfect for a young bachelor.

Aishwarya Rai’s mansion on the other hand, was totally different. The rooms were wider and more spacious. There was heavy wooden furniture, plush wool carpets, deep club chairs, warm light and a lot of open space. The space spoke well to her age and stage in life, depicting maturity and glamour.



Dear Zindagi

The underlying theme of this movie seemed to be 'fresh,' 'young' and 'quirky.'



We loved Shah Rukh Khan’s office in this film, as it was elegant, yet playful. It wasn’t overcrowded with furniture and the many, large windows allowed an abundance of natural light into the space. The deliberately mismatched chairs, the quirky figurine that Alia Bhatt accidentally breaks, the ringing bell that signals the end of a session and the speckled marble jug were all interesting elements of the room that worked well together to convey the attributes of the unique personality who inhabited it.



The home of Alia Bhatt’s friend in Goa was also well decorated. Designed to convey the tastes of the young couple living in it, the space made good use of a lot of colour and prints. Floral pillows, ikat prints, interesting wall treatments and colourful bed linen were all included, creating a visual feast on the screen.



Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children

The sets of this film were all about the moody, broody look, complete with a variety of vintage, older-fashioned elements. High ceilings, antique bookcases, long dining tables, old wood frames, stained glass windows and even the turrets and windows of the castle-like exteriors in the film, were what truly brought the script to life.



Mother’s Day

This was another film where different sets were created to depict the varied personalities that inhabited them. Julia Roberts’ home was comfortable, warm and homey, filled with colours, floral prints and honeyed interiors, while Jennifer Aniston’s home was sleek and modern, complete with a pool, muted, pastel shades, and an abundant use of metal and chrome. The combination of modern contemporary design and old-school charm as seen in both homes created a fun, visual impact.



So there you have it - our round-up of the best designed films of 2016. What did you think of our list? Do you have any to add? We'd love to hear from you on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @DiscernLiving.



