Last week we took a look at the Dragonfly Inn and some of the other sets used on the popular TV show “Gilmore Girls.” Today we’re checking out Lorelai’s house and the Gilmore mansion she grew up in.

We’ll take a peek inside Richard and Emily’s pool house where Rory lived awhile, too, while we’re at it!

UPDATE: I now have lots of photos and information from the Netflix revival “A Year in the Life.”

Note: There are Amazon affiliate links in this post that may earn me commission.

Lorelai’s House on “Gilmore Girls”

The sets changed throughout the 7 seasons.

The yellow wallpaper in the entry hall was a new addition in the 6th season. Until then, it looked like this:

On the DVD Special Features we learn that the sets are connected in ways you wouldn’t expect.

For example, you can step directly from Lorelai’s foyer into Sookie’s house through the “coat closet” door. Sookie’s set is right on the other side of that wall. (You can see photos of her house here.)

Melissa McCarthy (Sookie) gives us a look at the living room set in a behind-the-scenes tour:

She says the sofa in Lorelai’s living room was so uncomfortable, it was like sitting on a pile of bricks.

They spent a long time searching for the perfect actress to play Lorelai. Right before they started filming the pilot, Lauren Graham came in and they knew they had found her.

Unfortunately, Graham was on another show called “M.Y.O.B.” at the time (anyone remember that one?). If it was renewed for another season, they’d lose her. They took a chance and cast her anyway. It only lasted 5 episodes.

“This was definitely the most challenging job I’ve ever had,” Graham said, “just in terms of how much language I deal with.”

Creator and writer Amy Sherman-Palladino says that the fast pace of their show came with a price: “Whereas like a normal, hour-long script might be 55 pages, ours is 80, and we have to shoot 80 pages in the same amount of time.”

A Photo of the Kitchen Set:

Rory’s Bedroom:

Rory’s bedroom is off the kitchen, which I always found odd. The second story of the house looks plenty big enough for more than one bedroom.

Lorelai’s Bedroom:

Her bedroom after the renovation with Luke’s antique furniture in it:



Graham now plays Sarah on “Parenthood” (you can see my post about those sets here).

The front porch set where close-ups were filmed (via the DVD special features):

The house in winter when Luke created an ice-skating rink for Lorelai in her front yard:

Lorelai’s house after Luke’s renovation:



Richard & Emily Gilmore’s House:

The only time they showed this real exterior was in the pilot. From then on they shot on a soundstage.

Richard and Emily agreed to pay for Rory’s school tuition as long as they came to dinner once a week.



The pilot episode was shot in a real house in the suburbs outside Toronto.

The interiors were recreated on a soundstage after the show was picked up.

Kelly Bishop is a Tony-award winning actress and dancer who said she wouldn’t be friends with Emily in real life.

Emily decorated a bedroom in the house just for Rory:

Richard Gilmore was played by Edward Herrman.

Sherman-Palladino calls Emily Gilmore “The only voice of reality on the show.”

The producers made a decision to show how static and stiff life inside the Gilmore mansion was by keeping the camera in place for most of the scenes inside it.

When the characters are in Stars Hollow, the camera moves around a lot to reflect the energy of the town and the lack of formality that goes along with Lorelai and Rory’s lives there.

The back patio, where Emily hosted her DAR meetings:

The Pool House Behind the Gilmore Mansion:

In Season 6, Rory moved into the pool house, and Emily went all out in redecorating it for her.

Matt Czuchry played Rory’s handsome, charming, and filthy rich boyfriend Logan Huntzberger.

*Be sure to pick up a “Gilmore Girls” souvenir before you leave!*

(Amazon affiliate links below)

Can’t wait to read Lauren Graham’s new book, Talking as Fast as I Can.

Yep, that’ll work. (Check out what it says on the back of the mug.)

There’s even an Eat Like a Gilmore Cookbook (but will I look like them if I do??)

I refer to my Gilmore Girls Companion all the time — it’s got the scoop on every ep!

How fun is this tote from Doose’s Market? Can Dean be my bag boy? 😉