Sarah Jessica Parker Transforms “And Just Like That” Set with Vintage Flair

From Thrift Store Finds to Iconic Apartment Details

Sarah Jessica Parker injects a deeply personal touch into the world of Carrie Bradshaw, sourcing unique items from thrift stores and Broadway productions to meticulously craft the iconic character’s living space.

A Creative Conscience for Carrie’s World

After nearly three decades embodying Carrie Bradshaw, Parker acts as the show’s creative conscience, ensuring every prop and piece of furniture reflects the character’s authentic style. Her keen eye transforms forgotten treasures into integral elements of Carrie’s apartment.

“Nothing is put on stage that she hasn’t previewed,” explains Karin Wiesel Holmes, the set decorator who has collaborated with Parker since season two of *Sex and the City*. “Or if she walks in and she’s like, ‘What is this? I’ve seen it in a hundred design magazines already.’ Off it goes.”

Wiesel Holmes further noted Parker‘s dedication: “No one knows that character better than Sarah Jessica. She’s so dialed in, she knows the character.”

Sustainable Sourcing and Character Authenticity

Parker’s unique approach extends to the show’s commitment to sustainable and local sourcing. For Carrie’s apartment, initial purchases included a painting and chairs discovered in a Housing Works window.

“We really tried hard to shop as Carrie,” Wiesel Holmes shared. “It was important to her also to consider shopping locally and sustainably and with mind to our budget.”

Ingenious Upholstery Solutions

When the team struggled to find the exact fabric for Carrie’s chaise lounge, a piece that wouldn’t arrive for months, Parker suggested a solution drawn from her personal knowledge of New York City.

“Finally, we were like, ‘What would Carrie do? What does she like?’” Wiesel Holmes recalled. Parker then proposed utilizing vintage ribbons she had found at a local shop. These ribbons were skillfully transformed into upholstery for the chaise, built on the original frame from the *Sex and the City* series.

Similarly, a daybed in Carrie’s office was reupholstered using a vintage madras patchwork shirt, reminiscent of one the character wore in an earlier season. The team sourced matching shirts from Etsy, preserving original details like embroidery and pockets, further deepening the character’s visual narrative.

A Broadway Chandelier Finds a New Home

Parker’s personal connection to meaningful objects is evident in the prominent display of a chandelier. This piece, originally from the Broadway play *Plaza Suite*, in which she starred alongside her husband Matthew Broderick, now serves as a striking centerpiece in Carrie’s expansive hallway.

Wiesel Holmes highlighted Parker‘s meticulous attention to detail, noting, “She will say, ‘Oh, Carrie would never have that. Carrie would never do that. Carrie would have little cocktail stirrers and matchbooks and little knickknacks from the restaurants and bars that she’s visited.’”

The careful selection of even the smallest items, like artwork and decorative objects, is overseen by Parker, who ensures each element contributes to a cohesive and authentic portrayal of the beloved character. This extensive involvement has transformed set decoration into a profound form of character development.

With vintage ribbons now functioning as bespoke upholstery and a Broadway chandelier gracing her hallway, the townhouse embodies a space that is both functional and deeply personal, reflecting Parker‘s unique vision of who Carrie Bradshaw truly is. The approach has significantly influenced prop sourcing trends; in 2023, the global vintage clothing market reached an estimated $1.2 trillion, demonstrating a growing consumer interest in unique, sustainable, and character-rich items. (Good On You 2023).