The 2024 film It Ends With Us, directed by Justin Baldoni and based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, takes viewers on an emotional journey exploring love, trauma, and difficult choices. While the film has sparked conversations and debates surrounding its marketing and portrayal of sensitive themes, the focus of this blog is solely on the art of production design. Set design plays a critical role in storytelling, especially in a film where the setting becomes a reflection of the character’s inner worlds.
In this post, we’ll delve into the creative choices, design secrets, and key inspirations behind the sets and environments in It Ends with Us. From Lily’s flower shop to the contrasting interiors that mirror the emotional tensions within her relationships, we’ll explore how production design served as a visual narrative tool in bringing this complex story to life.
Content Warning: We acknowledge the sensitive nature of the film’s subject matter, including its depiction of domestic violence. While this blog focuses strictly on production design, we are mindful of the ongoing discussions and critiques surrounding the film’s themes.
PD Secret 1. Lily Bloom’s Flower Shop: A Whimsical Extension of Lily’s Personality
Lily’s flower shop was designed to feel like an enchanted, bohemian forest that captures her nurturing spirit. The shop evolved from a Gothic whimsy feel to a Victorian-inspired space full of vibrant colors and layered patterns. Tess Casey from Aisling Flowers created most of the floral arrangements, which subtly changed over time to reflect the passing seasons, adding depth and realism to Lili’s journey
2. Custom Paint Colors
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Russell Barnes collaborated to create a custom Oxblood Red paint color specifically for Lily’s shop, named BBB (Blake, Baldoni, Barnes). This involved extensive research and experimentation with wallpapers, paint colors, and finishes to achieve a space that felt personal and inviting.
3. Upcycled and Vintage Elements
The set design for Lily’s shop started with the concept that the location was originally a vintage French cafe, symbolizing a connection to Atlas. This backstory influenced the store’s decor, including custom wallpapers and vintage elements like French tiles that were graphically enhanced for texture. Many of the set pieces, including the cash register and bar, were sourced from production designer Russel Barnes’s personal collection, reinforcing the idea of reclaiming and reimagining spaces.
4. Mirroring Lily’s Shop and Atlas’s Restaurant
The parallel design of Lily’s shop and Atlas’s restaurant was intentional, symbolizing their shared history and similar creative minds. Both spaces feature reclaimed, organic elements, making them feel connected despite their character’s diverging paths. Subtly promoting the idea that they might have sourced their decor from the same stores, just missing each other in the process.
5. Creating the Illusion of Lily’s Childhood Home
The production team had difficulty finding a real location that matched the vision for Lily’s childhood home and the abandoned building where she first reconnects with Atlas. To solve this, they shot at separate locations and used VFX to create the view from Lily’s bedroom.
6. Lily’s Childhood Bedroom
The design of Lily’s childhood bedroom was carefully crafted to show the seeds of her creativity and style. The room is filled with mementos, sketches, and fabrics she collected as a child, which later influenced her flower shop’s decor.
7. Visual Storytelling in Ryle’s Loft
Ryle’s loft was intentionally designed as the polar opposite of Lily’s vibrant world. Its cold, minimalist aesthetic reflects his need for control and order, a stark contrast to Lily’s warmth. As their relationship deteriorates, small changes in the set–like broken objects–highlight the emotional decay without overwhelming the viewer
8. Supporting Local Businesses in New Jersey
The film’s production design was largely supported by local businesses in New Jersey, where filming took place. Construction materials and scenic props were sourced from local prop shops and warehouses. The Lily Blooms store was located next to a local cafe, Bwe Kafe, which became a favorite spot for the crew.
Why is production design so important?
Production design is the cornerstone of visual storytelling, with the production designer leading the charge in transforming a script into a tangible, immersive world. Collaborating closely with the director and producers, the production designer is responsible for every visual element on screen, from selecting and preparing locations to managing the budget and guiding the entire art department. They oversee everything from set design to scenic painting, ensuring that each detail contributes to the film’s overall aesthetic and emotional impact.
It Ends with Us showcases the strong influence of production design in shaping the viewer’s experience, particularly in a film with such complex and sensitive themes. The production design in this movie isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces–it’s about reflecting the characters’ inner worlds, struggles, and growth.
We hope these insights into the set and production design of It Ends with Us have given a deeper appreciation for the craft and talent behind the scenes!
Sources
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