Several people grew up with the dream of building a Barbie Dreamhouse, and the architectural designers of the movie, Barbie, made it true. Inspired by the Barbie dolls manufactured by Mattel, the movie got directed by Greta Gerwig. She got accompanied by Noah Baumbach in writing for the movie.
Released on 21 July 2023 in the US, Barbie movie is the first live-action fantasy comedy movie after several computer-animated Barbie movies. Warner Bros. acquired full rights over the movie in 114 minute-long movie made with a budget of $145 million.
The movie shows how Barbie happily lives with her boyfriend in Barbie Land but leaves her pink abode to go to the real world, where she discovers her new self and the ups and downs of living among humans. Summer’s biggest blockbuster, Barbie, shows Margot Robbie (as the stereotypical Barbie), Ryan Gosling (as Ken), America Ferrera (as Gloria), Ariana Greenblatt (as Gloria’s daughter named Sasha), and more.
Barbie Dreamhouse Filming Location
Most filming took place in the Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, in the UK though Barbie is an American star. People cannot visit every Barbie location as they can do with a period movie, but Barbie Dreamhouse is an exception.
The set got designed by Sarah Greenwood, a British production designer, and decorated by Katie Spencer, a British set decorator. Carol Spencer, the designer of Barbie’s outfits, considers the Barbie Dreamhouse to get ‘architecturally implausible.’
Instead of using CGI, the set designers chose practical Mid-century Modern (MCM) design found in a desert resort city called Palm Springs. Greta Gerwig did not want to compromise with the intactness of the toys. Palm Springs got used to referring to the period and making it look beautiful according to a kid’s perspective.
The house got extensively painted with Pantone 219, and the world felt a shortage of pink. Later, Rosco’s Vice President of Global Marketing revealed the shortage occurred only for a particular shade due to the shaken supply chain amid the pandemic.
Gerwig wanted to create an alternate universe in the name of Barbie Dreamhouse. Thus, her team painted South California’s San Jacinto Mountains and the sky in the background.
The doll-to-house ratio does not match the human-to-house ratio. Thus, the designers reduced the size of the rooms by 23%. The actors could go from one room to another within a few steps, and the ceilings were closer to their heads. They were bigger than the rooms but smaller than the whole house.
All stuff was handmade. The house was open-sided, like a typical doll house which has no doors or windows. They first made a miniature set and, later, a bigger one. The pool, refrigerator, shower, toothbrush, and kitchen are fake. Still, it looks beautiful. Gerwig also asked Jacqueline Duran (the costume designer), Sarah Greenwood (the set designer), and Rodrigo Prieto (the cinematographer) for suggestions over the set a year before starting to film.
Gerwig and her team referred to the cartoons and graphic photos of Barbie and her surrounding clicked from the 1950s till date. Thus, they wanted the set to look accordingly.
Visiting Barbie Dreamhouse
The life-sized pink doll house in Malibu (California) attracts several people and makes international headlines. Mattel decided to promote the movie, and Aribnb informed that people might have a free overnight stay in the Barbie Dreamhouse.
Airbnb previously took $60 for an overnight stay in the same property in 2019. Both are different properties. The set for the movie got made in 2022 by the production team, while Mattel got Malibu’s dreamhouse built in 2009 by another interior decorator named Jonathan Adler.
However, only four guests were supposed to enjoy the offer on 21 and 22 July. The house will come with a hefty price tag if the owners decide to sell it, but Mattel is not selling it as of now.
Barbie’s long-time partner, Ken, was about to host people’s visit to the plastic house, according to Airbnb’s website. The guests were supposedly allowed to try Ken’s clothes, enjoy the meals, and take home a surfboard and a pair of skates. The movie got released on 21 July 2023, and bookings for a visit to the property started on 17 July 2023, just four days before the premier.
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