'Midnight in Paris' Reawakens Vintage Parisian Style

Even in the present-day scenes, Parisian style is full of history. While on vacation, Gil and his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), wander around some of the most iconic architectural pieces in Paris. Whether a building was designed in the 21st century or the 19th century, it still looks at home there.

Movie set: When Gil first travels back to 1920s Paris, he finds himself bombarded with a cast of iconic characters. Cole Porter, Salvador Dalí, Ernest Hemingway, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein all quickly become part of his double life. After learning that Gil is a writer, Hemingway drags him to Stein's quirky and cluttered apartment for a literary review.

Anne Seibel, the Oscar-nominated set designer for the film, went to Stein's original Paris apartment to get a clear sense of the writer's style. Almost everything is an antique — Stein loved things with a history. Dark woods, heavy fabrics, golden brown walls and a big marble fireplace were all part of the set's period-specific look.

Get the look: Elements of this rich and warm style are common in many homes today. Try playing with patterns and textures while staying within the same color palette. Show off natural materials — glossed wood, bold stone and lush leather will all wear beautifully over time. Lighting is key too; Stein's apartment had lamps on every possible surface. Layer floor lamps, table lamps and ceiling lights to get just the right glow.

Movie set: Later on in the film, Gil is rushed into a whirlwind of dazzling 1920s parties, courtesy of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The couple hosts a fantastical circus-themed party, complete with a carousel and fairground games. This scene was filmed at the Museé des Arts Forains (Museum of Fairground Arts) in Paris.

Get the look: When circus memorabilia has that vintage twist, it can quickly jump from playful to chic, making a great addition to home décor. A shelf full of antique circus-theme toys or even an old carousel horse could be just the dose of fun that your home needs. The owner of this beautiful carousel horse found it at a thrift store in New Orleans (read the story here).

Get the look: If you're looking for something a bit more dramatic, a tented circuslike ceiling stays right on the line between whimsical and elegant. Try using striped fabric to create a smaller version over a canopy bed, and stick with soft colors to keep it feeling contemporary.

Movie set: After a few time-traveling trips, Gil falls for the alluring Adriana (Marion Cotillard). Torn between his two lives, he finally decides to confess his feelings and chases her down at an extravagant wedding party held at the famed French taxidermy shop Deyrolle.

This well-known taxidermy store is almost like a museum, and it was Woody Allen's idea to bring its menagerie to the set. A stuffed tiger on a table, along with white rabbits and ducks on side tables, represent the extravagant party décor that was so prevalent in the '20s. Chandeliers were also covered in fans of ostrich feathers.