Homes of Severance – Devon and Ricken’s Interior Breakdown
Filming Location: The Bier House (1949), Usonia Community, New York
Set Decorator: Andrew Baseman
Production Designer: Jeremy Hindle
Stills: Apple TV+
Episodes: Season 1 -
Episode 1 ‘Good News About Hell’,
Episode 6 ‘Hide and Seek’,
Episode 7 ‘Defiant Jazz’,
Episode 9 ‘The We We Are’
Since its debut in 2022, Severance has become my favourite show for its unique approach to interiors and architecture. This is the first in a three-part series where I visually breakdown the key furniture pieces that define the spaces in Severance.
Part II: Burt and Fields – Interior Breakdown (coming soon)
Part III: The Eagans – Interior Breakdown (coming soon)
Part I looks at the home of Devon and Ricken, filmed at the Bier House (1949) in New York’s Usonia community. Designed by Kaneji Domoto, this house offers a stark contrast to the sterile, symmetrical environment of Lumon Headquarters.
The show’s set decorator Andrew Baseman, who has the important role in setting the tone for Severance’ first season, curated the interiors of the home with mid-century modern pieces that that work naturally with the original architecture. Andrew shared with me that for Season 1, he chose not to modify or custom make any furniture for Devon and Ricken’s home, preferring to use recognisable pieces instead.
It's the first space in the series that feels warm, helped by the layered timber panelling and Isamu Noguchi’s lamps. Materials like wood, ceramic, and washi paper echo the house’s original palette and Japanese motifs.
See the breakdown below:
George Nelson, Cigar Lotus Floor Lamp (1952)
The segmented paper shade ties in with the rhythm of the vertical timber panelling. George Nelson was a key figure in American modernist design and served as the Director of Design for Herman Miller from 1945 to 1972.
Isamu Noguchi, mod.22N Lamp (1980)
The handmade quality of the diffused washi paper shade feels at home in a house built around light and craft. The lamp is part of the Akari series, which Noguchi described as “light sculptures”.
Ashley Hicks, Tabletop Totems
British designer Ashley Hicks' Tabletop Totems are sculptural pieces made from cast resin, gilt bronze, and painted polymer clay.
Gino Vistosi, Murano Table Lamp (1970s)
Designed by Gino Vistosi in the 1970s, the Murano Table Lamp features a handblown glass shade, characteristic of Vistosi’s mastery in glassmaking.
Hans Wegner, CH07 Shell Chair (1963)
Low and open, a good match for Usonian ideals. Hans Wegner was a Danish designer renowned for his mastery in creating functional and ergonomic furniture.
Arthur Jacobs, Modeline Lamp (1974)
Jacobs was an American designer known for his clean, functional lighting designs.
Man Ray, Chess Set (1920s)
Man Ray was an American artist and photographer, closely associated with the Dada and Surrealist movements. The chess set’s avant-garde style was groundbreaking at the time, transforming the traditional chessboard into a sculptural, conceptual piece.
Charlotte Perriand, Consado Console (1958)
Charlotte Perriand was a French architect and designer known for her collaboration with Le Corbusier and her pioneering work in modern furniture design.
Jens Quistgaard, Dansk Grinders (1960s)
The Dansk Grinders are highly collectible and also appear in Burt and Field’s home in Season 2, Episode 6 ‘Attila’.
Ekko Workshop, Standing Circles Desktop Mobile
Made from laser-cut powder-coated aluminium and a powder-coated steel base.
Bill Curry, Mushroom Lamp (1960s)
A pair of these lamps can be seen behind Devon and Rebeck. Bill Curry was an American industrial designer known for his mushroom lamps in the 60s.
Poul Henningsen, PH 2/1 Table Lamp (1925)
Poul Henningsen was a Danish designer and architect, best known for his innovative lighting solutions. This lamp is part of his three-shade system, which aimed to create soft, glare-free lighting.
Rojos, Daniel Álvarez
Charcoal drawing of two frogs.
Isamu Noguchi, Akari UF3-L6 Lamp (1951)
A more playful Akari lamp for Eleanor’s room.
Steiff, Chamois Buck (1960s)
Hand-stitched, mohair-covered chamois (I need one).