While season one of Russian Doll followed Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) reliving the same day, season two allows audiences to watch her time travel through a subway car. Not only does Nadia find herself in 1982, but she is also in someone else’s body: Lenora’s (Chloë Sevigny), her pregnant mother. This forces Nadia to re-evaluate her relationship with her mother.

Speaking with Variety, production designer Diane Lederman, who took over from Michael Bricker, discussed what inspired her when creating Russian Doll’s 1980s sets for the new season:

Lederman relied on rich, dark colors for a vintage aesthetic. She found the most enjoyment in designing Lenora’s pink and black bathroom and made sure to fill the apartment with items that provided insight into the character’s personality:

“The look of Season Two is influenced by many films and auteurs of ’70s and ’80s cinema, David Lynch being an important one. While searching for a hook for this set, I happened to rewatch ‘Blue Velvet.’ That apartment in that film is iconically 1980s, without being overly kitsch, a perfect reference for our period styling,” Lederman said.

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Season two of Russian Doll is currently streaming on Netflix. The well-received comedy-drama stars Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Ashley, and Chloë Sevigny. Russian Doll was created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler.

“We added some over-the-top ’80s decor, such as the white dolphin figure, the black lacquer and glass-top coffee table and the brass fan over the bed, to support the idea that Nora spends money frivolously,” Lederman told Variety.

David Lynch’s Distinctive Style

     Showtime

David Lynch is a filmmaker, painter, visual artist, actor, musician, and writer. Before turning to film in the 1960s, Lynch studied painting. He has become well known for his visual style, which relies heavily on surrealist elements. He has cited expressionist painter Francis Bacon and realist painter Edward Hopper as sources of inspiration.

Lynch’s first feature-length film was 1977’s Eraserhead, a surrealist horror film that has gained a cult following. Lynch’s films and television series tend to include commonalities, including elements of surrealism and dream-like locations, quirky characters, and violent activity. Blue Velvet, released in 1986, stayed in line with those themes.

Lynch joined forces with Mark Frost for his television debut in 1990 for Twin Peaks. The murder mystery follows characters living in Twin Peaks, Washington, and FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper as he tries to unravel the town’s secrets. Lynch recently worked on Twin Peaks: The Return, a continuation of the series. The 18-episode limited series was released in 2017 on Showtime.

Lynch published Room to Dream, a biography-memoir, in June 2018.