George Clooney’s Pre-Fame LA Kitchen in 1989

Before he was a household name, George Clooney was a struggling actor living in Studio City, Los Angeles. Photographer Lynn McAfee captured him in his apartment in 1989, just before his big break.

Though the home’s retro kitchen is a far cry from the luxury properties Clooney has come to call home in more recent years, it contains early glimmers of one of the most crucial elements to understanding his design DNA: play. From his mullet to his checkered curtains down to the paint-splattered fridge, the photographs are full of the whimsy that still defines George’s interior design style.

First, though the images were captured in the late ’80s, checkerboard floors and vintage posters in the kitchen harken to the mid-century and art deco periods. This anachronistic detailing gives George’s former kitchen a sense of nostalgic kitsch. It’s peak Americana, and peak fun.

The color blocking with pops of red and creamy yellows in the American kitchen feel especially playful, giving George’s kitchen the ambiance of classic Los Angeles diner. This sense is only bolstered by a ‘reserved’ sign, and stainless steel salt and pepper shakers on his Formica table.

George and his wife Amal Clooney currently have a $50 million property portfolio with homes spanning across the world, including houses in England, New York, France, and Italy. As mentioned, these homes are significantly more glamorous than the humble apartment where he lived before his breakout role as Dr. Doug Ross on NBC’s ER, but all of them contain the same sense of whimsy we see in his ’80s kitchen.

Take, for example, George and Amal’s Oxfordshire Manor. In addition to its nine bedrooms and at-home spa, the property features a converted pool house bar which the couple affectionately calls ‘The Party Zone.’ This space includes a 16-seat screening room with a popcorn machine, and a custom photobooth for capturing light-night moments. It’s on a different scale and price tag from the Studio City apartment, but the intention of having a great time still undergirds the design decisions.

Furthermore, just like George went beyond the classic ’80s color trends in decorating his retro apartment, he decorated his 18th-century estate on Lake Como, Villa Oleandra, with another period in mind. After purchasing the estate in 2002, he and Amal set about renovating it to preserve the historic character, while updating it for modern living. Their choice of a bright turquoise and gold color scheme in the living room embodies this philosophy. Drawing inspiration from the Baroque period, it conveys classic Italian elegance – with whimsy.

Rather than opting for a self-serious burgundy and gold leaf look, George and Amal kept it light and joyous. The luxury is there, but so is the play.