'Big Bang Theory': Set design

”Penny’s a fun, vibrant, young girl…so I used bright, bold colors to decorate,” says Shea, who furnished the apartment with affordable finds from IKEA, Pier 1 Imports, and Anthropologie. What’s the character’s prevailing design aesthetic? ”Messiness,” says Shea. ”We change her mess every time we see her apartment. We think, ‘Hmm, where would she hang this?”’

”[Howard] fancies himself a ladies’ man, so [it] just seemed perfect to have satin sheets,” Shea says. The bedding came from Bed Bath & Beyond; locating the various knickknacks that line Howard’s walls took more effort. ”Comic-book store owners in [L.A.] know me well!”

Raj’s friends didn’t know of his wealth until season 5, but writers told Shea early on that the character ”came from money.” In turn, the set decorator chose a ”Danish modern” feel for the metrosexual pad, which includes an Eames table, Indian-themed accents, and a one-of-a-kind UFO lamp unearthed at a local prop house.

Mad Props

These set-design team is always on the hunt for authentic props, from rare collectibles to scientific tools. Here are 5 favorite finds.

Iron Man Bust

A rule that only DC Comics products can appear in the comic-book store was lifted in honor of Marvel legend Stan Lee’s guest appearance in season 3.

Darth Vader Poster

ACME Archives provided this coveted Star Wars art for Sheldon’s bedroom (a poster for the good-guy Rebel Alliance hangs in Leonard’s room, natch).

Cosmic Background Radiation Map

Depicting no less than ”the afterglow of the big bang,” says Shea, this globe came courtesy of the show’s science adviser, Dr. David Saltzberg.

Game of Thrones Sword

When the writers decided that Sheldon coveted Jon Snow’s storied Longclaw sword, did they ask Shea if it was possible to obtain one before writing it into the script? Not exactly. ”I think they just assume we will find a way,” says Shea. ”[It’s] just detective work.”

Kryptonite Replica

Set decorator Shea has access to items in the DC Comics archive that would make any fanboy green with envy — including this collection of four different forms of kryptonite, found in Raj’s apartment. ”They keep a little room [at DC] — it’s really like a big closet — and I get to pick from all the most special things,” Shea says.

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