As the set decorator for the NBC hit series "Friends," (as well as "Sports Night," "Spin City," "Veronica's Closet," and "Jesse") Greg Grande has literally changed the look of television sitcoms. But his singular achievement so far may have been to reintroduce recliners into American living rooms by way of a television show.

Grande, who lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children, spoke recently with interior designer and lecturer Rosanne Sachson about the influence of the "Friends" set.

Q: Why did you choose recliners for Joey and Chandler's apartment?

A: The first time we see these characters they are two bachelors in their 20s with no money, scrounging around for cheap, free and comfortable furniture. Besides, guys don't like sitting on a couch together. Since they don't tend to be in touch with their female side and don't like to sit side by side, they can't lounge on a sofa. They might run into one another. So the ideal furniture was two Barcaloungers.

Q: When you redid the girls' apartment on the show, what were you going after?

A: I was trying to make their living room more formal with a couch, coffee table and a club chair. If you notice, there is no coffee table in the boys' apartment. For them, it's all about being comfortable.

Q: Now that Chandler is moving in with Monica, how will the set change?

A: Chandler wants to bring a lot of his things, but Monica says no. But she finally gives in and lets him bring his Barcalounger, which replaces the club chair.

Q: What influence has the "Friends" set had on other shows as far as decorating goes?

A: Monica's apartment in particular has created a whole new kind of eclectic taste. It brings in flea market, theatrical whimsy and an anything-goes style. I have received a number of calls from other shows asking what I did that is so special. They say, "I want my show to look like yours."

Q: Do you think that what you did on the show got the recliner chair business back on its feet?

A: Do I think that I brought back the recliner? Gosh, I would like to think I helped. I don't know that I am completely responsible, but in some respect I think it is what I have done by introducing the recliner to a younger audience who normally would have said, "Oh, the Barcalounger is for the old guy over 50." Now it's not about that anymore. There is a whole new line of recliners that tend to lean toward the young male. And your wife won't kill you if you bring it home.

Q: On the show, have you thought about replacing the coffee table with a large ottoman?

A: Yes, but since it's a set, it needs to be functional because it's used for so many things.

Q: How would you compare what you have done with the set of "Friends" to, say, the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 1960s and 1970s?

A: That was my favorite show ever.

Q: Do you think the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" set, with the sunken living room, was perfect for a Midwestern or East Coast apartment?

A: Absolutely.

Q: In the "Mary Tyler Moore Show," the kitchen and the living room were all that were needed for entertaining. Did we ever see the bedroom?

A: I think we saw the bedroom a couple of times but, it was all about her place and what a great space it was.

Q: But the space was so small with seating for only four characters.

A: Yes, but there was always the kitchen, and that was a whole other place.

Q: You're of the television generation. Did that show play a part in your choosing to become a set decorator? Were there other influences?

A: As I said, I loved the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" when I was a kid. I think it helped. But there were a number of other things. My grandfather was a furniture maker in Italy, and I think I picked up a bit of the gene. Another element is that the home where I grew up was like being in a time warp. My parents were never really stylistically talented. But I noticed things in other peoples' homes, in restaurants, watching television and going to museums. There is just something inside you that makes you want to do what I am doing now.

Q: I've got to ask: Do you have a recliner in your home?

A: No.

Q: Would your wife let you have one?

A: Yeah, she would, but I probably would never have one. We have comfortable seating.