Crushin’ On Ms. Meyers
This post isn’t about our favorite soap. It’s actually about another Meyers that we’ve loved for just as long: Nancy Meyers.
We kinda late to the game when it comes to exclaiming that we’re certified members of the Nancy Meyers fan club (she’s already been mentioned by many a blogger, so consider this measly addition to the chatter as an invitation to join the bandwagon if you haven’t already). But where do we start? Oh yeah, so Nancy Meyers is a screenwriter / director / producer who just happens to make movies where well-designed interiors are often one of the main characters. Take this awesomely open example from the 2006 movie The Holiday:
That’s Kate Winslet’s English home in the film, which she swaps with Cameron Diaz’s LA home (pictured below) as part of both ladies’ efforts to take a break from life and… well I guess you don’t need to know the whole plot. But clearly the homes are key elements of the story and Meyers (who grew up around interior design) sure has a knack for creating spaces that will have you drooling.
It was actually a bunch of you who recommended that we watch The Holiday about a year ago. At the time we didn’t pay attention to who directed it. But sure enough, about five minutes into things it was totally clear to us that Nancy Meyers was to blame for the painfully amazing decor (along with her fabulous crew, who deserves just as many kuddos as Nancy herself!). We were dying to live in Cameron’s house. And we finally got around to renting It’s Complicated a few months ago just for the eye candy – and it didn’t disappoint.
That photo doesn’t really even do it justice. But believe us when I say that John and I felt like packing up and moving to Santa Barbara after watching it. If only so we could visit the bakery that Streep’s character runs. I couldn’t find a good pic of it online but trust me, it’s uh. mazing. (we highly recommend renting it just for the scenery).
Speaking of renting, we can’t forget to mention 2003′s Something’s Gotta Give. This one features a stunning Hampton’s beach house that Diane Keaton retreats to to write award-winning plays (and date both Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves… we know, odd combo). But seriously, just check out this house:
And we can’t mention It’s Complicated and Something’s Gotta Give without shouting out Beth Rubino, the amazing set director who worked with Nancy Meyers for both flicks.
Oh and a funny buried connection is that the inspiration room that we loosely based our very own kitchen on was actually a Nancy Meyers kitchen from House Beautiful (click here for that suuuper old post, and check out the TV screen in the top right corner of the kitchen, which is playing Something’s Gotta Give as a nod to the designer herself). Talk about six degrees of separation! Some other Meyers movies that you might want to check out: the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap featuring a pre-disaster Lindsay Lohan (although John and I caught it on ABC Family the other day and agreed that the interiors are “meh” compared to the others). You can also break out your VHS player to rewatch 1991′s Father of the Bride (and its 1995 sequel). So a big wet kiss goes out to Nancy and her amazing team on each movie who makes all the stunning scenery possible!
And since we’re chatting about on-screen decor, do you have any movies or TV shows that you’d recommend for good home decor eye candy? We remember loving a modern home in Hancock and of course we adored a few of the scenes in I Love You Man (especially the shop where Rashida Jones works). What about you guys?
Images courtesy of Cote de Texas (who btw has a very extensive write-up on Nancy Meyers if you’re looking to dig deeper), IMDB.com, OutNow, and Architectural Digest. Although they’re ultimately all probably courtesy of Universal Pictures.
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Because I Said So, starring Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore and some super cute guy whose name I don’t know. The scenery, the interiors, the cakes, the clothes…I drool over all of it.
Oh my gato! Am I the first to post?? WOOT!
OK, I have to say, I was BLOWN AWAY by the house featured in the movie, “Chloe.”
Here is a Dwell article w/ pics: http://www.dwell.com/articles/architecture-at-the-movies-chloe.html
Must say though… the entire movie featured AMAZING architecture & has convinced me that a design pilgrimage to Toronto is in order: http://torontoist.com/2010/07/reel_toronto_chloe.php
LOVE IT!
I LOVE the kitchen in It’s Complicated! If only we had one that great… Sigh.
ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com
LOVE this post! The beach house in Something’s Gotta Give is my absolute dream – I loved the movie, but I have to say, I was almost more into the house than the plot. And of course, the house in Father of the Bride…wow! Nancy Meyers has some pretty excellent taste.
Those are some gorgeous interiors, and too funny about the connection with your kitchen.
On a kind of similar note, I was showing my mom a picture of your kitchen when they were redoing their kitchen, and she said “You like their kitchen because it looks just like yours!” Which is funny, because we hadn’t even found your blog yet when we did our kitchen. You can see a piture of our budget kitchen redo here: http://hernandohouse.wordpress.com/our-house/
That’s too funny! The layout is so similar!
xo,
s
I absolutely love the home and store in Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock. I love the contrast of where Sandra Bullock’s character lives and the store she owns and works at.
I love Andie MacDowells NY apartment i “Green Card”, especially her rooftop terrace!
I was looking at your lovely kitchen and curious as to why no back splash? Not that it’s necessary, but just curious to know since it usually adds that oomff finalized touch to any kitchen.
Hey Ana,
We just love the idea of switching up the look of our kitchen easily, and by painting the backsplash a semi-gloss hue (just like the rest of the kitchen walls) it makes our all white kitchen very easy to reinvent with any color (or the addition of a backsplash) down the line. So far after over two years of use it has been nothing but easily wipeable and it still looks mint- even over the hot stove. So we definitely can’t complain about a painted backsplash when it comes to function! Plus it’s our very favorite paint color in the whole world (we also have it in the bedroom in a flat finish) so we’ve resisted the urge to add tile thus far. Who knows what the future holds though…
xo,
s
Hey guys!
Just wanted to give you a heads up that I give you a big shout out in my blog today. That along with my blatant copying.
Hearts to you.
http://www.modgblog.com
I always liked the house in Meet the Parents. I love the stair case!
Wow…you guys are scaring me…because I was just talking about the style of her movies to someone the other day and how much I want to live in them. In a former life I actually worked on films and I worked on one of the films Nancy Meyers made with her former husband Charles Shyer…of course I worked on the one movie they made that was a bomb…”I Love Trouble”, but I digress. Her personal style is very evident in all her films both in set design and wardrobe. In addition to the films you mentioned there is also “What Women Want” and a personal favorite with some now somewhat “retro” style “Baby Boom”.
I have personally always been a fan of Sarah Jessica Parker’s home in Failure To Launch!
I can never find any good images of it online, but I did find this. It doesn’t do it justice, but it will suffice…
http://www.bandelle.com/blog/2008/08/06/double-take-failure-to-launch/
First time poster here… Just to say that we actually live in a village adjacent to the one they filmed all the “English” scenes in for The Holiday. A beautiful spot and makes watching the film really interesting! From what we hear though, there were lots of snow machines and a fair amount of cardboard(!) involved – of course real life isn’t that “chocolate box-y”.
Also I was brought up near another village here in the UK named Kenley – thought you might be interested!
Victoria
That’s so funny Victoria! It must have been amazing to watch! And we love the Kenley connection as well!
xo,
s
I LOVED the kitchen in “It’s Complicated.” I coudln’t understand why she wanted to change it!
Gosford Park (2001) Beautiful interiors – takes place in the 1930′s.
For me, it has to be Jonathan Creek’s windmill in the old BBC series: http://www.shipleywindmill.org.uk/famous.htm
Looking at it now though it’s ever so cluttered! but the windmill bit and lots of lovely wood and old furniture…
You can see lots more AMAZING interiors from movie sets over at :
http://hookedonhouses.net/
I am officially obsessed and check it everyday.
In the photo of The Holiday where you show Cameron’s house, can you point out where maybe it’s not too matchy-matchy? I know that an older post you had talked about furniture all matching and I see that this room does just that. I have a matching sofa/chair and my coffee table, end table and t.v. stand all are dark wood with frosted glass, and that has me second guessing it all. Do you have any suggestions to make it less matchy-matchy?
Thank you!! : )
Hey Katie,
Good question! Ok, see how the mantel isn’t the same dark wood, so it looks nice and layered. And notice that lighter wood tree stump side table on the left? That also contributes to a layered and collected over time look. It also doesn’t look like that room’s furnishings were purchased as a set at one store in a few hours because it is layered with textural and varied accessories (which would be our suggestion for your space). And instead of having another wood coffee table that matches the side tables, there are those upholstered ottomans added to the mix as well. There are also those painted cabinets on either side of the fireplace which aren’t dark wood, and even the stone front of the fireplace and the side table to the left of the fireplace with the metal legs introduces two more materials beyond the dark wood so it feels like there are a range of furnishings in the space that weren’t all purchased en masse. There are also white ceramic lamps mixed in with a glass based one and a metallic based one as well as the appearance of gold frames, black frames and a big wood frame over the fireplace. There’s no need to add so much diversity to your space, but experimenting with frame tones and lamp bases as well as other accessories can really “break things up” so they don’t feel flat and one-note. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
ok… the “0″ bubble above the post misled (or you guys are uber fast on the draw.) Regardless, I retract my “first to post” fist-pump-WOOT!
Haha, you’re cracking us up!
xo,
s
Neat post! I love the house in Father of the Bride and the townhouse/condo of Meg Ryan’s in You’ve Got Mail.
I always loved the little book shop that Meg ran owned in You’ve Got Mail,especially in the fall scenes! I would watch that movie over and over again just to feel all warm and fuzzy!
I also love Meg’s place in “You’ve Got Mail”! And I like the house “She’s Having a Baby.”
OH! And in the episode of Mepmhis Beat (which they actually film in New Orleans) from 2 weeks ago they used one of my best friend’s houses to film a long & drawn out hostage scene.
Pictures here:
http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/2010/08/memphis-beat.html
Oh The Holiday! Two of my dream houses – an English stone cottage and a California manse.
I loved that kitchen!! I love SO many movie houses!
What a small world… just the other day I saw a few minutes of “It’s Complicated” and immediately fell in love with the main characters kitchen! Not to mention her garden, her bakery, and basically her entire property!
Knowing that other people love all things “You’ve Got Mail” as much as I do has put a smile on my face this morning…thanks Youngsters! (And the smile is welcome because I am EXHAUSTED from being up til 2am painting trim in my kitchen/living/dining/hall combo room after painting the celing and walls in the past three days…THANKS Youngsters! Grrr)
I’m definitely having house envy with this post! I’ve always loved Kate Winslet’s house in The Holiday!
I loved your blog, sorry my bad English. I am Brazilian and I intend to continue following your news.
I love the first home in Marley and Me. I love the architecture of it, and the cozy feeling that it has.
I LOVE Carrie’s apartment (after she has it changed) in the first Sex and the City movie.
Okay, so don’t laugh, but I absolutely love the house in Alvin & the Chipmunks!
http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/12/06/jason-lees-cottage-in-alvin-and-the-chipmunks/
And check out the Hooked on Houses website- you’ll get lost in it!
I ADORE those homes! And “The Holiday” is one of my fave movies — for the story AND the design! OY!
My one problem is finding the right white. Everytime I see one of those creamy whites, I want to throw myself on the floor of Home Depot and cry like a little girl. I can’t seem to find something that isn’t stark white or yellow. Any ideas? Tips? Recommendations?
Thanks, Youngsters!!!
Hey Annie,
We love Benjamin Moore’s Decorators White (it’s not too stark or too yellow). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Everytime I watch Somethings Got to Give” with my wife we drool over that house.
I love Meg Ryan’s little apartment in “You’ve Got Mail” her book store is adorable too, but the apartment is especially cozy.
I just swoon over the furniture in Mad Men every week. It is to die for! I am constantly pointing pieces out to my husband, “THAT is the type of bed I want!” “LOVE that chair!”
The fashion in the show is to die for as well. If only I could go back to the 60s
Oh man, I love the house in “Something’s Gotta Give.” That New England charm gets me every time. The houses featured in ABC’s “Modern Family” are all pretty awesome: cute bungalow, well-appointed suburban family home, and ultra-modern chic. All are fabulous.
Great post topic–I’m constantly telling my husband the decorating things that I notice and do or don’t like while watching movies. Bugs him to no end, but I love it!
It’s funny, as I was scrolling through this post, I thought to myself “I wonder if she did Father of the Bride.” And she did!
I absolutely LOVE Liam Neeson’s condo in Love Actually (& love that movie!).
I love the houses in Modern Family and Parenthood. I always try to find pictures of them so I can copy, but no luck so far!
Oh wow. I loved the Holiday FOR its houses. And I loved all those other pictures. And as I was reading this post, I was thinking, yes I love all these houses, but its really the Father of the Bride house that is my dream. So whoever was in charge of that house… and then: Nancy Myers. So funny!
I’ll have to jump onto that bandwagon too!
I absolutely LOVE Cameron Diaz’s house in The Holiday. I drool over it everytime I watch the movie (which is a lot!).
I see that someone else posted this already but I was going to say that I really enjoyed the movie Because I Said So with Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, and Lauren Graham. I especially liked Mandy Moore’s house. It’s super colorful and eclectic which I love but would probably never have.
I loved the house in The Stepfather (the recent version). Craftsman style and seemed so cozy yet spacious
Oh good! Thanks, Lisa! I absolutely LOVE the houses in Because I Said So and could not think of the title for the life of me! Cheers!
It’s funny. So many of those rooms that you mentioned are rooms that I remember loving while watching the movies. I had no idea that they all came back to Nancy Meyers!
I LOVE the houses in Modern Family! I love that show and the awesome interiors (and heck exteriors too) are bonus!
I love the house in Father of the Bride! I always thought it was due to Franc’s decorating magic! I mean seriously, that baby room was gorgeous!
I have loved the decor in all those movies — though I was never smart enough to go further than mid-movie oogling, to find out who the designer was. But, since you asked for recommendations, watch Brothers & Sisters on ABC when it returns this fall. Your jaws will drop. Every house is very different, personality wise, and yet every one of them is perfect!
This is so funny….. I’ve always loved all of those movies just for the interiors, and I never even considered that they may all have been designed by the same person! I especially love the Father or the Bride movies….That house is my dream home…. Thanks for making the connection for my slow brain :)
I LOVE the house in You Me & Dupree. It’s a gorgeous craftsman style home.