A collage of the kitchen from the film It's Complicated with kitchen products inspired by the kitchen

Images: film still from It’s Complicated courtesy of Universal Pictures

The Timeless Interiors of Nancy Meyers Films

INSPIRED BY

The interiors from Nancy Meyers are legendary, a perennial favorite of design aficionados and film buffs alike. Yes, they’re all aspirational and have a neutral palate which is in fashion these days. However, I’d argue what attracts people most to these spaces is their timelessness — they never go out of style even as the trends ebb and flow surrounding them. Let’s take a walk through these spaces and explore what makes them so special.

Who Is Nancy Meyers and Why We Love Her Films’ Interiors

Nancy Meyers is a writer, director, producer who is behind films with strong female leads and envious interiors, such as Baby Boom, The Holiday, and Something’s Gotta Give. I’ve thought a lot about the enduring appeal of the homes in her films, and I think that’s just it, they are, in fact, homes where people live, laugh, love. All of the details create spaces that exude warmth, comfort, and laidback style. The homes are at the center of a lifestyle that celebrates little moments and small pleasures. The very idea of this feeds our souls and gives us something to aspire to, more so than the fancy appliances and marble countertops.

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The kitchen from Something's Gotta Give with warm details like a fruit bowl, flowers, and art on the wall

Homey Kitchen

Kitchens are the heart of Nancy Meyers’ film homes. These are fully equipped kitchens for the home cook, but they’re far from sterile. Rather, they’re full of charm and homey touches that make you want to linger. It’s about having things handy that you actually use day in and day out and embracing them for their simple beauty. That’s what makes the space feel so cozy and lived in — the space is not just for show.

Image: film still from Something’s Gotta Give from Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros.

How to style it

For easy access line up cooking equipment on the counter, place crocks filled with utensils, pinch boils, cooking oils next to the stove, and hang pots. Likewise, display a fruit bowl brimming with produce, freshly clipped herbs in pitchers, cake stands for fresh baked goodies, etc. The final finishing touch is hanging art that adds some additional warmth.

What objects to include

Top quality cookware that will last a lifetime including copper pots, wooden cutting boards in various sizes
Simple functional containers, like crocks, fruit bowls, pitchers
Equipment to make homemade food and beverages (espresso machine, Chemex coffeemaker, juicer)
Cook books you actually will use
Paintings

Image: film still from It’s Complicated courtesy of Universal Pictures

The kitchen from It's Complicated with a fruit bowl, flowers, white plates, lots of cookware

Astier de Villatte Petulla Grand Salad Bowl

Cilio Commercial Grade Manual Citrus Juicer, Extractor, and Juice Press, Cream

Recycled Copper Wok by Amoretti Brothers

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

Sertodo Copper 3 Qt Recycled Copper Fry Pan with Lid

Cuisinart 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer, Manual, White Linen

Dining room from Something's Gotta Give set with white plates, rattan placemats, wine glasses

Chic & Simple Dining

The dining scenes in Nancy Meyers’ films show setting a table doesn’t have to be fussy to be chic. Easy breezy dining is all about keeping the setting simple and classic and putting the focus on the food and the company. In fact, when they’re timeless, the same settings and serving pieces can be used over and over again, and they’ll never go out of style.

Image: film still from Something’s Gotta Give from Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros.

How to style it

Set the table with linen napkins, placemats, elegant glasses and white plates. Serving food family style contributes to the laidback vibe — so having good platters and salad bowls is a must. If you want, you can decorate the table with simple candles in a neutral candle holder.

What objects to include

White and off-white ceramic dishes and platters, a giant wooden salad bowl and tongs
Neutral placemats like white linen or a beige fiber
Cotton or linen napkins in white or a simple stripe
Clear glass stemmed glassware
Glass or silver candle holders and cream candles
Optional: neutral tablecloth or runner in a simple check, stripe or floral

Image: film still courtesy of Touchstone Pictures / Buena Vista Pictures

A traditional dining room setting from Father of the Bride with table set with white place mats, wine glasses

Dash Table Runner - Neutral
by Minna — Dash Table Runner - Neutral by Minna

Astier de Villatte, Large Peggy Candleholder

100% Natural Beeswax Taper Candles | Light Yellow

French Antique White Porcelain de Paris Serving Platter

Serax + Ann Demeulemeester, Grace Clear Red Wine Glass

Scalloped Edge Round Stoneware Serving Bowls

Vintage Navy Striped Cotton Canvas Dinner Napkins

Living room from It's Complicated featuring a blue and white striped rug, rattan chairs, lots of flowers

Classic Comfort

An aesthetic that’s elevated yet laidback and comfortable is applied to the living spaces in the films of Nancy Meyers. It’s the kind of space where you feel like you can put your feet up and curl up with a good book. Many of the accents revolve around coziness as well as creating a lifestyle around one’s living space whether through flowers or serving drinks to guests.

Image (right and below): film still from Something’s Gotta Give from Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros.

How to style it

A cheerful area carpet warms up the room while a grouping of throw pillows and blanket provide maximal comfort with an elegant feel. Rattan accents, such as a tray, a basket or a lamp, bring a rustic, down-to-earth vibe. Lastly, a softly scented candle complete the picture of coziness.

What objects to include

Area rug, throw pillows and throw blanket in shades of blue and cream
Sculptural vases in white, blue & white, or wicker (option to add artificial hydrangeas)
Rattan accents, such as a tray, a basket
Serving pitcher and glasses, ceramic mugs

Film still from Something's Got to Give of an overhead shot of the living room with a man lying on a white sofa with a blue striped carpet below

Quadrille Bali Hai Pillow Cover in Blues on Tint

Bennison Cinnabar Pillow Cover in Green Blue on Oyster

Astier de Villatte Glass Candle Palais de Tokyo

Jute Ivory & Natural Concentric Rectangle Pattern Area Rug

Film still from It's Complicated showing two characters in an abundant vegetable garden

Garden Splendor

Not all of Nancy Meyers’ heroines might be gardeners, but they all embrace an appreciation for the garden’s many splendors in the form of fresh produce, herbs, and of course flowers. Whether through a trip to the farmers market, gardening, arranging flowers or tending to potted herbs or plants, the activity is as much about the joy of the experience as the outcome.

Image (right and below): film still from It’s Complicated courtesy of Universal Pictures

How to style it

An outfit for gardening or market shopping is all about practicality with a great tote or basket, a sun hat, and depending on the weather a pair of boots. A gardener would ideally have a potting bench for storing tools and potting plants. If you want the gardening feel but don’t have a green thumb, plant herbs in pots and put on the window sill or counter in the kitchen for easy access while cooking and enjoying the smell while doing the dishes.