Nancy Meyer’s movies have an unmistakable aesthetic that has captivated her viewers for years, including me. From The Parent Trap to Something’s Gotta Give to The Holiday, her movies feature incredible set designs that are instantly recognizable. The homes of her characters have that magical quality of being lived-in and curated, but never messy. They seem so realistic that you could almost imagine yourself living on one of these sets. They are such an important part of her movies that they’re almost their own characters. If you’re anything like me, you may have dreamed about recreating their aesthetic. Here’s how to get the look of a Nancy Meyers set design in your own home.
The Magic of a Nancy Meyers Movie
I’ve been a Nancy Meyers fan for a long time, without even realizing it until recently. The majority of my favorite movies growing up were and still are Nancy Meyers’ films. I can still vividly remember watching The Holiday in theaters and leaving feeling like I had just been wrapped in a warm hug. It was the most magical feeling – from the characters to the story to the set design, a Nancy Meyers movie transports you to a world where everything is bathed in a soft glow. I could say the same thing about The Parent Trap (Did this movie make me wonder if I had a secret twin out there somewhere? Yes) and Father of the Bride. I vividly remember watching Father of the Bride as a kid with my mom and dreaming about my future wedding day. So, of course, this movie was a must-watch when my wedding week actually arrived.
Nancy Meyers’ movies stick with you because of how completely she brings you into the worlds that she creates. And of course, her movie’s set designs have a lot to do with that. They’re constructed carefully to feel real, lived-in, and artfully curated. They’re aspirational, but attainable. And none of us seems to forget the first time that we laid eyes on them.
Keep reading for a room-by-room breakdown of some of the most iconic home features in Nancy Meyers’ films.
The Bedroom
Diane Keaton’s character in Something’s Gotta Give lives in the Hamptons home of my dreams. It’s spacious, has beach access, and of course, is decorated impeccably. Did I mention there’s also a little French market and bakery just down the road? If I ever win the lottery, this is where you would find me!
Not only does Erica Barry have the perfect coastal fashion, but her house is styled just as impeccably. There are plenty of East Coast style elements to be found in the beach home, with elevated pieces mixed in to give her house that elegant, yet attainable look.
Nancy Meyers’ films have that perfectly curated, lived-in look that makes her movie sets look so real. Instead of matching furniture sets and minimalist decor, Nancy and her production and decor coordinators lean into the history of the characters. What artwork might they have acquired over their lifetimes? What books do they read? Which quilt did they receive as a wedding gift, and what furniture did they buy when they could afford it? The point is, these sets are not completed with a one-stop shopping list, but are designed to look like homes that have been furnished with care, and over a long period of time. Nothing matches perfectly, but still fits together in a cohesive way that’s visually pleasing without being too distracting.
Now, let’s break it down even further so you can recreate the look in your own home.
The Bed Frame
When it comes to the central piece of the bedroom, Nancy Meyers’ films often feature antique-style metal bedframes. The look of this frame style helps to balance out the softer elements throughout the rest of the room. This type of bed frame also gives the room a sense of history and vintage charm.
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Metal Open-Frame Bed
The Furniture
Nancy Meyers’ films often utilize bedroom furniture that is as beautiful as it is practical. In other words, it isn’t just for show! Her set designs include pieces that a person might actually have in their space in real life, such as a trunk to hold all of their important memories or extra bedding. Recreate the look with a rattan storage trunk that introduces a new layer of texture to the space.
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Rattan Storage Trunk
The Curtains
The lighting in your space can make all the difference. In Something’s Gotta Give, Erica’s bedroom features a wealth of natural light with floor-to-ceiling large windows and curtains. Her beach house is private and looks out onto the open water. So why wouldn’t she want to take advantage of the stunning view?
You can make the most of your space’s windows by framing them in the right way. Linen-blend curtains are easy, breezy, and will let the most amount of light into your room compared to more opaque fabrics. Hang them close to the ceiling and a few inches away from either end of your windows. This is a design trick that will make even small windows seem larger, and make your space seem bigger! However, be warned – if you’re not naturally an early riser, you might prefer a thicker fabric to keep the sun from waking you up.
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Linen-Blend Curtains
The Lighting
In The Holiday, Rosehill Cottage has the perfect cozy feel for an English cottage in the wintertime. The production design reflects that, with a working fireplace in the bedroom and plenty of table lamps for ambient lighting. When Amanda relaxes on her vacation away from bustling LA, she takes advantage of the homey space tucked away in the English countryside.
Table lamps are your best friend in a Nancy Mesters-style bedroom. Leave the big overhead light off and try to rely on warm lamp lighting instead. Not only will soft, warm light help you wind down for bed faster, but it will also give your space a much cozier feel and improve your mood tenfold.
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Table Lamp
The Decor
The right decor will be essential in getting the look of a Nancy Meyers set bedroom. Don’t be afraid to mix and match aesthetics and time periods to get a layered look. Also, incorporating different textures is key! Even if you prefer to stick to a neutral palette, different textures will make your room more interesting. And when it comes to bedding, go for a cozy quilt. A floral pattern is perfect for that lived-in look.
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Lilianne Floral Printed Quilt
Your Shopping List:
- A Metal Bed Frame
- An Old Trunk or Chest
- Lamps
- Cozy Quilts
- Linen Curtains
- Wooden Bedside Tables
- Lots of Books
- Wicker Accents
- Fresh Flowers
The Living Room
The Nancy Meyers living room ignores any singular trend and leans into a look that values comfort above all else. Family photos, curated artwork, interesting textiles, soft rugs, and open shelving displaying rows and rows of books are all key markers of a Nancy Meyers set design. The living room is a space where the characters of her films naturally gather. Like a real family, they spend time together sunk into soft sofas and resting on fluffed floral pillows.
To get the look, you want to lean into the idea of an undone, effortless look that still represents your true style at its heart. The living room should be warm, inviting, and feature soft lighting, furniture, and meaningful pieces of artwork, literature, and photography. The room should be you at its core, not a recreation of some big-box store. Below, I’ll break down details to prioritize in your own living room refresh.
The Couch
A slip-covered couch is often the staple piece of furniture found in Nancy Meyers’ set design. A fresh white couch sets the stage for all of the other interesting decor pieces that Nancy incorporates throughout the room. Starting with a blank slate helps give you a starting point for your space, and then begin working in your other pieces. Plus, a white couch will never go out of style. And a removable slip cover makes it easy to wash (especially important if you’re a pet owner, like me).
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Slip-Covered Sofa
The Accent Furniture
Nancy creates contrast with the white couch in her living room with rich accent furniture. She often utilizes mahogany coffee tables, side tables, etc., that look like they have been owned by the family for years. Nancy Meyers’ interiors aren’t afraid to play around with wood tones that contrast with the overall color palette of the room. Even if you love a blue and white color scheme, don’t be afraid to incorporate darker pieces to create interest!
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Coffee Table with Shelf
The Decor
Nancy may often lean into a coastal grandmother look in a selection of her films like Something’s Gotta Give, but she utilizes elegant decor to keep the room from appearing too on-theme. These surprising elements make her sets appear more realistic. Think of adding a gilded mirror, silver candlesticks, or brass lamps to the mix. You can also create depth with texture by adding a wicker serving tray, glass vases, soft blankets, etc.
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Candlesticks
The Lighting
Once again, lighting is key when it comes to the vibe of a Nancy Meyers home. Her sets often take advantage of lamplight rather than harsh overhead fixtures. Table and floor lamps help to diffuse that soft, warm glow throughout the room that makes it feel so cozy and comfortable.
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Table Lamp
The Artwork
Artwork is another key element that you’ll find scattered throughout Nancy Meyers’ sets. The artwork is eclectic and curated, to make it look like the character has been collecting it over the years. To get this same look, try visiting your local antique or vintage stores to see what you can find secondhand. The weathered frames, curled paper, and imperfections all make the artwork look more expensive and interesting.
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Botanical Artwork
Your Shopping List:
- A White Slip-Covered Couch
- Floral Patterns
- Table Lamps
- Curated Artwork
- Coffee Table Books
- Mahogany Accent Furniture
- Silver Candlesticks
- Hurricane Glass Candle Holders
- Fresh Flowers
- A Wicker Serving Tray
- Upholstered Ottomans
The Kitchen
In Father of the Bride, Nina and George have decorated a kitchen that I can just imagine Annie and Matty running to after school, asking for a snack. The kitchen is full of warm tones, soft light, and assorted cookware and spices that you would find in a real kitchen. They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and the rooms found in Nancy Meyers’ movies certainly embody that well-known saying.
You won’t find immaculately cleared marble countertops or cool white cabinets in these kitchens. Instead, warm colors are often the base of these spaces, from the walls to the flooring. Wooden counters and islands, copper cookware, assorted jars, and wicker baskets full of various fruit often occupy the kitchens of a Nancy Meyers movie. Below, get inspired to bring that same warmth to your own home.
The Table
The table is one of the most important elements in a Nancy Meyers kitchen. Characters gather here for important conversations (or to break big news, like a surprise engagement). The kitchen or dining table is a central space, and should reflect the warmth and groundedness of the kitchen itself. A wooden dining table with a few intricate details carved into it is perfect if you want to get that Nancy Meyers look.
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Farmhouse Dining Table
The Lighting
When it comes to lighting, keep leaning into the lamps, but also don’t be afraid to incorporate an overhead chandelier or pendant lighting. This will help to brighten up the space after dark. Just make sure to use bulbs with a warm tint if you can, and stay away from cool whites.
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Classic Chandelier
The Decor
Don’t feel like you have to stick to one color palette or theme with your decor. In fact, embrace a style that mixes and matches colors and materials. You can also play around with different patterns. The idea is to create a curated look that doesn’t feel too stoic or rigid. Incorporate pieces like wicker baskets, colorfully patterned fruit bowls, and glass or crystal vases.
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Fruit Bowl
The Cookware
Copper cookware is often found hanging from a kitchen rack in the homes of a Nancy Meyers set. These copper pans help to elevate the look of a humble, cozy kitchen, while also incorporating a new color and metallic into the room. You’ll often notice that Nancy Meyers’ characters love to cook, so they should have the nice cookware to match!
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Copper Cookware Set
The Dishes
If you love the clean, glass shelving look of Erica Barry’s Hamptons home, consider sticking to a neutral color palette for your dishes. This will create a more organized look. If you don’t mind leaning into a bit of careful chaos, try mixing things up with a pattern or two displayed on your open shelving. You can see an example of this down below in Iris’ cozy cottage kitchen.
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Porcelain Dinnerware Set
Your Shopping List:
- A Warm Wooden Table
- Fresh Flowers
- Ambient Lighting
- Blue and White Dishes
- Mismatched Pottery
- Wicker Baskets
- Lemons, Limes, and Oranges
- A Tea Kettle
- Copper Pots & Pans
- Cafe Curtains
Get the Look of a Nancy Meyers Set Design
If you want to get the same look in your home as a Nancy Meyers set design, you can gather a lot of inspiration just from watching her movies. Once you’ve seen one of her sets, you’ll start to be able to immediately recognize her other movies as well! They have that memorable, distinctive quality of a home that feels so real, it’s almost like you could step inside the TV into the house and make yourself comfortable. Bring her sets to life in her own home by taking your time, leaning into a curated (but not perfect) aesthetic, and layering your decor and furniture in a way that feels authentic to you and your family.
Ready for more about home design? Up Next: 9 Ways to (Easily) Style Your Home Like a Professional Designer
