If you’re anything like me, Nancy Meyers’ movies are somewhat of a comfort blanket. Especially at this time of the year, as the holidays loom on the horizon and we’re all spending longer, colder evenings in front of the television (ideally, fireside with a cozy blanket and a glass of red a la Amanda Woods in The Holiday).
So beloved for the comfort and charm of her movie sets, a Nancy Meyers aesthetic home is something we all aspire to achieve isn’t it? From the archetype Hamptons beach house in Something’s Gotta Give to a quaint snow-topped English cottage, no matter the location they all have a trademark sense of calm, character, and well, home.
Of course, ranking her movies for their interiors would be like asking us to pick between favorite children. So instead, I asked interior designers to do it for us. Here are the expert’s favorite Nancy Meyers movie homes – and why.
The Best Movie Houses From Nancy Meyers Movies
Whether you’re drawn to rustic beams or white slip-covered sofas or walls upon walls of bookshelves, there’s a Nancy Meyers home to swoon over. So it’s no wonder that these homes have become a source of inspiration for designers and design enthusiasts like myself.
The genius of Nancy Meyers lies in her ability to create spaces that feel aspirational yet completely livable, somewhere you can truly feel at home. Here, designers dive into what makes these iconic homes so special – from the clever use of color to a layered, collected aesthetic, there is endless inspiration to be taken from Meyers’ style to bring into your own home.
1. Rosehill Cottage, The Holiday
While Iris’ cozy English cottage isn’t immediately to Amanda’s taste, the country escape in The Holiday is the epitome of a storybook cottage. Sure, it isn’t palatial but it certainly makes up for that in warmth thanks to the low ceilings, teeny tiny claw-foot tub, and quaint kitchen.
‘There is nothing more holiday coded than Rosehill Cottage from The Holiday,’ says Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors. ‘Nestled in the English countryside, every detail is so charmingly picturesque, it’s seared into my brain. Especially the sweet blue kitchen.’
‘The houses in The Holiday capture two dreamy yet contrasting styles: the cozy English countryside cottage and the sleek Los Angeles mansion,’ explains Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs.
‘Kate Winslet’s Rosehill Cottage is the epitome of rustic charm – quaint, intimate, and layered with textures that make you want to curl up with a cup of tea. It’s the kind of place that instantly feels like home, especially around the holidays.’
‘On the other hand, Cameron Diaz’s modern L.A. home is open, minimal, and effortlessly chic, perfect for a getaway in the sun. Together, these spaces give a beautiful snapshot of how design can evoke such different moods and personalities – warm and traditional versus airy and luxurious. It’s a reminder that a well-designed home doesn’t just look good; it makes you feel something.’
Swags and Bows Dinner Plate
Whether you hang them on the wall, sit them prettily on a shelf, or actually use them for your dinner, these hand-crafted plates will dress up any kitchen.
COPPER CONCEPT Copper Tea Kettle Stovetop
For decorative purposes or for real use, copper kitchen accessories like this stovetop kettle are such a quintessential cottage kitchen purchase.
Vintage-inspired floral pillows and upholstery are a must to recreate the Rosehill Cottage feel. This Clea pillow cover gets extra points for the ruffle trim, too.
2. Hamptons Beach House, Something’s Gotta Give
‘Nancy Meyers has given us some iconic movie homes, but if I really had to choose, the house in Something’s Gotta Give is unforgettable,’ Linda continues.
‘The classic Hamptons-style beach house with its airy, neutral palette and sophisticated coziness is the ultimate in relaxed luxury. There’s a timelessness to the space, from the open-concept living area to the perfectly styled kitchen, that feels both aspirational and attainable.’
‘It conjures up that breezy, effortless elegance that’s perfect for any season but especially resonates around the holidays. The way the light plays through those big windows and onto the soft, neutral furnishings – it’s like a design hug! And yes, it’s influenced me in its approach to creating spaces that feel layered, personal, and irresistibly livable.’
Melissa Oholendt, of Oho Interiors, agrees. ‘The Something’s Gotta Give Hamptons beach house I think sparked bucket hats, white linen trousers, and cozy cardigan goals for us all,’ she says of the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic coined by Meyers fans.
‘My favorite design moment is the writing desk in Erica’s Bedroom,’ she explains. ‘A place to stare out at the ocean in moments of writer’s block, surrounded by stacks of books in the flanking built-ins, all swathed in Hampton’s appropriate linens and woven woods. The whole house is something out of a vision board but the bedroom itself is truly what designers mean when we talk about creating a retreat.’
‘It’s a tie for me between the California oasis Meryl Streep lives in It’s Complicated and the Hamptons beach house in Something’s Gotta Give,’ adds designer Kathy Kuo. ‘Both are the epitome of laidback luxury – sophisticated while still feeling unique, livable, and full of personality and soul.’
3. Elizabeth’s London Townhouse, The Parent Trap
In the 1998 movie The Parent Trap, when Hallie and Annie switch places, Hallie goes to visit her mother’s London townhouse and instantly enchants us all with its beloved, grand, deep orange entryway and sweeping staircase.
Typical of Victorian homes, the ceilings are tall, and traditional style prevails while remaining as homey as any other Nancy Meyers movie.
‘Elizabeth James’ London Townhouse in Nancy Meyers’ The Parent Trap will forever be one of my favorite earliest design-focused memories,’ continues Melissa Oholendt.’
‘The coral and gallery-wall filled entry, the window seat made for tea and pink wallpaper of the primary bedroom, the wood paneling of Hallie’s grandfather’s office? It’s a classic, cozy, and livable even more than 25 years later.’
In total contrast, Annie lands in California and is greeted by her father’s sprawling, ivy-covered Napa Valley vineyard and ranch house. Boasting a pool surrounded by rattan furnishings, large fireplaces, and a butter-yellow bedroom (very 2024), the two homes in The Parent Trap are enough to make you fall in love at any age.
4. Spanish Ranch, It’s Complicated
The charming Spanish-style home from It’s Complicated exudes warmth and inviting charm thanks to its thoughtful color palette of warm neutrals along with pops of terracotta and navy with natural textures galore.
‘I’ve always loved the home in It’s Complicated for its casual and effortless elegance – both in the interiors and intricate gardens,’ says interior designer Wendy Labrum of Wendy Labrum Interiors. ‘Rounded archways, tumbled stone floors, and an open, deconstructed kitchen takes center stage in many scenes. I aspire to be causally whipping up delicious chocolate croissants from scratch like this.’
‘One of the consistent themes in all of the homes in Nancy Meyers’ films is how utterly livable and non-fussy everything is and Meryl Streep’s character’s kitchen in It’s Complicated is the pinnacle of this,’ continues Melissa.
‘A kitchen island with a marble top made for use and abuse and that you know looks better with the red wine stains and etches of family and friends gathering around,’ she observes.
‘The haphazard but somehow still so elegant stacks of dishes and serving ware displayed on open shelves for easy use and easy storage, the chef’s range with an utterly utilitarian rangehood set-up but still so highly functional that you can’t begrudge the loss of a design moment because the whole thing in combination feels like it would lose some of its charm if the range and hood had been more design-focused. It’s a masterclass in design that is highly functional and completely non-precious.’
Schooner Bay Co. – William Barraud Hunter in Landscape Oil Painting
The artwork in the It’s Complicated House is both abundant and antique. If you don’t want to spend your time and money thrifting, Amazon have a selection of vintage-inspired art.
Make a statement with marble-topped tables, particularly if you don’t have a marble countertop on your kitchen island to drool over. Be sure to pair with plenty of distressed wood.
With that hallmark rusty orange hue, this ottoman features a contemporary take on a gingham print with a whimsical and traditional skirted design.
Alongside heartwarming, tear-jerking, rom-com storytelling sits just the most beautiful interiors to accompany the characters and the lives they lead in Meyers’ cinematic worlds. And for that, we have Nancy to thank. Lucky for me, my homework is now to go and re-watch all these classic movies beloved by our interior design friends.
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