How to “Nancy Meyers” your home

You know you're good when you become a verb

Jun 17, 2024

Set the mood with this playlist. Nancy would approve✨

The grip hold Nancy Meyers puts around consecutive generations amazes me. My granddaughters (no time soon) will be just as obsessed with the interiors in her movies like It’s Complicated and Something’s Gotta Give. And that’s on being timeless.

And WARM.

They make me want to dance to French jazz with Diane Keaton in a kitchen and turtleneck sweater holding a glass of red wine that wouldn’t dare spill (unless it’s part of a romantic plot).

Design Inspiration | Nancy Meyers' Films — Lilabeth interiors — Just now noticing that the floor is painted. Love!

HOW DOES NANCY DO IT?

Nancy Meyers’ set designs are never pretentious, but always sophisticated. Stunning, yet functional with everything seemingly fitting snug in place.

While I’ve listed key factors and links below as to how you may cultivate a Nancy Meyers-ish home, please be aware it’s the layering of these elements that’ll truly transform a space. And you may already have a few pieces! If you’re interested in taking it to the next level and making your place feel more completed, reach out to me via email at hello@wendiepowerinteriors.com and I’d be happy to help.

1. Places to Gather

The layout of the home is designed to accommodate both everyday life and special occasions. The kitchen, with its classic cabinetry, large windows, and farmhouse sink, serves as the heart of the home where family members gather and connect around the kitchen island (and a ridiculous amount of fruit bowls). The dining room, with its large table is perfect for hosting dinners. Even the bathroom floor seems like a cool place to hang (see image above).

2. Soft Edges

There’s an effortless flow both visually and physically when circulating these rooms. You see a lot of soft corners and curves in both the architecture and furniture such as the It’s Complicated dining table, archways, rolled backs of lounge chairs, and circular lampshades.

3. Dark Wood & Slipcovered Sofas

Darker stained wood is timeless, rich, warm, and a great contrast to the lighter colored walls and furniture. The slipcovered sofas are usually a solid off-white with overstuffed subtly-patterned pillows. The utility areas balance everything with harder materials such as tile and natural stone (even if faux painted marble or soapstone counters, which was a little trick of Nancy’s set designers).

4. Color

Nancy uses dark woods and off-white furniture as her canvas before choosing to layer soft yellows, blues, and sandy beiges through fabrics and accessories. You’ll see touches of red too. Her color palette is always a bit faded so as not to compete with the darker woods or tile on set. It offers that sense of a coastal home without the egregious “beach that way” signs.

Somethings Gotta Give house living room striped rug

5. Wicker Baskets

I’m a big wicker fan. Did you know the best way to collect wicker is through buying vintage wicker pieces and simply cleaning it up to be brand new? Nancy puts touches of wicker everywhere, whether it’s a basket or wicker chest working as a side table. It’s her go to method for adding texture and a making the space feel less formal.

6. Backyard Flowers

Overabundant bowls of produce and bonus points if you’re growing fresh basil or thyme near the windowsill. These bits make her kitchens feel more alive and lived in - the same reason designers style a home after a big install and before the client reveal or photoshoot. If you’re blessed with backyard flowers, take advantage of it! Chop a cool (mini) branch down. Use it to add height on a console or kitchen island. Whatever you do, please, Lord, no fake plants.

7. Candles

An easy implementation is candles. Just beware that the caveat is you have to light and blow out each one each night, and if you forget, the fire department sirens have the opposite ambience of French jazz.

8. Natural Light

Natural light plays a crucial role in Meyers’ interiors, infusing them with warmth, vitality, and a sense of openness. Large windows, sheer curtains, and strategically placed mirrors are used to maximize natural light and create an inviting atmosphere.

9. Lamps ON

I’m not sure where anyone would find the time to turn on and off so many sources of light… similar to our candle caveat, but it has the desired affect and less chance of lighting your house on fire. The key is different levels of light — a pendant, floor lamp, a small table lamp — that architecturally play across a room.

10. Personal Touches

Whether it’s a framed painting from your travels, your kid’s pre-school work, family photos or an object you can hang - these are the charming little details that tie it all together. Make sure you avoid mass produced art at all costs (looking at you, Home Goods).

And the best addition? Books! Books in built-ins, stacked beside your bed, piled on a coffee table… you can’t overdue it. They’ll make a home extra cozy and are proof that real people (with real thoughts) live here.