5 Things I Learned From Nancy Meyers Films That Make a Home Feel Cozy
Never attainable, always admirable, and that's OK.
What I love about home decor inspiration (AND Jude Law) is we can look at the subject and think, How does this inform MY life? What do I want to pull from this to influence my real home (or relationship)?
I watched a lot of old movies as a kid. When I couldn’t sleep, I would come downstairs for some cereal and find my dad watching something on TCM. A few films that come to mind include: Bringing Up Baby, An American in Paris, Casablanca, Holiday Inn, The Maltese Falcon, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I loved the Mid-Atlantic accents, the glamour, and, of course, the sets.
The sets of these films and so many others continue to be a big inspiration for how I bring ambiance to my home. Why? It’s about so much more than decor alone. The spaces created for film set a tone and tell us about the characters in a way that can’t be narrated or spoken. We watch actors utilize the spaces around them as they bring their characters to life. The best movies use production design as a tool to tell the greater narrative arc of the story.
Many of us are nestling into our homes this time of year and amplifying all things ambiance in our spaces. We’re decorating for the holidays and watching the movies that comfort us most. For me (and for a lot of you too), few movies are more comforting to watch than those by Nancy Meyers.
What makes Nancy Meyers film sets feel so special is that they reflect the kinds of cozy movies she creates. They portray idealized versions of life in which there’s not actually that much at stake. The spaces in these films are idealized too, but they’re approachable enough that they feel like versions of what our own homes could be. I think that’s part of why we love her film sets so much.
Three of my favorite Nancy Meyers film sets:
The Holiday (Production design and set decoration: Jon Hutman, James Radin)
Something’s Gotta Give (Production design and set decoration: Jon Hutman, Beth Rubino, James Radin)
It’s Complicated (Production design and set decoration: Jon Hutman, Beth Rubino, James Radin)
Honorable mentions for Parent Trap and Father of the Bride!
5 Ways to Make a Home Feel Cozy, as Gleaned From Nancy Meyers Films
1. Use lighting to your advantage.
In these films, the lighting is always warm. There are few overhead lights, tons of lamps, and dimmers galore. It seems like there’s always a lit candle or a roaring fireplace. These little touches make a home feel so inviting.