For those who admire the effortlessly luxurious and inviting interiors seen in films like "The Holiday," "Something's Gotta Give," and "It's Complicated," recreating that coveted Nancy Meyers aesthetic is now within reach. Annie Meyers, daughter of the celebrated director and an interior designer herself, offers insights into achieving this signature look, characterized by creamy neutrals, abundant bookshelves, and cozy bedrooms.
Meyers, who shares her own home, "The Oak House," a 1940s California residence, with her husband and two sons, emphasizes a palette of warm neutrals complemented by rich wood tones such as mahogany and walnut. Her design philosophy centers on creating spaces that feel timeless and adaptable, allowing a family's needs to evolve without requiring frequent redecoration.
Mastering Neutral Palettes
When it comes to paint, Meyers advocates for warm, inviting, and elegant hues, steering clear of bold colors and stark whites. She likens the ideal shades to cashmere rather than cotton, suggesting timeless options like Farrow & Ball's Dorset Cream or Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee. These foundational neutrals can then be enhanced with bolder accents through fabrics and accessories.
A crucial tip for using white paint is to test it extensively. What appears a subtle shade on a swatch can become significantly brighter when applied to a large surface. Meyers advises painting an entire wall with favorite white shades before making a final decision. For ceilings, she recommends a shade slightly lighter than the walls, often achieved by using the wall color at 50 percent strength, which creates a softer finish and can make a space feel larger.
The application of paint on woodwork is also a point of consideration. While spraying or rolling might be faster, Meyers prefers a traditional brush-applied finish for its added texture and character. She also suggests that if a preferred color isn't quite right, paint suppliers can often adjust the pigment by approximately 25 percent to create a tailored hue without losing the original shade's essence.
Styling Shelves and Vignettes
Shelving in a Meyers-inspired home is never empty; it becomes an integral part of the room's decor. Meyers suggests starting with a clean slate, emptying all shelves before organizing belongings into categories such as books, art, decorative objects, and keepsakes. This allows for a clear overview of what is available for display.
When arranging items, mixing books stacked horizontally with vertically oriented ones, and allowing some to lean naturally, contributes to a relaxed, lived-in feel. Color-coding is discouraged in favor of a more organic arrangement. Decorative objects can then be layered onto book stacks, framed artwork can lean against the back of shelves, and sculptural pieces like bowls or vases can be interspersed. The key is to play with varying heights, scales, and textures to create balance and a sense of curated history.
The Art of Floral Arrangements
Fresh flowers are essential to the Nancy Meyers aesthetic, often appearing in multiple vases throughout a home, evoking a sense of having just gathered them from the garden. Meyers prefers mono-bloom arrangements, using a single variety of flower to create a clean, elegant display. Arranging stems in odd numbers—three, five, or seven—lends a more organic and natural look compared to even numbers.
Unconventional vessels, such as pitchers and jars, sourced from charity shops or vintage markets, can add unique character. To achieve a looser, more organic feel, varying the length of stems is recommended, generally cutting them to about one and a half times the height of the vase, with small adjustments made to create a relaxed silhouette.
Creating a Sanctuary Bedroom
Bedrooms in the Meyers style prioritize cozy layers, including crisp white sheets, plush duvets, and an abundance of pillows. Investing in a quality mattress is considered a worthwhile splurge, with options to try different types and return them if unsatisfied within a trial period.
High-thread-count cotton bedding, whether sateen for its silky finish or percale for a crisp, cool feel, enhances the luxurious comfort. If space permits, incorporating an armchair or chaise longue can transform the bedroom into a private retreat. Finally, the bedside table should be kept uncluttered, holding only essentials like a book, a water carafe, a small jewelry dish, and perhaps a sculptural lamp.
This guidance is adapted from "The Oak House: A Renovation Story With Interiors To Inspire Your Own Home" by Annie Meyers-Shyer, published by Chronicle.