I have always had a love of interior design, I think I got it from my grandmother who was always redecorating (see this post-link) – never anything drastic, but a fresh take on her style. Then I saw the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” and started noticing Nancy Meyers. The space for each movie is so unique and perfectly suited to the main character. But in Erica Barry’s Hampton’s beach house, she captured the essence of what I was unknowingly trying to capture in my style.
The Essence of Nancy Meyers Style
Rooms are lived in and not fussy. Antiques that mean something to you and others that just speak to you — juxtaposed with pieces that are more contemporary or functional. Rooms that are put together and refined, but comfortable and accessible. They are relatable; there is a quality and provenance to the pieces, but they are paired with common, simple things. Most importantly, they truly reflect the main character’s personality.
Like a gazillion other people, I loved that house. Every angle of it – Erica’s bedroom, the guest room, the Living Room and then, of course, that kitchen. The only room I might have done differently is the dining room. Love the round table, but not the slip covered chairs and the wall of plates – a little too “I heart country” for my taste.
Four Elements Borrowed From Nancy Meyers
Here are a few of the common themes and elements borrowed from Nancy Meyer’s style that I’ve incorporated into my spaces:
Antiques
I have a number of pieces that were my grandmother’s and I CHERISH them. I’ve jokingly been known to say, “If there’s a fire, grab the sideboard first!” I have them mixed in with other more contemporary pieces. On the sideboard I used a pair of RH lamps (These are similar https://rh.com/us/en/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod19030160&layout=square). Other pieces have just spoken to me as I was out and about – always having my eyes open.
A Pop of Color
While I stick with a mostly consistent color theme in each room, I do try to incorporate a pop of color that is anchored to something in the room. In the living room, I wanted it to be a bit dressier but still comfortable. I went with mostly neutral beige/silver tones with gold lamps, side tables, etc. In the painting above the fireplace, I went off of the salmon/peach color of the beach umbrella and found a similar fabric for pillows and the footstool.
Layer With Texture
When you incorporate texture into your fabrics and materials it’s one way to add the layers and visual interest, that gifted interior designers know how to do so well. For me it involves trial and error until it feels right.
I had found a pair of these chairs in an antique shop in Michigan. I loved their lines and that the paint and varnish was chipping. They had recently been recovered in a green velvet which was beautiful but not my color palate. They were meant for the living room so a more fussy fabric would have worked. I knew I wanted to incorporate some sort of animal print, and looked at cut velvets, etc. In the end, I felt very strongly that I wanted to create some contrast and provide a link with the adjacent family room. So I found this faded cotton/linen blue zebra print. Against the advice of my sister-in-law (and interiors advisor), I went with it. And, even she had to admit that I was right. I just didn’t want this room to be too fussy; I wanted to feel the mix and contrast.
Bring Nature Inside
Like Erica’s beach house, I have more opportunity and abundance to bring nature into our Michigan cottage. Erica has her white stones – I have beach glass and heart rocks. There were days when we could walk the Lake Michigan beach and come back with pockets full of beach glass. However, in the last few years 1-2 pieces are the norm. Over the years we’ve collected a lot of glass. Some we sorted by color, others we just tossed into a jar. The very rare intact bottle bottoms are stacked together. The heart rocks can still be found – and everyone has their own idea of the perfect heart rock. Some are sharp and clearly heart-shaped, others softer and rounder. Collected over 20+ years, these are proudly displayed in a pottery bowl made by a dear friend who passed away.
I always knew Nancy Meyers style had sparked something in me – something that I didn’t even find in the House Beautiful and Elle Décor magazines I’d pour over every month. As I prepared to write this post, I went back and re-watched the movie. The movie was made in 2003 and most of it feels like it could be 2023. While most of my interiors are loosely Nancy Meyers-inspired, I was a little surprised at the similarities of the paintings above our mantles! Coincidence or subliminal décor plagiarism? I found this original oil at a Chicago auction house and had to have it –it was the perfect depiction of our sunset on our beach at Lake Michigan.
And Yet Another Muse
What I had not so clearly remembered was Diane Keaton’s Erica Barry character. Erica was a 50-something, very successful, sexy, funny, stylish woman – feeling all the feels, being clear and deliberate about what she wants, and deserves, in life. And she does not apologize for any of it. As I look back now, I can’t remember many other characters like her and marveled at what an impression she made. Having rediscovered Erica – I’m going to channel her too. Thank you, Nancy Meyers.
WETSU! WETSU!
XO JT
