MOVIE SET MONDAY- THE FAMILY STONE

Y’all knew this one was coming right? And I’ll be real honest. The thing I love most about this movie set is the home’s exterior. I don’t care much for the decor. It’s obvious that Sybil was not a lover of home decor. It’s like she did it once and left it forever…or perhaps they moved into this house with some of the wallpaper already up and said, “What the heck; we’ll just leave it.”

There are a few things that are architecturally pleasing, and we’ll discuss those. But truth be told, this is my favorite movie ever, and I like to revisit it often.  The molding and wainscoting in the photo above is quite beautiful. The same molding can be found around all of the doorways and openings. The staircase is also very nice. I like the spindles on the railing and the mill work at the base of the banister is really beautiful. See the arches in the photos above and below? Gorgeous. I think I say it every time I write one of these posts, but it’s those little details that really make a house for me. It adds character and is one of my favorite parts about older homes. 
So, built-ins flanking a big fireplace like this one is the stuff of my dreams. My shelves would look exactly the same as theirs-piled high with books and photo albums. I love seeing what books are on other people’s shelves. It’s a great conversation starter if you have read one of their books. You learn a lot about people by the books that they read. I’d like to know what books this family read.  The master bedroom is so bad. I can’t handle all the pattern. Everything appears to be moving around, and it hurts my eyes. I mean…the walls, the headboard, the comforter, the drapes, the chair…all a different print. And all a small print. Even the pillows. Nope. Too busy.  I bet Everett’s room looked exactly this way the day he moved out of his parents’ house. Complete with that poster over his bed and the telescope in the window. 

It is a nice feeling walking into your childhood bedroom when it’s still decorated the same, but it can also be cringe-worthy. My parents gave me the reigns a little when it came to decorating my room as a teenager, and I chose lime green walls and bright, multicolored bedding. And I’m pretty sure not one wall was left uncovered by posters and bulletin boards. I loved my room, but I’m super glad I don’t walk into my parents’ house now and see a lime green bedroom with pictures of my high school self all around. It’s a very calming and tranquil guest room now that is very pretty.One thing I can say that I like about the dining room is it’s size. The Stones have a big family, so a large enough table to accommodate everyone is necessary. And it appears that such a large table fits perfectly.  I’m also a sucker for a fireplace in a dining room. I’m not sure why. I don’t know that I’d ever use a fireplace is a dining room, but it is quite charming. I also like the grid pattern on the windows. The room is just a bit too dark for me with the rust color on the walls. I’d like it lighten it up a lot. This kitchen…

I like many things about it. And I dislike many things about it. First, I love the size. It’s massive. There are all sorts of “spaces” in this one room. Another thing I definitely love is the exposed brick wall behind the stove. I kind of love the giant pipe running up and through the wall. Character. And I love all the natural light from the windows.  Also, the butcher block counter tops are nice. I believe in the picture below that the counter tops in the back of the room are not butcher block, but it also doesn’t feel part of the main kitchen, so it doesn’t seem so odd for them to be different. The table in the kitchen by the bay window is probably where I would have set up a little work station too. I’d like to think I would have a laptop so that I could put it away, but with a kitchen like this that is truly the hub of this home (in the movie anyway), why would you work from anywhere else?  There’s a sweet little bench under the bay window, and I’d rather see a round table pushed up to it instead of the long table, but I was not this set designer. And Sybil wouldn’t have done it that way anyway.  Oh these floors. I hate them.  That little window above the bookcase in the photo below, though…I love that.  I like that you can walk in the front door and see straight through to the kitchen. Leading into that hallway toward the front door is a swinging door. It’s pushed all the way open in the photo above, but if you have seen the movie, then you know the photo below is partially caused by that door. Haha! Best scene in the movie.

I’m sort of obsessed with that piece of furniture the TV is sitting on behind Meredith. It’s so pretty. I’m also a huge proponent of a TV in the kitchen. I know most people would disagree, but if you like TV as much as I do, you’d be on board. If I’ve got to be cooking for a long while, then I definitely want to be entertained while I do it. And with the ability to binge watch nearly everything nowadays, yep-TVs in the kitchen is a DO! 🙂  Let’s end it here. Chippy, dirty cabinets and all. Please see this movie if you haven’t already. I love a dysfunctional family drama. And with a cast like this one, you can’t go wrong. Thanks for obliging me in a tour of a not-so-glamorous house. But don’t forget this…She’s a stunner and decorating the inside would be the most fun!

Happy Monday, friends!