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.” Continue reading “Movie Set Monday- The Family Stone”
Hi, friends! I took last week off because I was honestly just too busy enjoying my weekend with family and friends, so here we are, as promised, with round two of The Holiday movie set. Last time we discussed Iris’s charming, English cottage, and I still can’t get over her bathroom. 
But today we are heading back across the pond to a lovely little town called Los Angeles and to Amanda’s house. 
I mean, I don’t hate it. 🙂 I love the flowers hanging out on the terrace. And the greenery in the front of the house is quite beautiful. Not to mention that grand entrance you get to make every time you drive through those gates and around that fountain. 
Inside the front door is a very spacious foyer. Big enough for a crystal chandelier. Other than that feature, my favorite part about this particular room of the house is the color of the doors. I’m not sure if they are just a light wood or painted a similar color, but they are so fresh and airy. I’m usually a fan of black interior doors, but I think it’d be too harsh in this space. 
Just off the foyer you move into the living room. Again, more neutral colors and natural elements with the pops of greenery and the mossy mantel decor. Look at that tree trunk table between the chairs. I love an unexpected piece of furniture in a room like that. It might not catch your eye right away, but when you find it, it really stands out. And this one does in a good way!
The corbels along the wall are so pretty and a nice architectural detail especially since everything appears to be painted the same color. Looking back through the foyer you see the staircase. I think the tiered wall on the left side is a fun way to keep the foyer open and airy.
The sconces seem to be a reoccurring theme for Nancy Meyers. They are a common lighting option for most of her film sets. I often forget that not all lighting has to be in the ceiling. And if you aren’t wanting to make the commitment of lighting like this, there are plug in options that are perfect for a bedside light. I’m also kind of loving the art. I would absolutely have something like this if I had a “She Shed” or a “Woman Cave” or a “Lady’s Lair” (I’m just trying to find alliterative names for rooms just for girls now.) Anyhow, my dream piece of art is a famous photo of Barbra Streisand. This one:
But when I pitched the idea to Paul, he was less than thrilled. Isn’t she gorgeous, though? I just love this photo.
Okay, Babs gets me every time. Back to The Holiday. 
Judging from the room beyond this one, I think this is the room you’d enter if you walked straight past the staircase. I can’t get enough of this room. All of the windows streaming in the natural light really is stunning. The posts and beams are such a rich, beautiful color. I love the floor color. It allows for the rest of the lighter furniture and natural colors to pop. 
Can you imagine this kitchen? It’s a little more industrial than I’d design for myself, but goodness it’s pretty. I think the hardware on the cabinets is really interesting. I’ve never seen anything like it. And the window shades are the perfect compliment to the feel of the room. Also, no runners on the floor and very simple chair and stool covers are all this room needs. I do love the touch of sweetness from the lanterns. It softens it up just a bit. 
This media room is everything! I would never leave my house if I had this room. I love to watch a good movie, and this looks like the perfect place to do just that. There’s even a popcorn machine in the corner! Yep, I’d never leave. I will say this…it’s too brown. The walls and the floor. We painted our master bedroom in our Louisiana house brown. I liked it because it was dark. But I grew tired of the brown pretty quickly. I think a black would be more my style or a deep navy.
The office is maybe my favorite room of Amanda’s house. I love a good home office, but these curtains are my dream curtains. I keep saying I’m getting emerald green velvet curtains for my master bedroom here in the apartment, but the ones I’ve found that I love are going to cost me a pretty penny. And I’m just not ready to bite the bullet yet. But look how they flank that gorgeous patio behind the double doors. There’s not one thing I don’t love about this room. This is the exact table I’ve always envisioned for my own home office, should I ever need one. I don’t want just a desk. I want a whole table with the X-leg design. I think it’s perfection. 
Amanda’s bedroom is tied for second of my favorite rooms with the media room. The shag rug would be delightful to put your feet on every morning. Also, who remembers those remote-controlled blackout shades on the windows? That was way cool. Below is a sitting area that’s another common design element in Nancy’s films. This one is very sweet, but doesn’t look as comfortable, which I think is actually perfect for Amanda’s character. If you’ve seen the movie, you know she’s too high strung to sit down to relax. It’s there purely for aesthetics. But it works beautifully.
Now I love INTERIOR design but EXTERIOR design is just as important. Especially when you live in a town with weather as beautiful as L.A. This patio/pool set is hotel worthy. The light wood furniture is chic with those deep navy cushions and pillows. And look at that basket of towels rolled up across the pool. That’s pure genius. And what incredible landscaping right? It looks like a private oasis that is secluded and not in the middle of one of the busiest cities on earth.
Oh, and the tiny balcony. I don’t know where that leads to, but it’s just precious. If I ever came across a place like this on Air B&B I’d have to book it in a heartbeat. How lucky was Iris to have been able to score a vacation home as nice as this one?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed walking through Amanda’s home with you today. Again, I always hope you get some inspiration for your own decor or design with each of these posts. I know I sure do. I also just hope you have fun looking at some pretty pictures of some genius movie sets from some crazy talented decorators.
Until next time.
*All photos are from Google Images. Some are watermarked with their credit source.
Welcome back to Movie Set Monday. Did anyone else get thrown off with the time change? All that daylight made me forget I actually had things I needed to do. And I still didn’t get it all done. The to-do list always seems to grow doesn’t it?
Anyway, today we are taking a trip across the pond to Surrey, England to a darling cottage from The Holiday. Yes, another Nancy Meyer’s film. I can’t help myself. She’s just so dang good. And her movie set, well sets, were no exception for this movie. Just look at the sweet, snow-covered roof, two chimneys, the precious portico, and that robin’s egg blue trim. And don’t forget about the little gate that bears the name of the house, Rosehill Cottage. Why don’t we name our homes here? English traditions are so charming.
This space is so quintessentially “cottage” to me. All of the natural wood detail in the beams and around the stairs and windows, the stone walls, the floral patterns, the white slipcover chair, the pops of blue in the ottoman and pillows, the fireplaces, and the neutral color palette all say cottage. And it’s a lovely one at that. 
I included the photo below because I love seeing new ideas to decorate. The two frames propped against the wall on top of the mantle is a great alternative to actually hanging them on the wall. (Can you imagine trying to hang something into that stone? No thanks.)
I love the decor as you enter the kitchen. First of all, I love a good interior door, and this one with the window is just too cute. Also, the china cabinet is a beauty. It looks like it was hand-made and has been in Iris’s family forever. It looks old yet perfectly sturdy and substantial. It’s amazing. Her little gallery wall is a nice pop of unexpected bright color that must make her very happy when she walks by. I will be the first to admit that my favorite colors are black and white, but a good dose of bright color is an instant mood booster. And a mini gallery wall in a small space is the perfect opportunity to display one. 
A fireplace in the kitchen? How cute is that? I don’t exactly know how safe it is, but didn’t people used to cook over an open fire before stoves and ovens?
There are so many details for me to mention here, so I’m just going to list the things I love: chandelier, open shelving with all those beautiful blue and white serving pieces, that teeny oven, the blue cabinets (which totally tie in to the trim on the exterior), the trough-like, angled sink, the rug, the dining table in the kitchen (I told y’all in the Stepmom post that I loved that.), and maybe my favorite thing is the little lamp in the windowsill. I have very deep windowsills in my apartment, and it has never occurred to me to put a lamp there. What a cute idea. 
Holy beautiful ceiling! The wood beams floating across the “ceiling” are pretty spectacular enough, but add the actual ceiling into the mix and the wow factor is elevated to another level. I think a white iron bed like this one is the perfect bed for a cottage. Isn’t it adorable? There’s also a pop of blue in the bedside table. Carrying an accent color throughout your house is an excellent way to create flow in your home.
I love the idea of a fireplace in the bedroom. It seems romantic and in cold London it would provide the perfect amount of warmth on those snowy, winter nights. 
The wardrobe is built in! I have seen this movie 5,000 times, and I always thought it was free standing. Turns out it’s just an interestingly shaped closet. I love that detail! Of course I love the sitting area even if it’s just one chair and a small corner of the chest of drawers. I am still seeing the benefits of having an area like this in my own master bedroom and will have it one day. You can see some of my other favorite master bedroom sitting areas here, here, and here.
The bathroom is maybe the most charming room in the cottage besides that ceiling in the bedroom. The stone walls throughout are absolutely delightful, and the wooden windowsill is the cutest thing to me. It’s all in the details. But the other wood detail on the slanted wall is the real showstopper.
Everything in this room is stunning, actually. I’m crazy about the floor. The painted and well-worn black diamond pattern is such a great detail. Painting or stenciling the floor is something I’ve seen done over and over, and I never get tired of it.
Now, I’m not 100% sure where the sink is, but I do love this dresser in the bathroom. I’m going to assume the sink is out of shot. And we’ve continued with the blue on the walls in this room. It’s just so good, right?
Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing Iris’s charming English cottage. I hope you’ll come back next week to see inside Amanda’s Los Angeles home. Here’s a little sneak peek.
Yep, pretty incredible, right? So come on back next Monday to see the rest of the set of The Holiday. And have a great week, y’all!
*All photos were found from Google Images.
This could be my favorite Nancy Meyers movie set. And I loved Amanda’s house in The Holiday a LOT and was pretty obsessed with the house in The Intern, but this one is may take the cake. I LOVE this house.
First, if you haven’t seen this movie, watch it pronto. It is hilarious and perfectly acted. It doesn’t hurt when you’ve got the best of the best for the cast: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, and they threw in John Krasinski who adds another touch of comedic genius. Just watch it, promise? Okay.
Well, we have to start in the best part- the kitchen.
Already I can find something to love: the window. Every home in this series has incredible windows. I think a window in front of a sink is the perfect placement. If you must wash dishes by hand, you have to have a window to look out. The other thing I love about this space (well, one of them) is the marble top island. It’s bright and is the perfect compliment to all of the other wood shelving and the neutral colored countertop. 
The architectural detail of the ceiling is so pretty. It’s a planked ceiling and the beams give it just a little something extra. Other fun details are the skirting to the left of the dishwasher and the cabinets under the sink. The whole feel of the kitchen is a little French provincial and cottage. Yet it has a few modern elements, and everything works so well together.
There’s just so much I love about it. It’s not too big yet not small at all. The dark tile is really nice. That range…holy smokes! Open shelving. Covered bar stools. Sweet little rolling cart to the left of the island. The pendant lights. The hanging pots and pans. That window. The arched opening. Open to the dining table. It’s just so cute!
Jane (Meryl’s character) is a divorced mother of three who is getting ready to do a major home renovation. Steve Martin is her contractor who is actually going to build her a new kitchen. Um…why? Below is a more pulled back photo of the kitchen and dining area. I think both spaces perfectly compliment each other. The flow is perfect. 
Into the living room we find more beams, a great fireplace, and I spy French doors. This room is very warm and inviting. I know the orange chair and accents have a lot to do with that, but the wood tones also add to the warmth of the space.
The armoire is so beautiful, and isn’t it so perfect that they all settled in for a movie in this room? It’s so nice and shows just how cozy and liveable a space like this could be. I know movie sets are perfectly styled, but isn’t it so refreshing to see the characters just vegging out in the room? I’m sort of loving all of the white furniture too. Grown kids and no pets! 🙂 It’ll be a very long time before I’ll be able to have beautiful white furniture. 
This hallway makes me so happy. There’re a few more archways and more of the same tile that mimics the kitchen. The window in the hallway just soaks it with sun. I bet it’s would be a lovely route to the kitchen in the morning sunlight. The light fixture is very pretty and simple and works perfectly in that spot.
And in true Nancy Meyer’s fashion, the artwork is so great. Each film she makes has a truly stunning art collection. There are so many great pieces and they are all perfectly placed.
Let’s go next into the bedroom.
First of all, I really like the shape of this bed. It’s interesting yet classic. And I know I went on and on about the desk in the bedroom of Something’s Gotta Give, but I have to say that I love the desk as a bedside table on this set. It’s a great place for one if there’s not enough room to have it anywhere else. In fact, if we’re in this apartment and bring a baby home to it, I believe that’s what we’ll have to do. 
The table on the other side of the bed is so gorgeous. I love that it’s a round table, but that pedestal is so curvy and special. And that little bench at the foot of the bed is beautiful. It’s raw and natural and ties in perfectly with the wood accent on the bed and with the round bedside table. 
The Master Bathroom is so great. The two-toned cabinets are really special. That mirror is perfection. The dark tub is very inviting. The bathroom door is even pretty. And that diamond patterned floor is so good. 
Alec Baldwin plays Jane’s ex-husband, and judging by this picture, you can tell that the title of the film, It’s Complicated, is quite fitting. 
Don’t you just love a good tiled bathroom wall? I used to be against it because I grew up with one for a while and didn’t love it. But now, I kind of do. 
One of the great things about this movie set is the outdoor space. This garden is everything you could wish for. I have a black thumb and will never be able to have such a garden. I once killed a cactus, so I don’t have much confidence. 
Look at this patio. The ivy growing up the side of the house is so whimsical. Wouldn’t you love to sit and have coffee in that chair in the mornings? Or drink wine with your friends out there on a cool, fall evening? Putting a table out there for a meal would be perfect too. I just love a good outdoor space. 
Jane has a store also. She went to school in Paris and became a pastry chef, and she has this delightful shop. Isn’t it gorgeous? The white pendants, the exposed brick, the transoms, the coffee bar, the island of fresh produce and pastries, I could go on. It’s so open and airy and looks exactly like a shop I’d like to visit quite often for a chocolate croissant and a delicious cup of coffee. 
The tables are so sleek, and don’t those two look adorable together?
I hope you see this movie if you haven’t already. As always, check your local library first. Free, one night rentals, y’all! You’ll laugh, maybe cry, cringe, smile a lot, and just enjoy a really great movie by a really great filmmaker. You’ll also get so many great decorating ideas. I am always inspired by some aspect of the design and decor of this set every time I watch.
I hope you have a happy Monday and a great week!
Welcome back to Movie Set Monday!
Do y’all remember this movie? It was one that I saw as a kid and loved so much. If you are similar in age to me or if it’s just been a while, please go back and watch it again. I am telling you it will speak to your heart in such a different way. I, of course, could see myself in Anna’s character (the daughter) when I was a child. But as an adult I start seeing myself as one of the mothers. And that will rip your heart out. Maybe don’t watch it again. Don’t watch it again unless you’re prepared with tissues and know you’re going in for a good cry. 🙂
One thing I remember even way back then was that I thought that house was so cool. I was obsessed with having stairs in our house, and loved the staircase in this one.
As an adult I can now appreciate what is going on here in the details of the design and decor of the house. Jackie seems to be a traditionalist when it come to decor. Her pieces aren’t modern, and the overall feel of the house is just familiar and cozy. Okay, back to the staircase. I love the spindley rails on the stairs. Aren’t they beautiful? And not all of the rails are the same. I think it’s very cool. Let’s not overlook that runner below. I think this works in traditional or modern home decor. It’s a beauty.
Moving into the kitchen we see more of Jackie’s classic style. White, shaker style cabinets are my favorite. The glass front upper cabinets are perfect for displaying her pretty dishes. I mean, look at her. Her personal style is all over this kitchen. I love when a filmmaker and set designer can convey that in a movie.
Later in the movie we see Jackie and Anna setting a table in the formal dining room, but I just love this kitchen table. My Granny had a table in her kitchen for as long as I can remember, and we would sit there while she cooked. We ate there for the most part unless there was a crowd. Then we went to the dining room. They didn’t have central air conditioning in that house, and I remember there were two windows by the table in the kitchen. One held a window unit and one she would open up when it wasn’t too hot or too cold. You know, those rare Alabama days of perfect weather. We’d hear the birds and eat our corn flakes sprinkled with sugar. 🙂
In Jackie’s living room we see so much character. Look at those windows to the right in the picture directly below. If you scroll through the next three pictures you’ll see how it actually looks between the column and the wall. It’s such a fun detail in a home that elevates the wow-factor. If I were invited over to a dinner party there, I’d probably just wander around touching the beautiful architecture that is all over this house.
The columns are so pretty with the grooves running down them. What craftsmanship, huh? Another thing I’d like to point out is the windows…the exterior ones. I love the rounded transom over the giant window to the left of the fireplace. And if you’ve read any of my Movie Set Monday posts, you’ll find it no surprise that I am talking about windows.
The diamond panes on the window below are so pretty. It’s all in the details, y’all. Things like that will get me to buy a house every single day of the week. And look below to the left. I told you those interior windows were beautiful.
These cased openings are killing me! I think this is the absolute perfect place for a desk or for a reading nook. Also, more window love in this picture. I love the diamond pattern.
Here’s another arched opening. This one is slightly different than the one above, but equally as beautiful. Just looking at this picture makes me want to tear up. Do y’all remember this part on Christmas morning? I can’t take it. I think I went to see this with my cousins, my brother, my mom, and my aunt. I don’t remember if they cried their way through the ending, but I don’t know how they had their babies right beside them and didn’t bawl their eyes out. Mom and Aunt Brenda, did y’all hold it together or were you blubbering messes?
It’s obvious that this house is not lacking in curb appeal at all. Again with the windows. I could go on and on. It’s one of my favorite things about a house. But can we talk about this porch? It wraps all the way around the house and has these sweet little flower boxes and strong columns. What a great place to sit and enjoy a little summer afternoon rainstorm?
Another thing my Granny and Granddaddy had was a tire swing on the big oak tree in the back of the house. (This movie set is making me quite nostalgic.) I love the simple yard decor and playthings of this house. The two Adirondack chairs with a simple table in between are perfect for supervising kiddos on the swing or climbing those rungs on the tree.
I don’t remember there being a scene with water near their house, but it looks a little bit like water out there beyond the hedges. Wouldn’t that just make this house that much more perfect? Sign me up! I’d move yesterday. 🙂 
Doesn’t it look like a dollhouse? I think it’s such a beautiful home. But three stories? Holy moly! Don’t get me wrong, like I said, sign me up. I’d still live there. But what a house. So as much as I love this movie set, I love this movie more. Please rent it. Try the library or get it from Amazon. It’s worth the watch. Have a great Monday, y’all!
Happy Monday, friends! I’m off work today for Presidents’ Day. Woo Hoo! Anyone else get the day off? I could get used to regular three day weekends. 🙂 I was also able to use the long weekend to paint my bathroom. That deserves another Woo Hoo! I love the way the white paint on the walls turned out, and the vanity looks incredible painted black. I can’t wait to put the finishing touches on it and show you. But that’s not why we’re here today. I’ve got another installment of Movie Set Monday for you.
Nancy Meyers is one of my favorite filmmakers. 
I’ve been a fan of hers for as long as I can remember. And one of the reasons I love her movies is because of the beautiful homes she showcases. I recently watched The Intern with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. It’s the cutest movie, and I totally cried in the scene where they watch Singing in the Rain together. It was the sweetest.
I just realized that if you haven’t seen this movie, then maybe you’re thinking Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway have a romantic relationship. This is not so. But they do develop a very lovely friendship, and I recommend this movie to all the ladies. Paul watched it with me and didn’t love it. I can’t blame him, though. It’s definitely geared toward the girls.
Anyway….
My favorite home in this movie was Anne Hathaway’s character’s home. It’s a classic Brooklyn brownstone that is full of character. And the decor is pretty awesome too. That’s the kitchen. The floor to ceiling windows are showstoppers. I love how they stand out with the molding around them painted the same as the cabinets and island. The open shelving on both sides of the kitchen is genius for both storage and displaying beautiful dishes. And I love a good stripe, so that runner is speaking my language.
Ok, we should first mention the range and vent hood. Very sleek and a nice modern touch to such a classic house. I also really like the arch architectural detail. The subway tile makes it really pop, and it also ties in perfectly with the wall of open shelving to the left.
Look at those floors. The pattern gives this room so much character. It elevates the space to a whole new level. I just thought those windows were good. 
This view is my favorite view of the kitchen. More open shelving and that fireplace. A fireplace in the kitchen might seem a little weird, but it sure does look nice. The artwork over the mantel is really interesting too. And scroll back up and look at that ceiling and the molding. Oh. My. Word. These are the kinds of details that make me fall in love with a house. And how cute is that little table for her little girl? There’s even a teeny tiny lucite chair for her stuffed animal. Adorable.
I know I just said it, but the architecture is just stunning. The arched opening is so pretty. And there’s pocket doors in there too! Aaahhhh! And the crown molding, which has always been a favorite element of mine, is equally as pretty. I love those built-ins too. I’d want to put some sort of bookshelf on either side of that opening anyway, so the fact that they’re built in is perfect.
My favorite non-architectural part of this room is the light fixture. I think it’s so interesting and adds a little whimsy to the space. 
Another beautiful fireplace. I love the detail in the matel. So intricate.
This is the same sitting area but shot from as if you were sitting in one of the chairs. You can’t see it well, but that mustard yellow sofa is so good. I don’t love yellow. It’s never been my color, but I sort of love it as the accent color in the mostly black and white room. Also, I love that the large piece of art is leaning against the wall on the other side of the black chest. I think it’s a fun way to display a piece of art that you like. It didn’t fit into the gallery already hung on the wall, and you absolutely cannot take away from the beauty of those windows, so I think a wall prop is brilliant. I might try that. Hmm… Don’t you just love finding new ways to decorate your home?
I swear one day I’m going to have a sitting area in my master bedroom. I’ve found this to be a reoccurring thing about the movie homes that I love. The settee is so cute at the end of the bed, and the chaise lounge is begging for a book to read on it.
Architecturally speaking, this room is so good. It’s almost as if the nook was carved out especially for the bed and nightstands. I love the drop down with the corbels. Such a delightful detail.
First, I love a sconce. I think they’re the perfect things for reading in bed. Not too much light for the person next to you who might be sleeping and such visual happiness when you see them hanging on your wall. Second, there’re lamps too! I thought it was odd at first, but there’s no overhead light in this part of the room, so it makes sense to have the lamps for extra light instead of just the sconces. In other words, I like it. Third, what is that beauty in the window? Is it just the detail of the wall because the window is further out than the actual wall? Or is it a shutter that folds back? Whatever it is, bravo! 
Another fireplace. Seriously, what’s not to love about this home? The place is dripping with character. And even more was added when they put in that incredible armoire. And the medallion on the ceiling. Even the bedroom door has character. Gosh, I love this room.
Even though I really love the brownstone the most, the office where they all work is truly beautiful. It’s a warehouse that was converted to an office for an online clothing company (storyline, not real life). It’s very industrial but charming and comfortable too. It’s very chic and open. Lots of windows (exterior and interior). 
I love the light fixtures and that sign below. Major work motivation. 
Well there we go. Isn’t it gorgeous? This one is significantly different than the set of Home Again, but I love this one just as much. I apparently could have all different kinds of homes all over the place. What about you? Do you like the city brownstone type? Or are you more of a sprawling farmhouse type? I can’t decide. I love the city life, but I’d also like to sit on my front porch and watch my goats play and eat grass. Good thing I have movies to keep me entertained on both fronts and give me ideas along the way.
Have a great week!
I had a friend tell me after she had read some of the Movie Set Monday posts that she had never really paid attention to the homes in movies but that she was enjoying the series nonetheless. Well, I don’t know what camp you fall into, but I am definitely in the one of paying attention to homes in movies. I always have. And I don’t know if you’re enjoying reading these posts like my friend says she is, but I am having the most fun revisiting these homes and putting them into posts to look back on. You never know, I might be building a home one day down the road and want to incorporate some of these elements into it.
This past summer Nancy Meyers’ daughter, Hallie, made a film with Reese Witherspoon called Home Again. I knew it would be great because Hallie is the product of movie-making genius. And I was right. And though we’ve only seen one Nancy Meyers film in this series so far, there are many more to come. And the apple doesn’t fall from the tree. Hallie apparently has excellent taste in interiors and understands what her characters would like in home decor just like her mother does.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
We’ll start outside. What a perfect California home, right? It’s everything I would imagine it to be with the Spanish tile roof, a beautiful outdoor dining area, and that pool. 
I want to have coffee with my bestie out there on that porch and in th0se chairs. They look like thrones. I’d feel pretty darn empowered sitting in a throne-like chair some mornings. 🙂
Already we get a very natural vibe from this outdoor dining space. The color palette is very neutral and allows nature to infuse it with color. I would dine al fresco as often as possible if this were my home. I’m talking every night, no dinner party or guests needed. And I see a fireplace that would be perfect for cooler nights aaannnddd perfect for s’mores.
Who doesn’t love a pool? Especially one with such a feeling of tranquility. The vibe of this pool area seems so secluded and peaceful, and that is exactly what I’d want if I had a pool. Perfection.
I know this photo is small, but I wanted you to see the artwork in the office. There are several abstract pieces throughout the house, and as a fan of abstract art, I love how these are paired together. Along with the sconces and the printed curtains, too. Those woven-back chairs are beautiful and add a natural element to the room that fits in so well with the big windows and natural light that comes in.
Reese Witherspoon’s character is an interior designer, and she is using her workspace here to make a vision board for her client. I like how long the desk is and the natural wood material. 
I really love this black and white abstract. It’s so beautiful and right up my alley.
The master bedroom may not be exactly my style, but I love it anyway. The headboard is too warm for my taste. I’m not a fan of red, but this one with pops of pink and orange and little bit of green is actually quite nice. I do love the mismatched side tables and lamps. Cohesive but not matchy-matchy.
The simple prints above the bed are perfect for this space. And I really love those pink prints on the chest of drawers and the blue and white ginger jars, too. So classic. I just don’t think you can ever go wrong with blue and white.
The wood elements in this house are all so natural. I love the organic feel it gives to the house. It’s not too done, yet it doesn’t feel undone. Not even a bit. It just feels fresh and clean and airy.
See what I mean? It’s the same in the living room. Don’t you feel like you can just sit on that couch and breathe deeply for a bit? It’s all in the monochromatic palette, and those pops of pink are a perfect feminine touch. Reese plays a single mother of two daughters, and I love that pink is peppered throughout the house.
The prints above the mantel appear to be by the same artist as the ones above the bed in the master bedroom. It’s the simplicity that makes them work with everything in the home and in different places. They’re a lovely compliment to a neutral room and allow for any color to be added as an accent. 
The fireplace screen is feminine yet classy, and the round firewood holder is like a piece of art itself. It adds a little modern touch to this beautiful room. Below you’ll see more pink in the art and another ginger jar. And did you notice the architectural elements? Everything is painted white, so it’s a tad understated, but it’s still there, and it’s gorgeous.
So here’s an interesting story about when I went to see this movie. My mom and I went to watch it in Montgomery one afternoon, and we got to the part where there’s a little scuffle between two of the male characters. When it’s all over, Reese’s character and her ex-husband are sitting in this room in the picture below. And then the screen goes black.
So we all are sitting there, then someone goes to get an employee, they come into the theater and said there’s been a technical problem and the computers need to reboot. They promised to try to run it back to where it stopped. It took a few minutes, but they got it back to this room’s scene and we were able to finish the movie without any more problems.
It’s another very neutral room. These curtains are the same ones used in her office. But where we have been seeing more pink accents in the rest of the home, blue is the favored accent color. There does seem to be a hint of pink in that lumbar pillow, so it hasn’t been completely abandoned. And there’s more blue and white jars on the side table. Also, these windows are killing me! I love natural light. And I love how this window looks directly out onto the patio. Wouldn’t this be the greatest party house?
Oh, I love this hallway. I’m all about a great overhead light fixture, but these sconces are everything here. I think they’re the perfect option for lighting. And they aren’t just in the hallway, if you scroll back through the pictures, sconces are everywhere. I’ve been craving them for my bedroom in lieu of lamps. However, our current setup doesn’t allow that. (Next house)
The Kitchen
Here’s more blue! The kitchen is so cute. The tile is fun, and blue is a calming and relaxing color. I know that the kitchen can be a place of anxiety for some (myself included sometimes), but how could you be anxious in here? I most love those wood countertops. More of that natural element we’ve seen throughout the home is even worked into the kitchen. Don’t you love when a home feels the same throughout and shares certain design elements in every room? It makes a house just come together.
Yes, yes, yes to this marble top pedestal table in the breakfast area. The yellow in the pillows and settee is perfect for mornings with a cup of coffee, the newspaper, a book, or just some peace and quiet. And can we talk about those french doors? Swoon. 
This little vignette appears to be just off the breakfast area/kitchen, and I think it perfectly marries the pops of pink and natural wood pieces from the rest of the house to the upcoming golden yellow tones in breakfast nook right around the corner. 
Then there’s the indoor dining room which gives us a great view of the kitchen too. The island is spacious and also has that beautiful wood countertop. But I have to say I’m most obsessed with that door. I find that these are the parts of homes I get into the most. I do love the decor and find that furniture, art, and accessories really can make your home feel a certain way and truly embody who you are and what your taste is. But doors and architecture are what give a home character. I would buy this door if I ran up on it in a second hand store and prop it up against a wall as decor. I just love things like that, and I love this door.
In the movie, Reese’s character is out celebrating her birthday when she meets three younger guys who, without revealing too much, crash in her guest house for a while. And if the picture below is the guest house I’d get to stay in, well, sign me up. It’s an excellent space that has it all: character (the ceiling), natural elements (again, the ceiling and the windows and french doors), sleeping, sitting, and working spaces, and beautiful furniture and lighting to boot. I love the openness the tall, white ceiling gives. And when you add all that natural light in, it’s a recipe for perfection. I could model my dream master bedroom after something like this.
I’ll end here with possibly my favorite part of the home, the outdoor dining space. That patio is lovely and acts as if it were just another room in the house. It feels effortless and right that dinner should be eaten around that table.
Have you seen this movie? I quite enjoyed it and would like to add it to my collection. If you haven’t, get your hands on it. It’s a really cute story, and you’ll get to stare at a gorgeous house while you watch.
Happy Monday, y’all and have a great week!
Welcome back to Movie Set Monday! I am still having the most fun putting these posts together. Interior design and home decor really are some of my passions. I may not always be great at putting it together myself, but I love to look at spaces that have been expertly styled. I learn so much from them. And that’s no exception today.
In the second movie of the Sex and the City franchise we see that Carrie and Big decided not to live in the beautiful 5th Avenue penthouse we saw in the first movie (that post here), but they did get a stunning apartment that we’re going to look at today. 
I’m a sucker for wallpaper. I know that many people, my parents included, have probably sworn off wallpaper after scraping some from the 80s or 90s off walls and ceilings. Yes, ceilings. There was pineapple wallpaper on the ceiling of my parents’ kitchen when we first moved into that house. Nowadays we have things like removable wallpaper, so if we want to try a bold pattern on the walls, we won’t feel so bad about taking it down in a few years when the trend is over. I very seriously thought about doing wallpaper in our bathroom, but I think, based on my budget, I’d better stick to paint.
Okay, back to Casa de Preston. I love a foyer with a table in the middle. I guess that room looks as if it’s technically serving as a mini library, but the table right in the center is one of my favorite ways to style a space like that. It’s the perfect excuse for fresh flowers. And that light fixture is just perfection. I am loving interesting light fixtures more and more lately. This bubbly one is very chic.
Moving into the living room brings that beautiful ceiling. I love architectural details. That’s what really gives a home it’s character. Another thing I love about this space (because it feels like it’s breaking the “rules” a little bit) is that light fixture. I can’t quite figure out if it’s wooden medallions or bronze ones or maybe brass? Anyway, I think it’s very interesting, but I also like that it’s not centered over the table or the center of the living room. It’s just right in between the two spaces looking pretty. 
What a great idea to store your books upright on the coffee table? I never would have thought to do this. See-I’m always learning things. And an added bonus to doing this is the great bookends you get to use.
I notice that Carrie must really like the color blue. Remember the last apartment was all bright and, I feel like, quintessentially Single Carrie. But as she and Big got married and have merged their lives together into one space, she didn’t forget her favorite color. (Just wait for the kitchen backsplash.) She just used it in different shades. The whole apartment is covered in different shades of blue. In the picture above there’s the navy couch, the cornflower blue ottoman, and the teal Foo Dog bookends. 
And then those drapes. They cover the room in yet another shade of blue, and it all just works. Here’s another lesson I’ve learned in home decor: It’s okay to mix patterns and prints…as long as you have a color that brings them together to help the space make sense. Nearly every piece in this living and dining space is a neutral or has some shade of blue.
Another light fixture I love is that lamp below. I am definitely a fan of the curved lamp stand. You have to look carefully, but you’ll see the black swan-like neck of the lamp’s stand, and she’s lovely. Way more fun than a traditional table lamp. 
I’m digging the open floor plan and really loving those built-ins. The lights inside each shelf that illuminates them from within is so pretty and really showcases what you’ve got on the shelves. We also get a glimpse of that wild kitchen. Hello, Carrie’s apartment shade of blue. 🙂
I really love these chairs. The shape, the pattern, everything. And see the light? Is it wood? Is it brass? Is it bronze? Whatever it is, it’s pretty.
The kitchen almost feels a little retro to me. Maybe it’s the tile backsplash (feels a little sixties mod) or the light (a little bit 50s). Maybe it’s the color of the wood on the lower cabinets that reminds me of some of the movies made/set in the 70s. Or the style of the table and chairs. Or the lack of hardware on any of the cupboards. I do love the big rug in the middle of the kitchen. It’s so unexpected. Again, breaking those rules.
The open shelving is really nice, and it appears the fridge is just to the right of it. I also really love the floors. 
When I first saw this movie and they finally arrived home from Stanford’s and Anthony’s wedding, this was the room that had my heart all aflutter. The wallpaper was speaking my language and then I saw it mixed with the patterned headboard and those inky blue drapes with the gold fringe trim. Yes! Yes! Yes! 
Another master with a sitting area. I fell in love with the idea when I was putting together the Something’s Gotta Give post, and there’s no exception this time either. I love this little space. I could think of so many things to do in a sitting area in my bedroom. I may need to make this happen…
Also, the drapes on every window a real statement. They are so beautiful. Window treatments are like the perfect piece of jewelry to a room. It just adds a finishing touch that nothing else could accomplish. My mom always says curtains makes a room feel “homey”. I agree. I think they are inviting, and I think I want to plop right there in the seat by the window and have a cup of coffee and read a fashion magazine as Carrie would. 
Or perhaps I’d sit at this lovely desk next to that window and write more about this glorious NYC apartment. 🙂 What a gorgeous piece of furniture, right? I love it’s shape and that wood grain on the inside is so pretty. 
Well we’ve come to the end. Just like the last SATC set post, I’ll leave you with a view of the perfect closet. His and hers. Again, I love that it’s perfectly imperfect and breaks the rules of symmetry, which I actually happen to love, but this is custom perfection. His is warm and masculine, and hers is light and feminine. And it’s wide enough for a place to sit and fasten your strappy sandals or zip up your boots or tie up your sneakers. And of course she’s still displaying her fabulous clothes as art. 
Thanks for coming back to Movie Set Monday. Same time, same place next week, right?
Welcome to the second installment of Movie Set Monday! I’m sharing one of my all time favorite apartments that belongs to none other than Carrie Bradshaw. If any of you are fans of the show Sex and the City you’ll remember her apartment being nice, but not overly styled or cohesive. We can all agree the walk-through closet was pretty sweet, but there were no real show stopper pieces in her apartment. Okay, maybe the leather chair she bought from Aidan but not much else. I’d say her clothes and shoes were the real show stoppers.
But then came the movie, and with that came *SPOILER ALERT* a jilt at the altar, a new hairdo, and (my personal favorite part) a newly decorated apartment. 
I was googly-eyed, crazy in love with this wall color. I don’t know what it was. (Probably that it was Carrie Bradshaw’s color so, naturally, I loved it.) I tried to paint the third bedroom of our house in Louisiana a similar color and had different shades of blue painted on the walls trying to find the right one. The ending to that story is I chickened out on going so bold and painted it grey…womp womp. Anywho, I still love this color. I don’t know what room I’d paint that color, but I do know that the decorator, Lydia Marks, who put this look together is fearless and I love her for it!
And how smart was it that as Carrie started to actually feel like herself again that her outfit matched her new apartment. I loved that tiny detail. Everything went from dark and depressed to bright and cheerful. It was a lovely moment in the movie. (Just so y’all know, I’m rolling my eyes at myself over here. It’s just that I’ve seen this movie and the TV show so.many.times. I have practically studied the decor and outfits of every episode and movie, so I’m just a big ol’ SATC nerd. And though I may be rolling my eyes, I’m not sorry I know so much about it. AND I could put names of some of you right here that have watched it just as many times as I have. Sometimes even WITH me!) 🙂 
The color and pattern mixing are just right. And I love all of the white window treatments and trim and still more white accents here and there throughout the apartment. I think it calms down all that bright blue so that it’s just right and not too much.
One of my favorite things is her entryway. I really liked the L-O-V-E wall decal. It was (here comes the nerd part again) such a perfect, full circle moment for Carrie given everything she’d been through with Big. She still believed in Love because she, like me, knows that Love does conquer all when it’s all said and done. 
Also still obsessed with that bomber jacket. ↑
The storage around her TV was another design element I loved about this apartment. It was so simple and sleek and functional. How perfect is that for when you have company coming over unexpectedly? I’d literally stuff everything in there if I had a messy house before guests arrived. 
Can’t end this post without a little closet love. This is a photo from the movie. I love the pendants and the runner. And displaying the clothes is the perfect “art” for this space. Carrie always had unique outfits, so hanging them outward was a great way to show them off. I imagine that she liked to switch them out so she could enjoy all of her beautiful clothes. 
And who can forget this moment?
The penthouse on 5th was exquisite. But this closet…. all the heart eyes for this closet. Did we not all gasp the moment those doors open and we saw this?
Yep. I think we’ll end on this good note. Hope y’all enjoyed the walk around Carrie’s apartment. Come back next Monday for another movie set. Have a great week, y’all!
Last week on Instagram I posted two different posts about movie set homes that stopped me in my tracks. It got my wheels turning, and I decided to start a new series on my blog called Movie Set Monday. I get so much inspiration from movies, magazines, and of course, Pinterest, so I’m very excited to get this series started. I hope you enjoy it too!
I’m starting with the great Nancy Meyers film, Something’s Gotta Give. (Just a heads up- there’s going to be a lot of her movies in this series.)
Erica’s house is in the Hamptons, and how positively perfect is this home? I love the color and the shingles, the giant porch and all those windows. It’s so beautiful on the outside, but the inside is my favorite.
Now, coastal style is not always my thing, but how can you not think this is stunning? I like when I can look at a style I don’t particularly feel drawn to and can still appreciate it for what it is and find it beautiful.
The windows get me the most. One of the things I look for in a home is how much natural light comes in. There’s no shortage of that in this house. Throwing open those three sets of French doors would be great when entertaining. I’d probably open them up when not entertaining to hear the ocean and let that salty air come inside.
More French doors and more windows. I love interior French doors. I think they add so much character. And what a great way to add privacy but still let natural light be able to bounce around the house. And that beadboard on the built-in is a perfect coastal design touch.
Yes, Yes, Yes. Everything about this kitchen is right up my alley. I love a white kitchen. And with black and white being my favorite color combination, it’s no surprise that I love the black countertops and hardware. And more windows…there’s just never enough in my opinion. I think a bright kitchen in the mornings is delightful. The kitchen in our apartment is full of natural light every morning, and I love that. That island is what dreams are made of. Look at all the storage and space. I’d love for my cookbooks to actually live in the kitchen like they do here.
I’ve never thought too much about needing a big space for a master bedroom. I’ve really only had a bedroom big enough to sleep in. You know, bed, nightstands, dresser, and that’s really it. The master we have now is probably the biggest one we’ve had as a married couple, but I have still managed to fill it up with stuff to keep it from having a sitting area or any room at all it feels like. (But that’s a whole other topic for another day-How to quit your hoarding habit. Stay tuned. Haha.)
Anyway, this room made so much sense to me. There’s a place to sit and enjoy a book, a place to work-again with the windows-perfection, and a place to sleep. I loved that Erica retreated to her room to work on her play. Why wouldn’t she? She had the dreamiest setup. I feel like when you’re a creative person you need a work space that inspires you. I think that view of the ocean is pretty inspiring, and I see why the set decorator thought to put her desk in that window.
First, if you’ve not seen this movie, please do so immediately! It’s available on HBO Now if you subscribe, and if not, I bet the library has a copy. Or head over to Amazon to get a DVD copy for eight bucks. You’ll be happy you did so you can see what I’m talking about with this beautiful house.
Second, let’s give it up to the set decorator of this film. Beth Rubino is a talented lady who helped Meyers’ ideas come to life. I think the house perfectly represents Erica with her clean, bright style and easy-going personality. The mostly white canvas of the house is exactly what I’d expect from that character, and the splashes of light blue and pale yellow are perfect coastal accents without being to “beachy”.
Come back next Monday for another round of Movie Set Monday. And tell me what you think of this house. Is it your style? Do you like all those windows? Are you a fan of white kitchens? I’d love to hear it all. Just leave me a comment.
Have a great week, y’all!