Why people love the Nancy Meyers home aesthetic and how to get it

The quote encapsulates the role that houses play in all of Nancy Meyers’ films, from “Something’s Gotta Give” to “The Parent Trap.” They’re the places where big and small moments change your life, and Meyers creates them as endearingly as her characters.

More than 30 years after “Father of the Bride” hit theaters, the Nancy Meyers aesthetic has become one of the go-to interior design styles for social media users trying to create their dream homes.

The houses in Nancy Meyers movies look real

As of Monday, there were over 8,000 videos on TikTok with #nancymeyersaesthetic.

The short clips show houses bathed in sunlight and adorned with freshly cut flowers. They are filled with neutral-toned furniture, scented candles and carefully selected jewelry, arranged on built-in shelves and vintage coffee tables.

Among them are Sarah Horton’s studio videos in Newport Beach, California. Horton, 38, told Business Insider that he moved into the apartment in November 2020, getting the second-floor rent when a friend moved out.

Fans of Meyers’ films would feel a sense of familiarity looking at Horton’s home, from her bed draped with a white bedspread and an array of inviting pillows to her bookshelf filled with vintage prints. However, no space in the home exactly mimics a Meyers interior.

Horton said she associates comfort and sanctuary with both the houses in Meyers’ films and the films themselves, and wanted to convey that vibe in her space.

She added that she was “trying to channel” the feeling of the houses “rather than stick specific elements”.

Horton was inspired by Erica Barry’s house in “Something’s Gotta Give”, which she describes as “very light and bright and coastal”. He also wanted to emulate the comfort of Iris’ cottage in “The Holiday”.

Camille Meza-Ruiz, 31, also grew up on Meyers’ films. Interior designer and owner of Camille Alexandra Interiors told BI that “Father of the Bride” is still her favorite movie.

When it came time to customize the 1,200-square-foot home that Meza-Ruiz shares with her husband and dog, she embraced the “classic, timeless” decor that are signatures of Meyers’ aesthetic.

“The Nancy Meyers aesthetic is timeless, comfortable, lived-in homes that really tell the story of the people who live there and reflect their environment,” Meza-Ruiz said, adding that her goal as an interior designer is to help people. they balance taking inspiration from Meyers’ films and incorporating their personalities into their homes.

“Also, I think everyone is looking for a sense of comfort and home, and her films really give people that feeling, which is why so many people love her aesthetic and style,” she added.

Stories make homes

Aside from Meyers herself, few people probably understand what it takes to create that sense of comfort in a home better than production designer and interior designer Jon Hutman.

Hutman has worked on films such as “Heathers” and “Being the Ricardos,” and recently designed for “Vanderpump Rules” stars Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney’s restaurant, Something About Her. But his work with Meyers on films like “Something’s Gotta Give,” “The Holiday” and “It’s Complicated” was some of the most defining of his career.

“When people go crazy for those movies and those sets, I’m the first person to say, whether people are aware of it or not, what they love about those houses is the stories that take place in them,” Hutman told BI.

“I think what people see and connect with in those movies is that it feels like someone’s home,” he said. “The house wants to literally embody the people who live in it.”

Hutman also told BI that he and Meyers, who he considers the setting “integral” to her stories, tried to make the houses work realistically in the films they worked on together.

For example, some people fixate on the kitchens in Meyers’ films, looking at the massive islands or farmhouse sinks they feature. But Hutman said they serve as backdrops for key scenes in Meyers’ films — including Erica Barry and Harry Sanborn bonding over pancakes in “Something’s Gotta Give” — because of how kitchens typically serve people in real life.

“Everybody lives in the kitchen,” he said. “This is the heart of the house.”

“You live, you eat, you share, it’s casual,” he added.

Take your time if you want to create the aesthetic yourself

For those looking to embrace the Nancy Meyers aesthetic in their homes, Hutman recommends getting a clear idea of ​​how you want your space to look before buying decor.

“Always start with what I call the visual idea,” Hutman said. “It could be a Pinterest board, it could be a magazine article, it could be anything.”

“The biggest mistake people make is trying to cram too many ideas into one space,” he added.

Horton uses Pinterest to create moodboards for her home decor, which helps her stick to the aesthetic she wants for the space.

After Horton purchased a few basic pieces from a Serena & Lily store, she spent months carefully selecting furniture and jewelry from flea markets, antique shops, and Facebook Marketplace to make her home feel like home.

“I took my time to find different antiques that made it feel more unique,” ​​she said, advising others to take their time while personalizing their homes.

Meza-Ruiz also told BI that she creates “showcases” for each room in a space, whether she’s decorating her own home or a client’s, detailing what furniture, artwork and physical changes, such as paint or floors, wants to do in a space. That way, she has a clear vision and budget before making changes.

She also takes her time with accessories. “It’s those extra layers that make it feel cozy and lived-in,” Meza-Ruiz said.

“A lot of my items like this are from the consignment shop or are vintage,” she continued. “They feel a little more unique. I don’t just go to Target and buy 10 of the latest accessories they sell.”

Hutman said to remember that you don’t have to spend a fortune to find furniture that reflects the Meyers aesthetic today.

“The furniture that has become available on the online market has grown astronomically in style and quality since we did ‘Something’s Gotta Give,'” he said.

However, he recommends visiting Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware to see fitted rooms to get inspiration for the types of finishes or upholstery you’re drawn to.

“I think that’s a good place to start because you might say, ‘Oh, I like that bed, but I don’t like that color wood,’ or ‘I don’t like those nightstands,’ or ‘What else? Do I do lighting?” he said.

Horton added that the more you can make your space reflect you and your story, the more it will have the familiar feeling that viewers associate with Meyers’ films.

“It’s like getting dressed,” she said. “It’s your living space and you should have a personal style that reflects you.”