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When considering a kitchen update big or small, it’s best to come prepared with inspiration photos. Maybe you’ve bookmarked a few projects from designers, saved a space on social media, or even ripped out a few pages from magazines. But if you want to save time, and potentially watch a few movies in the name of research, just type Nancy Meyers’s name into your search bar.
As the director of beloved films like The Parent Trap and The Holiday, Meyers is an expert at blending immersive plotlines with enviable settings, creating an aesthetic that’s as recognizable as some of the lines in her scripts. And if there’s one space where Meyers gets mentioned frequently, it’s in the kitchen. From the all-white wonder that’s the Something’s Gotta Give set to the more rustic locale of It’s Complicated, saying that you’d like a “Nancy Meyers kitchen” is really just another way of saying that you’re seeking timeless, cozy, and casually cool surroundings.
If you’re wondering how to make your kitchen look like the background for a Nancy Meyers movie—you know, without going through the trouble of falling for your daughter’s fling or switching homes with a stranger for Christmas—here’s what you should keep in mind.
Make Linen a Supporting Character
Linen appears often in a Meyers kitchen, whether that’s in the form of a tablecloth or napkin, or as larger pieces like slipcovered stools and a sink skirt (the latter combo appears in It’s Complicated). Linen accessories give off an elevated appearance that’s still approachable, not unlike the button-downs Meyers’s characters often wear.
Use Open Shelving to Show Personality
Open shelving provides the ideal spot to layer in a range of materials, whether that’s a cookbook collection à la Something’s Gotta Give or a bevy of white tableware akin to It’s Complicated. The key is to make your display look intentional, while actually using what you have on hand. Don’t try too hard to make it perfect.
Hang a Pot Rack
Oh, does a Nancy Meyers kitchen love a pot rack. One hangs above the island in Father of the Bride, another hangs above a stove in It’s Complicated, and the addition always gives off a sense of charming utility that Meyers does so well. If you follow suit, be sure to include a copper pot—it’s another recurring character.
Consider Blue Cabinetry
If you look closely at the Napa kitchen in The Parent Trap and the Surrey kitchen in The Holiday, they both have something in common: blue cabinets. While Meyers is best known for an all-white palette, a powder or sky blue selection would still nod to her style with a bit more punch. Rounded knobs really pull the look together.
Add Spindle Dining Chairs
A classic dining chair with a spindle back is a classic. One that Meyers films feature frequently, as there is often a breakfast or dinner nook beside the onscreen kitchen. Picking a black finish would be the most faithful choice, but feel free to go off script, too.
Bring in Fresh Flowers as a Finishing Touch
A generous yet neutral vase filled with fresh flowers is routinely visible in a Meyers kitchen, and it succeeds in softening whatever drama may be unfolding in front of our eyes. Be sure to add a vase to your countertop to emulate this look, and fill it with whatever you may find at the farmers’ market. And hey, while you’re pursuing the flowers and produce, keep an eye out for your meet-cute with Keanu Reeves.
