- The Nancy Meyers aesthetic has blown up on social media.
- The homes in her films are beloved for their looks and the homey feel they create.
In one of the opening scenes of "Father of the Bride," protagonist George Banks, played by Steve Martin, declares his love for his family home.
"I love this house," George says in a voiceover as he rolls up to his white, colonial-style home in California. "I love that I taught my kids to ride their bikes in the driveway. I love that I slept with them in tents in the backyard. I love that we carved our initials in the tree out front. This house is warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and looks spectacular with Christmas lights. It's a great house, and I never wanna move."
The quote encapsulates the role homes play in all of Nancy Meyers' films, from "Something's Gotta Give" to "The Parent Trap." They are where big and small moments change your life, and Meyers creates them as lovingly as her characters.
Over 30 years after "Father of the Bride" hit movie 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 homes in Nancy Meyers' movies feel true to life
As of Monday, there were over 8,000 videos on TikTok with #nancymeyersaesthetic.
The short clips show homes bathed in sunlight and adorned with fresh-cut flowers. They are full of neutral-toned furniture, scented candles, and carefully selected knickknacks arranged on built-in bookshelves and vintage coffee tables.
Sarah Horton's videos of her studio apartment in Newport Beach, California, are among them. Horton, 38, told Business Insider she moved into the apartment in November 2020, snagging the second-floor rental when a friend moved out.
@sarahchappellhorton Nancy Meyers girlies will get it. My space, my rules! #homedecor #apartmenttour #girlhood #girlapartment #feminineapartment #ladyofthehouse #nancymeyersaesthetic #nancymeyersinteriors #neutralapartment #vintagefrenchstyle #coastalgrandmother
♬ original sound - Lois - colourful home decor
Fans of Meyers' movies would feel a sense of familiarity looking at Horton's home, from her bed covered in a white bedspread and an array of inviting pillows to her bookshelf full of vintage prints. However, no space in the home exactly mimics a Meyers interior.
Horton said she associates comfort and sanctuary with both the homes in Meyers' movies and the films themselves, and she wanted to carry that vibe over to her space.
She added that she "was trying to channel" the feeling of the homes "rather than pasting any specific elements."
Horton drew inspiration from Erica Barry's house in "Something's Gotta Give," which she describes as "very light and bright and coastal." She also wanted to mimic the comfort of Iris' small cottage in "The Holiday."
Camille Meza-Ruiz, 31, also grew up on Meyers' films. The interior designer and owner of Camille Alexandra Interiors told BI that "Father of the Bride" is still her favorite movie.
When it was time to personalize the 1,200-square-foot home Meza-Ruiz shares with her spouse and dog, she embraced "classic, timeless" decor, which are signatures of Meyers' aesthetic.
@camille_alexandra Candles lit, white wine poured, pajamas on, farmers market produce purchased ✔️✔️✔️ #interiordesign #interiordesigner #cozyathome #aesthetic
♬ Soulful Strut - The Young-Holt Unlimited
"The Nancy Meyers aesthetic is timeless, cozy, lived-in homes that really tell the story of the people who live there and are reflective of their environment," Meza-Ruiz said, adding that her goal as an interior designer is to help people balance taking inspiration from Meyers' films and incorporating their personalities into their homes.
"I also think that everyone is searching for a feeling of comfort and home, and her movies really give people that feeling, which is why so many people love her aesthetic and style," she added.
The stories make the homes
Aside from Meyers herself, few people likely understand what it takes to create that feeling of comfort in a home better than production designer and interior designer Jon Hutman.
Hutman worked on films like "Heathers" and "Being the Ricardos," and he recently designed "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" has been some of the most defining of his career.
"When people go crazy about 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 somebody's house," he said. "The house wants to literally embody the people who live in it."
Hutman also told BI that he and Meyers, who he says views setting as "integral" to her stories, tried to make the houses function realistically in the films they worked on together.
For instance, some people fixate on the kitchens in Meyers' movies, ogling over the massive islands or farmhouse sinks they feature. But Hutman said they serve as the backdrop for pivotal 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. "That's the heart of the home."
"You live, you eat, you share, it's casual," he added.
Don't rush if you want to create the aesthetic yourself
For those who want to embrace the Nancy Meyers aesthetic in their homes, Hutman advises getting a clear idea of what you want your space to look like before buying decor.
"Always start with what I call the visual idea," Hutman said. "It can be a Pinterest board, it can be a magazine article, it can be whatever."
"The biggest single mistake people make is trying to cram too many ideas into a single space," he added.
Horton uses Pinterest to create mood boards for home decor, which helps her stick to the aesthetic she wants for the space.
After Horton purchased a few base pieces from a Serena & Lily outlet, she spent months carefully selecting furniture and knickknacks from flea markets, antique stores, and Facebook Marketplace to make her house feel like home.
"I took my time finding different antiques that made it feel more unique," she said, advising others not to rush as they personalize their homes.
Likewise, Meza-Ruiz told BI she creates "presentations" for each room in a space, whether she's decorating her own home or a client's, detailing what furniture, artwork, and physical changes like paint or flooring she wants to do in a space. This 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 that are from the consignment store, or they're vintage," she continued. "They feel a little bit more unique. I'm not just going to Target and buying 10 of the latest accessories that they sell."
Hutman said to remember that you don't need to spend a fortune to find furniture that reflects the Meyers aesthetic today.
"The furniture that has become available in the market online has gone up astronomically in style and quality since when we made 'Something's Gotta Give,'" he said.
However, he does recommend visiting Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware to see staged rooms for inspiration on the kinds of finishes or upholstery you're drawn to.
"I think that's a good place to start because you could say, 'Oh, I love that bed, but I don't like that color wood,' or 'I don't like those nightstands,' or 'What other way can 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 homey feeling 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."