For those who spend any time on-line taking a look at design inspiration, you could start to understand that lots of people attempt to recreate that iconic lived-in-comfortable-coastal-chicness that’s synonymous with a Nancy Meyers film set. And no room is extra beloved and recreated than the Nancy Meyers kitchen, which appears like a most important character of the plot in and of itself. There are causes individuals love them and endlessly wish to seize the vibes, however let me let you know: It’s not as easy because it appears to be like.
One fast search on Instagram will lead you to lots of, if not hundreds, of lovely kitchen areas emblazoned with scripty titles bearing the Nancy Meyers identify, however imho, most of them miss the mark. Right here’s the factor: The “Nancy Meyers kitchen” works as a result of it feels genuine. It’s imperfect in its utter perfection. No influencer with their laundry listing of Amazon affiliate hyperlinks to glass cannisters, hand-crank brass pepper mills, and scallop-edged reducing board units is steering you in the appropriate route.
The genius of a Nancy Meyers kitchen is that no two are alike. They provide you that very same feeling, time after time, film after film, however should you examine One thing’s Gotta Give facet by facet with It’s Sophisticated, and even additional again, Father of the Bride, you may see that they aren’t some Instagram-perfect replicas of one another. Certain, there are copper pots, rattan, slipcovers, and polished-nickel bridge kitchen taps, however none of them are the pristine white-cabinet-doning, blue-and-white-ceramic-sporting areas content material creators faux they’re.
Let me present you:
One thing’s Gotta Give:
The kitchen on this film is probably one of the crucial basic Nancy Meyers designs (RIP Diane Keaton, I can’t consider you’re gone). White shaker cupboards, white subway tile, honed black (what I’m assuming is) soapstone counter tops, glass-front uppers, lamps, tons of books, lemons in a bowl (at all times), some random clock, and her signature hefty and considerably industrial pendant lighting.
It’s Sophisticated:
As a lot as I liked the One thing’s Gotta Give kitchen, this room from It’s Sophisticated (all hail Meryl Streep) could have began everybody’s obsession—together with my very own—with the Nancy Meyers kitchen. There was simply one thing about that freestanding marble island and the eating desk at arm’s size that made this room really feel like a spot the place life occurs. There are two kitchen carts (one subsequent to the island, one on the left facet of the wall) that I promise you’d by no means see in a “designer” picture-perfect kitchen, and I like that for this set. A melange of cookware above the vary, counters stuffed with on a regular basis objects like a espresso machine, toaster, pantry dry items, and past, feels lived in and like it is a very energetic kitchen with no time to place away the flour.
Father of the Bride (Slide #4):
Be happy to take a look at all of the slides right here, however for this portion, I’m referencing slide 4. I really used to reside only a few minutes away from the outside of the Father of the Bride home (and Jess lives even nearer at present, fortunate lady), and each time I might drive by, I’d swoon. It’s equally as attractive in individual because it was in that film a long time in the past. Key right here is the butcher block counters throughout, the straight ahead white cabinetry, and sooo a lot out on the counter tops that’s extremely charming in a film, however may make me itch IRL. Regardless, I am keen on this dwelling.
The Vacation:
That is maybe the least coveted Nancy Meyers kitchen, however in all probability solely as a result of it’s the smallest and most “approachable.” It’s nonetheless so beautiful with loads of takeaways. A kitchen with a fire in its footprint is severe design objectives, and I’m paying attention to all of the platters and crocks and tureens within the shelving above it. One other kitchen cart provides storage (the kitchen cart or freestanding island is a signature of this look, should you haven’t gathered), a compact and humble eat-in kitchen desk and chairs with tied-on seat cushions add practicality for a small cottage, and a chalky blue paint shade with matching wooden knobs is timeless. She used an identical blue cabinetry and knob design in Hallie’s Napa dwelling kitchen from The Mum or dad Lure.
The Intern:
This kitchen, from the film The Intern with Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro (which is fabulous should you haven’t seen it), is essentially the most “trendy” and tidy design on this lot. It feels virtually Parisian in model, although it’s meant to be in Brooklyn. You may see the pendant lighting is much like those in One thing’s Gotta Give, a deep dusty blue is used on the cupboards, and many is placed on show. Nancy Meyers merely doesn’t consider within the idea of empty counter tops and enviable org (as a result of that will look fairly boring on movie, I feel).
Now that we’re studied up, I’m going to stroll you thru three moodboards I put collectively that can be utilized as inspiration for the inspiration of this model of kitchen. I say “basis” as a result of the very factor that makes a Nancy Meyers kitchen a Nancy Meyers kitchen is all the things else within the house. Actual olive oil and vinegar bottles (not decanted into some lovely factor) bunched collectively close to the range. Rugged reducing boards, copper pots hung from the ceiling or above the vary that appear to be somebody is definitely utilizing them (and DO use them!). The espresso maker is out on the counter, not shamefully hidden in an equipment storage. Utensil holders are crammed stuffed with picket spoons and spatulas. Cookbooks of all ages and sizes are stuffed in a nook someplace.
That’s what makes it comfy. These kitchens put on their imperfections with delight, sure, even when most of them are in what can be million-dollar houses in the actual world. Nothing is “curated” or purposefully aesthetic. They’re effectively designed, in fact, however with out the fussy and pristine styling we’re so used to seeing nowadays in design content material. And albeit, I feel that’s why we love them. As a result of they provide you permission to cease considering so laborious about what you allow out in your counters or in your cabinets. A set of mismatched mugs? Certain, rock them. A small desk lamp on the counter and a clip-on job mild above your vary? Stylish and practical on the identical time.
And all of this mentioned, *you* are going to be the lacking piece to all my moodboards beneath. YOUR stuff, your condiments and salts and cooking instruments and rolling pins and kitchen towels and favourite lower flowers and bowls of fruits. None of those will totally be true to the Nancy Meyers identify as a result of they gained’t have a human ingredient. However what they’ll do is enable you get nearer, as a result of despite the fact that I mentioned individuals battle to nail the look on-line, there are positively bullet factors you may hit, together with:
- Industrial or lantern-style pendant lights
- Bridge taps (in polished nickel or aged brass)
- Freestanding kitchen carts and islands
- Butcher block, Carrera marble, or soapstone counter tops (go for a conventional eased edge, or a extra ornate double ogee or coved Dupont edge profile)
- Cup-style cupboard pulls in aged brass, polished nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze
- Easy however particular tile backsplashes
- Comfy eating tables in timeless kinds
- Rattan, slipcovered or spindle-back eating chairs
- The extras: Copper cookware, white ceramics, well-loved reducing boards, tea kettles, drip espresso makers, picket cooking instruments, linen accents, practical industrial parts, condiments in unique bottles, fairly however easy glassware, serving ware placed on show, and so on.
Now let’s put this to paper with actual shoppable merchandise:
Nancy Meyers Kitchen: Rental Kitchen or Finances Refresh
Pendant Mild | Polished Nickel Kitchen Faucet | Butcher Block Island | Peel & Stick Delft-Impressed Backsplash | Black & White Peel & Stick Ground | Butcher Block Counter | Brass Cup Pull | Eating Desk | Rattan Eating Chair
As somebody who has solely ever rented *and* doesn’t have an enormous funds proper now to speculate a big sum of money right into a kitchen overhaul, I needed to begin with this model. Nearly all the things right here is reversible, excluding the counter tops, which, in fact, should not renter-friendly, however they positive are budget-conscious should you’re on the lookout for that angle right here. That pendant mild is lower than $200 (and I could be eyeing it for my very own breakfast nook!). There are cheaper kitchen faucet choices, however that is a type of issues that you just don’t wish to completely skimp on. For those who’re involved in swapping out your faucet, earmarking at the very least $300 for it’s superb for one thing that gained’t be peeling or spraying you within the face in a couple of months. Not a cute look, belief me.
In case your counter tops are staying put due to funds or rental standing, you may herald that homey kitchen vibe with a small island like this one from Wayfair. I like the built-in storage baskets and hooks for hanging cooking utensils. Oh, and people two surfaces you see are each peel-and-stick from Chasing Paper. I simply love the Delft-inspired one for a backsplash that may go proper over no matter you could have, so long as it isn’t overly textured. And the black-and-white one can go on the ground for an excellent basic look. Each have creamy ivory tones, so nothing is stark white (Nancy Meyers loves a heat glowy white.) Inexpensive IKEA cup pulls are simple to put in and take away for every time your lease is up, and the eating desk and rattan chairs are nice both in an adjoining eat-in kitchen or separate eating room, too.
Nancy Meyers Kitchen: Mid-Vary DIY Makeover
Lantern Pendant | Wooden Freestanding Island | Brass Faucet | Glazed White Backsplash Tile | Soapstone Countertop | Ivory Cupboard Paint Colour | Oil-Rubbed Bronze Cup Pull | Slipcover Eating Chair | Wooden Eating Desk
Right here’s a barely extra coastal vibe (minus the blues), thanks partly to the slipcover chair, the creamy white paint shade that you need to use to color your personal present cabinetry, and the oil-rubbed bronze {hardware}. And that tile appears to be like so good and hand-glazed for below $10 a sq. foot. Conventional soapstone counter tops mimic the One thing’s Gotta Give dwelling (hold them honed and matte for a low-maintenance method); an aged brass faucet is a pleasant marriage with the {hardware} for a not overly matchy-matchy look. I went with two wooden tones between the desk and the island as a result of these areas typically appear to be they had been pieced collectively and picked up over time. Oh, and that Pooky lantern can be attractive above a room with slate and even terra-cotta brick flooring (and it’s very reasonably priced, too).
Nancy Meyers Kitchen: Excessive-Finish Full Reno
Vary | Pendant | French Gold Kitchen Faucet | Black Spindle Eating Chair | Wooden Eating Desk | Polished Nickel Cup Pull | Kitchen Cabinetry | Tile Backsplash | Marble Countertop | Marble-Topped Freestanding Island
And eventually, the total monty, the cherry-toned sundae, the, effectively…you get the purpose. The apex of the Nancy Meyers kitchen moodboards needed to embody precise cabinetry, a marble-topped island, and an enviable vary. For the cabinetry, I pulled a model from CliqStudios that felt basic because of the mitered inside molding and a flat-front drawer. A dusty blue would have been beautiful right here, or a mushy linen white as proven. The spindle again eating chairs remind me of the breakfast nook in Father of the Bride, and are a extra conventional tackle the spindle chairs in It’s Sophisticated. Polished nickel cupboard {hardware} provides some crispness, and the French gold faucet is mild and ethereal however will age fantastically. And right here’s an precise tile in an identical Delft-style, which might be beautiful both throughout the entire kitchen and even simply as a characteristic wall above the vary. Carrara or Calacatta marble is clutch to the high-end look, and the strong wooden desk is one thing that may look good and timeless mainly perpetually.
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Alright, my consolation movie-loving buddies. We’ve reached the top. Very like a Nancy Meyers film, it’s laborious to depart this world of easy dwelling magnificence, however I hope I did justice to the look and helped you perceive what ranges up the inspiration to really nail the aesthetic. Keep in mind, it’s all about you and your issues, and don’t be afraid to depart all of the belongings you love and use often out on the counter. In spite of everything, I simply know Nancy would encourage that for a very good shot. 🙂
Till subsequent time…
Can’t get sufficient of Nancy Meyers? Jess helped a reader get the look of their lounge, and I wrote an extended deep-dive characteristic on the look final 12 months you may dig via. Get pleasure from!
Opening Picture Credit: Design & Styling by Orlando Soria | Picture by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: At Lengthy Final! The Londo Lodge Kitchen Is Prepared For Her Shut Up FOUR YEARS Later!
