in part one of this series, i went over eight pieces of advice to keep in mind to make your home feel like it belongs in a nancy meyers movie. so now that you’ve got the vibe down—that warm, inviting, elevated but lived-in feel— we get to the fun part: actually finding the stuff.
this part is basically a shopping list of what i have tracked down and sourced to bring that nancy meyers feeling home. the pieces that really tie the aesthetic together, that i feel stand the test of time and work no matter the space they’re housed in. you don’t need a huge budget or full renovation, just a bit of good taste and patience while you collect.
and a reminder, again. home takes time.
i think the biggest piece of this aesthetic is that it feels collected over time (years, not weeks or months). while it can be hard to be patient, i can tell you from experience that rushing to buy things only leads to being tired of them quicker. an object picked up on a vacation or during the perfect day of antiquing will be something you want to hold onto far longer than a random homesense find. not to say you can’t find amazing pieces there—you can, and i have! but just keep in mind that time is the core of this style. it’s not about buying everything off of a “nancy meyers aesthetic” list on amazon. it’s about finding pieces that feel like home to you. this list is just what appeals to me, and what i personally find to be the key standout pieces. if you’re lost and not sure where to start, this list is the perfect jumping off point.
and don’t forget to make it personal.
when i think of nancy meyers movies, one thing i love is how the homes all feel like they just fit their characters. but in your life, you are the character. so as much as you may want to just try to copy erica barry’s hamptons beach house, or jane adler’s kitchen from it’s complicated, they aren’t you, you aren’t them.
the beauty isn’t in the exact shade of white on the walls, or the items sitting on the desk. it’s in the feeling that each item was chosen by someone (chic) who actually lives there. someone with impeccable taste, of course, but also someone who lives a real life. a cookbook left open on the kitchen counter, flipped to a favourite recipe, flowers that were picked up at the local market, a blanket carelessly tossed over the arm of a couch. that’s why nancy meyers movie sets feel so homey and realistic.
don’t think of this list as something to copy and paste, but rather a starting point and maybe you’ll find something you really love!
now let’s get into the stuff…
i feel like slipcover furniture feels so quintessentially ‘nancy meyers aesthetic’. it looks simultaneously polished but laid back, and can match with so many things to change the vibe. a perfect base or backdrop to anchor your other pieces around.
glass hurricane candle holders feel like the perfect little addition. a way to elevate a basic ivory pillar candle.
something i love about the sets in nancy meyers films is the mix of patterns she always uses. don’t be afraid to add fun patterns even on bigger pieces of furniture! i have found that in the past i was a little afraid to commit to pattern and colour, worrying i’d be tired of it sooner than something more plain. but the right pattern can end up feeling like a neutral if it really fits your space, while still adding a some character and charm.
having vases and decorative objects around really makes a room feel more finished. i’m not a huge fan of faux florals (but sometimes it just makes sense), so i like to swap out fresh flowers or foraged branches in my vases. also not every pot or vase needs to be filled! some can just be decorative.
a great way to bring some more natural textures and tones in. especially if you are going for a more coastal feel, rattan is the perfect pick.
the best way to personalize your space is to display your most cherished memories. i don’t personally love big huge frames with big personal photos—it feels a little weird to me—i prefer to opt for a collection of smaller mis-matched frames on a bookshelf or mantle. reserve bigger frames for art or fun objects.
think: lots of decorative objects on shelves and tables, collected and styled over time. bookshelves full of books that actually interest you. for the shelves, play around with displays—some books stacked horizontally, some vertically, some between book ends or objects. on tables: bowls, trays, framed photos, ceramics, and candles.
take your time to collect. i think the most important thing here is that it feels personal, like each item was intentionally chosen, rather than all scooped up on an afternoon trip to homesense.
layered lighting was something i talked about in part one. lots of lamps in varying sizes, so we can be sure to always avoid the dreaded big light. the goal is soft warm pockets of light, rather than overly bright and harsh overheads. i love playing with scale for lamps: big table lamps, narrow metal floor lamps. don’t be afraid to mix metals and textures!
personally, i think mixed metals feel the most ‘timeless’. for a while the trends felt very brass obsessed, so a kitchen with all brass is kind of timestamped to those specific few years. mixing metals lets you play around with so many more colours and accents in your decor too. my favourites: unlaqured brass (gets a nice patina for a lived-in look), oil rubbed bronze and polished nickel. i personally prefer nickel to chrome because it’s warmer, but both can look really good!
i don’t personally think there is any need to overhaul the entire pantry and cabinets, but for some jars that are out and visible, swapping to pretty glass makes all the difference. i don’t think you need to invest a ton of money here—a jar is a jar. my favourites are from ikea!
silver is so classic and timeless. you can find tons of great silver pieces at vintage and antique stores. i curated a little selection of vintage and new from online here, but always keep an eye out for pieces when you thrift. you can leave them patinaed, or get a little thing of silver polish to bring back the shine.
while i gave many ‘modern’ options for the sake of being able to link and make this post shoppable, i think if you want a truly collected feeling home, the best way to accomplish that is antiquing and thrifting. i have an ongoing mental checklist of things i’m kind of always on the hunt for when i vintage and antique shop. even if i don’t have the perfect place for one of these items when i find it, these are the objects that always feel worth it. no matter where the trends go, these things really stay true.
antique and thrift shopping is the best way to find unique, well made pieces for your home. it takes a little patience, but the waiting makes it that much more rewarding when you find the perfect item.
ultimately, none of this stuff will make your house look like it belongs in your life’s nancy meyers movie unless it really looks like it belongs to you. so shop the list, take what you love and leave the rest. be patient while you find the most perfect pieces, it’ll really pay off. the most aesthetic home holds the evidence of a life well lived.
let your space feel a little imperfect, a little lived in, and a little bit yours. after all, i think thats the whole point.
with love, kyla
p.s. what's one thing in your home right now that feels so you?
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