6 thrift store buys we’ve spotted in Nancy Meyers movies
When I’m experiencing design fatigue and need some timeless inspiration, I turn to an unexpected source – movies. It’s not just any movie, though; it has to be films with a certain timeless aesthetic, as it’s these that I can always rely on for renewed creativity. While I can name a fair few classics with enviable interiors, it’s the heritage interiors featured in Nancy Meyers’ movies that always seem to get me out of a decorating slump and inspire my next project.
Her movies (and their set designs) have become legendary and have inspired the ever-popular Nancy Meyers aesthetic, a term coined for homes that balance classic, American design with a coastal feel. I recently watched Something’s Gotta Give (2003) and was inspired by not just the interior design of Erica’s (Diane Keaton) Hamptons home, but also the vintage decor scattered throughout. I scanned Nancy’s other films, notably It’s Complicated (2009), The Holiday (2006), and The Parent Trap (1998), and spotted a recurring theme – what makes these spaces so covetable is the mix of old and new, the vintage pieces mixed in amongst the contemporary styles.
So, I’ve compiled a list of the six best vintage finds I’ve spotted in Nancy’s films that you can easily find at thrift or second-hand stores. These pieces will help you recreate that elevated, transitional style that we all know and love.
1. Quirky prints and paintings
(Image credit: Alamy / The Parent Trap 1998)
I spotted plenty of vintage and antique art hanging in the background of Nancy’s films. I noticed a real array of styles and art periods, proving that a mix of old and new pieces makes a home feel eclectic and one-of-a-kind.
You can often find all kinds of art at the thrift store, and usually the prices are low too, making it an easy way to honor Nancy’s aesthetic. Bringing patina and character, decorating with art is one of the best ways to showcase your tastes. And don’t always be looking out for the artwork, look for the frames too. Hate the artwork, love the frame? Still a worthwhile purchase if the price is right. And vice versa.
The Parent Trap centers around two completely different homes, a transitional-designed house in Napa and a traditional home in England. Both spaces feature an array of vintage pictures throughout. In the very English dining room (pictured above), an impressionist landscape painting hangs on the wall. You can really see how the set designer has decorated with vintage art here. The hallway includes an array of pieces too, from line drawings to etchings, art gives the space a unique, aged feel that works so well in a traditional space.
1980’s Original Wayne Cunningham Abstract Blue Ink Drawings Vintage Frames-A Pair
This unique pair of ink drawings would make a welcome addition to any home, no matter the style. Hang in a pair or scatter around for a dose of character, charm, and patina.
Bemelmans Inspired Sketch Art Print | Ludwig Bemelmans Rabbit Art Print S6-4
This whimsical line drawing would look best among other bigger frames for an eclectic arrangement that honors the Nancy Meyers’ aesthetic.
This charming print would work in any style home, bringing a sense of history and patina through its vintage style. Place it with more contemporary pieces for a transitional, tasteful arrangement.
2. Wrought-iron bed frames
(Image credit: Alamy / The Holiday (2006))
The Holiday‘s Rose Cottage is one of the most memorable aspects of the film, it’s the perfect example of the dream English cottage. I spotted a classic iron bedframe in the cozy bedroom that instantly caught my eye, giving the room modest grandeur and elegance.
Wrought iron is a current vintage trend that’s making a comeback. It’s a timeless bedroom furniture choice as it perfectly contrasts against a cozy, plush quilt or duvet, balancing comfort and style.
3. Vintage wooden lamps
From floor lamps to sconces, lighting is a prominent feature throughout Nancy Meyers’ films. I noticed that almost all of the pieces look antique, from an ornate candelabra in It’s Complicated to the series of timeless lamps featured in Something’s Gotta Give.
Recreating the heritage aesthetic is entirely possible if you consider vintage lighting ideas. A pair of wood candlesticks positioned on a bookshelf creates a cozy, familiar vibe while still feeling elevated. Alternatively, incorporate a dark wood floor lamp with a printed shade in the corner of a living room or bedroom, bringing a warm glow and a similar dose of character. To recreate the Nancy Meyers look, focus on lamps with a dark wood base, as it’s these pieces that will give your scheme a sense of patina and history.
You never know what you’ll find at the thrift, as the styles are endless. Don’t be put off by the varied selection, as Nancy’s films embrace the quirkiness of characterful pieces, made harmonious with a stylish interior design style.
4. Vintage china and ceramics
Whether you’re embracing vintage kitchen ideas or traditional dining room ideas (like the elegant example in Something’s Gotta Give (pictured above), vintage china, transferware, and ceramics are a guaranteed way of cheering up an empty shelf or armoire and giving your scheme some grandeur.
The beauty of decorating with vintage ceramics is how versatile it is. It’s a decorating method that lends itself to the randomness of a thrift store, as mismatched arrangements have a one-of-a-kind, vintage feel that works so well in any style of home. Nancy Meyers’ films all have a similar homeliness, created through the culmination of preloved pieces, from the furniture to the smallest details like shelves of china.
Thrift stores are filled with all kinds of plates, jugs, and platters, which make building an antiques collection a bountiful and inspiring task.
Rome glazed ceramic platter
Simple yet elegant, this ceramic platter would look best on a dresser or in an armoire amongst other styles for an eclectic arrangement that mirrors all the enviable dining rooms in Nancy’s films.
This ornate porcelain dish would elevate any dining table, acting as the perfect centerpiece. Whether you’re having friends round for lunch or hosting a special dinner, it’s bound to get guests talking.
Paris porcelain gravy boat 19th century white
You’ll notice an array of cream and white tableware in the dresser in Something’s Gotta Give, notably an adorable gravy boat like this one from the 19th century.
5. Baskets
(Image credit: Alamy / It’s Complicated (2009))
I spotted a fair few rattan baskets throughout Nancy’s films. Used as storage or for gardening (the iconic gardening scene in It’s Complicated springs to mind), these wicker vessels are a classic coastal decor item that transform a space from one-dimensional to full of texture.
Whether you hang a row of baskets on your ceiling or simply place one on a bench in your entryway, they’re a simple yet classic piece of decor that nods to the country aesthetic without going full-on kitsch.
While you’re not always guaranteed to find a basket at the thrift store, you can shop for vintage styles on websites like eBay. 1st Dibs, too, has plenty of woven baskets and rattan storage containers.
6. Quality cookware
Quality cookware is important in any kitchen, no matter the style. Often seen hanging in a farmhouse kitchen idea, copper pans, vintage utensil pots, and preloved Dutch ovens are classic pieces that make up all timeless spaces. They’re a common feature in Nancy Meyers’ films, notably in It’s Complicated, where the backsplash has been decorated with a collection of vintage utensils and pans.
Proving there are ways to turn your kitchenware into decor, the kitchen fuses modern finishes with vintage elements. The result is an elevated yet functional space that catches the eye of the viewer while retaining that crucial sense of familiarity and homeliness.
You can find all sorts of cutlery and utensils at a thrift store, even second-hand Le Creuset pots if you’re lucky. Just be aware of mistakes to avoid when cleaning kitchenware, as vintage pieces tend to be more delicate.
Mauviel M’150B Copper Fry Pan 10″
Hang above a stove on a utensil rail or stack on a shelf with other copper pieces for a farmhouse-inspired look that honors your grandmother’s kitchen in a contemporary way.
Set of French Four Copper Pots in Different Sizes, 19th Century
Hang as a collection or stack on a shelf, this set of copper pans dates from the 19th century, meaning they’ll give any kitchen plenty of character and personality while nodding to Nancy’s classic interiors.
Handmade Copper Tea Kettle, Stovetop Teapot
This copper kettle would look best hung at the center of your kitchen for a dose of character and patina. It’ll bring charm to even the newest of spaces, giving the room a refined and one-of-a-kind edge.
The enviable interiors featured in Nancy’s films are each iconic and stylish in their own right. While they have their own distinct looks, each house feels like a combination of coastal grandmother style, meets Hamptons, meets transitional design.
Nancy Meyers’ movies prove that homes with a sense of heritage and timelessness will continue to impress and dominate trends as they perfectly balance the old and the new. The selection of vintage decor I’ve spotted in her movies will always bring character and eclecticism to a scheme and transform a house into a home.
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