For those of us interested in interior design, we seem to always be searching out what’s beautiful and inspirational. I must admit it, I am so into my profession, it’s hard to watch this season of Succession or any show or movie for that matter, without studying everything on screen from the clothes to the couches!
And since theater and movies and great venues , like AIFF, are in our valley, I thought a fun and informative article for your winter reading (and viewing) would be my top list of great movies to watch for interior design inspiration.
If those of you know Nancy Meyers movies, you know that a fabulous kitchen is always the central theme to her movies…as you watch Meryl Streep whip up a quick dinner in “It’s Complicated” you just can’t resist wanting pots of fresh herbs on a rustic farm table with French doors, opening to the courtyard. The styling is California casual at its ultimate best!
Heres Goes:
Somethings Gotta Give – Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholas star in this film and as you see her home in the Hamptons, you just really, really want white slipcovered , overstuffed sofas, and making pancakes in a gorgeous kitchen! The lighting and styling and everything about this home is perfect, and I highly recommend it for the inspiration! It’s a Nancy Meters film.
A Single Man – Tom Ford’s moody movie will make you want to streamline, add wood paneling, drink martinis and create a space that is just the most breathtaking version of a Mid-Century Modern home. The layered patterns, colors and textures in this film exemplify classic 1960’s styling and if you have a vintage home, this is your goal.
It’s Complicated – Again, Nancy Meyers brings a film to life that is the classic, casual, west coast vibe with another incredible kitchen. The scale of lighting and furnishings in her movies are a testament to go big or go home. Nothing is wimpy in her homes on film. It’s the generous sizing, the abundant bowls of fruit (not 3 oranges but 12) that give her films a sense of family, abundance and prosperity. Her design details really invoke a sense of home. She is subtle and brilliant in her styling details.
Call Me by Your Name - Oregon’s own, James Ivory, wrote the screenplay for this beautiful, Award winning film. The set is 1983, the location is Villa Albergoni, a fortress converted into a 17th century home in the Lombardian town of Moscazzano, Italy. Need I say more? The love you see in the characters is also felt in the love you see in the home. The way the characters move throughout the interior and exterior spaces gives such a feeling of anticipation in each and every scene. I feel the styling has everything to do with this movie’s evocative feeling.
Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky – To quote Coco Chanel: “An Interior is the natural projection of the soul…” . Black and White is huge these days in terms of design trends, but this movie is not the Joanna Gaines type of black and white. In this film, you will see the perfect detail of Chanel’s signature black and white palette from her clothes to her country home. The black painted moldings and outdoor window trim as well as the incredible cubic wallpaper are curated to absolute next level styling.
So , as you settle into our Oregon winter, wrap yourself up in a beautiful, cozy throw, get on the sofa and pick one of these movies to enjoy. Get out a notebook, because you will see details that are lovely and inspirational now and for years to come. Classics never go out of style as they say, and there’s no shiplap here, no word art on the walls…Enjoy!