🎬 🧦 Nancy Meyers
Throw on a cozy knit, grab some wine, and nestle in.
I am a total sucker for Meyers’ writing. I find her characters charming and her world enticing, especially when the world she creates involves a gaggle of attractive writers and editors in the English countryside. I’ve found comfort in her words and visuals when I’ve gone through periods of romantic struggle or professional discontent, even though my problems are more distinctly a millennial strain than in her world. It’s been comforting to think that someday a Type-A, career driven, independent woman with insomnia such as myself will have it together enough to own a beautiful, immaculate house, wear light colored dry-clean-only knitwear, have a cabinet full of Kiehl’s skincare and a man in my life who will love me despite (or because of) my idiosyncrasies.
Naturally, because of the season and it being Nancy Meyers week (and because I’ve watched it three times in the past week), this issue is going to be my interpretation of the homes for each of the characters of the holiday classic film The Holiday.
Miles’ house
Location: 1648 N Beverly Glen Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90077
List Price: $2,295,000
Listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1648-N-Beverly-Glen-Blvd-Los-Angeles-CA-90077/20529945_zpid/
Miles’ house in the movie was actually Richard Neutra’s Ohara House in Silver Lake. While there are a few Neutra houses on the market in LA right now, I had already featured one in the newsletter and the others didn’t have that same Miles spirit.
This Cliff May house has the perfect atmosphere. It’s tucked away off the street and hidden by a fence giving it a hidden gem vibe, much like Miles himself. The courtyard layout makes things feel cozy and intimate even in the middle of the city. Plus, it has an ancillary building that could be used as an office to compose in.
The house has lots of light and natural feeling materials like the exposed wood and concrete floor. It is the perfect combination of polished mid-century modern and laid back LA cool.
It’s easy to imagine his album and movie collection arranged neatly in the bookcases throughout the house.
Iris’ Cottage
Location: The Old Cottage, Woking, GU22
List Price: £1,250,000 (~$1,695,000)
Listing: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/75222840#/
Sure, Jude Law was meant to be the eye candy for The Holiday but Iris’ cottage captured the audience’s heart. This cottage in the town of Woking has all of my favorite elements of her cottage from the exposed beams to the charming shade of blue green paint.
There are elements of old brickwork and beams throughout the cottage that give it character and quiet elegance. I’m particularly enamored with this bathroom. It’s no copper tub, but it still has the vintage charm.
This listing also includes a little greenhouse turned office in the backyard that is perfect for a writer like Iris.
Amanda’s House
Location: 703 N Arden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
List Price: $25,000,000
Listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/703-N-Arden-Dr-Beverly-Hills-CA-90210/20519320_zpid/
When thinking about finding a house fitting for a modern Amanda, this modern Mediterranean style house felt like the perfect upgrade for the times. The style is evocative of California luxury with a neutral, warm mixture of materials and beautiful details including arched windows and doors and beamed ceilings. It’s easy to see why Meyers would pick such a home for an elegant, successful woman.
This home has some quintessential Nancy Meyers features to it including this oversized kitchen island that looks out onto paned french doors and a lush backyard. I’m particularly fond of the rounded breakfast nook.
Graham’s House
Location: Old Surrey Hall, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19
List Price: £1,695,000
Listing: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85283308#/
While the exterior of this house is very different from the home in the film, I feel like this house captures The Three Musketeers’ essence. There are charming details throughout the home including exposed beams, lattice windows, inglenook fireplaces, and pieces with a vintage touch, but there are also moments of modern luxury.
What I absolutely love about this home are the charming secondary bedrooms, especially this one in the turret on the backside of the house. It feels like exactly the kind of magical place for young girls to grow up and build tents.
The listing even includes photos with cows in the backyard!!
Arthur’s House
Location: 5229 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90004
List Price: $4,999,990
Listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5229-W-2nd-St-Los-Angeles-CA-90004/20779202_zpid/
Arthur’s house was by far the hardest house to pin down. It needed to speak to old school Hollywood while still having a distinct 🎵 scroodley doo🎵 energy, which is difficult enough on its own without people constantly renovating their mansions. But I think I found one left with just a hint of Arthur left to it that’s on the market now.
While this home is a lot fancier than the extraordinarily humble Arthur would allow, there are still many of the touches from his home that imbue his spirit into the place. The detailed fireplace and beams in the ceiling give this home distinguished character. The dining room also has wood paneling that reminds me of his office. It feels like the kind of place where you could drink a brandy and listen to old jazz music and have laughs with friends.
I also love that the owners kept the bathrooms looking original. They are understatedly glamorous and the bright teal color gives me that quirky Arthur feeling.
Bonus
A guide to turtlenecks for every occasion whether that’s staying in or going out: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-turtleneck-sweaters-women.html
Coping with the sudden and crushing realization that I *need* a beautifully landscaped brick and redwood courtyard at my home, but don’t have one.