Home Blog The Perfect Beach House: Nancy Myers Inspired

The Perfect Beach House: Nancy Myers Inspired

I recently watched Something's Gotta Give with Jack Nicolson and Diane Keaton, where Nicolson plays an aging playboy dating the daughter of Diane Keaton's character who is some 30 years younger than him. I re-watched the movie for a few reasons: 1) It is "free" on Nextflix and my brain has an uncanny ability to forgets movies, and 2) Because I love a movie for it's other "eye-candy" - home decor, beautiful setting, fashion. I was taken by surprise a little how much I laughed out loud watching the movie this time 20 years after it's release in 2003. My 20 something self certainly understood the jokes, but my 40 something really got the jokes and felt the nuances of Diane's character. Diane Keaton is a total rockstar in the movie as she still is today, and the house is just as gorgeous.

Why does the house in Nancy Myer's Something's Gotta Give move look as fabulous today as it did when the movie came out 20 years ago? The classics. Keep it classic and true to your tastes and you will love your house for the next 20 years.

Top 16 Pieces for the perfect Nancy Myer's inspired house:

1. English roll-arm sofas/chairs, like our Cotswolds Sofas and Chairs. Super comfortable and not going out of style anytime soon.

2. Sisal or jute rugs. Our favourites include the Sisal Wave rug. This rug is excellent because it has a little bit of polypropylene to make it more resistant to water and staining, and the wave pattern is elegant and interesting. Bonus: we stock this rug in various larger sizes, including 5x8' and 8x10' so you can take them home right away.

Another fabric is the Sanibel Naples rug, which has the prettiest warm and silvery neutral tones in it and comes in lots of size options.

3. White linen napkins. Real French linen napkins for something totally lux or low-maintenance single use paper napkins the feel like fabrics - The Napkins.

4. Patterned lampshades. Yep, these were in the Nancy Myer's house. They are hot right now and were great then too. Bring your lamp into to the store to try a few out on an existing lamp you own. Browse all online here. Daisy shade below by Bunny Williams Home.

5. Blue & white striped rug. The Moana Stripe Handwoven Jute Rug is an excellent balance of jute with soft watery blue stripes.

6. Classic shaded sconces because ambiance lighting is everything, especially for aging beach bods... The Bryant wall sconce is available in a variety of finishes and shades. View all wall lights online here.

7. Faux bamboo dresser. The Bamboo Chest by Bunny Williams Home has all the style and panache of an antique one we had years ago.

8. Nude sketches. Reminiscent of European vacations, the lovely prints by Tiny Stories add a lovely soft elegance.

9. Rattan chairs. We love a good rattan chair but who doesn't? Easy to move out to the porch when needed, yet stylish enough to be in any room in the house. We have two natural rattan chairs available now with several others coming on our container in June.

Rossini Arm Chair - arriving June 2023

Classic Rattan Chair - arriving June 2023

10. Antique White-Washed Olive Pots. Shop all online here.

11. Faux Bamboo Lamp. Designed by Ralph Lauren, this petite reading lamp with gorgeous faux bamboo and brass base is a must-have for the well-appointed beach house.

12. Swedish antiques mixed with dark wood antiques. A great way to liven up darker brown antiques is with the injection of lighter Swedish antiques. We are beyond excited for the the Swedish antiques arriving in June. Preview online here.

13. Cookbooks. Not that you would need much inspiration to be in a Nancy Myer's kitchen, but a little never hurts! We have some favourites in store now with new ones arriving very soon, like The Great Dixter Cookbook: Recipes from an English Garden coming soon.