Formula for a Nancy Meyer’s House

I love Nancy Meyer’s movies. They are truly perfection. I love her romantic comedies with fierce leading ladies and laugh out loud banter. But what I love most about Nancy Meyer’s movies are the homes. The set of Nancy Meyer’s movies make my interior design heart so happy.

The crazy thing about all the homes in the Nancy Meyers movies is that they all look so unique. But really, she uses a pretty similar formula over and over again. I’ve tried to boil it down for you.

1. During this process, there is one rule. You only get three textile pattern options, and one must be a stripe. If you’re a pattern girl, like me, this feels forever limiting. But remember, good design is in the edits. It’s not what you add, it’s what you leave out. (I cringe as I type that! You’re taking away my textiles, Whitney! I know, I know, girl, but it’s for your own good!) You are only allowed to break this rule if you are decorating heavily in the English country style.
2. Start with white slipcovers. And nothing but white slipcovers. Don’t even look for a pattern or print textile until you have upholstered at least three pieces in white linen. And make sure one of those pieces is a modern-lined sofa.
3. After you have covered at least three pieces in white linen, you may look at prints, but they can only be stripes. You may select one stripe textile and use it in one area: think kitchen barstools, a tufted ottoman, a roman shade.
4. Put a bunch of stuff on the kitchen island. Ok, not really “stuff”. But pile it high with flowers, bowls of fruit or vegetables or plants or baked goods on blown glass cake pedestals. But something must be on the island.
5. Black lanterns FTW. Indoors, outdoors or both, but be sure to use the classic “lantern” shape in at least one area. For our new house, I’m thinking of putting modern sconces outside the courtyard and using a more traditional lantern like this one, for the entry porch area. Lanterns are a great way to shake up interior lighting choices as well. Put them over islands, dining tables, or down long hallways.
6. While we are on that subject: black curtain rods, white sheets, and towels.
7. Add a blue striped rug.
8. After you have used up your one stripe textile option on one piece (think headboard, barstools, or pillows) you may add one additional print on a pillow, slipcover, or window treatment.
9. Mix the modern with the traditional.
10. Add a piece of rickety wood furniture. Something that almost looks like it’s falling apart. It could be a stool from Mexico, a desk from France, or something found in a barn. But it needs to be crooked and lopsided and the last thing you’d ever find at a furniture store.
11. Wicker.
12. Blown glass.
13. Gathered lampshade. 
14. Bouquets of sticks with leaves.
15. AND, SCENE.

So tell me, what’s your favorite Nancy Meyer’s movie? Or your favorite Nancy Meyer’s home? The kitchen in It’s Complicated — I die!