The Nancy Meyers Effect
We all know and love her movies (Father of the Bride is one of my all time favorites) and her aesthetic is taking the internet by storm. Call it nostalgia, but we know it's more than that. It's the need and want for a quiet and cozy respite that harkens us back to the landline with an overstretched cord and warm textures layered on top of each other, making us want to snuggle up on the overstuffed, but perfectly worn couch with our newest Emily Henry novel of choice (IYKYK). It's the feeling of fall, or wanting it to be fall when You've Got Mail randomly pops onto the screen and you just want to visit the little bookshop down the street with your spiced latte in hand. It's warmth and muted tones with pops of color perfectly placed between other natural textures woven into a cinematographic masterpiece that gives us all the feels. We see what you're doing Nancy, and we want to do that too.
Enter Stage Right, Paloma.
Here's the thing, it can be done! With layers, vintage finds, and an eye for treasure, that respite can be yours and we at Paloma are here to help you capture the essence of Nancy Meyers so you can have that warm, cozy feeling all year round.
It's not just nostalgic, it's timeless and classic. So where do we start? Well, I'm so glad you asked - with textiles of course! Here are some tips and tricks from our sources in the design industry to help you cultivate that "Something's Gotta Give" look you've been after:
1. Layers, lots and lots of layers.
Like a chunky sweater over your favorite cotton tank, layers add dimension and dimension adds interest. Like the proverbial onion, there's so much to uncover as you peel each set back: shelves and tables piled high with books, lamps and soft light with varying lampshades, plush cushions and pillows paired with art on each wall, and oversized rugs on every floor pulling it all together. Nothing falls flat on a Nancy Meyers set. There's a level of interest and sophistication in every corner of the room, drawing the viewer further into the movie with her warm aesthetic. You want to be there, snuggled up in the cozy throw casually placed on the back of the couch, sharing a cup of hot chocolate with Cameron Diaz while she cries over Jasper Bloom in "The Holiday".
2. A patchwork of natural fabrics and textures.
Nancy is a master weaver when it comes to stitching together patterns and materials that exude a "cozy couch with a book" feeling. Dynamic but never busy, she gives the viewer a soft version of the Grandmillennial vibe, partnering light touches of chinoiserie with creams, tans, and blues for an elevated, but still casual, look. It's raffia, jute, and sisal under linen slipcovered sofas topped with pops of colorful pillowed perfection. She takes her canvas (the set) and uses textiles to thoughtfully curate the in-between spaces we so often forget about, but that make a space so charming. It's the crowded farm table worn from years of use and covered in a patina only properly earned from decades of family dinners. It's the deep seated armchair and down pillow that envelopes you while you sip a glass of wine with your favorite girlfriend surrounded by good reads and tiny treasures. Sound familiar? Well that's Nancy: familiar, cozy, and textured.
3. Bring nature in (think hydrangeas on as many tablescapes as possible).
Nancy loves to bring the outdoors in. Whether it's tall sprigs of green, suggesting spring, or full bouquets of summer hydrangeas, Nancy wants you to know her sets aren't static, but instead full of life and freshly cut flowers. Whether you chop your own or buy them from the store, thoughtfully placing these little reminders that "yes, these rooms are lived in" makes a big difference. Changing out your blooms is also another way to change your color palette or freshen up your space. It truly is just a season!
4. Must love lamps.
Florescent lighting is great for the doctor's office, but soft, natural light is key to achieving true Nancy Meyers status. No bright whites here - that's for laundry. Well placed lamps with varying shades and soft yellow lighting is the icing on the cake of cozy.