The quote sums up the role that home plays in all of Nancy Meyers’ films, from Something the Heart Desires to The Twins. It’s the small and big moments that change lives, and Meyers creates them with as much love as her characters.

More than 30 years after Father of the Bride hit theaters, Nancy Meyers’ aesthetic has become one of the most popular interior design styles for social media users looking to design their dream home.

The houses in Nancy Meyers’ films appear lifelike

Since Monday, there have been over 8,000 videos with #nancymeyersaesthetic on TikTok.

The short clips show homes flooded with sunlight and decorated with fresh flowers, filled with neutral-toned furniture, scented candles and carefully selected knick-knacks arranged on built-in bookshelves and vintage coffee tables.

These include Sarah Horton’s videos from her studio apartment in Newport Beach, California. Horton, 38, told Business Insider she moved into the apartment in November 2020, snapping up the second-floor rental when a friend moved out.

Fans of Meyers’ films would feel familiar when looking at Horton’s house, from her bed with its white bedspread and row of inviting pillows to her bookshelf full of vintage prints. However, there is no room in the house that exactly resembles a Meyers interior.

Horton said she associated comfort and security with both the houses in Meyer’s films and the films themselves, and she wanted to transfer that atmosphere to her spaces.

She added that she tried to convey the feel of the houses “rather than adding any specific elements.”

Horton was inspired by Erica Barry’s house in Something’s Got, which she describes as “very bright and coastal.” She also wanted to emulate the coziness of Iris’s little cottage in The Holiday.

Camille Meza-Ruiz, 31, also grew up with Meyer’s films. The interior designer and owner of Camille Alexandra Interiors told BI that “Father of the Bride” is still her favorite film.

When it came time to customize the 1,200-square-foot home that Meza-Ruiz shares with her spouse and dog, she opted for a “classic, timeless” decor that is characteristic of Meyer’s aesthetic.

“The Nancy Meyers aesthetic is timeless, cozy, lived-in homes that truly tell the story of the people who live there and reflect their surroundings,” said Meza-Ruiz, adding that her goal as an interior designer is to help people find a balance between being inspired by Meyers’ films and incorporating her personality into their homes.

“I also believe that everyone is looking for a sense of security and home, and her films really give people that feeling, which is why so many people love her aesthetic and style,” she added.

The stories make the houses

Aside from Meyers himself, perhaps no one knows better than production designer and interior designer Jon Hutman what it takes to create a sense of comfort in a home.

Hutman has worked on films such as “Heathers” and “Being the Ricardos” and recently designed “Vanderpump Rules” stars Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney’s restaurant, “Something About Her.” But his work with Meyers on films such as “Something’s Gotta Give,” “The Holiday” and “When Love Is So Simple” is among the most defining of his career.

“When people are crazy about these movies and these sets, I’m the first to say – whether they realize it or not – what they love about these houses is the stories that take place in them,” Hutman told BI.

“I think what people see in these films and what they identify with is that it feels like someone’s house,” he said. “The house literally wants to embody the people who live in it.”

Hutman also told BI that he and Meyers – who he said sees the setting as “integral” to her stories – tried to make the houses in the films they worked on together function realistically.

For example, some people fixate on the kitchens in Meyer’s films, idolizing the giant islands or farmhouse sinks featured in them. But Hutman says they serve as backdrops for key scenes in Meyer’s films – including Erica Barry and Harry Sanborn eating pancakes in “Something Good” – because real-life kitchens are typically used to serve people.

“Everyone lives in the kitchen,” he said. “It’s the heart of the house.”

“You live, you eat, you share, it’s casual,” he added.

Do not rush if you want to create the aesthetics yourself

If you want to bring Nancy Meyers’ aesthetic into your home, Hutman advises having a clear idea of ​​what you want the room to look like before purchasing decorations.

“Always start with what I call the visual idea,” Hutman said. “That could be a Pinterest board, a magazine article, whatever.”

“The biggest mistake people make is trying to cram too many ideas into one space,” he added.

Horton uses Pinterest to create interior design mood boards, which helps her maintain the desired aesthetic for the space.

After purchasing some basic furniture at a Serena & Lily outlet, Horton spent months carefully selecting furniture and knick-knacks at flea markets, antique stores and Facebook Marketplace to make her house feel livable.

“I took the time to find different antiques that give the whole thing a unique flair,” she says, advising others to take their time when customizing their homes.

Meza-Ruiz told BI that whether she’s decorating her own home or a client’s, she creates “presentations” for each room in a building, detailing what furniture, artwork and physical changes like paint or flooring she wants to make in a room. That way, she has a clear vision and budget before making any changes.

She also takes her time with the accessories. “It’s these extra layers that give the whole thing a cozy and homely feel,” says Meza-Ruiz.

“A lot of my items like that are thrift store or vintage,” she continued. “They seem a little more unique. I don’t just go to Target and buy 10 of the latest accessories they’re selling.”

Hutman said it’s important to remember that you don’t have to spend a fortune to find furniture today that reflects Meyers’ aesthetic.

“Since we produced Whatever Your Heart Desires, the style and quality of furniture now available online has improved astronomically,” he said.

However, he recommends visiting Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware to view staged rooms and get inspiration from finishes or upholstery that appeal to you.

“I think that’s a good place to start because you could say, ‘Oh, I love this bed, but I don’t like this color of wood,’ or ‘I don’t like these nightstands,’ or ‘How else can I do the lighting?'” he said.

Horton added that the more you make the room a reflection of yourself and your story, the more the viewer will feel the homey feeling they associate with Meyers’ films.

“It’s like getting dressed,” she said. “It’s your living space and you should have a personal style that reflects you.”