I don't think another modern movie ever inspired me from a design standpoint more than "Something's Gotta Give" by Nancy Meyers starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. I loved everything about the featured house in the Hamptons: from the blue and white stripped dhurri, to the shingled exterior, back to the ebony wood floors, to the ironstone in the dining room, along with the slipcovered chairs around the table, to the desk where Erica writes her hit Broadway play. I bought the movie and freeze framed scenes so I could take notes. I had clients call me after seeing the movie to tell me that's how they wanted their house to look (right!)
The barely seen family room:
I wasn't alone in my love of the decor. Newspaper articles were written about it. People copied the kitchen all over America. One home magazine recently featured a couple who (thought) copied the house. I eagerly awaited The Holiday, Meyers followup movie, to see not the movie but the decor. It didn't move me visually the same way as Something's Gotta Give. The blogger Chameleon Interiors wrote extensively on the house, even sourcing furniture for the reader. Did the movie move you in the same way?
Detail from the living room. I love the black wicker chairs and standing lamp:
The much heralded dining room with ironstone plates, coveted slipcovered chairs, and wonderful light fixture:
I must admit that I am one of the great admirers of this set as well! The kitchen is wonderful. Huge, but wonderful. The slipcovered casual feel is so appealing!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I am Linking you! Wonderful blog!
Hi - Thanks for the comment and the link!! I especially love the floral slipcover in the dining room. Actually, I was disappointed to see that the living room slips were blue IRL. I thought they were white originally, which I would have like more. Oh well, I can be too critical sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I have a kindred spirit in their love for this movie set. I couldn't get enough of it and like you I watched the DVD over and over again. I sketched the floor plan of the house in detail. I wanted to do a similiar kitchen for a client at the time. But alas she opted not to go for white. I loved the double island in the kitchen. When I was working in LA I used to sometimes come across a showroom that had some of the pieces that were used in the movie and I drooled over them. The set designer did such a good job. I love the picture over the fireplace in Diane Keaton's bedroom and the wonderful Rose Tarlow round table where she keeps her stack of rocks that she collects on her beach trips (where Jack finds the black rock on top and says "King of the Heap"). I wish there was more shown of Dianne's bathroom. Just one brief look into it. I could go on and on.....thanks for this wonderful post!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to my blog in this piece. I agree, I thought the living room slip covers were white originally, then realized they were blue. I would have preferred the white as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, they seem kinda washed out to me. White would have been more crisp, like the rug. A Houston designer, Carol Glasser, used a rug exactly like that in her house eons ago and I've loved it ever since. Her house was very English, very very English at the time. In fact, I think it was featured in Mary Emmerling's magazine, the very first one, if you care to see it. Also Veranda did it too once.Thanks for the comment!
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btw - thanks for posting this and to Patricia Gray for letting us know about the Rose Tarlow table. I'd had requests for information on this, but hadn't been able to source it. I added both your links to my "Something's gotta give" post when I updated with this info.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree with everyone. This kitchen began a movement which immediately changed from "old world" kitchens to the new, what I call "butler's pantry" look, and what really used to be called shaker, but is not any longer. I have images set aside to do my own post about the kitchen and have not done so yet! But, a strong trend it remains, 4 years after the movie came out. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI ADORED the decor in Something's Gotta Give. I had no idea that so many people actually copied it but I'm not surprised.
ReplyDeleteI live in Australia but I still fully flipped over the decor in that movie.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way she collected the white pebbles and filled bowls with them and how she changed by adding the black ones that Jack suggested.
The fashion here is houses like glass boxes with minimalist furniture, stark white kitchens and polished floors, I'm considered very nanna in my love of French antiques (impossible to find waayy over here) and reproductions.
Gorgeous blog btw.
yes, i loved this house too! so funny that this was brought up. i watched this and was too preoccupied with the set that i couldn't listen to the story!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I stumbled across your site searching for pictures of the Somethings Gotta Give kitchen! I still ADORE this house, particularly her bedroom and desk space - sigh...
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