Movies are not the only thing Hollywood does well. Some of the most memorable motion pictures in the history of cinema are not simply known for their cast or cinematic content, but for the classic Hollywood interiors of big screen legend.
It’s probably not intentional, but actually a huge coincidence when a home or a set designer’s interpretation of the home comes to life on a sound stage and takes over as the star of a film.
When the architectural vision of near perfection captures the viewers attention and commands top billing it doesn’t necessarily speak to the weakness of the movie, but to the strength of the chosen piece of real estate.
Nineteen sixty seven is dear to my heart.
It’s the year I turned five, the year The Beatles introduced the world to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the year one of my favorite movies, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner was released.
I hit the Turner Classic Movies jackpot when I noticed it was on the afternoon viewing schedule.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner holds my attention on three points:
A relevant and positive message.
Three Academy Award winning actors showing why they deserved Academy Awards.
One luxuriously appointed home.
Vintage Wrought-Iron Ivy Terrace Set
The walk from foyer to terrace for an afternoon of sandwiches and coffee is a walk through interior design distinction.
Attention to detail greets the eye at every twist and turn, wall and window.
The eye is drawn to tasteful accessories and classic design elements in timeless colors, patterns and textures.
Vintage Sterling Silver Liquor Decanter Tags
Mid-Century Champagne Sherbets
Handmade Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Cabinet
Antique Five-Light Glass Chandelier with Icicle Prisms
Coffered ceilings, custom built-ins, original artworks, crystal chandeliers, Chinoiserie accents, floor to ceiling windows.
These timeless design elements never go out of style.
Next I will be featuring the four star sets from three Nancy Meyer films, The Intern, Something’s Gotta Give, and It’s Complicated.
Stunning set design is synonymous with Nancy Meyer’s films.
Roselle 8 Drawer Dresser Chest
It is no coincidence the interiors play a major role in Ms. Meyer’s films and become the stuff design and decorating trends are made of.
Marble Mantle with Horseshoe Opening
2xhome – Set of 2 Modern Accent Dining Chair
Two Academy Award winning actors strutting their mad acting skills and one fabulously designed and decorated beach house set in the Hamptons hits all the Hollywood high notes.
Something’s Gotta Give is a four star design winner on every level.
To describe this space as just romantic, peaceful, and elegant doesn’t fit it well.
It’s the perfect, lovely, sexy, and inviting setting for the lady of the manor to discover that in fact her mojo hasn’t left the building, and for the viewer to glean a few ideas of their own in both the love and decor departments.
Bridges 2.0 Round Dining Table
Harlow & Finch Adelaide Round Dining Table
This discussion could go on and on.
These examples are only two of many that come to mind.
Between Naps on the Porch via Pinterest
Fleur de Lis Crossroads Rosa Side Table
Is it me or is the common design denominator in these homes a neutral color palette?
That’s the point- classic works.
Some people think it is too safe- a boring option hinting at a lack of decorating imagination.
It’s not that it is safe or boring, but that it is a great choice of classic color scheme to build your design and decor upon.
This point is evident throughout the interiors and exteriors in the film It’s Complicated.
Please allow me to take a little decorating liberty with the choice of pendant light fixtures, but I love the Lone Star Pendant by Curry & Company.
Now comes the disclosure portion of this post.
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Bakery Goods
Bistro Barstool
Of all the spectacular accents, details and accessories in the home of It’s Complicated, do you know what captured my attention the most?
The fantastic windows.
Absolutely stunning! Black accents set it off with a vengeance.
The reviews are in, and I give it two thumbs up.
Grand elements of master interior design and period decor makes the Technicolor master suite of Scarlett and Rhett from Gone With The Wind difficult to forget.
Ornate English Mirror, Gold Leaf
Another spectacular vision of regal and grand set decor by Hollywood standards is elegantly evident in another Vivien Leigh classic, That Hamilton Woman.
The wedding reception scenes in The Hangover bring class to a long on funny, short on class premise.
The outdoor space is gorgeously appointed in a star of the show black and white palette.
Sunbrella® Awning Stripe Outdoor Grommet Drape
Barton Cottage in Sense and Sensibility, the period drama film based on Jane Austen’s 1811 novel of the same name, remains one of my favorite movie houses. It possesses a quaint English charm suited to the period piece and period pieces featured in the film.
Swedish Gustavian Gray Oval Gate Leg Drop Leaf Dining Table
English Landscape Oil Painting
Antique Mahogany Barley Twist Drop Leaf Table
Tinseltown Trivia Time!
‘Dressed in White II’ by Stefano Cairoli Framed Painting Print on Canvas
What movie inspires this look?
Safavieh Lighting Zoey Double Gourd White Table Lamp Set
Set decorator Susan Bode Tyson wonderfully re-created Julia Child’s kitchen for the film Julie & Julia, a film contrasting the early years of Julia Child’s life culinary career with Julie Powell, the New York blogger who deliciously mastered the culinary detail of cooking all 524 recipes printed in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook, one recipe per day for one year.
That’s 365 days of bon appétit blogging goodness.
Willow-Blue by Johnson Brothers, Richmond by Rogaska, Westchester Stainless by Towle
Julia Child’s Kitchen – Smithsonian
Modern lighting option in the style of the original in Julia Child’s actual kitchen.
Robert Abbey Jonathan Adler Havana White Powdercoat One-Light Sconce
Jonathan Adler Havana Polished Nickel Two-Light
Close option to the Smithsonian replica of Julia Child’s kitchen.
This French Mid-Century Modern design glass Diabolo shaded brass sconces lamps option with the ooh la la factor present and accounted for.
French Country Hammered Copper Pan Set
KitchenAid® Artisan Stand Mixer in Cobalt Blue
If a stove, oven, and pegboard could talk!
Classic Hollywood interiors of set and on location design and decor star in an award-winning role in our favorite films.
