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Creating a warm, inviting home can be a challenge with ever-changing design trends. However, by drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Nancy Meyers, whose movies often highlight cozy and lived-in spaces, you can cultivate a style that remains timeless in your own home. If you missed the first post in this series, identifying the key elements of Nancy Meyers' style, you can find it here: https://www.thesimplefarmhouse.com/post/how-to-create-a-nancy-meyer-s-inspired-home.

Now, let's start creating this timeless aesthetic! I've broken it down into 10 steps.

Step 1: Avoid Going All in on the Latest Trends

I have been tricked by chasing trends too, but instead of diving in and keeping up every season, think about adding trendy elements in small doses only.

Here is an example of an 80's trendy moment.

Interestingly enough, stripes never go out of style, plants never go out of style, and even rattan and brass furniture can be staple pieces for decades. So what is making this room so overwhelmingly out of style? It's the fact that it was not curated or layered over time, so it's quite literally stuck in May of 1985.

The slow curation of your interior spaces over years is not only ok, it's actually better. You are free to not immediately adapt to every latest trend, and free to not be finished decorating a room in one weekend.

Ok. So what items can be curated slowly?

Step 2: Start with the Bones

Every Nancy Meyers interior has 'good bones'. This could be a focal point fireplace or a dramatic window that orients the space in a beautiful direction. It could be a pair of built-in bookcases drawing the eye up and making the room feel more enclosed and cozy. Or, as in several of the most favorite Nancy Meyers homes, it could be traditional millwork or rustic beams.

There are many ways to layer in good bones with a weekend DIY that will only cost a few hundred dollars if you do it yourself. The added benefit is that this investment can add to the value of your home.

Traditional and timeless forms of "good bones" could be partial wall wainscoting (like the pictures above), full wall wainscoting (think Parisian apartment), elaborate crown and trim (think English country house), board and baton (think Craftsman style) or paneling (think East Coast Cottage). Whether a famous designer is currently using them or not, these styles remain historically grounded, therefore they are timeless.

Step 3: Pick a Timeless Paint Color

While there are some balanced and cleaner whites in our Nancy Meyers inspiration homes, many of the wall colors in her films lean warm or blush. Wimborne is a lovely off-white, while Pointing adds a little more depth, perfect for a Rosehill Cottage style room. Slipper Satin and Dimity remind me more of the undertones in Father of the Bride.

Step 4: Choose Well-Made Furniture Pieces

Investing in quality furniture is crucial for creating a timeless interior. You want pieces that last, and if they will not ever be replaced, then you also want them have a timeless style.

Look for solid wood pieces, such as a hand-crafted dining table or a sturdy dresser with features like dovetail joints. These well-made items boast durability and add tons of character to a room. For example, here is one of my favorite FB Marketplace finds:

A solid wood dresser with dovetail drawers bought new would be upwards of $2,000. Thrifted top-quality furniture is much more attainable, and these pieces contribute to that lovely lived-in feel that Nancy Meyers' rooms always have. The hunt for quality pieces on a budget may take time, but it's definitely worth the wait to find just the right pieces. I also thrifted an English roll arm chair, exactly like the one above, for $100 in perfect condition!

Step 5: Choose Mostly natural Finishes

Natural finishes are a great way to have a home design that stands the test of time. Cotton, linen, and wool are go-to textile materials and they have been relied on for centuries. Clay, wood, and stone are beautiful hard surfaces that lend to that same grounded feeling. When most of the finishes in a home are natural materials, then something extra in the space, like a pop of velvet, feels really special, like the famous blue ottoman or the lush red coverlet on the bed in The Holiday.

Step 6: Look to the Past for Inspiration, But temper it with a Few Touches of modern

When you feel stuck. look to classic elements from previous generations. What things have stood the test of time? For example, a vintage patterned rug will outlast a more modern pattern. A vintage style bed will outlast a modern style.

Once your space is grounded with timeless elements, have fun adding trendy touches here and there. That modern item will feel fresh in the mix of more grounded pieces.

Step 7: Mix Your Textures

One of the great benefits of curating a space slowly is that you will not end up with all of your textiles matching like that 80's bed-in-a-bag example we started with. But go a step further with this idea and be intentional when shopping for finishes for a room. Include at least a few different textures:

-something soft (cotton, linen, velvet),

-something woven (rattan, wicker, woven shades, embroidered pillow),

-something smooth (leather, polished wood, glazed pottery, metals),

-something matte (a wool carpet, clay pot, or a hewn stone fireplace)

-something shiny (mirror, brass)

Step 8: Personalize Your Space

Nancy Meyers’ interiors are full of warmth, thanks to personal photos, travel souvenirs, and beloved books. Curate your space with items that tell your journey—think of a framed photo from a family reunion or a memento from a cherished trip. Personal heirlooms, like a grandmother’s handmade quilt, a beautiful oil painting, or an antique lamp, can become focal points that tell a story. There is nothing more personalized than having one of a kind pieces in your space.

Step 9: Consider How a Room Feels

Lighting plays a crucial role in how welcoming and cozy a home feels. Studies show that warmer lighting can significantly enhance mood and relaxation in a space, making it inviting for family and friends alike. Instead of relying solely on overhead lights, use a mix of floor lamps and table lamps to create a cozy glow. Sconces are another great touch for adding some interest to walls while also lending to that peaceful glow.

Step 10: Embrace Life and Let Things Age

Lastly, allow your home to evolve with you over time. Home design is a journey not a destination, so enjoy each little step.

Embrace the natural wear and tear of items. This is what a loved home feels like. It doesn't feel like a showroom; it feels lived in. Yes, sometimes things wear out, but rather than discarding an old couch that has seen better days, explore ways to refresh it, recycle and reuse. Reupholstering the chairs or adding a new set of cushions can breathe new life into your space while maintaining a budget-friendly approach.

Love where you live. And enjoy the journey of creating a home with your loved ones.

Until next time...