Nancy Meyers

This weekend I watched one of my favorite movies -- Father of the Bride.  The movie has a sweet storyline and hilarious actors (Steve Martin is the best).  Yet the movie is made even more special by the perfect setting. The settings in the movie from the idyllic colonial home to the lovely backyard were created by the movie's talented director, Nancy Meyers.  Although a fabulous director, Nancy Meyers is also a talented designer.  In all of her movies, Meyers works to create a setting that is not only beautiful but also appropriate to the story line.  Her sets add to the storyline as opposed to distracting from it.  Would Father of the Bride be as successful without the perfect backyard setting? I'd argue that it would not.  Meyers uses her sets to paint a picture on which her stories can unfold.  Meyers delights in creating the perfect setting for all her movies.  She remarks that  “[she] can’t redo [her] own house every three years...so I put all that energy into my movies.”  That energy surely shows in not only Father of the Bride but also in her other movies: The Parent Trap, Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday, and It's Complicated.  

Colonial home in Father of the Bride

kitchen in Father of the Bride 

Cotswold cottage in The Holiday

who wouldn't want to drink coffee and sit by the fire here? 

bathroom in the Cotswold cottage in The Holiday

Den in the Cotswold cottage in The Holiday

den in Something's Gotta Give

Master bedroom in Something's Gotta Give

i love the simplicity -- neutrals and classic furniture styles

moreover, the windows take advantage of the beautiful Hampton beach views 

Hampton beach house in Something's Gotta Give

Santa Barbara home in It's Complicated

PERFECT  kitchen in It's Complicated

(this is my dream kitchen)

           

Nancy Meyers

Flowers and Interiors

Elle Decor recently compiled a look at some of the most unique and beautiful rooms with floral designs.  Although a huge fan of flowers, I wasn't sure that floral design (think wallpaper, paintings, fabrics) would fit with my preference for simple, clean design.  After looking at these photos I know i was wrong.  Sure, some of them might be a little more fluffy than I might choose for myself.  However, some of the rooms are just right-- simple with a lovely touch of the floral look.  What I like about these rooms is that they mix floral design with simplicity.  The floral features in these rooms serve as the cherry on top rather than overpowering the room.  In addition, I highly suggest taking a minute to visit elledecor.com to read all the information about each room.  Each of these rooms were created by highly talented designers and artists.  I've highlighted some of my favorite looks below.  

All images via Elledecor.com

have a happy Saturday ! 

a good tired

So, Monday has come and gone.  Hello Tuesday! I'm sorry that I have been so absent the past few days.  Its been one of those weeks-- in the best sort of way.  Last week was full of work and school events, but I am thankful for the busyness.  Busy weeks like last one leave me feeling tired, but sometimes tired is good.  Do you know what I mean? Sure, there are many times when I feel tired for the wrong reasons (like watching Revenge well into the night... such an addicting show).  But other times, I love being tired because it means I have used up my energy doing things that I love.  A wise friend once told me that she would never want to get to the end of her life and not feel as if she had not fully used her time and energy.  I identified with this wish and hope that I too could feel this way not only at the end of my life but at the end of each week.  Each day is a gift, should we not live it this way?

here is a glimpse at my weekend. it was a glorious and sunny weekend to say the least.

enjoyed the beautiful Spring weather

spent time with my sweet sister

(Roll Tide)

went on boat rides with best friends

hung out with the "belle" of the ball 

hope your weekends were full of delight and sunlight.  

love to you and yours

k 

"Paris is always a good idea" 

-Audrey Hepburn

Although I have always been interested in spaces and design (I thank my mom for this passion... this is what happens, I suppose, when your mom and you spend hours measuring furniture and flipping through Architectural Digest at age 10), I know that my interest in design was greatly spurred on by the trips I have been blessed to take.  Perhaps the greatest "trip" of my life thus far was my semester abroad last Fall.  I cannot put into the words the infinite joy and excitement of my time abroad.  Living in the U.K. it wasn't long before I felt at home there.  I was drawn to the history of the buildings, the streets, and the cities of the U.K.  I believe I loved it so dearly because it constantly perked my passion for design.  The buildings there are intentional, and full of history.  Each cathedral, courtyard, facade, wall, and cobble stone street tells the story of a past and encourages the growth of a future.  

Being abroad afforded me the chance to break from the normal rhythm of my day to day in the States.  Removed from all things and people familiar, I was given the freedom to really see surroundings- to marvel at the very place I stood.  I surely will speak more about my time abroad on this blog because it is such a large part of why I love design.  But for now, simply put, travel emphasizes the principles of design I love the most- the history, the people, the lives.  I love design because design is more than the materials that surround us. I would argue that it is much, much more.  It is the spaces we inhabit that help to shape who we are.  The spaces we exist--whether it be the room, building, city, country-- they are a part of us.  Even if we are unaware, the spaces we live are constantly reflecting on us and we are reflecting on them.  In this way, by exploring the designs of foreign countries and previous times, we can actually come to know or at least begin to understand another group of people. 

I have been thinking a lot about traveling lately because two of my dearest friends and I are amidst planning a trip abroad.  While we've been in the planning process, I can't help to reminisce every chance I get (yes, I am that annoying person).  However, I am beyond thrilled at the prospect of traveling with them.  One place that is high on all our lists is Paris.  When in Paris last Fall, I fell in love with one aspect of Paris-- the doors.  They are magnificent. These large, beautiful doors line the streets of Paris particularly in the Saint Germain district. I think these doors contribute to the magical and mysterious feeling of Paris.  Paris flaunts its beauty but does not let us know the whole truth-- such as the beautiful courtyards and buildings that lie behind these doors.  As a design, I love that these doors look like a home's front door but most actually lead into a courtyard or open-air foyer from which you can proceed to your final indoor destination.  I love this concept. I hope someday I will be able to incorporate a similar principle into my own designs.  For now, i'll settle on seeing them from the outside as I walk the streets of Paris with my best friends ..... believe me, I am not complaining. 

The two best travel partners a girl could have: 

loving the journey.

I just love how joyous and happy the people in these photos are.  Sure, these are only photos and not reality. However, the smiles in these photos urge me to think about my face and how I look every day as I walk and drive around town and campus.  Do I wear a look of joy on my face? Truthfully, probably not.  I am often on my phone, checking my phone, or deep in thought (about both important and unimportant things). One of my resolutions this Spring is to find more joy in the journey.  As I walk and drive around, I want to take delight in the mundane movements of my day to day.  When I take this mindset, I know I am more likely to appreciate my surroundings and notice the small beautiful things around me. I hope these images inspire you to smile tomorrow no matter what your day involves. 

of course, it is easier to smile when Spring has officially sprung. Finally.  Enjoy the Sun everybody. 

xx, Katherine