Obsessed With Nancy Meyers's Kitchens? Same. Here's The Secret Sauce That Makes Them So Swoon-Worthy

Let me set the scene: It’s the summer of 2004, and I’m sitting cross-legged on my grandmother’s bedroom floor in the Hamptons. Something’s Gotta Give starts playing on TNT—channel 42. I was way too young to appreciate Harry’s (Jack Nicholson’s) charm or Erica's (Diane Keaton’s) existential dating dilemmas. But that kitchen? It was gorgeous enough to stop 6-year-old me in my tracks. The marble countertops, the expansive island, the floor-to-ceiling windows... it made me feel like I’d been transported out of my grandparent’s townhouse community in East Quogue (where everyone seemed to have the same beige laminate everything). In fact, it almost felt aspirational—little did I know I’d be writing about dating like Erica years later.

Nevertheless, fast forward to today, and I’m still obsessed. Nancy Meyers—the writer and producer behind this film—is known for her on-screen kitchens. (They’ve practically become a genre of their own.) From the modern Mediterranean look shown in It’s Complicated to classic New York and Los Angeles kitchens in The Holiday and The Intern, each design is as timeless as it is luxuriously lived-in. 

So, what’s the secret sauce that brings all of these looks together? Let’s break it down below.

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Picture a kitchen where sunlight streams through oversized windows, vases of fresh flowers sit atop marble counters, and the air is filled with laughter and the scent of something savory baking in the oven. This is the mood that all of Meyers’s kitchens capture. Take her own Los Angeles abode (above), for example. Recently refreshed by designer Mark Sikes, it’s a perfect blend of elegance and ease. The pristine white cabinets create a clean foundation for the look while twin islands offer both practicality and grandeur. The marble countertops gleam under the glow of Ann-Morris pendant lights, and subtle pops of greenery add just the right touch of life and warmth to the room. Plus, every detail feels intentional—from the artisanal Carolina Irving & Daughters plates tucked behind glass-front cabinetry to the custom Buell stools that ground the space with a sense of casual sophistication.

To that end, what sets Meyers’s designs apart isn’t just her impeccable taste—it’s her ability to make luxury feel accessible. In a scene from Something’s Gotta Give (above), the kitchen acts as a character on its own, setting the tone for a candid, late-night pancake-making session between Erica and Harry. The expansive island becomes their meeting ground, lit softly by warm pendant lights while shelves lined with neatly arranged dishes reflect the understated elegance of Erica’s world. As she cracks eggs while Harry muses about her "tower of strength," the kitchen feels alive—elegant, yes, but as real and comforting as the pancakes sizzling on the stove. 

There’s a warmth in all of Meyers’s kitchens that makes viewers feel like we’re right there with the characters. I can’t stop thinking about a scene from It’s Complicated in particular, where Jake (Alec Baldwin) and his kids rummage through Jane’s (Meryl Streep’s) fridge. The kitchen itself is classic Meyers: cream-colored cabinetry with open shelves—a sprawling marble island with a window view to the gorgeous backyard. Yet, what makes this moment feel so alive is its messiness (both literally and figuratively). Jake wears a robe while pulling mismatched Tupperware from a fridge that used to be his. Glass domes with half-eaten pastries scatter the countertops while dishes from dinner linger in the farmhouse sink. It not only feels emotionally resonant—seeing a divorced father reuniting with his kids—but it’s also deeply satisfying to watch such a stunning space come “undone.” It’s the perfect juxtaposition of aspirational living with raw authenticity.

In fact, there’s a story behind every design element we see on-screen. In The Holiday scene above, when Iris (Kate Winslet) steps into Amanda’s (Cameron Diaz’s) sprawling Los Angeles mansion, it’s a glimpse into a life Iris could only dream of. With its white cabinets, polished stone countertops, and sterling silver appliances, the space has all of Meyers’s signature kitchen details. But what makes this moment feel unique is its livability. For Iris—and by proxy, the audience—it’s a reality that feels both aspirational and within reach. It’s exactly why these kitchens have such a hold on us: They make you think, that’s the life I want one day.

White cabinets are the first hallmark of Meyers’s kitchens, creating a timeless foundation for warmth and elegance. In Something’s Gotta Give, the kitchen evokes the breezy charm of the Hamptons with pristine, shaker-style cabinets paired with soft cream drapes. This coastal vibe was carried over to The Holiday, where the kitchen’s crisp white cabinets offered a soothing contrast to the modern Mediterranean roof tiles and natural wood accents. And, of course, Meyers’s signature white cabinets are just as adaptable to an urban setting. In The Intern, they lend themselves beautifully to an NYC brownstone, pairing with the industrial accents and high ceilings. 

While brass and antique gold hardware might be having their moment, these kitchens remind us that sterling silver appliances and nickel finishes are truly timeless. In It’s Complicated, a polished nickel faucet and sleek drawer pulls add just the right amount of understated shine. Then, in Something’s Gotta Give, the stainless steel Viking range and refrigerator gleam alongside nickel cabinet knobs, perfectly complementing the crisp white cabinetry. Plus, if the silver finishes from the Father of the Bride kitchen say anything, it’s that they still look good decades after the film’s debut in 1991. 

In It’s Complicated, the kitchen boasts a single, sprawling island with softly rounded edges and an open side for seating. The opposite side transitions smoothly into cabinetry, cleverly hiding storage and maintaining its seamless silhouette. Then there’s the Something’s Gotta Give kitchen, which ups the ante with a double-island layout: one devoted to function with a prep sink and ample counter space, and the other designed for entertaining, offering plenty of room for hors d'oeuvres and wine glasses. Meanwhile, in The Intern, we see an island that features industrial-style legs to mirror the brownstone’s NYC charm. Whether supported by turned wood legs, sleek metal bases or a fully enclosed cabinet structure, the island acts as the heart of these kitchens—functional, inviting and perfectly tailored to each character’s lifestyle. 

Similarly, Meyers’s kitchen islands—and the surrounding countertops— are synonymous with natural finishes that are equal parts beautiful and functional. In It’s Complicated, we see lightly veined Calacatta marble, its soft, matte finish perfectly complementing the look. The marble’s rounded edges and subtly worn distressing make it feel lived-in, rather than overly polished (aka perfect for Jane’s character, a baker, who’s constantly rolling out dough). Then, in Something’s Gotta Give, the countertops lean into a coastal aesthetic with honed black granite—it’s a bold yet understated choice that balances the crisp white cabinetry. In fact, we saw the same theme happening in The Holiday, where the coastal setting takes a slightly more unexpected approach. The kitchen’s sleek black countertops are paired with dark cabinetry, creating a high-contrast, contemporary look. 

Lantern pendant lighting is a recurring feature in Meyers’s kitchens. In Something’s Gotta Give, the lanterns above the islands are classic with their black frames and glass panels, grounding the otherwise airy beachside kitchen. Likewise, in It’s Complicated, the kitchen features two oversized lanterns with warm, slightly aged brass tones, their glow creating an inviting focal point for family gatherings. Even in The Intern, where the brownstone kitchen leans more industrial, there are lantern pendant lights—crafted with a mix of glass and brushed nickel—to reflect the home’s urban sophistication while maintaining Meyers’s signature warmth. 

In recent years, the backsplash spotlight has shifted to zellige tiles—handmade, irregular and full of texture. Yet, unlike zellige’s wabi-sabi appeal, all of Meyers’s kitchens feature subway tiles that bring order and simplicity. In The Intern, the tiles are fit with beveled edges and a high-gloss finish that matches the kitchen’s industrial metal stools and lighting. Meanwhile, It’s Complicated features a softer take on the subway tile—its muted ivory hue and matte finish work harmoniously with the warm tones of the countertops and the rustic greenery. Not to mention Something’s Gotta Give, where the white subway tile backsplash is pristine and perfectly aligned. It proves that subway is a straightforward choice that can work anywhere from a classic shaker kitchen to a brownstone kitchen with a decades-old fireplace.

Whether crafted from natural wood or painted to match the cabinetry, the open shelves we see in Meyers’s movies are as intentional as the dishes they display. Most notably, we have the shelving The Holiday, which is instrumental in creating the kitchen’s open, sprawling feel. Positioned symmetrically alongside the window, the dark wood shelves blend rustic charm with Mediterranean sophistication by eliminating the need for heavy cabinetry—they visually expand the space, allowing the natural light pouring through the windows to flow uninterrupted. And of course, in Something’s Gotta Give, the shelving pairs perfectly with the kitchen’s airy, coastal vibe. Painted to blend with the crisp white cabinetry, these shelves run horizontally along the walls, offering a practical yet charming way to showcase kitchen essentials. And It’s Complicated, the open shelving takes a more traditional approach, seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry and painted a soft cream to match the rest of the kitchen. The effect is fluid and cohesive, creating a sense of livability within the space.

One thing is certain: Meyers kitchens don’t hide the details. From neatly arranged ceramics to gleaming cookware, each element is showcased with intention, creating a lived-in elegance that feels both luxurious and approachable. In Something’s Gotta Give, the white ceramic plates and bowls are stacked on open shelving, their surfaces blending seamlessly with the pristine white cabinetry. On the counters, glass jars filled with grains and dried goods add an extra layer of warmth, while polished copper pots hang from a ceiling rack for just the right amount of shimmer. We see the same in It’s Complicated, where the shelves are adorned with vintage-inspired crockery, neutral stoneware and essentials like glass pitchers and mixing bowls. This kitchen also features copper cookware—with a well-worn patina—which hang along the walls to elevate the natural cream tones marble countertops. Everything is casually yet artfully arranged, creating a vibe that feels like someone just finished baking but left everything impeccably styled.

Another detail you might’ve missed in these films? Backless stools. In It’s Complicated, we see stools that feature upholstered cushions wrapped in a soft yellow-and-white plaid fabric, bringing a cheerful pop of pattern to an otherwise neutral space. The fabric plays up the warm tones of the kitchen, reinforcing its cozy, lived-in feel, while the dark wooden legs provide a grounding contrast. Likewise, in The Holiday, the stools echo kitchen’s contemporary vibe with sleek, square seats upholstered in soft cream fabric. Their sturdy wooden legs are painted a deep espresso, working beautifully with the oakwood of the countertops and the airy openness of the space. In any case, it might seem like a small detail, but the silhouette of these stools strikes a balance between rustic charm and polished sophistication—they effortlessly enhance the flow of each room.

Finally, Nancy Meyers’s kitchens are never complete without a touch of nature. In It’s Complicated, the kitchen strikes the perfect balance with freshly cut herbs in rustic ceramic pots sitting by the window, plus leafy arrangement that takes center stage on the island. The Something’s Gotta Give kitchen plays with a coastal palette by incorporating hydrangeas in soft blues and whites, placed casually next to bowls of green Granny smith apples. Even The Intern takes a natural approach, with small potted plants punctuating the fireplace and, again, green apples that sit in a bowl on the island. Every sprig of greenery or carefully arranged bloom is chosen to complement the room’s palette, making her kitchens feel polished yet connected to nature.