I want to start a tradition here at Heritage Living called “Friday Round Up”. A collection of some favorite things to share for the weekend.
To kick it off, I thought I’d begin with a round up of movies with my favorite houses.
I don’t know about you, but I still love to unwind over the weekend with a good old fashioned movie binge. If the week is filled with kid’s cartoons, news, Dateline, and a Netflix show or two, then the weekend is my Hallmark/ guilty pleasure/ "watched it a 100 times already" movie time. Most of the movies that fall under this category, I love because of the their set design, costume design or cinematography. They're perfect for cuddling into a soft throw blanket and large glass of wine after the kids are in bed and finding inspiration for the next set of house projects or redecoration.
The Great Gatsby
Though I love the 1974 version of this movie, the 2013 remake can do no wrong in my book. Every house and set in this movie is eye candy. Of course it’s over the top, but isn’t that what we love about this story and Baz Luhrmann?
Home Alone
It’s a Christmas movie, but I could watch it year round. I recently heard that the interior of house was created with a primarily red and green color palette for those extra holiday feels. To be honest, the 90s were filled with so much hunter green and burgundy, I had just chalked it up to its era. (I had a friend whose house was actually carpeted througout with all dark hunter green carpet) Either way, I still love the home and its decor.
Father of the Bride (One & Two)
Another couple of classic 90s movies, the Banks’ home feels like the ultimate American dream. I love the story and characters of these movies just as much as I love the home and decor. (To this day I still can't say "navy blue" without repeating myself in a Franck accent). The house itself has some beautiful traditional features like shutters, vines climbing up a trellis and french doors inside. I also still love the decor that makes this home quintessentially 1990s like the butter yellow paint colors, the floral printed overstuffed couches and all the wallpaper.
But my absolute favorite part has got to be the baby nursery in the second movie. It’s everything my baby room dreams are made of. In a world of moden, white, minimalist nurseries of today, this nursery is soft, lush and full of classic nursery pastel shades. It feels just like a nursery rhyme that's come to life.
The Money Pit
Who hasn’t bought a house and referenced this movie? Sometimes projects can seem overwhelming and daunting, but this is a great reminder that in true Hollywood style, things can always be worse. The movie doesn’t show too much of the house once it’s finished, but the few scenes it does have at the end are stunning. I love the checkered floor and all the molding.
(we have checkered floors on our main floor bathroom and kitchen and I dream of one day replacing them with a marbled version similar to these)
The Sound of Music
Less a house and more of a castle, I used to dream of having a ballroom in my home as well when I grew up (that's a normal ambition, right?) If I lived in this home, I think I'd make clothing from the drapery too.
I read that the real Von Trapp family actually resembled more of a mountain cabin/ chalet. However, I will forever pretend that this is the grand home where they lived.
Funny Farm
I partly love this movie because I love everything about Chevy Chase. I also love the idea of moving out to the idyllic countryside just like Chevy’s character, to a hobby farm with a pond, a couple of ducks and this Jeep Wagoneer Woody. As it is in the movie, I'm sure that actual life in the country is far from perfect. But living in a cute shingled Cape Cod home like this, I like to think it’d be pretty close to being inside a Norman Rockwell painting.
Meet Me in St Louis
Last but not least, this Victorian home might be my favorite house of them all. The house was built specifically for this movie and is also featured in the original Cheaper By The Dozen. I love both the house in this movie as well as all its details and decor. The portraits and paintings, the statues, chandeliers, even the stove in the kitchen!
The movie invites you back into an era where the house was the hub of of the family. Everyone gathered around the dining room table to reconnect and share a meal at the end of the day. Homes featured formal rooms for receiving guests, entertaining and hosting parties at home was commonplace in your home and people knew their neighbors.
Not included but close runners up: The cottage in Twilight's Breaking Dawn, Holiday Inn, Cheaper By the Dozen (remake), Family Stone, High Society and the original Sabrina.
What movies feature houses that you love? I'd love to discover more of these great films to add to my favorites list.
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