The Nancy Meyers aesthetic—that layered, collected, and comfortable look seen in the beloved director’s films, from It’s Complicated to Something’s Gotta Give and The Holiday—is filled with pieces that feel as if they’ve been found over time and passed through generations. Which means that if you’re hoping to replicate this charming look, hunting for secondhand furniture and decor is the perfect way to go.
But finding these pieces can be more like an art than a science. It’s not always about searching for the literal interpretation of Nancy Meyers’ style. “If you’re trying to capture that effortless, Nancy Meyers–style warmth, it helps to think less in terms of exact pieces and more in terms of how things are described and layered,” says Caroline Levenson, founder and principal of Caroline Levenson Design. When shopping for vintage and antique pieces online, whether on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or eBay, searching for broader aesthetic descriptions that sellers might use to paint a picture of the pieces they’re listing can make all the difference.
Other times, it’s helpful to include the terms someone might use to describe the disparate pieces that can be layered together to create the overall Nancy look. “French” or “English” might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you envision Nancy Meyers’ coastal American style, but they come together for a casual, collected look.
Here are 13 terms, along with similar keywords, that can help you sift through secondhand marketplaces to nail the quintessential Nancy Meyers look.
English Country
Similar words to try: English cottage, cottagecore
While Nancy Meyers isn’t known for her work in the United Kingdom, Caroline suggests that searching for “English country” will get you to the overstuffed, comfortable upholstery that her style is known for. Look for chairs that you could flop into with a good book and a glass of wine. Think something straight out of The Holiday.
English country might also lead you to items like a rush seat bench or a tasteful chintz, both of which are plucked straight from the British cottage look, but can translate over to Nancy Meyers in small amounts.
European Farmhouse
Similar words to try: Vintage European, French vintage
“When sourcing, search language matters. ‘European farmhouse’ tends to yield the right mix of ease and polish,” Caroline says. “From there, look for pieces that feel timeworn but not precious: antique pine or oak case goods and painted furniture in soft, slightly muted tones.”
A large cabinet with a well-worn patina sits proudly in the living room of It’s Complicated, bringing that elegant-meets-casual European farmhouse look. It doesn’t have to be a piece of the same scale as that cabinet, however. Even a find like a small end table or nightstand can add a similar look.
Coastal Grandmother
Similar words to try: Coastal grandma, grandmillennial
While the coastal grandmother trend has subsided a bit, there are still sellers listing under that keyword, says Caroline. If someone is selling a blue striped rug or a set of stacked seagrass baskets, and they’re using the term “coastal grandmother” to get eyes on them, you know you’re in the right place for the Nancy Meyers look.
Shabby Chic
Similar words to try: Patina, vintage
While Rachel Ashwell, designer and founder of the brand Shabby Chic, is making a comeback (the ’90s are hot again!), what you want to find with a “shabby chic” search is less classic shabby chic in all its white, pink, and chintz glory and, instead, pieces that have just a bit of seaside patina. Search for a well-worn club chair that feels like it’s been sitting in someone’s grandmother’s fancy beach house or a table that has seen generations of dinner parties.
Painted Furniture
Similar words to try: Refinished furniture, rehabbed furniture, restored furniture
You don’t want to go overboard on painted furniture—after all, a Nancy Meyers room is full of warm wood and natural textures. But a painted dresser or end table can add a sense of lightness that can impart Meyers’ signature casual, airy feeling. Plus, painted furniture is typically easy to find on Facebook Marketplace or other secondhand resources, and it doesn’t need to be pristine (a little imperfection is a good thing!).
Antique Wood
Similar words to try: Rustic wood, reclaimed wood
Gathering around a big wood table that looks like it’s ready for a long night, including a few bottles of wine and a great playlist, is quintessential to achieving a Nancy Meyers vibe. But it needs to feel welcoming and approachable. You don’t want a table that doesn’t feel like it can handle a few spills, and an antique wood farmhouse table has the perfect aesthetic. The same guidelines work beautifully for the perfect coffee table.
Jute Rug
Similar words to try: Sisal rug, natural fiber rug
Every good Nancy Meyers-style room needs a base. A natural fiber rug, ideally a jute or sisal, adds a casual, coastal feel that is lovely alongside comfortable upholstery and even a layered rug on top. These are usually easy to find while thrifting, but make sure to read the description carefully and ensure the rug is in good shape.
Striped Chair
Similar words to try: Stripe furniture, stripes
“Look for tailored but relaxed upholstery in simple stripes,” says Caroline. A classic blue-and-white ticking stripe is timeless, and it’s the prettiest complement to white upholstery and wood furniture. If you find a striped sofa, you’ve hit the jackpot. But a chair is the perfect accent (and usually easier to stumble across!).
Roll Arm
Similar words to try: Club sofa, round arm sofa, English sofa
There’s no piece of furniture more iconic in a Nancy Meyers room than a roll arm sofa. It’s cozy. It’s comfortable. It begs you to sit and chat for hours. If you come across a roll arm sofa or chair, snag it immediately. But make sure it’s neutral, says Sara McDaniel, designer and owner of Purvéy Minden. “Look for upholstery in creamy whites, cozy beiges, and soft blues.”
Wicker
Similar words to try: Rattan chair, woven, seagrass
Wicker, rattan, seagrass—all of these materials are must-haves in a Nancy Meyers-inspired room. From seagrass baskets to stacked rattan boxes to cane chairs and rush seating, these natural woven materials are ace at imbuing a space with organic warmth.
You can infuse these elements either with furniture, as in a wicker chair, or via decor, like baskets and trays. Both options are typically easy to find secondhand, and the material name will help narrow down your search.
Ironstone
Similar words to try: White pottery, white ceramic dinnerware
The kitchen in It’s Complicated is perhaps the most-talked-about kitchen in all of movie history, and right there along the wall is a collection of white servingware and dinnerware that would make any vintage seller jealous. Luckily, white pieces are often abundant in thrift stores and online, and you can search for terms like “ironstone” or “white ceramic dinnerware” to turn up pages of options. Matching isn’t necessary. (Meyers’ collection in the movie doesn’t match!)
RELATED: The Antiques Lover’s Guide to Ironstone Pottery
Chinoiserie
Similar words to try: Blue and white, ginger jar
You may have to rein it in a bit here, but a touch of chinoiserie is a must-have in a Nancy Meyers-inspired room. It’s always subtle. Think just a tiny ginger jar on a side table or a chinoiserie lamp next to a comfy white sofa. But it’s ever-present, and it’s incredibly easy to find when you’re perusing Facebook Marketplace.
Slipcover
Similar words to try: Slipcovered
Here’s the beauty of a slipcover: it can be washed! That means there’s a bit more flexibility in the condition when you pick up a secondhand chair or sofa. Every drop of coffee or red wine can be treated and washed, plus, there’s an inherent casual air to a slipcover. It’s not supposed to be perfect. Sara explains, “Think of upholstery that feels lived-in, not designer-inspired.”
Look for slipcovered pieces on Facebook Marketplace, and keep an eye out for some iconic (and inexpensive!) items. Ikea’s Uppland or Ektorp sofa is ever-present on the secondhand circuit, and it’s easy to get a perfectly Nancy Meyers-style ivory slipcover (and another for a backup).
