Hey there, everyone! So we are trying something new today…Nancy Meyers edition:) We truly love helping you create homes you love, and we are always excited when we can improve on how we do that. You may have heard Em mention a design program called Spoak. This is an interior design program that’s both easy to use and powerful, and its few AI features are done very well (not something I believe is happening in most capacities right now…). I am not someone who identifies as a tech-savvy person. I’m not useless, but I wouldn’t say new tech comes naturally to me. So when Em wanted us to learn how to use Spoak, I was a little hesitant. But let me tell you that while I’m still learning how to really maximize all its tools, it’s awesome. Actually, creating this post was only my second time really using it, which is a true testament to how user-friendly it is, and how, if you are looking for something to help you design your space, guys, Spoak is it!

As we go through the design process of the Farmhouse Guest Cottage, you’ll see more of the planning options/possibilities, but today, I am helping a wonderful reader with her new living room. She wants to create a living room that could live in a Nancy Meyers movie (or be inspired by it). It’s such a beloved style that is layered, warm, lived-in, and leans more traditional. Oh, and in case you missed it, Arlyn did a whole post about how to get the aesthetic here! Ok, now let’s get into this design:)

The Reader’s Request

“Moved to a new house with a formal living room. We only have a grey couch and a mirror. I’ve ordered 2 large accent chairs (grey striped) to add to the room. I don’t know where to begin. I want to give it a traditional/cozy vibe. I want this house to have a Nancy Meyers vibe.”

Before Spoak

I want to show you how we started. Now there can definitely be more furniture, art, etc that Spoak’s tools can remove, but the clearer your space, the better. Oh, and nice wide, straight-on shots help to lessen the steps of trying to adjust a wonky photo. Also, how pretty is this formal living room? It’s asking to be a Nancy Meyers space! But for fun, let’s get this sofa and the fireplace decor out of here…

After Spoak:

Tada! With the touch of a single button, we have a beautiful blank slate. Thankfully, we have another angle of this room, so let’s do it again:)

Before Spoak

This is the photo the reader sent to me…

After Spoak

And this is the blank slate. Once you insert your room photo (if you have one), on the side of the screen, you have the option to remove items, change surfaces (so cool if you are renovating), or just describe what you want changed. You also have the option to build a room or an elevation from scratch if you don’t have photos, but luckily, we did.

Spoak Mood Board

Another fun tool, if you want to try it, is Spoak’s moodboard option. I didn’t use it for this particular project, but I wanted to show you in case you want to give it or a whirl (or have clients). Emily used the moodboards in last week’s guest cottage tile post if you want to see more. You can also add text!

Ok, ready to see this design??? Is it weird I’m nervous? lol

Nancy Meyers-Inspired Living Room: “Less” Budget-Focused Version

Blue Floral Print | Couple Sitting on Grass Print | Floral Line Drawing | Brass Picture Rail System (Rods + Adjustable Hooks) | Blue Bowl | Table Lamp | Credenza | Curtains | Curtain Rod | Console Table | Brass Footed Bowl | Candelabra | Floor Lamp | Wall Plates | Rattan Roman Shade | Striped Accent Chairs | Lumbar Pillows | Rug | Woven Basket | Metal Side Table | Ottoman | Wood Tray | Beaded Candle | Wood Side Table | Small White Urn Vase | Sofa | Gold Sconce | Splattered Paint Urn Vase | Mirror | Fireplace Tools

Welcome! How fun is this??! Now, this version is definitely not cheap because everything in the world is expensive…even the affordable stuff, which we will get more into later. What I think the real key to a true Nancy Meyers space is personal stuff – I’m talking family photos, books, trinkets from generations of life, so this is (in my opinion) a very solid jumping off point. However, I’m in love with that credenza from the one and only Ginny Macdonald from her Lulu & Georgia line:)

Also, in terms of fully designing a space, it really takes time. Finding deals, hunting garage sales, thrift shops, and flea markets. While this space didn’t consider a specific budget, it’s meant to be more directional in what this reader can keep their eyes out for. For instance, that wall art and wall plates are purchasable, but maybe they already have great art and plates from their parents that they can hang, but didn’t think to do it in these ways.

Rattan Roman Shade | Sketch Print Set | Striped Accent Chairs | Rug | Woven Basket | Fireplace Screen | Gold Sconces | Splattered Paint Urn Vase | Mirror | Fireplace Tools | Rattan Side Chair | Ruffuled Seat Cushion | Brown Framed Vintage Art | Vintage Figure Painting | Metal Side Table | Ottoman | Wood Tray | Beaded Candle | Wood Side Table | Small White Urn Vase | Vintage Plate | Sofa | Velvet Pillow

Those are the actual chairs the reader bought, but a different sofa. If in the future they wanted a different one, I love the idea of a slipcover look. I also had an idea, if they wanted to, they could likely switch out the feet of their current sofa to make it feel more customized! Wayfair has a ton of options, but Etsy and others have great selections too.

I only had the overall size of the room, but I believe if you input all of your space’s measurements, then the furniture will be properly scaled by Spoak, which is another very helpful feature! But overall, I really just wanted to lean into a traditional style and neutral color palette that still had some depth to it. The green ottoman was one way I tried to “spice it up” lol, and art is another really easy (but not visually overwhelming) way to add in some color. I do think the Pierce & Ward collab at West Elm (and where the floor lamp and wood side table are from) is such a great place to source some “modern” Nancy Meyers decor options. They are very special but not too bold or ornate. Oh, and never forget a tasteful ruffle, like this seat cushion🙂

Nancy Meyers-Inspired Living Room: Budget-Focused Version

Blue Floral Print | Couple Sitting on Grass Print | Floral Line Drawing | Brass Picture Rail System (Rods + Adjustable Hooks) | Painted Bowl | Table Lamp | Credenza | Curtains | Curtain Rod | Console Table | Painted Vase | Candelabra | Floor Lamp | Wall Plates | Rattan Roman Shade | Striped Accent Chairs | Lumbar Pillows | Rug | Woven Basket | Metal Side Table | Ottoman | Woven Tray | Beaded Candle | Brass Side Table | Small Green Vase | Sofa | Gold Sconce | Light Blue Vase | Mirror | Fireplace Tools

And here’s the much more budget-friendly version! But what’s also cool about Spoak is that all of the products you add in (which can be imported through a product link or just an image) are all saved on your project, so you don’t have to do it all over again for a different angle. So clearly, I kept the striped chairs, mirror, sofa, and a few other main pieces. Everything was just ready and waiting for me to add back in. And while there are some pieces I miss from the first version, I honestly love this one just as much. The painted ceramics to me also scream Nancy Meyers/90s-00s style.

One thing I really tried to do was create a fairly low contrast for a really soothing, happy room. I wouldn’t say that every Nancy Meyers movies does low contrast, but most do! If you aren’t sure what I mean by low contrast design, please head this way.

Rattan Roman Shade | Sketch Print Set | Striped Accent Chairs | Rug | Woven Basket | Gold Sconces | Light Blue Vase | Mirror | Fireplace Tools | Side Chair | Brown Framed Vintage Art | Vintage Figure Painting | Metal Side Table | Ottoman | Woven Tray | Beaded Candle | Brass Side Table | Small Green Vase | Sofa

Oh, both these scones and the ones from the first version are cordless! AKA no hardwiring needed. Nancy loves her many, many lamps in a room, so these sconces feel pretty important. You may have also noticed that I put a set of art pieces under each window:) It’s fun, it’s unexpected, and it helps to fill the room in a not-too-intense way! And if you love that white throw blanket, I’m so sorry, but that was one of many stock items Spoak has for you to choose from (so I don’t know where it’s from). I used that blanket, some frames, and the fig leaf tree. So helpful to just add some more layering without having to search for it.

So there you have it, two Nancy Meyers-inspired living rooms that I hope help this reader make the living room they are dreaming of. We’re going to continue to play and utilize Spoak, so if you want to throw your room in the hat, you can submit here.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Bethany Nauert | From: Lisa’s House: Living Room