Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
As awards season comes to an end, the spotlight is on Hollywood. This made me think about films where the architecture is integral to the plot, where a home becomes an important character. This list of 10 is certainly not all inclusive. I have resisted including movies just because the set design is perfection, such as A Single Man or Something's Gotta Give. Also, I have never seen The Fountainhead, because it's my favorite book. Please chime in below in the Comments section about any I've overlooked.
Some call it a beautiful love story. Some call it a scary tale of living in a raccoon- and flea-infested, cat urine–filled house. Most land somewhere in between the two. If you haven't seen Grey Gardens, you are missing out on a slew of cultural references and you don't even know it.
Watch the original documentary first, let it marinate and then rent the HBO film that stars Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore as the two Edies. The latter will answer a lot of questions, and the set designers did an amazing job of imagining and representing the home in its full glory.
Long before Tom Hanks was stuck on a deserted island, he was stuck with this terrible house and went through a renovation nightmare. I still get sucked into this house every time it airs. Tom Hanks is absolutely hilarious, but the house itself steals the show. Watch it during the frustrating parts of a renovation to see how things could be much worse.
A big, empty brick house plays a big role in this blockbuster. Somehow these parents manage to leave their son Kevin home alone, and he has to not only take care of himself, but also protect the house from a couple of inept burglars.
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! This movie brought about a new way to describe a certain style of interior décor. "It was a total Beetlejuice living room" immediately conjures up odd proportions, a dash of bravura modern and extreme use of color. You have to see the movie to really understand.
Housesitter opens with Steve Martin, playing an architect, proposing to his girlfriend in front of a beautiful white home he's designed with a red bow wrapped around it. She says no. Enter Goldie Hawn, who has always dreamed of living in such a home.
Another movie with a great house (like all Nancy Meyers movies) is It's Complicated, where once again Martin plays an architect. Architect is the cool job screenwriters often give characters.
This movie is so boring that I fell dead asleep in the middle of it, but the glass house on the lake and the way it connects the two main characters is of the utmost importance to the plot. It's also a really neat-looking house; along with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, it's easy on the eyes. However, if you just want to watch these two actors and you want to stay awake, I recommend renting Speed instead.
This is one of the most depressing movies I have ever seen in my life, but I cannot think of another movie where the house is as central to the plot. Also, Ben Kingsley, Jennifer Connelley and Shohreh Aghdashloo give amazing performances.
If any of you haven't seen The Notebook (you've seen it either at least 10 times or not at all), I don't want to ruin any surprises, but the incredible renovation of a house and the reasons for doing it are very important.
In The Holiday, the entire plot is created by the two main characters' swapping of homes. One is a cozy little cottage in the U.K., the other is a large and sleek Hollywood home. Because this is a Nancy Meyers movie (like It's Complicated and Something's Gotta Give), both are dreamy. Due to the temporary new digs, life changes for the two main characters ensue.
In Sofia Coppolla's Marie Antoinette, the palace at Versailles plays a major role, from at first imprisoning Marie Antoinette, to later representing so many of the excesses that drove the French Revolution. Another important set is Antoinette's special getaway, the Petit Trianon, a smaller chateau on the property.
I know I am missing movies where a home steals the show. Please share your favorites in the Comments section.
Memorable quote from "Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House" (Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, 1948):
Mrs Blandings: I want it to be a soft green, not as blue-green as a robin's egg, but not as yellow-green as daffodil buds. Now, the only sample I could get is a little too yellow, but don't let whoever does it go to the other extreme and get it too blue. It should just be a sort of grayish-yellow-green. Now, the dining room. I'd like yellow. Not just yellow; a very gay yellow. Something bright and sunshine-y. I tell you, Mr. PeDelford, if you'll send one of your men to the grocer for a pound of their best butter, and match that exactly, you can't go wrong! Now, this is the paper we're going to use in the hall. It's flowered, but I don't want the ceiling to match any of the colors of the flowers. There's some little dots in the background, and it's these dots I want you to match. Not the little greenish dot near the hollyhock leaf, but the little bluish dot between the rosebud and the delphinium blossom. Is that clear? Now the kitchen is to be white. Not a cold, antiseptic hospital white. A little warmer, but still, not to suggest any other color but white. Now for the powder room - in here - I want you to match this thread, and don't lose it. It's the only spool I have and I had an awful time finding it! As you can see, it's practically an apple red. Somewhere between a healthy winesap and an unripened Jonathan. Oh, excuse me...
Mr. PeDelford: You got that Charlie?
Charlie, Painter: Red, green, blue, yellow, white.
Mr. PeDelford: Check.
The animated movie, The Incredibles, directed by Brad Bird, has some of the most amazing mid-century homes I've ever seen. I've attached some images of the family house, as well as Edna Mode's (the character was voiced by the director) house. I've also included a link to a clip that has some good shots of the interior of Edna's house (and is really funny).
If you haven't seen it, the movie would be worth it for the architecture and design, alone, but it's also a great movie.
And nita47, that's one of my favorite parts of "Mr. Blandings . . " I've always made it a point to give a client this movie if we're starting a new home or "The Money Pit" if we're starting the renovation of their existing home. Then we get to back and say, "now we're in the part of the movie when . . ." Always good for a chuckle and then moving on.
The Money Pit - one of my all time favorite movies. I still lose it (along with Tom Hanks) when the bathtub falls thru the floor. And Home Alone? That is an absolutely stunning interior! Especially the master bedroom. Even if it is just for one month (December), it's gorgeous. Beetlejuice - the fireplace scarred me for life! And turned me off black and white stripes forever.
I fell in LOVE with the house in Hand That Rocks the Cradle. A beautiful Craftsman home with Mission Oak furniture. I almost yelled out, "Don't throw that chair! It's Mission Oak"!
Becky...Under the Tuscan sun is one of my very favorites and the beach house in 'Something's Got to Give' and 'Nights in Rodanthe' are two more favorites. LOVED this article and you inspired me to finally rent Grey Gardens...I've been meaning to see it for a long, long time!
Becky, love this ideabook! So fun to remember all of these homes. One of my favorites was always the house in Father of the Bride... if only we could live on movie sets!!
"Pacific Heights" (1990) - The story of a house that's lovingly rebuilt, and subsequently demolished by a tenant from hell.
"Christmas in Connecticut" (1945) - I love how the architect walks the publisher through the house, pointing out all the modern details...
"Auntie Mame" (1958) - The Beekman Place apartment gets redecorated every few years - in one case, to help break off an unfortunate engagement - How can you not love that?
"It's Complicated"... in the movie Meryl Streep is planning to remodel using her architect/love interest, Steve Martin. The remodel is a great vehicle in the movie, but I'd take it as is! (You only really see the kitchen and landscape, but it's wonderful.)
bepsf, I was thinking about Amityville, and Eddie Murphy talking about it in his stand up in the '80s as I was writing this. I also happened to catch some of War of the Roses just recently (I don't think I'd seen it since I saw it in the theater) - can't believe I forgot that one.
Life as a House has become one of my favorite movies. Kevin Kline is awesome.
Nita: Hilarious!!!
* I can't sign off without taking up for "The Lake House". I love that movie, however my husband did sleep thru at least part of it (LOL).
Christopher Plummer just won an Oscar for his supporting role in Beginnings. I reckon his character's house deserves one, too - a fantastic mid-century modern. It's a great film with a great house.
acwink, I actually had Practical Magic on my original list, along with Psycho, but I felt the house itself didn't play a major role in the movie like the ones in this did. My list of favorite movie houses would be very different, and that one would be on there for sure!
"Something's Gotta Give" is THE movie house. We're in the process of building our dream home, based on that house — and we live in Kansas! I've started a blog about the building process:
"Nights in Rodanthe" with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. The beautiful old "bed and breakfast" house right on the ocean. It has since been destroyed in a hurricane--so sad.
my favorite is the house in The Ghostwriter. It's somewhere on the north German coast, I believe, even though the movie takes place in London & the US. That house just took my breath away, as did the art collection, the setting and the furnishings. WOW!
Love, love, loved the house in "Panic Room". Fueled my fascination for Manhattan Brownstones. Was so sorry they had to move; would love to have seen it renovated!
Ever since I was a little girl I fell in love with the California house in the original "Parent Trap". The whole layout of the property and home are unforgettable.
"Life As A House" Kevin Kine and Hayden Christensen are amazing. The house is under construction for the whole movie, but is the focus of the most beautiful message of redemption.
What About Bob? The summer house on Lake Winnepsauki (spelling may be wrong) plays a big role in the film. Beautiful architechture. Dynamite setting (pun intended). Becky check out Songs From Another Room for the Art Deco architechture juxtaposed against British Townhome Architechture from the turn of the 20th century. Gorgeous. Your articles are tops, Becky. Thanks.
One thing that has come out of this ideabook that I did not expect was a great list of movies for my queue! Thank you all so much for your suggestions!
Auntie Mame with Roz Russell as interesting because she changed the decor according to her mood. Love two French films, Jean de Florette & Manon Des Sources, set in Provence in the South of France in the early twentieth century, and centres on a farm. Like Water for Chocolate has some awesome kitchen scenes which is why I also love Babetters Feast. Love Swedish, Japanses movies based in a home.
Oh, how I pine for that non-existant Practical Magic house! I will remember the house longer than some plot points... Also, it's not a movie, but I must mention the gorgeous Downton Abbey, which happily, does exist: Highclere Castle.
I don't really remember too much of the movie, but the house in Jumanji was great. Also, I watch A Good Year, at least ONCE a year, just to see the grounds and house! As a seasoned renovator of our very own "Money Pit" I really enjoyed this article. We've often compared our house to that movie. Ours is a 1916 Eaton's catalogue home that has almost totally been redone from the foundation all the way up to the attic. It will be 10 years this summer since we started. We had just had our third child when we moved in and now have 6, including 4 month old twins. The first few years it felt like we were camping out in a house, but now we are comfortable in our home.
The beautiful California ranch house in the original Parent Trap, inhabited by Brian Keith as the dad in the movie, always steals the show; edit: ah, but that would be for the "favorite" list, sorry
