THE ROSEHILL COTTAGE: Get inspired by the cozy and charming cottage from the movie The Holiday!
- Adriely Salvador
- Dec 29, 2024
- 9 min read
Those who love romantic comedies and Christmas movies probably consider The Holiday (2006) one of their favorite films, a must-watch on Christmas Eve, and much more than that, the movie features excellent settings that warm the heart and spark the desire of anyone passionate about home decor, especially in our beloved cozy styles, so welcoming, timeless, full of charm and intimacy!
The person responsible for introducing this design into the sets, as well as being the screenwriter and director of the story, is Nancy Meyers. She is highly respected in her field and is renowned for incorporating cozy design with sophisticated touches in her films. Therefore, it's no surprise that the country cottage in the movie was carefully chosen and could never go unnoticed by lovers of cozy, cottage and similar styles.
In the movie's plot, the cottage is the official residence of the character Iris, played by Kate Winslet, and is located in Surrey, on the outskirts of London. What many might not know is that the house was built exclusively for the film's shooting, based on the demands of Mrs. Meyers, of course! The result was this beloved and highly coveted beauty. However, what many may also not know is that the actual interior of the house is completely different from what is shown in the film, what we’ll be showcasing here in this article, and that the interior was actually a set created by Sony Studios in California.
That's right! That super cozy, grandmother's cottage feel was actually far from the isolated spot in Surrey, but that’s far from being a reason for disappointment. On the contrary, a set is still an environment designed and executed by top professionals in the field, and every element present was chosen with great taste and mastery by those who truly understand the craft. That's why I want to share with you impressions of both the structure built in England and the set in California. Ready to dive in?
In the images above, we can see part of the construction process of the cottage. Nancy Meyers couldn't find a house that met the exact conditions needed for the filming of the movie. As a result, she decided to lease a rural area near London to build a cottage according to her impeccable taste, if I may say so! Hahahaha and that's how the cottage was successfully built in two weeks, with landscaping completed and accompanied by the marvelous set in California.
Absolutely everything in this set was carefully planned and executed, from the stone textures used to create a stone house with chimneys, a low wall outside with a wooden gate, to the small roof over the front door and the vintage windows, as well as the small and medium-sized trees on the sides covered in snow - this snow was also artificially added to the set. Yes, the final result of an isolated, super cozy little country cottage with decades of history, perfect for curling up by the fireplace with a freshly brewed coffee, reading a good book under a wonderful natural light coming through a large window with a view of nature on a cold afternoon was a huge success!
And here’s the grandma’s kitchen. Beautiful, cute, wonderful! Small, yet encompassing all the necessary utilities with a touch of personality in every item. An essential fireplace, loose furniture and displays of utensils, spices, traditional dishes and pots, just as a true country cottage should be. The dark wood table and chairs with floral cushions and natural fiber finishes add the rustic touch essential for the composition while the cabinets in a light vintage blue tone with matching round handles complete the perfect characterization. The chandelier also follows the classic vintage style. And the floral curtains? Of course, they're right there on the little windows!
Here we have an expanded view of the combined spaces, where it’s possible to see that, to the right of the entrance, is the kitchen, a entry hall in the middle and the living room to the left. And speaking of the entry hall, just look at how it’s designed to welcome those who arrive: a small piece of furniture with hooks for coats and accessories with a section for umbrellas. On the wall there’s a sconce with warm light to create atmosphere, a small shelf unit to the left for any utensils, a beautiful vintage rug to set the mood and define the spaces and a charming arrangement of pictures on the walls. Simple, practical and cozy!
The living room features a beautiful composition rich in textures and patterns. Curtains, upholstery, cushions and the rug following a soft and harmonious line, yet each one has its own distinct prints and colors. In the center, there's a velvet pouf that, in addition to serving as a coffee table, allows you to rest your feet whenever convenient.
The side tables are different from each other but form a creative composition. While one is a polished wood piece with a classic design, the other is a real marching drum with an adjustable glass top for better stability of objects! I love the idea!
The decor follows the foolproof script of a composition made up of table lamps, sconces, small plant pots, scented candles and pictures that harmonize with each other. The stone fireplace stands out as a key element in the space, both for its function and its rustic charming texture!
In the image below you can still see a small corner at the back where the character apparently organizes tapes, DVDs, books etc. Little corners like this are great for bringing together the resident’s tastes and preferences, revealing their identity, values and originality.
Below, another angle of the room allows us to see more of the structure as decorative elements in the space. Wooden pillars, ceramic flooring, stone textures on the wall, rugs and lighting in strategic points all come together to enhance the atmosphere.
Next, we have an image of the bedroom. The exposed ceiling with visible beams and wooden pillars in their original tone continues the rustic theme of the house. The furniture in a provençal style adds to the charm, maintaining the cozy and timeless feel. Natural fibers in decorative baskets, textured fabrics, rugs and picture compositions, along with small plant pots and lamps harmonize the space, creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth.
And finally, the bathroom. Beautiful, small and just as cozy. The design follows the same style as the other rooms in the house, with textures, lighting and a vanity, and even though the bathtub isn’t particularly large, its design is the central element of the space, fitting perfectly with both the style of the house and the size of the room. The balance between functionality and charm makes this little bathroom an inviting and intimate space, just like the rest of the home.
I’ve placed here a graphic representation of the floor plan of the two levels of the house, created by an artist who shares her work on a website. Although it’s not official, the artist was able to reproduce the house's interiors with great accuracy and verify that the levels don’t align with each other, and that’s totally fine because, as we saw earlier, the house is one thing and the interior is another, both located in different countries and executed perfectly to meet the needs of the script and the filming. This lack of perfect alignment is not an essential criterion for this kind of work, especially because Nancy Meyers JUST CAN! Hahahahaha
The ground floor includes the living room, entry/pass-through hall, powder room, kitchen, and a home office. The empty space with outside access is likely a storage area, but oh, the agony of seeing the lack of a laundry room, right? Anyway, it’s a set, Salvador! Unfortunately, in this case, some architectural solutions are completely unnecessary, just accept it!
And here we end our tour of Rosehill Cottage. It's a great inspiration, isn’t it? To get the cozy touches you want to add to your own space inspired by Mrs. Meyers’ sets, focus on:
THE RIGHT LIGHTING
Indirect lighting with warmer temperatures in strategic spots! Excellent and foolproof for creating atmosphere. Use table lamps on nightstands, side tables and above fireplaces for this effect, as well as creating a beautiful decorative composition when paired with other elements like books, ceramic vases with plants, picture frames, small sculptures, scented candles and whatever else you'd like to include, as long as they harmonize with each other and hold meaning for you.
NATURAL ELEMENTS AND QUALITY
Wood, stone and natural fibers are heavily used in Nancy Meyers' sets, but beyond the harmonious inclusion of these elements, their quality and authenticity are essential. No wallpaper that mimics stone or wood, no vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood, no polyester or other plastics in fabrics. If you don't have the choice, resources or even permission to include original elements in your home, that's okay, the effort to improve your space is what matters most and it will lead you to create your perfect environment, but if you really want and have all the conditions in your favor, follow the advice and enjoy incredible results!
FURNITURE AND DECOR
Vintage is always a surefire way to elevate your decor! Period pieces, furniture with that special touch of age or even restored or repainted items, antiques and objects that belonged to our ancestors.. anything that tells a story and has meaning to you adds value to your home. So, it's worth starting to research antique furniture stores or even checking Facebook Marketplace, where I believe it’s not too difficult to find true gems if you have a good reputation from the sellers, reliable listings and maybe a bit of luck, but it's not impossible. There’s always someone letting go of something beautiful and valuable at a fair price. Antique stores in general also offer a wide range of timeless decorative pieces that are perfect for creating a home filled with character.
CARE AND BOLDNESS
Don’t be afraid to play with combinations of different elements in a space. Start training your eye to notice the details and have fun with the possibilities. Remember that specific set of dishes you saw in the store the other day, with wide mustard-yellow cups and saucers decorated with yellow and blue arabesques? Check if you can go back there and buy it. What will it match with? How about displaying them on the wall? Or that set of red pots? What if you standardize your food containers and display them on the countertop, instead of hiding them in closed cabinets? Speaking of cabinets, how’s their finish? Could they use a special color? What about adding a little touch of life on top of your table, like a small plant in a pot or a centerpiece with greenery and dried fruit? And what about that bare wall in the hallway, how about some pictures?
Don’t hold back your imagination, dive right in! Boldness is what makes a space truly yours, allowing you to infuse your home with character and personal flair. Whether it’s a statement light fixture, a bold patterned rug, or a daring design combination, don’t shy away from taking risks. It’s the unexpected elements that often make the most memorable and exciting space, so take your time and invest in the details, but also have the courage to step outside the usual boundaries and make your home a true reflection of your style!
Another important detail: is everything clean and organized? These are the first steps! Clean, organize, discard everything that no longer serves you, get rid of clutter and allow the energy to flow. After that, just pay attention to the spaces and to yourself, to your personal needs, without moderation! Ask yourself what you would like to see when you come home, how you would like to feel, what you would like to have in this corner or that one etc. Don’t give in to limiting thoughts like "I don’t have money" or "it’s too much work," even if they are your current reality.
Always question yourself, even in the face of obstacles. This activates creativity, and creativity is essential not only for creating a beautiful little nest but for finding solutions in life. Good will is the initial drive for things to happen, and by letting it flow, fueled by creativity, you'll find yourself making beautiful transformations in your home and asking, "why didn’t I do this before?"
Start exercising your ideas and putting them into practice so that, day by day, you can imprint your essence and dedication in every detail until your home becomes your sanctuary. In return for all the effort invested, it will offer you the true well-being that a cozy home has the power to provide, inspiring you more and more to continue dedicating yourself, as well as those around you who are part of this transformation.
A true home can also be inspiring and contagious! Just make sure to surround yourself with the right people!
See you in the next post!
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