Nancy Meyer-Inspired Kitchen Ideas: Cabinets, Colors, Counters

If you’ve ever admired a classic, warm kitchen with charm and timeless elements, chances are, it was inspired by Nancy Meyers. The kitchens and homes in Nancy’s movies are well-known for their homey, lived-in look – a look that transcends time and appeals to a wide range of styles and tastes. 

But what is her secret sauce? Personally, my sauce comes from a Kraft Dinner cheese package (or Mr. Noodles salt sack – pick your poison). I have a feeling Nancy Meyers’ kitchens don’t see a ton of KD (sad shame).  

And while there are tons of blog posts written about Nancy Meyers’ aesthetic and decorative touches, those aren’t my wheelhouse. Instead, this color cowgirl is talking about Nancy-inspired paint colors for cabinets and walls.

By the way, did you know that I can’t legally show images of Nancy Meyers’ kitchens under Copyright law? This is another reason that 99.5% of the images on my site are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends only! 

That’s also why this blog post is info-heavy and to the point. Just joking, y’all know I love to hear myself talk. I have MANY points to make, and you’re gonna hear ’em! 

COMMONLY RECOMMENDED NANCY MEYER’S CABINET COLORS

There’s no actual list of colors used in Nancy Meyers’ kitchens, as they’re apparently ‘custom-mixed’ for each project. Fair enough. Good thing I have eyeballs and a buttload of experience. In other words, this isn’t my first rodeo, and I have the best color ideas to give you the Nancy Meyers look. 

Color is the foundation of every Nancy Meyer space. 

SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE KITCHEN

While many lean into cream for the Something’s Gotta Give look, those cabinets aren’t as creamy as you think. How do I know? Find an image online showing the sink compared to the cabinets – they just aren’t that creamy (as farmhouse sinks are dang white). 

Let’s take a look at the whites I recommend for the Something’s Gotta Give look, along with a few more tips…

WHAT COLOR ARE THE CABINETS?

These are warm white cabinets, not true or bright white. Check out Sherwin Williams Alabaster, Benjamin Moore White Dove, Cloud White, or sample and compare a full range with my Curated White Color bundle. 

If you want a creamier look, check out Sherwin Williams Creamy, Benjamin Moore White Down, and Navajo White…but tread carefully. 

Remember, Nancy Meyers’ kitchens have custom-mixed colors; there is no ‘exact color’ available. If I gave you an exact color, I’d literally be making it up. 

Here’s your Peel & Stick of my favorite suggestion, Benjamin Moore White Dove…

Here’s a look at my next fave, Alabaster…

Sherwin Williams Alabaster (as shown in my client’s home above and below) has a beautifully soft look, no matter your room’s exposure…

Never stark, sharp, or crisp, Nancy Meyers’ kitchens offer a repeatable palette. From there, it’s up to you to add the details and charm! 

WHAT ARE THE COUNTERTOPS & BACKSPLASH?

While you might think there’s only one, there are two countertops. One is a dark charcoal gray (low sheen) – likely soapstone. The other one is on the outer island and is slightly glossier (likely black granite). Learn about the most timeless countertop ideas (including the above counters).

Next, notice how the subway tile is a classic 3 x 6 size with no gratuitous details. This really wraps up the It’s Complicated/Nancy Meyers kitchen look. 

I’ve been preachin’ to the choir for years (some of whom don’t have great hearing) that the most timeless backsplash tile is subway tile. This is something Nancy and I agree on. Luckily, I know the best white subway tiles. 

‘IT’S COMPLICATED’ INSPIRED KITCHEN DESIGN

If you’re inspired by complicated things, let me introduce you to me… and the It’s Complicated kitchen. 

Compared to Something’s Gotta Give, the It’s Complicated kitchen offers a more ‘lived-in, loved-in’ look. With gentler, more organic roots, this kitchen is a bit less Hamptons and a bit more homey. Which is different from homie, although both have their place in our house.

This look won’t suit the ‘average suburban home’, but not everyone has that. You do you, boo.  

The look of the cabinets, open shelving, and walls in this kitchen varies greatly depending on the image and the lighting/editing used. I’ve tried to land on a ‘happy medium’ with my color suggestions. Also, because this kitchen isn’t at popular, I’m bullet-pointing this bad boy…

• CABINET COLOR: Muted tan cabinets (lower) with open upper shelving. Some popular colors to sample include Sherwin Williams Sandbar, Loggia, Barcelona Beige, Benjamin Moore Grant Beige, and Bleeker Beige. To sample and compare a wider range of colors, check out my Curated Tan Color Bundle. 
• WALLS: Warm, creamy white or barely off-white walls. Sample a range including Sherwin Williams Creamy, Alabaster, Shell White, Cotton, Benjamin Moore Cloud White.
• BACKSPLASH TILE: Note how the 4 x 4 tile has a Zellige-ish look, with rectified edges. Some of the tiles pick up the warmth of the walls. Read about tile trends. 

Here’s your Peel & Stick of my favorite suggestion, Benjamin Moore Grant Beige…

Remember, these are professionally lit sets, and colors will change based on your room’s interior lighting and exposure. This is why sampling a range is important! 

 

The Holiday-Inspired Nancy Meyers’ Kitchen

While The Holiday isn’t as well-known as Something’s Gotta Give, it has a cult-like following, thanks to its beautiful blue cabinets. This shows that you don’t always need white cabinets for a Nancy Meyers look (though the classic Nancy look is warm white). 

When exploring blue cabinets like those in The Holiday, the first question is: ‘Are they blue-green, blue-purple, or just blue?’ The second is ‘How much gray is mixed in‘, and the third, ‘How dark are they?‘ Let’s find out some answers.

Here’s your Peel & Stick of the beautiful blue hue, Stardew…

These cabinets are blue, leaning slightly toward green. As for gray, it’s there, but not dominant enough to take over. Re: depth, I bet they’re in the 45 LRV range, give or take a few. This has me thinking of… not much.

• CABINETS: It’s slimmer pickin’s for this look. Check out Sherwin Williams Stardew, Rain (a touch more green and color mixed in), Benjamin Moore Silver Mink (a bit more gray-green mixed in, but still gorgeous), and Beneath the Clouds (similar, but again, there’s no 100% match). 
• WALLS: For the walls, I see a heavy dose of cream. While I might opt for a more muted, warm off-white, if you love cream, check out Sherwin Williams Casa Blanca, Benjamin Moore Navajo White, and more creams in my Curated Cream Bundle. 

The Best Blue-Gray Paint Colors

The Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors

Here’s Navajo White looking gorgeous in my client’s slightly farmhouse dining room…

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The most common questions revolve around the Something’s Gotta Give kitchen, including…

Can I paint my cabinets white and still get the Nancy Meyers look? 

Heck yes, in fact, those cabinets are white, they’re just a soft, warm white, not a stark bright one. Also, it’s the combination of cabinet style, countertops, and backsplash that makes this space timeless and badass. 

SUMMARY (TL;DR)

• Nancy Meyers’ Something’s Gotta Give kitchen features warm white cabinets, black and dark gray countertops, and a white subway-tile backsplash. It has a Hamptons-meets-homey look.
• The It’s Complicated kitchen from the Nancy Meyers film has a more rustic, organic, slightly Spanish style, led by beige-tan cabinets and warm, creamy-white walls. 
• The kitchen in Nancy Meyers’ movie The Holiday is a charming, cottage-style space with blue cabinets and creamy-toned walls.

 

So, there you have it! Want more home inspiration and update ideas? You know I’ve got it…

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