Movie lovers know that sometimes the real star of a film is the stunning home where the story unfolds. Films like Sabrina and The Devil Wears Prada are filled with spaces that inspire everything from a full-scale makeover to a few simple decor updates. Whether it's a cozy kitchen where pans double as decoration or a stylish living room with chic artwork all over the walls, these cinematic spaces linger long after the credits roll.
One DIY expert has made a habit of turning that inspiration into reality. Anna Page, founder of The Page Edit, first went viral in 2023 after transforming her New York City apartment into a space inspired by the timeless, cozy aesthetic of a Nancy Meyers film.
"I watch a lot of specific movies for comfort, and they just make me feel cozy and warm inside. They provide a lot of inspiration," says Page. "It's kind of like romanticizing your life, pulling something from a movie that's generally not real. It's like getting to live with an almost imaginary piece for real."
Page has done that time and time again, taking design ideas from movies and making them her own both functionally and aesthetically. Here are five of her favorite film-inspired DIY projects she's completed in her Manhattan apartment (which she's since moved out of), along with a few recent ideas from her new family home in Georgia. Just grab some popcorn and start scrolling!
The Devil Wears Prada
It doesn't get much more iconic than The Devil Wears Prada. As a commentary on the fashion industry, there's design inspiration at every turn.
"In the office, there's a huge gallery wall. The wall is just covered," says Page. "I love adding gallery walls to any blank wall that I can. But even though my taste is a little more traditional, that one inspired me to pull in some black and white pieces that feel a little more sleek, and they do gallery walls very well in that movie."
Sabrina
While Sabrina takes place in a mansion on Long Island, Page is more interested in the tiny cottage above the garage where the chauffeur's daughter, Sabrina, lives.
"They have this fireplace that's partially brick and partially drywall," says Page. "It was one of the things that inspired me because when we moved into our house, we had this huge all-brick fireplace, and it felt a little cold. So I was like, 'How could I make that a little bit cozier?' So we partially closed it off with some of the brick peaking through."
Page took her movie-inspired space to the next level with the styling of her bookcase: "I just threw stuff up there and put some picture frames, and it gives such a lived-in feel, which I think is what people are starting to gravitate towards a little bit."
You've Got Mail
You've Got Mail is a classic for a reason — it's almost impossible not to romanticize the idea of living in a cute Manhattan apartment while falling in love anonymously.
"In Kathleen Kelly's apartment, she has a checkerboard floor. I did a renter-friendly version of that in our previous apartment," says Page. "They were these black and white faux tiles, and they were kind of made of vinyl, but they were peel-and-stick. It gave a really fun pop of pattern."
While living in a rented space can pose design-related issues, there are plenty of renter-friendly solutions you can try. Take Page's floor, for example — she was able to bring in a piece from one of her favorite films with a simple DIY project (without spending a fortune).
Julie & Julia
Although Page does not claim to be a chef, she does take inspiration from Nora Ephron's Julie & Julia, specifically falling in love with the idea of a copper pot rail in the kitchen.
"In our New York apartment, I didn't have an island. I didn't have room above my stove. But we did have a random window in our kitchen that looked out to a lovely brick wall," says Page. "I got a pot rail from Etsy, and we hung pots and pans in front of that window. It was such a charming little detail to add to the space."
Sure, there might not be tons of space available in your home, but there's always a creative space-saving solution hidden somewhere. Not only does a pot rail add personality, it also acts as extra storage.
It's Complicated
Possibly the queen of building cozy lived-in interiors for her characters, Nancy Meyers knows how to create a charming nook. It's Complicated is a prime example of that.
"A lot of Nancy Meyers movies have very cozy eating situations," says Page. "In our house we just moved into, we have this breakfast room off the kitchen. I wanted it to feel very cozy, where you just want to go sit and have a cup of coffee and eat your breakfast. So we did a wallpapered dining nook that has a dining bench, a round table and upholstered chairs."
While not the same style-wise, Page brings in the communal feel all dining nooks seem to evoke in her own way, creating a space that works for her. And that concept goes for all movie-inspired ideas. It's not about trying to "copy and paste," according to Page. It's all about the way a space makes you feel.
Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.
