Decorating
9 Things 'The Devil Wears Prada' Can Teach Us About Our Homes
Can this classic film set in the offices of a fashion magazine influence your home’s style?
In an occasional Houzz series on classic films, books, exhibitions and plays to inspire a whole interiors look, the spotlight is cast, this time, on The Devil Wears Prada. Not seen the film? Set in the offices of a fictional high-end fashion magazine in New York, the movie is packed with memorable put-downs and follows aspiring journalist Andrea (“Andy”) Sachs (Anne Hathaway), and her ice-cold editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep).
While the film is all about fashion – and Miranda’s scathing observations on other people’s clothes – as with all things lifestyle, one aspect often links to another, and it’s also a helpful reminder of what’s a hit and a miss when it comes to our homes. So check out this list and take it all on board – and just pray the Devil doesn’t purse her lips at your style.
While the film is all about fashion – and Miranda’s scathing observations on other people’s clothes – as with all things lifestyle, one aspect often links to another, and it’s also a helpful reminder of what’s a hit and a miss when it comes to our homes. So check out this list and take it all on board – and just pray the Devil doesn’t purse her lips at your style.
Get creative with florals…
“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” It’s one of the film’s most catty lines drawled, of course, by Miranda during a pitch for spring fashion ideas. And she’s right – florals are the go-to for spring style in interior design, too, which means they can be an overdone fixture on the calendar around this time.
That’s not to say we can’t use them, but there’s also plenty of room to reinvent this seasonal emblem. Try going for pared-back floral elements over bombastic prints – this bedroom provides a refreshing floral alternative, where black and white bedding is spring in its chic-est form.
“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” It’s one of the film’s most catty lines drawled, of course, by Miranda during a pitch for spring fashion ideas. And she’s right – florals are the go-to for spring style in interior design, too, which means they can be an overdone fixture on the calendar around this time.
That’s not to say we can’t use them, but there’s also plenty of room to reinvent this seasonal emblem. Try going for pared-back floral elements over bombastic prints – this bedroom provides a refreshing floral alternative, where black and white bedding is spring in its chic-est form.
…and don’t forget real flowers
Scatterings of lone flowers can often do the trick, too, so use them to dress up any lonely spaces, whether as a centrepiece or ornamentally positioned in an under-loved nook.
This rustic vintage table decoration is an example of how to tastefully incorporate florals into your home without overdoing things.
Scatterings of lone flowers can often do the trick, too, so use them to dress up any lonely spaces, whether as a centrepiece or ornamentally positioned in an under-loved nook.
This rustic vintage table decoration is an example of how to tastefully incorporate florals into your home without overdoing things.
Go for a hint of saloon
In the scene where Miranda and art director Nigel (Stanley Tucci) are deciding what to include in the coming issue’s fashion stories, Miranda holds up a flamboyant orange skirt and asks Nigel’s opinion. In response, he proclaims: “Well, you know me. Give me a full ballerina skirt and a hint of saloon, and I’m on board.” Ballerinas might be pushing things interiors-wise, but a hint of saloon style can work a treat.
To replicate it in your home, go for reclaimed soda bottles and boxes, or Americana-style memorabilia. This enamel Coca-Cola sign is a fun makeshift splashback, and adds a slice of saloon style to this kitchen.
See more eclectic kitchens in photos
In the scene where Miranda and art director Nigel (Stanley Tucci) are deciding what to include in the coming issue’s fashion stories, Miranda holds up a flamboyant orange skirt and asks Nigel’s opinion. In response, he proclaims: “Well, you know me. Give me a full ballerina skirt and a hint of saloon, and I’m on board.” Ballerinas might be pushing things interiors-wise, but a hint of saloon style can work a treat.
To replicate it in your home, go for reclaimed soda bottles and boxes, or Americana-style memorabilia. This enamel Coca-Cola sign is a fun makeshift splashback, and adds a slice of saloon style to this kitchen.
See more eclectic kitchens in photos
Call on cerulean
“It’s not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean.” After Miranda disdainfully uttered this clarification, I’ll never look at a shade of blue in the same way again. Delivered in the most casual fashion, this line brought cerulean, the lesser known swirl of blue, to the masses.
Splash it across larger, lonely features, such as a front door or kitchen island, or a few chairs to give any piece a touch of the azure. Just don’t let your guests leave thinking it’s “just blue”.
“It’s not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean.” After Miranda disdainfully uttered this clarification, I’ll never look at a shade of blue in the same way again. Delivered in the most casual fashion, this line brought cerulean, the lesser known swirl of blue, to the masses.
Splash it across larger, lonely features, such as a front door or kitchen island, or a few chairs to give any piece a touch of the azure. Just don’t let your guests leave thinking it’s “just blue”.
Play with context
On the verge of fashion transformation, Andy looks to Nigel for some tips. He offers her a vividly hued poncho, something she hesitates to accept. But, as those with a good eye for style know well, the unusual is usually where the statement and success lie… especially when something is worn in a fresh, new way.
On the verge of fashion transformation, Andy looks to Nigel for some tips. He offers her a vividly hued poncho, something she hesitates to accept. But, as those with a good eye for style know well, the unusual is usually where the statement and success lie… especially when something is worn in a fresh, new way.
Take this mantra into your home and introduce an element of surprise and contrast into your décor. Nigel would surely be all for the idea of a wittily positioned life-size giraffe in an elegant flat full of valuable artworks (as above).
On a perhaps more manageable scale, start with small accessories or shelf-fillers. You could try introducing a set of kitsch plastic figurines to a marble mantelpiece, or a flash of bold wallpaper to an otherwise classically decorated hallway.
Small spaces such as cloakrooms – almost stand-alone spaces in terms of a home’s decoration – are also an excellent place to try out a quirky or bold design element.
On a perhaps more manageable scale, start with small accessories or shelf-fillers. You could try introducing a set of kitsch plastic figurines to a marble mantelpiece, or a flash of bold wallpaper to an otherwise classically decorated hallway.
Small spaces such as cloakrooms – almost stand-alone spaces in terms of a home’s decoration – are also an excellent place to try out a quirky or bold design element.
Document your transformation
“Is there a before and after piece I don’t know about?” Nigel asks Miranda, unkindly, the first time he sees Andy, who’s wearing a decidedly non-fashion-mag outfit. Luckily, before the film is over, he’s on hand to give her a makeover.
While this may seem obvious, there’s a lesson to be learnt here when looking at our homes, too. Keeping tabs on all the work completed in your own space and how it looked before and after you applied your Midas touch is a great way to motivate you, push your boundaries and perhaps even add to the appeal of the home. (Who doesn’t love a good “Wow” while showing off the “before” snaps?).
Just as when Nigel sees Andy put together a stunning original outfit herself at the end of the film, there’s nothing quite like knowing you did good work.
“Is there a before and after piece I don’t know about?” Nigel asks Miranda, unkindly, the first time he sees Andy, who’s wearing a decidedly non-fashion-mag outfit. Luckily, before the film is over, he’s on hand to give her a makeover.
While this may seem obvious, there’s a lesson to be learnt here when looking at our homes, too. Keeping tabs on all the work completed in your own space and how it looked before and after you applied your Midas touch is a great way to motivate you, push your boundaries and perhaps even add to the appeal of the home. (Who doesn’t love a good “Wow” while showing off the “before” snaps?).
Just as when Nigel sees Andy put together a stunning original outfit herself at the end of the film, there’s nothing quite like knowing you did good work.
Brave black
Emily’s gala dress? All black. Andy at the end of the movie in Paris? Sporting an inspired black outfit.
It’s a fashion classic and yet many of us are often hesitant to go all out black in our homes. In the right space, however, it can look so good. In a bright space, a black scheme is eye-catching, bold and downright daring, while in small spaces, a dark but soft hue (think Farrow & Ball’s Downpipe) is all kinds of cosy and comfort. And if you’re really looking to make a space stand out, get creative with a bit of brickwork and paint it black rather than whitewashing it – très chic.
See more ideas for grey rooms
Emily’s gala dress? All black. Andy at the end of the movie in Paris? Sporting an inspired black outfit.
It’s a fashion classic and yet many of us are often hesitant to go all out black in our homes. In the right space, however, it can look so good. In a bright space, a black scheme is eye-catching, bold and downright daring, while in small spaces, a dark but soft hue (think Farrow & Ball’s Downpipe) is all kinds of cosy and comfort. And if you’re really looking to make a space stand out, get creative with a bit of brickwork and paint it black rather than whitewashing it – très chic.
See more ideas for grey rooms
Be ruthlessly true to your vision
Trends come and go, but if there’s one thing Miranda Priestly taught us, it’s that nothing you really want comes easily unless you follow your own vision. You can dress up your home in the latest Pantone colours, or revitalise it with a few furniture classics, but real style ultimately comes from you. So while there’s many a lesson we can glean from the film, perhaps the key learning is the very one that overrides them all: know what you want, know your style and know yourself.
This homeowner made patterned tiles in her bathroom work even though she describes them as “quite crazy and not for everyone” (see below for a link to the interview and tour). But one look at this Mediterranean meets vintage bathroom, and you know that even the Devil herself might just have the very (very) slightest smile on her face.
See inside a classic bathroom lifted with bold, bespoke tiles
TELL US…
Which film or TV show has inspired a part of your home, and how? Share your style secrets in the Comments below.
Trends come and go, but if there’s one thing Miranda Priestly taught us, it’s that nothing you really want comes easily unless you follow your own vision. You can dress up your home in the latest Pantone colours, or revitalise it with a few furniture classics, but real style ultimately comes from you. So while there’s many a lesson we can glean from the film, perhaps the key learning is the very one that overrides them all: know what you want, know your style and know yourself.
This homeowner made patterned tiles in her bathroom work even though she describes them as “quite crazy and not for everyone” (see below for a link to the interview and tour). But one look at this Mediterranean meets vintage bathroom, and you know that even the Devil herself might just have the very (very) slightest smile on her face.
See inside a classic bathroom lifted with bold, bespoke tiles
TELL US…
Which film or TV show has inspired a part of your home, and how? Share your style secrets in the Comments below.
The film’s opening scene tours a raft of New York’s stylish homes and their impeccably styled residents for a full sweep of the best of the city’s style.
For a classic Manhattan look, as glimpsed in the film, opt for bare brick when possible, add plenty of shelving space for your own little home library, and be liberal with monochrome.
This living room has got it down to a tee, looking both classic and contemporary. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also the former home of Vogue creative director Grace Coddington. Now that’s something Miranda might approve of.