The Holiday (Surrey, England)
The holidays are upon us, and there’s only one film I want playing on repeat. This movie makes you feel as though you’ve been invited into the characters’ cozy homes, experiencing the sets firsthand. It welcomes everyday living into its interiors, inspiring you to embrace warm, eclectic pieces when styling your space. Cozy, beautiful, and timeless, it’s my favorite movie of all time—and, of course, a Nancy Meyers classic. A toast to The Holiday.
Rosehill Cottage: Surrey England
Stepping into a winter wonderland, we enter Iris’s home at Rosehill Cottage in Surrey, England. Listing #25422—“an enchanting oasis of tranquility in a quiet English hamlet, just forty minutes from exciting London,” in case you’re looking. What we find is the definition of an English cottage. A cobblestone wraparound fence, a blue color on the wooden gate that lingers to the front door, and warmly lit windows. The façade creates a warm scene, with smoke curling from symmetrical fireplaces at either end of the home and a light blanket of snow resting on the overgrown ground. An uneven gabled roof completes the look of an enchanting storybook cottage that is just waiting to invite us in.
Iris’ Kitchen:
As we open the front door and step inside Iris’s home, a hot tea kettle sits waiting on the mini stove- how charming is that? The kitchen uses a classic blue-and-white palette, with blue cabinets and windows set against creamy stone walls that serve like a textured canvas in the background. A vintage rug covers the warm brick floor, softened by the wear of cozy years.
If I could personally add anything to my dream home, it would be a fireside table in the kitchen—just like Iris’s—paired beside a passed-down or thrifted dining table. These are the details that make my soul want to watch this movie every day.
Set designer Nancy Meyers has done an incredible job of showcasing a well lived-in home. Everyday kitchen items—such as plates, spices, and small appliances—are left on display, suggesting the characters' daily use. This is what I truly love about the cottage—the lived-in details that make it easy to relate to our own way of living.
Living Room & Primary Bedroom Suite:
Heading up the stairs and ducking under the wooden beam, we enter the primary bedroom, where the staircase opens directly into the room. Its vintage, restored white iron bed with floral details makes us feel like we could find a similar frame at our own local vintage market. The audience can sense an eclectic, collected style that is reflected in the “passed-down” furnishings, with mismatched lamps and nightstands, walls adorned with assorted artwork, and stacks of books tucked into quirky shelves—giving the space the feeling of items having been gathered over time.
In the bathroom, a picture window is centered on the stone wall, while a clawfoot tub—roughly 60” long by my estimate (eyeballing dimensions from experience)—takes center stage. These elements hint at the character’s lifestyle as a true homebody, while the home’s design mirrors their charming personality.
Set Note:
After falling in love with the Millhouse Cottage, the fact that it is nonexistent might break your heart. The crew actually built the home specifically for the film’s set. However, if you’re looking for a little getaway in the States, rumor has it that someone has recreated a cottage just like the one from the film in Ellijay, North Georgia.
Graham's house: Mill House in Wonersh, Surrey, England
Let’s open the wooden garden gate, nestled within stone, and follow the aged brick pavers to find ourselves at Mill House. A traditional English brick cottage with leaded diamond windows and dormers that provide the ultimate charm, all inviting us through its wood painted door that introduces its old soul.
Entry & Family Room:
Inside, white walls are contrasted by walnut-stained trim around the arches and along the stairwell. A runner accents the stairs, softening the sound of heavy footsteps, while black-and-white framed photographs line the walls up to the second floor, offering glimpses of those who call this home. The Family room is filled with a yellowing palette of lined pleated drapes, and mismatched furniture. Layers of art and decor fill the space, revealing the heart of the home.
Mr. Napkin Heads Kitchen:
Hot chocolate in the kitchen? Come sit at the dining table that replaces a kitchen island while we wait for Mr. Napkin Head. The terracotta floor tiles bring warm, earthy tones, adding depth and character to the space. Wall sconces run parallel beside the beautiful antique range, which appears original to the home. The standout feature is the floating cabinetry, unlike anything we’ve seen before—almost like a thrifted furniture piece that was once needed and left in place. We can see a resemblance as to how Graham and Iris may have grown up, in a home full of old souls and plenty of charm.
Sofi & Olivia’s Bedroom:
As we see the door open into a magical space, we are greeted with cozy warm tones and a tent made out of playful mixed and matched linen sheets and lace. It creates a whimsical charm, perfectly sparking any little girl's imagination. Glittering stars hang delicately above, filling the room with an enchanting glow that makes you wish you could sleep under the gold stars in the tent tonight.
The tent itself is homemade with love, like a fresh batch of frosted cookies with all the sprinkles. Throughout the home, the girls’ sparkling personalities shine through with paper-mâché creations adorn on bookshelves and walls, layering the space with a sense of wonder and joy.
In the movie The Holiday, we see that there is so much more behind a pretty home. Whether you want to add warmth to your cottage or highlight the people who might live there, set designer Nancy Meyers encourages us to embrace our spaces as seen through the work she has done in the film. Have the gumption to make your house your own. Now, in search for another listing for a potential house swap, but for now fill out the survey to see how we can work together to bring your personality into every quirky corner. Happy New Year!
Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright to all images. No copyright infringement is intended. Photos sourced from Pinterest.
