The Holiday (California)
If you enjoyed The Holiday set in Surrey, England, well you’re in luck because it’s time to house swap over to California. Here we step into homes influenced by beautiful Traditional, Mid Century and Tuscan architecture where the interiors are layered with a warm sense of nostalgia, with its dated technology and decor that make us long to relive the early 2000s all over again.
Amanda’s Home: 1883 Orlando Road, San Marino, California
Welcome to California, where the Santa Ana winds—and its stunning homes—might just blow you away. As we are introduced to Amanda’s home, a gravel driveway leads straight to a Californian-style Tuscan home, set behind a tall white stucco fence and black gates, offering a hint of the elegance that awaits inside. Floral vines accentuate the balcony above the front door, making it the home’s focal point.
The home’s exterior showcases a contrasting color palette, with white stucco walls and black window frames, allowing the terracotta roof shingles to draw the eye up in admiration. The Tuscan style continues around the back, with ivy and trees adding gentle pops of color. A refreshing pool adds a bit of eye candy, making us reminisce on summer days.
Amanda’s Entry:
As the character walks through the angled entry, we are introduced to a variety of rooms, all sharing one common feature: a contemporary interior. Cream walls and gray floors set the entry, complemented by the warmth of natural elements such as wood and jute. Notice there is no trim around the casements, which allows the wall color to flow into the next room.
Living Room:
In the living room, we see a space that sits still in simplicity, with black aluminum doors bringing in natural light to give the space a sense of relaxation. The room is styled with crisp white linen-slipcovered furniture, accessorized by chocolate-brown pillows, drapery, and ottomans.
Compared to the cottage, we see pairs of matching table lamps with large artworks beside the mantel adding a modern touch to the room. This tells us a lot about the character's personality: no handed- down items, just a feeling of a fresh start.
Kitchen:
Early in the film, the camera reveals Amanda's modern kitchen, with clean white walls contrasted by black cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Kitchen tools are perfectly organized, with nothing but the essentials on the counter. As Iris spends more time in Amanda’s home, the space begins to reflect the warmth of her personality. During a dinner party with Arthur and Miles, the kitchen comes alive with fresh red flowers and everyday tools left on the counter, reflecting a lived-in atmosphere.
Primary Bedroom:
We can see the contemporary interior continue throughout the home, apparent in Amanda’s movie room and primary bedroom. The style is not only simple, clean, and crisp, but also describes Amanda’s character perfectly—elegant, composed, and effortlessly put together.
Arthur’s Home: 163 South Rockingham Ave, Brentwood
Onto one of the film’s most darling characters: Arthur. As Iris drives up his brick driveway, we fall into anticipation. Stone pillars carrying black lanterns, framing an iron gate, all leads us into a English Style home with a cream exterior and amber roof shingles. Let’s just say, if Arthur were to have an estate sale here, I would camp out a week in advance just to enjoy the view.
The facade gives us a hint as to what lies inside, with bay windows that provide a sense of traditionalism, an entry dressed with columns on both ends, and door hardware in antique brass that looks as if it’s never been changed out, retaining a beautiful patina. If you look closely, you will see some character on the facade, including small vertical windows by the door that, in my curious mind, seem to lead to nowhere—or a coat closet?
Arthur’s Entry & Office:
As the door opens and we step inside, we are wide-eyed in an entry lined with beige grasscloth wallpaper. Framed artwork—likely holding memories from different chapters of his life—hangs along the walls, perfectly paired with cream-trimmed case openings that lead into rooms of wonder.
Arthur’s office (formally known as the den), has a lived-in feeling to it. Inside the curved screen doors, layers of stacked papers rest on a wood desk, illuminated by metal task lamps while a worn Eames chair sits nearby, holding newspaper articles dating with time. The wood-paneled walls are decorated with awards, trophies, photographs, and cassette tapes, all marking the milestones of his career. To me, items like these serve as decoration in the truest sense, as they define the character’s story within the space.
Formal Living Room:
In contrast, the formal living room features white walls and neutral furnishings, creating a bright, clean space that was once frequently used, as indicated by the over-decorated mantel. The artwork ranges from framed sketches to paintings of cubism, reflecting a collection built over time. The fireplace is detailed with traditional elements, including ribboned molding that has remained timeless. While each room has its own distinct style, the warmth and classic architectural bones of the home are what keep it alive.
Miles home: 2210 Neutra Place in the Silver Lake area of LA
Two notes and you have a mid-century home.
During the production of this movie, we catch quick glimpses of Miles’ home—a mid-century residence. Individual cement steps lead up to the front gate, while the house itself is defined by geometric shapes, large glass panels, a long facade, and low rooflines. In the kitchen, sleek orange wood stands out, providing a cohesive look throughout both the interior and exterior of the home. The oversized windows bring the outdoors in, allowing the landscaping and garden to intertwine with the interior space.
Miles’ Home Office:
In the music room (Miles’ office), we see an arrangement of leather furniture, the same wood cabinets, and musical instruments paired with work technology—both functioning as a decor piece in the scenes and reflecting the character's lifestyle. The room features mid-century furniture pieces, including metallic lamps, and a long built-in sectional designed to maximize the space for hosting large gatherings.
A Note from the Designer:
Whether you want to introduce crisp, contemporary furnishings or highlight the traditional bones of your space, let’s work together to bring your personality into every corner. After all, good design is when a home tells a story and reflects the personality of a person. Have the gumption to make it your own.
Disclaimer: I do not own copyright to all images. No copyright is intended. Photos from Pinterest
Address Sources:
Lindsay. “The Ohara House – aka Miles’ House from ‘The Holiday’.” IAMNOTASTALKER.com, 21 Dec. 2011, https://www.iamnotastalker.com/2011/12/21/the-ohara-house-aka-miles-house-from-the-holiday/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026. I Am Not A Stalker
Lindsay. “Arthur Abbott’s House from ‘The Holiday’.” IAMNOTASTALKER.com, 22 Dec. 2011, https://www.iamnotastalker.com/2011/12/22/arthur-abbotts-house-from-the-holiday/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026. I Am Not A Stalker
