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Nancy Meyers Fans, Meet Your New Aesthetic: Coastal Scandifornia

California stripes, meet the teddy chair

Coastal Scandifornia universal
Dasha Burobina for PureWow

Picture this: It’s late afternoon, and sunlight streams through your beachside windows onto a cozy Danish teddy chair. The scent of sea salt mingles with freshly brewed coffee as white linen drapes billow with the ocean breeze. For a moment, you’re not sure if you’ve stepped into a Nancy Meyers movie or a dream. It’s neither. Rather, it’s the vibe I’m seeing everywhere in design right now: the Coastal Scandifornia trend.

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What is the Coastal Scandifornia Trend?

Coined by designer Taylor Simon in Ruggable's 2025 trend forecast, the term "Coastal Scandifornia" perfectly captures the magic behind Nancy Meyers’s interiors. Think about the cozy, slip-covered seating from Something’s Gotta Give or the rustic wood accents in It’s Complicated. All of the lightweight linens, heirloom trinkets and effortlessly layered textures feel collected, not staged. Coastal Scandifornia takes that same energy and runs with it. It blends timeless elegance with a relaxed, European twist, making seaside decor feel less seasonal and more evergreen.

“This is a great way to inject some color and personality into your home through collected objects,” Simon says. Her vision reinvents classic blue-and-white stripes with muted sage, teal and golden yellows—colors that feel more personal and contemporary. When paired with wave-inspired patterns, airy linen textiles and coastal accents, you suddenly have a space that feels more beach-inspired (aka more like a year-round escape). The key to bringing everything together, per Simon, is adding thrifted or unique pieces—every object needs to tell its own story. (But more on that below.)

Where Does the Trend Come From?

If we’re getting technical, Coastal Scandifornia is a marriage of European design principles: Scandinavian minimalism and Cali-coastal charm. First, there’s Scandinavian design, which is rooted in the idea that form and function should coexist (read: Hygge). Its hallmarks are clean lines, natural materials and muted color palettes—all coming together to offer a sense of calm that begs you to curl up with a good book. On the other hand, California coastal design borrows from modern Mediterranean influences, particularly Spanish Revival architecture. Arched doorways, stucco facades and earthy tones echo the breezy sophistication of coastal Europe. Yet, at the same time, there’s a modern element that makes Cali-coastal spaces feels as inviting as they are polished. Both looks are rooted in livability but tailored for quiet luxury.

It’s also worth mentioning that this combination speaks to a broader movement I’m seeing in design: a shift toward spaces that feel more personal and curated. Scandinavian interiors emerged as a response to industrialization, prioritizing simplicity and balance, while coastal homes were born from a desire to connect with the outdoors. Fast forward to today, and these messages resonate more than ever. As our homes became sanctuaries during the pandemic, we started craving spaces that felt uniquely us and layered, with an emphasis on well-being over perfection. Coastal Scandifornia answers that call, blending the Scandinavian need for balance with California’s relaxed, vacation-at-home vibe. The result is elevated comfort—spaces that prioritize both emotional and physical ease, just like the homes in Meyers’s films.

What is Nancy Meyers’s Secret to This Look?

Meyers’s set designs, with their open shelving and thoughtful layering, have always hinted at Danish influences. But what this trend builds upon is her foundation of emotional resonance. The interiors we swoon over on-screen are never just about style—they’re about the feeling they evoke. Take It’s Complicated, for instance. Meryl Streep’s sprawling Santa Barbara ranch isn’t just gorgeous; it feels alive. Every detail, from the relaxed linen sofas to the rustic kitchen island, tells a story. It’s a space where you can imagine family and friends gathering, cooking and laughing—the kind of life Meyers’s films make you long for. Coastal Scandifornia channels this same aspiration: it’s not about perfection but about creating a home that helps you feel like the best version of yourself (who happens to be effortlessly chic to boot).

To that end, many of the elements central to Meyers’s iconic aesthetic are at the heart of this trend. Coastal Scandifornia takes her signature use of elegant earthy tones, layered textures and thoughtfully curated pieces that feel inherited. So below, I’m breaking down the key components that define this style, and how you can bring Meyers’s aspirational yet lived-in look into your own home.

1. Earthy Linen Stripes

Whether on upholstery, throws, or drapery, Coastal Scandifornia reinvents classic blue-and-white stripes with softer, earthier tones. Think sun-faded sage, muted teal and golden wheat. Above, you can see how a linen slipcovered chair and ottoman swap crisp contrast for washed-out blue and sandy beige. It creates a relaxed, timeworn feel—and the airy linen fabric drapes naturally for a perfectly undone Meyers feel. Just be sure to pair the stripes with sheer or oat-colored fabrics that reflect warm light; you want to add just enough pattern to keep the space feeling layered yet serene.

2. Danish Furniture

This trend is all about the sculptural elegance of Danish furniture. Soft curves meet natural materials with spindle-back dining chairs, low-slung loungers and subtly tapered wooden legs—all staples of Meyers’s interiors. Above, you can also see how plush upholstery (like sherpa or shearling) can also bring a cozy contrast—the streamlined pine table is offset by teddy dining chairs (another trend I’m seeing everywhere right now). The key is to look for a texture that softens the structured silhouette, creating a vibe where everything looks relaxed yet refined.

3. Coastal Glass and ‘Wave’ Accents

This look ditches obvious nautical motifs in favor of subtle, wave-inspired curves and airy glass elements. I’m talking everything from sculptural mirrors and rounded headboards to ripple-edged tables and delicate glass decor. Above, you can see how the arched headboard mimics the movement of the ocean, while the glass nightstand keeps the space feeling open and effortless. It’s the same approach Meyers takes in The Holiday, where curved furniture and soft-edged ceramics bring warmth to crisp, white interiors. Plus, it’s easy to swap out wavy accents through lighting, decor or upholstery—so long as you balance them with grounded textures like linen to keep the space feeling lived-in.

4. Beechwood and Plush Textures

Perhaps you’re picking up on a theme here: this trend thrives on contrast—particularly by pairing light, honeyed woods with soft, touchable fabrics. You want to take a gorgeous beechwood credenza or oak coffee table and set it against bouclé armchairs, shearling stools or nubby linen upholstery. It’s a formula straight out of the It’s Complicated playbook—just like the slipcovered sofas and wooden kitchen accents, which make the space feel both elevated and lived-in. You can play around with how plush or organic you want to go by mixing raw beechwood finishes with cozy, textured seating—this contrast keeps the space feeling effortless yet polished.

5. Heirloom Antiques

A well-loved wooden table, delicate scalloped plates, a woven serving tray—these are the kinds of pieces that make a space feel storied. (Aka what Coastal Scandifornia is all about.) Try leaning into heirloom antiques, whether it’s a vintage teapot, weathered wooden chairs or hand-thrown ceramics that look like they’ve been passed down for generations. You want the mix of rustic wood and timeworn decor to create that layered, collected-over-time feel. Remember: Nancy Meyers’s interiors are never overly polished—they feel lived-in, where every object has a quiet history. You want to recreate this look by seeking out vintage-inspired dishware, patinaed metals and well-worn wood—all coming together to bring warmth, balance and a sense of ease to your space.


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Associate Editor

  • Writes across all lifestyle verticals, including relationships and sex, home, finance, fashion and beauty
  • More than five years of experience in editorial, including podcast production and on-camera coverage
  • Holds a dual degree in communications and media law and policy from Indiana University, Bloomington