Several Christmases ago, I went with a couple of friends to see The Family Stone soon after it hit theaters. The movie had gotten mixed reviews–I remember one critic called it “The Family Groan”–but my girlfriends and I liked it. Would I have enjoyed it as much if it hadn’t taken place in this beautiful old house, however?
Probably not.
The Family Stone is about a family gathering at Christmas. There are five grown children, and Everett (Dermot Mulroney) is bringing his girlfriend Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) home to meet everybody for the first time. The casual, fun-loving, close-knit family takes an immediate dislike to uptight Meredith, who wouldn’t know a sense of humor if it knocked her across her tightly-coiffed head.
Hilarity, family bonding, and an unexpected romance between Meredith and Everett’s brother Ben ensue. Oh, and someone knows this is her last Christmas and dies before the end. I dare you not to mist up a little bit.
The family gathers for Christmas:
The kitchen:
The set designer says she carefully chose every photo for the fridge to make it look like a real family lived there.
Sybil has a desk in the kitchen. It’s truly her domain:
Elizabeth Reaser (who was Ava on “Grey’s Anatomy,” and the matriarch of the Cullen family in “Twilight”–you can see my post about it here) played the nice sister.
The dining room:
Everett’s room, which is much neater and cleaner than the others in the house and matches his buttoned-up personality.
The parents’ bedroom:
Amy’s attic bedroom:
The family room:
The side door that leads to the kitchen:
UPDATE: A reader tells me that this house is located in Watertown, Connecticut (thanks, Carol!).
When Diane Keaton, who plays the mother, saw the interior of the house for the first time, she says she told the director it was “disgusting.” She couldn’t stand all the clutter “and all of the stuff everywhere.” But she admitted that it suited the family’s personality: “For them it was perfect.” The set designers were careful about every little detail, down to the magnets on the fridge.
(Psst! If you like this house, then you’ll probably love the one from Stepmom, too.)
Visit my TV/Movie Houses page to see all of the others that have been featured, from Baby Boom to Something’s Gotta Give, or check out Diane Keaton’s own Beverly Hills mansion.
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Is the next house tour from the movie “The Holiday”? This is so much fun guessing!
When I saw that movie I didn’t care much for the actual movie but I LOVED that house! It’s so warm and cozy and inviting. It looked like a house filled with things that were collected over time (not someone buying the collection for a catalogue because it all matched).
I loved this house!! Granted, it was a bit cluttered (although perfect for that family)…but man, I would love to live in a house just like it! Great movie, too!!! One of my favorite Christmas movies! Stepmom’s house was great, too – very similiar to this one.
Thanks for sharing!!
~angela
I’m a huge fan of several cast members (SJP, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson), plus I’m a sucker for holiday movies–so I knew I would love this one. But having it set in a house like this sealed the deal for me. I’ve watched it several times specifically for the purpose of checking out details like you’ve pointed out (as I have with To Kill a Mockingbird and It’s a Wonderful Life).
Have you seen the Changeling? It’s not a holiday flick, but oh! Angelina’s bungalow is so cool, especially the kitchen.
The outside of the home is gorgeous, as are the bones on the inside, but I agree with Diane Keaton, I can’t stand all the clutter!
Let’s not forget the house from “Home Alone”.
I love movies where the house is actually more like a Character than a set. My husband gets really annoyed when I’m paying more attention to the movie sets and decorations than the movie story line. “ooo, I love that comforter! Look at that paint color!”
It is a sickness I have. Ha!
I really liked this movie. It had so many layers. I remember liking the house when I watched the movie. I’m also crazy for Diane Keaton’s crisp white shirt and big chunky beads…such style!
I <3 this house. It may be my favorite movie house of all (toss-up with the Father of the Bride house. This place just oozes familial warmth.
I love that house! I never saw the movie and if I’m going to cry I may have to watch it alone!
Manuela
I’m laughing at that red Apple computer. I had a giant blue one like that! Man, if Diane Keaton came to my house, she would have a heart attack at all the clutter:-)
That button is so cute. (wink wink) I’m getting ready for your house tour. But it’s not what you would expect:-)
I loved this movie. I thought that the house was from step mother as well…maybe it’s just the angle of the shot or something. I need to rent this movie!
This is really a great movie. Not what you would expect when you watch the trailer. Like you said, you think it’s going to be a comedy (and it is hilarious), but it’s a drama. Very well-done movie, and I can see a lot of it being realistic.
Loved this movie… I could not think of the name. FUN Christmas movie trivia game!
I am just loving all these holiday houses. Sooo Fun to see!
Diane Keaton is absolutely fabulous..as are other cast members. I like the movie and will watch it again and again. It seems the family situations are realistic. At least they are for me!
I love the house and everything else about this movie.
I really liked that movie-but the ending is sooo sad! Good life lessons though. This movie was just on TV here last week, I skipped the end.
~Tam
Diane Keaton is one of my favorites – I love just about everything she’s in. I love how you showed snapshots of all the details – what a wonderful house!
I love this house, it’s like a home. It has a warm and cozy feel. Thank you! Would love to see Nora’s house from Brothers & Sisters (I know, it has nothing to do with Christmas, but I still love that house!!)
The set designer did a phenomenal job making the home look “real”. I can see what Diane Keaton meant, especially in the kitchen. I haven’t seen this movie but will now. I’m totally enjoying this week’s posts!
I loved the movie The Family Stone. I watched it two nights in a row (but I have to admit I’m a SJP fan). I am not a big fan of the nik-naks but I thought this house was perfect for the movie and looked like a real family did live there. Thanks for sharing the still shots.
Omigosh, Keaton would certainly hate it here at my place – grandkids’ drawings and “I love you” notes on the fridge, plus! I love a clean house but will take their notes over pristeen conditions any time.
That movie made me cry so hard I hardly noticed how beautiful the house was. Thanks for the photo tour, I didnt cry during that at least.
I’m such a cry baby.
Hi Julia!
I love this house and all the details inside –it make me want to see the movie just for that! I feel better about my refrigerator becasue it is a magnet haven galore –lol! Hugs, Pat
I had no idea this was a tear jerker. I’ll have to watch this when no one is home LOL
rue
Yep…this movie is a major tear~jerk~a~rama fest. Great actors and characters. Love this house…
Smiles ~ Ramona
I love living in Austin, but it would be fun to have an older Colonial-style home like this one. I’m not a fan of the clutter, but there are definitely elements in this home/set that could be used in real life.
I don’t think I saw that movie! Guess if it has a lovely house, I need to see it!
Happy night,
Melissa
Hi Julia, thanks for posting all those wonderful pictures, what a beautiful picture from the outside, I must say it does have alot of stuff in the rooms.Too much for me, I haven’t seen the movie yet. My favorite house still is from The Father Of The Bride, and Somethings Gotta Give, for some reason all these movies seem to have Diane Keaton in them, I’m a real fan of hers.
I recognize the white house — in Mt. Washington, a neighborhood in NW Baltimore. Lots of movies have been filmed in Baltimore, of course. Such lovely old homes in Mt. Washington and Roland Park, and great rowhouses in Charles Village. Sigh, it’s making me wish I still lived there…
Thank you. Could you possible publish pics of the house
in OUT OF AFRICA?
Wow…thanks for stopping by and checking out the 100 year old thatched room. sweet yes! and so glad i’m following you back on twitter…LOVE these houses you’ve got going here!
blessings…lylah
I’m a little late in reading all my blogs, so pardon the tardiness in my replies:)
I just loved this movie and this house. I dream of having a home filled with memories and family like this one. It’s just so warm and cozy. Love this house!
I have never seen this movie. I caught the last 1/2 hour today and I can’t wait to see it again.
This is a beautiful movie about family and Christmas time. I absolutely love that house. Does anyone know what type of house that is?
I loved the movie, and I LOVED that house. I live in the Chicago burbs, and in area’s by, and on Lake Michigan, there are many, many beautiful home’s like this one. Since I was a kid, my favorite thing to do was drive the “Circle Tour” and just gaze at the houses. So worth a trip, if you’re in the city visiting. Btw, I’ve been struggling with house to design a house I just moved in (well, 6 years ago) and, when I saw this movie, I just knew this was the way to go… even though I’ve alway’s avoided wallpaper… I don’t care anymore, the house is that much of an inspiration. Thanks so much for the pics.
I so so loved this house! I think I stuck with the movie mostly for the house. I dream of a big, rambling family home full of memories and collections and history… If I ever had a decorator I’d make her watch this movie and maybe Stepmom and say “make my house like that!”
I watched this movie a long time ago, and then recently watched another movie also starring Diane Keaton. And I think that they used the same pregnancy picture in this other movie “Because I said so”. Did anyone else recognize?
The funny thing is about this house, Is that I live right next door to it. It was filmed in Old Greenwich, Greenwich Ct.
The Director Tom Bezucha emailed your site to me. I am so happy that people love the house. It exists forever in the movie but not in real life. The interior was created on stage in Culver City Cal. Enjoy! Jane Stewart Production Designer of “Family Stone”.
Jane, I’m so glad you stopped by! This is one of my all-time favorite movie houses. I love how the rooms reflect the personalities of the family members instead of just being a “pretty backdrop” for the story. Thanks for your comment! -Julia
I loved this house in the movie, as well. I got a sense of deja vu when I first saw the house. Is it from another movie? I can’t figure it out!
Stars–
A lot of people have asked if it’s the same house as the one used in “Stepmom.” It’s not, but maybe that’s why it looks familiar to you? As far as I know, it wasn’t used in any other movies, but if anyone knows differently, please let us know! -Julia
Yes, that’s the movie I’m thinking of! Thanks
I own “The Family Stone” and it’s such a great holiday movie. On a slightly random note, the house from “The Women” is also gorgeous.
Does anyone remember the movie Bed of Roses with Christian Slater and Mary Stuart Masterson? It was released back in 1996. For some reason this house reminds me of Christian’s parent’s house in the movie, where they visit during the Christmas holiday. Has anyone else seen the movie??
I loved the house, the movie, the characters….and I made strata for Christmas brekkie BECAUSE of this movie.
I could watch it over and over again.
A gazillion thumbs up!
Is this the house from Philadelphia too?
Victoria–
I’m not positive, but I think it was in Connecticut. If anyone knows for sure, fill us in! -Julia
The houses featured in The Family Stone are both on The Green, Watertown, CT. I looked at both of them to purchase. The house I purchased was the one with the driveway/snow scenes. Across the road is the lovely house seen above in your photo’s. A family did live in it but had moved to another house and left it furnished and for sale. I fell in love with this house! Sadly, we were unable to agree on a sale price and I purchased the other house. I later moved to europe. Imagine my surprise when I saw it in the film!
Carol´s last blog ..Eddie Murphy’s Yellow House in “Daddy Day Care”
Thanks, Carol! I’ll update my post. -Julia
I saw that someone brought up Nora Walker’s kitchen on Brothers and Sisters. I love it too! Can anyone tell me if the kitchen walls are wood or a type of textured wallpaper. I would like to recreate the look. Thanks
Robyn,
It’s a type of textured wallpaper called woven grass. It’s great for a natural color palette. I absolutely love the home from Brothers and Sisters..
Britton
Such a warm family film and has become a Christmas must every year to watch. I would love a close family like this one of my own with all the quirks, clutter and smart-ass/love that radiates from the family.
Love this site Julia!
the family stone was filmed in Madison NJ which is 30 mile west of manhattan. house is located in “the hill” section. college in the movie is actually Drew University which is in Madison and the downtown shop are from Madison. they filmed during warmer weather and created snow all around town for the shoot.
you will see the thank yous in the credits to the town of madison and the 2005 movie review in the New York Times notes the shoot was done in Madison.
another good old victorian house was in One True Thing with Meryl Streep. This house is in the town next door to Madison NJ. Address is 11 Farragut Place, Morristown NJ.
A lot of confusion about the location of this house, but only one poster has it right so far… The white house in which the family lives is located on Riverside Avenue in Riverside (right next to Old Greenwich), CT. I grew up with the family that lived there, went to school with their kids, and stopped by one day while they were doing exterior pickups.
Here’s a link to an article all about the filming… Cheers! One of my favorite websites!!
http://ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?A=3880&Q=454820
Thanks, Jason! -Julia