“The Holiday:” A Tale of Two Houses
I admit, I’m a sucker for romantic comedies, especially around Christmas. “The Holiday” wasn’t the best rom-com I’ve ever seen–I mean, Kate Winslet and Jack Black? It was hard for me to buy that. But the sets they used for Cameron and Kate’s houses in L.A. and England more than made up for any issues I had with the plot or casting.
I thought it would be fun to compare some things from the movie and vote on which rooms we’d prefer. Here’s the house that Kate’s character, Iris, owned in the English countryside:
And here’s the house that Cameron’s character, Amanda, owned in L.A.:
Iris’s house wasn’t real, I’m afraid. But the exterior of Amanda’s is. The California home was built by architect Wallace Neff.
Here’s the entry hall to Iris’s English cottage and her living room:
When Amanda arrives, the mantel has been decorated for Christmas:
Here’s Amanda’s California living room and fireplace, also decorated (barely) for Christmas. We get the feeling Amanda doesn’t spend a lot of time working on her house. It all appears to have been professionally designed for her, and she’s almost like a visitor there, whereas Iris’s home looks personal and personally decorated.
The English kitchen (I love the fireplace with the shelves above it!): 
And the California kitchen (they couldn’t be any more different, could they?). Amanda’s screams “I have a personal chef!” 
Iris’s home has a small library, which has to be one of my favorite rooms in her house: 
The California house has a media room with CDs and DVDs instead of books: 
Iris’s cozy cottage bedroom: 
Amanda’s spacious master bedroom: 
You’d better not be too tall if you’re going to take a bath in Iris’s tub: 
There’s a lot more space in Amanda’s bathroom: 
Whose love story would you rather have? Kate’s with Jack Black:
Or Cameron’s with Jude Law?
Okay, we won’t actually vote on that. But I’m raising my hand for Jude Law (his character, not the actor, thanks).
Would someone please explain to me how a reporter like Iris could afford this amazing house on the outskirts of London? Apparently newspaper writers in England make a lot more than they do here in the States! But it’s probably best not to bring too much stark reality into a glossy film like this…
I love both of these homes for different reasons. Too bad the interiors were created on a sound stage and don’t really exist!
UPDATE: In response to reader demand, I featured Jude Law’s character’s Mill House here. In that post I also show you production photos of Iris’s cottage being built, and snow being added to the village streets for wintry effect.
These photos were found all over the Internet (finally, a movie I didn’t have to take photos of myself!), including Cote de Texas, Silver Screen Surroundings, Pink Daisy Cupcake. Some were also featured in House & Garden magazine. Go to Cote de Texas to see many more interior photos and learn more about the designers behind them. Visit Silver Screen Surroundings to learn how to get these looks in your own home.
If You’re Hooked on Houses from the Movies:
- Jude Law’s Mill House in “The Holiday”
- Christmas-Movie House #1: Ralphie’s House from “A Christmas Story”
- Christmas-Movie House #2: “While You Were Sleeping:” Christmas in Chicago
- Christmas-Movie House #3: “The Family Stone:” Home for the Holidays
- Name These Christmas Movie Houses
December 11th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I haven’t seen this movie but oh my gosh, that London home makes me want to go rent it!
Your button just reminded me I have to get a house tour ready. Eeek!
December 11th, 2008 at 8:55 am
That was fun, thanks! I haven’t seen this movie yet either, but if I can vote on the actors (not their characters), I say “ew” and “ick”. They’re probably the most likely reason for my avoidance of the movie, even though I’ve always been so intrigued by the interior shots I’ve seen. One of these days soon, I’ll watch it for the houses.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:28 am
I love almost all of Irish side.. I like the house and the library and the kitchen, except for the bathroom…:D:D
December 11th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Just saw this movie again, not long ago. I love to see the movie, just to have another look at the sets!
December 11th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Totally agree, Devita! That tub is just a little *too* cozy for me!
December 11th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I love oldy-worldy houses, but I actually voted Amanda’s house on all votes but the library. Very tasteful, light and airy.
I would also prefer Jude’s character (not actor!) to have a relationship. Regarding houseing, I would say it’s probably her aunt’s house or she is renting it.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I have to go with the cottage completely. I love it. I wish I was there this weekend. We all wouldn’t fit so it would have to be a get
away home just for husband and me. I liked this movie, Not the best piece of film but I love Christmas feel good movie and this one is that. I actually just bought it this year on black friday, and have yet to watch it this year.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Trust me the village where this is set is called Shere and it’s in Surrey. You can’t get anything under £400,000 there is no way a writer could live there unless she was JK Rowling
It’s stockbroker belt land. Have a google - the houses there are AMAZING! The Wedding Date was also set there.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Iris’s house reminds me of the little cottage used in Sense and Sensibility. Something inside me says that it’s not the same one, but still…..they look sooo similar!!! But if it were the same one, then that would mean that Kate Winslet was in two movies with the same house.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:56 am
this was one of the greatest movies! I love jack black, though.
thanks for moseying on over to my property for a little looksy yesterday. Hope all is well with you and yours!
Lisa
coastal nest
December 11th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Great pictures, I saw this movie for them, there is also some scenes in the house of Jude Law character, thar are amazing too. Specially the front of the house-
Thanks Julia
December 11th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I am drooling over Iris’ cottage. It’s so cosy and warm. Amanda’s is nice, you know, if you’re into space and modern conveniences and all, but it’s a little cold. I just want to grab a book and a cup of strong tea and curl up at Iris’ place.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I want both houses, Jack Black’s character, Jude Law’s looks, and and I’m guessing Iris’s house was her parents’ before her, and that’s how she can afford it.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I’ll just take Jude Law, please.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hi Julia,
This is a fun post! I love that movie! Looks like the cozy home of Iris is the most popular with your readers! I like her style too.
diane
December 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Wow! My favorite post of the bunch
That was hard…I needed a both button a couple of times. I’d need to watch the movie again before I could pick Jack or Jude’s character. I take your polls way too seriously, huh?
- Nat
December 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
This was one of my favorite movies! One reason being for those houses. I love them both, but Cameron’s California house was to die for! I even painted my media room chocolate brown after seeing this movie. I love all the photos you found. I’m coming back here for more decorating ideas later.
I think I’m in the minority according to the votes about the favorite houses. I want to live in the big one and vacation in the cottage. If I’m remembering correctly, Iris inherited that house from her parents or Grandparents. It’s why she travels so far to get there from work, it’s been in the family for generations.
Oh and Jude Law (the character) is to die for also! yum. I love the girl’s room. Where is that here???
December 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hi - thanks for the shout out! These two are my favorite house movies ever! I can not wait for her new one to come out next year!!!! Can’t wait!!!!!!
Joni
December 11th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
LOVE how you did the voting on this blog! I’m totally in love with the English cottage!
December 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
The cottage makes me want to curl up and read a book, but I can’t imagine cooking a big dinner in the small kitchen.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I like the English bedroom and the contemporary bathroom - can I split my vote?
December 11th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Iris’s house is so warm and cozy! I love all of it - except the tub is a little different for me! lol
December 11th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I watched this last night! Even though the acting is not the best, I really love this show. It has some pretty redeeming qualities and has been added to my list of “must watch every year” Christmas movies. I love the homes, the two little English girls (Graham’s -Jude Law’s character- daughters), Graham himself (sorry, I can’t help but think he’s pretty!) and Arthur and his friends. Cute show, perfect for this time of year.
December 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Thanks, guys, for explaining how Iris got that house! I apparently was too busy staring at the sets to catch crucial plot points like that. Ha.
To those who asked about Jude Law’s house, well, no photos of it popped up during my Internet searches. I’ll try to rent it and take photos of it myself one of these days for you. I do remember loving it, too! -Julia
December 11th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
oh my goodness..iris use to spend her summers with her darling grandma… she was the only relative who gave this sweet person the time of day..when she died she left the house to iris…of course the grandma had squirreled away quite a bit of money which also went to iris…much to the greedy dismay of other children and grandchildren…after taxes iris was able to decorate the house in the amazing style we all love…i have never seen this movie so all of this might not fit at all with the character…but this is what the house tells me when i walk through those wonderful rooms….
December 11th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Amanda’s house, looks great but if your sit down in any of the furniture and are not the stature of a Tolkien elf you feel like Emily-Ann. And I have to disagree about the kitchen to me a it screams “The decorator picked all this out, put it on the shelves, I haven’t touched a thing since because I go down to the Taco shop on PCH to eat.”
I’m with all those on how Iris got Rose Cottage: family.
December 11th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I haven’t seen this show and now I want to if for nothing more than to die over that cottage house. Love the pictures.
December 11th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
It’s one of those movies you could watch again, with the sound off and the fast forward just to see the houses!
Loved the cottage.
Donna
December 11th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Fun post-thank you! I never did see that movie and after your review don’t think I will either. I always enjoy my visits to your blog! Hope you are having a nice day!
~Smiles~Tam!
December 11th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
this was such fun - I love how you have embeded the voting into the post - clever you
also I am with you in the queue for Jude baby …. have a lovely holiday time le xoxo
December 11th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I wanted to see this movie but my usually sensitive hubby doesn’t like chick flicks. I’m renting it though because I want to see more of these houses- even if they’re not real.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Girl, I need to get Netflix or something because I’ve only seen one of these movies this week. I’ll blame it on having kids.
But at least I get to see the good parts here!
December 11th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I love the little quizzes…and all the answers were IRIS!!! I love the comfortable feeling of those better.
Jan
December 12th, 2008 at 12:05 am
I love both houses, I guess it’s my Gemini nature!
And the new button for the House Tour is adorable. I can’t wait until it stops raining here so I can go out and take my pictures!
December 12th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I like both houses, too. I love the coziness of the cottage, but I like the style of the newer one, especially the bedroom and bath.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I am SO happy to see that I am not the only one who loves the London cottage SO much. I have seen this film many times and I am always dunbstruck over that precious house. I always imagined that it had belonged to her parents or another family mamber who left it to her…or I like to think that. : )
I first saw the movie with 2 friends who thought I was mad NOT to have wanted Amanda’s house! No way…I WANT the one Iris has. It is glorious!!!
Thank you for this Julia!!
Love,
Sue
December 13th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I have never seen this movie, but now I am going to buy it because I am in love with that cottage!!!! Oh my!!!
December 13th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I am a TOTAL Iris!
December 13th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
[...] Photos courtesy of: Julia from Hooked on Houses [...]
December 14th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
[...] I took you on tours of homes featured in Christmas movies like “Home Alone” and “The Holiday” (click here if you missed them). Today I thought I’d give you a peek inside [...]
December 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Oh my, I’m so late to this post.
I’m not sure I’m in love with either of these houses. Each is just too extreme for me.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 am
I love Iris’s cozy home and appreciate all the effort you went to to give us a side by side look and a chance to vote. Just a quick thought on how Iris afforded her home. Did you notice that her brother’s place wasn’t too shabby either? Book editors don’t make that much unless they are truly high-powered. I think the answer was implied by Jude Law’s character when he mentioned coming from a family long involved in writing and publishing — there’s a bit of “old money” floating around to help with the expenses of daily life.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
[...] “The Holiday:” A Tale of Two Houses « Hooked on Houses. [...]
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 am
I have been browsing your blog this morning, it is wonderful! I’m hooked!
April 19th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I love this blog! This is one of my favorite posts. This was a great movie too.
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April 19th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
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