Anne Hathaway uses this ancient painting technique to bring tranquility to her breakfast room – the result is profoundly beautiful
The actress practices a 'brilliant visual trick' that designers say 'expands the room's boundaries' and makes it feel as though she is dining in the midst of nature
It's no secret that Anne Hathaway's Californian cabin home is among the most beautiful (and unique) celebrity homes we've seen – and just when we think we couldn't love it more, she surprises us with yet another reason to get excited.
The Devil Wears Prada actress and her husband, jewelry creator Adam Shulman, designed their Alpine-inspired abode (in collaboration with Studio Shamshiri) as a soothing celebration of nature in all its glory, filled with long-lasting materials and earthy color schemes. However, no space optimizes this organic design ideology quite like her breakfast nook.
Featuring a quintessential window bench, sheer white curtains, and antique-style furniture, the green-hued space is a dream morning setting. Above all, though, designers love the intricate painted wooden paneling that adorns the area – a design move with roots dating back to the 6th century BC.
A post shared by Shade Degges Photography (@shadedeggesphotography)
A photo posted by on
Panel painting, similar to that exhibited in Hathaway's space, was a prestigious medium in Greece and Rome, but only very few examples of ancient panel paintings have survived to this day.
Until canvas became the more popular support medium in the 16th century, painting on a wooden panel was considered the standard method (when not painting directly onto a wall). In the contemporary day, panel painting is a sign of both individuality and luxury, and Hathaway's breakfast room is perhaps our favorite example to date.
'The breakfast room's standout feature is undoubtedly the painted wooden panels. Each panel is a canvas of lush green landscapes, depicting trees, greenery, and expansive fields that mirror the vistas seen through the room's large windows,' comments Westchester-based designer Nina Lichtenstein.
'The artistry is such that the painted tree trunks and branches align perfectly with the actual trees outside, creating an illusion that the landscape continues seamlessly from indoors to outdoors. This brilliant visual trick expands the room's boundaries, making it feel as if you're dining right in the midst of nature.'
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Painted panels aside, Lichtenstein notes Hathaway's ability to decorate with green continues to blur the lines between her indoor and outdoor spaces.
'The green hue of the panels is not confined to the walls; it gracefully flows onto the ceiling, enveloping the space in a cozy yet open atmosphere,' she says.
'This choice of color creates a sense of unity and continuity, fostering an intimate connection with the natural world outside. The green ceiling further enhances the feeling of being in an outdoor setting while maintaining a warm, enclosed ambiance.' In our homes, we can recreate her style by painting some wooden kitchen cabinets a subtle, almost minty green – for a grounding yet stylish twist on the natural kitchen aesthetic.
'The room's seamless blend of indoor and outdoor elements creates a soul-soothing sanctuary, making it difficult to end a meal or leave the space,' Lichtenstein comments. 'In Anne Hathaway's breakfast room, every detail is a reminder of the profound beauty and calm that nature brings, making it a truly special place to start the day.'
Shop the Hathaway-inspired edit
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
Designers think this controversial trend is back – but it has definitely changed since last time
It was controversial when we said the big light was dead, but now designers are bringing it back. This is overhead lighting, but not as you know it
By Pip Rich Published
-
All the chicest shoppers I know are flocking to this go-to brand to elevate their holiday hosting
Crate & Barrel have everything you need to host the most stylish festivities this Christmas
By Charlotte Olby Published
-
Anne Hathaway's bedroom uses simple, farmhouse furniture as a grounding backdrop for bold accents – I will never think about furnishing in the same way
The actress's bedroom proves that furniture doesn't need to be the accent in a room, I plan to use the same technique in my future home
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Anne Hathaway breaks the rules in her living space by pairing ‘two colors that should never be seen together’ – and quite honestly, it works
The adage that 'blue and green should never be seen' is simply not true...
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Anne Hathaway's unorthodox kitchen lighting brings new life to a classic style – I was over the modern farmhouse look until I saw it
Recessed lighting gets a makeover in Anne Hathaway's modern farmhouse kitchen – her unique and whimsical take has renewed my interest in the aesthetic
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Anne Hathaway's inviting kitchen countertop material is replacing white surfaces – experts swear by the durable and welcoming stone
Anne Hathway's warm and cozy kitchen is defined by her dark countertop material – it transforms her space with a functional, natural twist
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Anne Hathaway's good-looking kitchen storage is stylish, practical and one-of-a-kind – it's the most important thing in a cooking space
Kitchen storage should never be an afterthought. Make the most of this essential element by putting pretty objects on display, and hiding anything less so...
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Anne Hathaway uses this task lighting trick to bring a boutique hotel ambiance to her bedroom – experts explain its power
Designed by Studio Shamshiri, Hathaway's bedroom is a rose-tinted haven – but there's more to this space than its color, as designers explain
By Megan Slack Published
-
Anne Hathaway combines rich browns and earthy greens to bring sophistication to her living room corner – designers say it has 'transportive' qualities
Studio Shamshiri brought Swiss chalet-style luxury to California – it all begins with the unwavering power of this warming color scheme
By Megan Slack Published
-
Anne Hathaway's vertical living room shelving is the smartest and most unique storage solution I've ever seen
I look at beautiful celebrity homes for a living, but Hathaway's living room is something special – her vertical storage is so innovative
By Sophie Edwards Published