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.
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.'
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
-
I grew rhubarb from seed for years – here’s exactly how to do it for guaranteed germination and healthy crops of fruitGrowing rhubarb from seed is a cost-effective way to propagate plants, but it requires care and patience
-
Meghan Markle's Montecito backyard features these exact chairs – their natural, handwoven finish perfects the California Casual trendMeghan Markle's backyard takes California Casual to the next level with these Danish-designed pieces – instantly upgrading her terrace
-
The SoHo loft visited by Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada is on the market for $8.95 million – it epitomizes chic NYC livingThe loft famously served as the chic home of fictional designer James Holt – but it has a history beyond its Hollywood credentials
-
Anne Hathaway's property portfolio – from a California chalet to an Upper West Side penthouse, these are the actress's most notable homesThe Devil Wears Prada actress has a rich property history spanning both the East and West coasts – including a Brooklyn apartment used as her closet
-
Anne Hathaway's 1970s-style patio furniture is the most playful and elegant I've ever seen – it's a masterclass in integrating trending patterns with intention
The plaid furniture on the actress's patio taps into a current trend that looks to eras past – it's an elevated take on decorating an outdoor space
-
Anne Hathaway's textured neutral bedding elevates her country-style bedroom – it's a masterclass in choosing fabrics and colors for a restful sleepLinen, wool, and block-printed patterns combine on Hathaway's bed – for an Indian-inspired twist on her historic California cottage home
-
Anne Hathaway’s unexpected kitchen cabinet color will take over our homes in 2025, say expertsLike a gentle summer breeze, this alluring pale green hue is refreshing and uplifting...
-
Anne Hathaway's living room furniture is a masterclass in 'conversational seating' – her method could transform how you socialize, say designersThe right furniture arrangement is central to a space that's ideal for entertaining – Hathaway's living space masters this perfectly
-
Anne Hathaway's bedroom uses simple, farmhouse furniture as a grounding backdrop for bold accents – I will never think about furnishing in the same wayThe 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
-
Anne Hathaway breaks the rules in her living space by pairing ‘two colors that should never be seen together’ – and quite honestly, it worksThe adage that 'blue and green should never be seen' is simply not true...
