By CATHLEEN FREEDMAN
JULY 31, 2025
Made by Gadabout Creative
There are few things better than scrolling through photos of Pinterest-worthy homes—but for us, one is seeing the step-by-step process of making a Pinterest-worthy home. This is exactly what Annie Meyers-Shyer has given her Instagram audience.
On February 24, 2023, she first posted a design sketch of the 1940s Pennsylvania Dutch-style home in Los Angeles that she and her husband were renovating on her account @thisoakhouse.
It’s incredibly special when a tastemaker reveals the unvarnished reality of a remodel, and Annie Meyers-Shyer has spared us no baseboard and hidden no architectural rendering. Both aspirational and real, her account @thisoakhouse has detailed the journey one behind-the-scenes photo at a time, giving us a glimpse into all of the plywood and beaming that goes into creating a space evocative of a Nancy Meyers film set.
Photos: Images from Nancy Meyers’s Something’s Gotta Give, The Parent Trap, and The Holiday.
And Annie Meyers-Shyer would know—her mother is the doyenne of Diane Keaton-led rom coms, generation-defining films, and onscreen kitchens that would make any Le Creuset lover blush. Annie is also the namesake of Miss Annie James, as portrayed by Lindsay Lohan, in The Parent Trap.
For years, we’ve followed along, and finally, @thisoakhouse is finished.
“We moved in this January,” Meyers-Shyer divulges, reflecting on the long-awaited moment. “The renovation took four years, and we really focused on preserving the character and integrity of the house while updating it to suit our young family,” the mom of two further explains.
As she settles in, Annie Meyers-Shyer shares the finishing touches that will make This Oak House a home.
Naturally, she created an Over The Moon Dream Registry, providing an endless source of inspiration for those putting together their own Over The Moon Registries.
She also answered our burning questions about her personal style, hosting tips, and so much more. Let’s move in. No detail has been overlooked: she has even shared a PDF of her kitchen cabinets with space for sponges under the sink and internal drawers for ingredients.
Dream Registry
Kitchen
Stock up on premier appliances like Vitamix and beloved French cookware like Le Creuset.
Q:
Like all of your 149K followers, we are obsessed with your Instagram account (@thisoakhouse), which documents your renovation journey. How and when did you decide to start the account?
I started the account in February 2023 with the intention of sharing our renovation journey with family and friends. I never imagined it would grow the way it has. I’m still shocked by the response!
Q:
Did you realize it was going to take off the way it did?
Never! I’ve truly become an accidental influencer.
Dream Registry
Tablescaping
Think lightweight linens, delicately painted ceramics, and timeless servingware that can be easily mixed, matched, and layered for countless meals to come.
Q:
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Classic, comfortable, calm—maybe I’d call it “classical country.”
Q:
Now that you’re moved in, what are your best hosting tips?
Front-load as much as possible so you can truly enjoy time with your guests. Music is key, have more food than you think you’ll need, set up a self-serve drink station—and always include one fun, unexpected touch.
Dream Registry
Hosting
Entertaining in a new home couldn’t be easier—or more beautiful.
Q:
Do you and your partner merge your styles at all?
We don’t really merge styles—he’s very deferential, which I appreciate! He cares about certain things like TVs, security, and AV systems, and I let him take the lead on those.
Q:
What’s one thing that can completely transform a space?
Antiques and lamps! Every room needs both—they're incredibly transformative.
Dream Registry
Brighten Up A Space
Whether with an unexpected pop of color or handmade brass candelabra, these pieces bring warmth to a room.
Q:
People say renovations either build a couple up or tear them apart. In your experience, is that true?
Renovations are definitely stressful—we both felt that. But we stayed strong throughout. The hardest part was how little quality time we had as a couple; every moment alone was spent talking about change orders or something else construction-related.
Dream Registry
Bedroom
Here, elegance meets comfort with crisp linens like soft-to-the-touch nightgowns and plush hotel-worthy bedding.
Q:
Are there any books or interior designers that you often turn to for guidance?
I constantly refer to all three of Gil Schafer’s books—they're full of timeless inspiration.
Q:
Are you a “shoes on” or “shoes off” household?
Shoes off!
Dream Registry
Barefoot Luxury & Outdoor Decor
These are all of the necessities for spending sun-drenched afternoons in the garden and hours by the pool.
And now, after so many months of dreaming and renovating, Annie and her family will be able to spend true quality time together in this Oak House with all of its beautifully, thoughtfully decorated rooms.
