amy merrick by amym 36

living in: jane eyre



Small and plain you are not, Jane Eyre. Sweepingly melancholy and whip smart — not to mention pain-inducingly gorgeous —are more apt descriptions. The Bronte sisters can spin a dizzyingly dark love story, and this most-recent adaptation sets the bar high for visual overload. I saw it twice in the theater, and I never do that.

1. Vintage Oushak Rug, $1495; 2. Beeswax Tapers, $10/set of 2; 3. Vintage Brass and Wood Candelabra, $36; 4. Vintage Armchair, $2495; 5. Iron Chain, $6; 6. Fountain Pen Ink, $25; 7. Vintage Repro Padlock, $18; 8. Antique Bead Brooch, $165; 9. Vintage Bottle, $12; 10. Serpent Chimney Valet, $1150

CLICK HERE for the second roundup after the jump!

Dark English manors, damp spring gardens, a Byronic hero, candlelight and mysterious wails from above, Jane Eyre is about as gorgeously Gothic a romance as you could hope for. Jane is the smartest of girls, and even if she does get tangled up with a tormented sort like Rochester, we’ll forgive her lapse in judgment this once.

1. Marbled Paper Notebook, $25; 2. Paintbrush Set, $2; 3. Green Glazed Pitcher, $495; 4. Rounded Vase, $149; 5. Custom-made Leather Portfolio; 6. Antique Tufted Screen, $2195; 7. Beaded Clutch, $248; 8. Artist’s Wooden Box Set, $529; 9. Pearl Studs, $45; 10. Paisley Shawl, $250

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36 Comments

Claudia

I STILL haven’t watched this!!! Arg. I really need to, thanks for the suggestions!

jess O.

i saw it twice in the theatre too! just beautiful and i love love that you captured it here ;) would love to lounge on that vintage armchair and dream of mr rochester….

LW

I love this, Amy! Thanks for doing Jane Eyre. I saw it in theaters 3 times, but I’m a pretty huge Jane Eyre fan. :) Glad to see someone else enjoyed it. Nice selections, especially the rug and artist set.

casamos

How did I miss this movie? It is so gorgeous! I want half of those items for my own home. A huge helping of elegance for my tiny one bedroom apartment.

Sasha

Ah! I’m so happy you posted this. I absolutely loved this movie, even though it took asking everyone and I knew and finally having to drag my hubby to the theater to finally watch it. (He, of course, also loved it.) Not sure why so many missed it, so I’m glad you’re paying it a much-deserved tribute here*

Paulina J!

I’ve been infatuated with Jane Eyre since high school and it’s the ONLY book that I’ve read a few times. I still have not seen this movie adaptation, but need to PRONTO!! Thanks for featuring such lovely items.

Alena

I eagerly await “Living In” every week and am always pleased by your selections. However, this is the first time I’ve felt compelled to comment. I loved this film & I am overjoyed that you picked to showcase it. Hopefully your highlight will encourage others to go out & see it.

andrea

i love love loved this movie! so beautiful… i wish i could see it again, but i’d have to travel an hour away to do so :(

Allison

Oh how wonderful! I am reading the book again this evening in preparation to see the movie!

donna

This was one of the most romantic movies I’ve seen.

Leigh

As soon as I saw this I thought, I hope Design*Sponge does a “Living In: Jane Eyre” so I am thrilled to see this post. I was hoping to track down the crystal stemware in the Rivers home. It has a sort of square base, very solid yet ethereal (like Jane).

ROXY MARJ

I am actually a little hesitant to see this movie only because the A&E version was my favorite w/ samantha morton…but then Charlotte Gainsborough topped that one with her performance…and now I am afraid of the new Jane topping Charlotte…. : / humph!

Kate

I love all the coral in this set! It’s such a “summer” color, yet in this view it’s also very victorian and muted. I’m going to see this movie tomorrow, and I feel so guilty that I haven’t finished the book! I’ve had 23 years to read it. Oh well! I still plan on it. Wonderful collection!

Sara

This was such a romantic movie. I mostly applaud the ability to watch the movie and find the things that look like it. Finding a room divider that looks like the inside of a carriage? Insanely excellent researching.

Polyvorina

This is one of my favorite books ever! I didn’t even know about this movie, thanks for the tip and great living in – I can see it all even with just having read the book. Very fitting.

Melissa

I can’t believe I haven’t seen it either! I’ve read the book so many times and I never lose fascination! Love these ideas, and wouldn’t be shocked to see a few in my home!

Christine

Excellent Amy! Your roundup is even better than the movie. Also, her dress in the pic with Mr. Rochester reminds me of some pieces by fog. linen. work.

kater

So obsessed with this movie. Seen it five times, thinking of going again tomorrow but I feel like such a freakazoid at our tiny movie theater!

I want to live in this movie. I tried to, by making my own little Jane Eyre dress, but ugh. It breaks my heart that I can’t be just sucked into the screen and be there.

carole gropl

Jane Eyre!! Wonderful choice! I haven’t seen this version yet. I have a suggestion for a “Living in…” How about Harold and Maude? The wonderfully eclectic bus that Ruth Gordon lives in will give you tons of ideas!!

Lexi

I haven’t seen this version yet because it’s not in theatres where I live, but THANK YOU for this! ‘Jane Eyre’ is one of my favourite books (and films) so I loved this post!!

Melanie

This movie was indeed beautiful, but if you are looking for the best version of this to watch(as far as acting goes)- go see the 1996 version with William Hurt and Charlotte Ginsborourgh. She was perfect.

Vikki

LOVE this, love Jane Eyre – but nothing tops the 1944 black & white version with Joan Fontaine & Orson Welles version (also Margaret O’Brien and a very young Liz Taylor) – the most perfect Rochester ever.

Tessa

Love the book and the movie was stunning. Its rare a movie sneaks into my head and steals pretty much what I was thinking the scenes to be like. So lovely, your picks are perfect!!! I will have to see it again!

Melanie

I’ve never seen that one, Vikki. I’ll have to go see if I can find it. Thanks for mentioning it!

Luli

This is a lovely post. I do so love immersing myself in anything Jane Eyre. I loved the new film, but not as much as I loved the version with Toby Stephens. Sigh. Have a lovely weekend.

Aurora

I’ve developed a real addiction to period pieces recently — this whole section is amazing. thanks!

Elizabeth Rose

I loved this film, though I’m still quite partial to the 2006 BBC version. I loved the marble paper notebook. I’m ordering now ;-)

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