Photography: Stephen Alesch via @roman_and_williams on Instagram
We learnt several important truths from the classic movie Practical Magic. These include: “Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can”. But there’s one other undeniable takeaway from the original film – our collective obsession with the Practical Magic house.
The enchanting abode captivated audiences with its dreamlike blend of Victorian elegance, coastal charm and witchy whimsy. Perched on a bluff overlooking the sea, it exuded both magic and warmth, with its iconic wraparound porch, white clapboard exterior and storybook gabled rooflines. The interiors? A deliciously eclectic mix of antique details, shadowy staircases and sun-drenched nooks filled with herbs, spell books and the kind of kitchen we all want to brew a midnight margarita in.
So it’s no surprise that the announcement of Practical Magic 2 has sparked a flurry of excitement. The follow-up to the 1998 cult classic (based on the 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman) is set to be released on 18 September 2026, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising their roles as witch sisters Sally and Gillian Owens.
While the plot remains under wraps, we’re already wondering: will the aunts return? Aunt Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Aunt Frances (Stockard Channing) are still alive and spellbinding, and their presence would be welcome.
It’s possible the sequel could focus on Sally’s daughters, once played by a young Evan Rachel Wood and Camilla Belle, now potentially grown and grappling with the infamous Owens family curse – where any man who loves an Owens woman is doomed to die.
But perhaps the most pressing question for interiors lovers is: Will they recreate the house?
The truth about the Practical Magic house
The beloved Owens home wasn’t a real house at all. It was a specially constructed shell built on San Juan Island in Washington State for the purpose of filming. The production team created a full exterior facade, complete with that iconic porch, but the interior scenes were all filmed in studio sets in Los Angeles. The house was dismantled after filming, much to the heartbreak of fans – although many still make pilgrimages to the location where it once stood.
The design of the home was painstakingly crafted to reflect the personalities of the Owens women – a mix of mysticism and comfort, light and shadow. Set creators Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch (now the powerhouse duo behind design and architecture firm Roman and Williams) helped give the house its unforgettable layered, lived-in charm.
The Roman and Williams account shared on Instagram: “Inspired by late-19th-century scrollwork, East Coast lighthouses and Victorian architecture, the exterior of the film’s iconic white home was built from scratch on San Juan Island in Washington,” adding that they even landscaped the gardens.
It wasn’t just mere mortals who were bewitched by its beauty. After the film gained a devoted fandom, EGOT-winning performer and longtime design aficionado Barbra Streisand was also transfixed. “As if by, well, magic, the prop house possessed so much verisimilitude that @barbrastreisand even enquired about purchasing it,” the studio shared. “Unfortunately, it’s been torn down,” Robin told her at the time.
How to welcome witchy vibes into your home
Use these steps to summon the spirit of Practical Magic interiors.
1. Stir up a spellbinding scent
Infuse your home with the fragrance of rosemary, lavender and sea salt – key elements in the Owens family traditions. Try simmer pots, candles or even fresh herbs near the windowsill.
2. Embrace magical maximalism
Layer vintage finds, dark florals, lace curtains and antique glassware. Think of it as ‘Victorian coastal meets cottage witch’ – every item should tell a story.
3. Recreate the midnight margaritas moment
Rewatch the scene, gather your soul sisters and shake up a classic margarita under fairy lights or the glow of candlelight. Bonus points for singing along in your dressing gowns.
4. Keep your rituals close
Whether it’s planting herbs, lighting a candle at dusk or journaling by moonlight, small rituals can bring grounding and a sense of magic to everyday life.
5. Add a touch of the unexpected
Keep a small corner of your home just for you: a reading nook with tarot cards, an altar with found objects or a windowsill filled with crystals. It’s about intention, not perfection.
