Tired of the cold straight lines of MCM and the chippy painted furnishings from the Farmhouse trend? Ready for something with a touch more warmth and “come on in and sit a while” charm? Well, I may have found just what you are looking for! It is known as Grandmillennial style, or more simply, “Granny Chic.”
After several years of running from anything that even remotely reminded us of grandma’s house, 2023′s top designers are adding Granny Chic to the list of options for their clients.
The Grandmillennial home is an environmentally friendly place filled with second-hand and upcycled furnishings. If this is your first time buying vintage you will be amazed at the durability and quality of craftsmanship. French Provincial chests, wicker chairs and bamboo sofas and tables work wonderfully in this setting, and can be found for a fraction of the cost of new furniture at resale shops and vintage markets.
For many of us, when we think of a visit to grandma’s house we think of how her home made us feel safe and comfortable. Perhaps it was the warmth of the handmade elements in her home. Quilts and cross-stitched hand towels, needlepoint chair covers and chenille bedspreads are easy finds at antique and vintage stores and will bring a nostalgic warmth to your rooms.
Grandma’s kitchen was the heart of the home. From this wonderful place came the aromas of freshly baked bread and cookies, percolated coffee and a chicken roasting in the oven. Pyrex bowls, a set of aluminum canisters and a coat of bright green or yellow paint in the cabinets will quickly transform your kitchen into Grandmillennial mode.
If you are holding fast to your white on white on white decor, this is not the style for you. Vintage maximalism is the order of the day, with brilliant colors and bold fabrics and a generous sprinkling of fringe and tufting. Florals cover sofas and side chairs and don’t be afraid to mismatch your florals with stripes, both large and hairpin.
Accessorizing your room is where your individuality will come into play. Large floor-to-ceiling bookcases are an essential part of this theme and an excellent way to display your grandma’s china, her colorful vases or her collection of old books.
In this maximalist style of decor you can never have too many pictures on the walls — just make certain that the frames don’t match. The ornate mirrors so popular in the 1990s are once again in vogue and the more detailed, the better.
Wallpaper is back! Yes, now that you have finally managed to strip every room in the house, wallpaper has returned! BIG BOLD whimsical patterns with birds, flowers and geometric designs applied to one wall or an entire room are a must in the style of decorating.
Ready to give Granny Chic a try? Remember your goal here is to contrast. So keep a few of your favorite streamline pieces and hit the vintage stores to start your transformation.
Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates.
