A Look at Grandmillennial Style

Just a couple of years ago a design term started trending called Grandmillennial and today we’re going to take a look at that term and trend and find out what it’s all about. First, let’s look at a good definition of Grandmillennial style. It’s really not a new trend or style, just a new term that defines an old and established design style. It’s just that the younger generation of millennials (late 20’s to late 30’s) have started adopting this tried and true design style and giving it a fresh new look, hence the new term.

Here’s a good definition I found online:

“Taking fringe, trim, chinoiserie, drapery, skirts on furniture, slipcovers, wallpaper—all of that–and updating them to be convenient for today’s 30-year-old” is what grandmillennial style is all about, according to interior designer Becky Boyle. … “It’s classically informed,” agrees designer Lilse McKenna.

In other words, it’s a fresh take on Traditional design which many of us grew up with and embraced as our own. I’ve lived long enough (and you probably have too) to see so many trends over the years. When I got my first house in the 80’s I was into pastels and a little bit of a modern look. I embraced seafoam green and mauve in my house and I didn’t have a lot of money to spend, so I bought what I could and made my house look as cute as I could. I didn’t want anything to do with Country style.

This is a feature I did years ago on Atlanta designer, Dan Carithers home, it was definitely Traditional and classic and you’ll see some similarities to the old style, but Grandmillennial definitely kicks it up a few notches with bold color and fabrics and a lot more modern.

I’ve always loved Traditional Home magazine as well as Veranda, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens and others. Those spoke to my style more than any others. I’m sharing some photos today of what I consider Grandmillennial style for you to enjoy. I’ve tagged the source below each picture so be sure and visit them all for more. I’ve considered my style in the last decade to be new Traditional, but this Grandmillennial term could definitely be mine too, even though I’m way older than that generation, I love the fresh take of it.

{via designer Amal Raad Kapen} This designer has a great style, so fresh and youthful, but with a Traditional base. You’ll love her website! 

Mothers and grandmothers all over the South have embraced Traditional style over the years. It seems a bit Southern to me, since Southerners love mongrams, fancy drapes, fringe trim, sterling silver and all the beautiful things that many grew up with. Granny chic is another term that goes along with Grandmillennial style, it’s just another name for it. Dubbed by a writer for House Beautiful in 2019, it’s definitely taking off with the younger crowd and I couldn’t be happier about that. It’s just a nod to old school design, traditional and classic in style, but with a fresh twist of youth. Instead of it looking like your grandmother would live there, it’s a youthful refresh on an old style that’s been around for centuries. It’s a look back at the best of Traditional design and giving it a fresh new twist.

{via designer Amal Raad Kapen}

Here’s a good article from Better Homes & Gardens defining Grandmillennial style. As stated in this article, the key to pulling off this style is a well-edited design in a way that’s more timeless than antiquated. Accessorize selectively to avoid an overly cluttered look.

{via designer Amal Raad Kapen}

Legendary designers Albert Hadley, Sister Parish, Billy Baldwin, Nancy Lancaster, Dan Carithers, Charles Faudree, and Mario Buatta are at the forefront of Traditional design in the past.

Here’s a list of things that are attributed as key components to Grandmillennial style:

• Brown wood furniture: Cherry, mahogany, walnut
• Patterned & Floral Wallpaper
• Mixed Fabric Patterns
• Skirted Tables
• Chinoiserie
• Ruffles, pleats, and fringe embellishments
• Abstract Art
• Metallic accents
• Toile, Chintz, Plaid
• Monograms
• Fancy chandeliers
• Collections
• Wicker, Rattan, & Bamboo
• Needlepoint
• Blue & White
• Vintage Brass
• Patterned Throw Pillows
• Botanicals
• Marble
• Sterling Silver
• Fine China

I have to say that I am definitely a cheering ambassador for Grandmillennial style. It’s definitely me in so many areas and it makes my heart happy that maybe, just maybe it will be back around as a top design style. Really it’s great that everyone can have their own home style these days, this one just happens to speak my language.

{via designer Amal Raad Kapen}

Those are a few things that seem to be on most of the lists that indicate a Grandmillennial home style, but of course mixing things up is also permitted, as we all have different tastes. It’s a nod to the past, the comfort and traditionalism of our mother’s and grandmother’s homes. Surrounding ourselves with things we love is key to this style and I, for one am so glad to see a resurgence of classic and timeless style.

{via designer Amal Raad Kapen}

It’s no secret that I’m a bit tired of the modern farmhouse trend. Joanna Gaines put that style on the map and it’s been going strong for at least 10 years. It’s pretty and I appreciate it for what it is, but it’s not a style that I’ve ever embraced fully for myself. It would not have made sense for me to start over with that very specific look and besides I love my things.

At my roots there is always a Traditional and classic element. I’ve kept my dark woods when so many sold theirs and moved on to lighter grayed oak and blonde woods in furniture and flooring. Mid century modern has been popular too among many younger women, with a clean lined look and pared down interiors. All of those are beautiful and I can appreciate the look of these styles done well, but give me traditional and classic any day. I’m so glad I held on to my favorite pieces and haven’t fallen for all the trends the last 20 years. Those classic pieces of brown wood furniture have a lot of life left in them. Maybe there will be stripping of these old pieces since everyone has been painting their furniture for years too, we’ll see! One thing you’ll see in lots of these pictures is a lot of brown wood classic furniture. It shines in these settings.

{via designer Amal Raad Kapen}

I’ve found some great examples of Grandmillennial styles across blogs and interior designers, so enjoy these fun and colorful examples of this trending style. It’s so funny to say that, since it never went out of style. It’s just been rediscovered among the younger generation. Welcome, I say to the classic side of life!

{via Parker Kennedy Living}

Chinoiserie, rattan chairs, mixed patterns, all signs of this new Traditional style.

{via Parker Kennedy Living}

More mixed fabrics. I embraced that Schumacher Chaing Mai fabric for pillows in my living room after seeing it used in so many designer and blogger homes. I love it!

{via Parker Kennedy Living}

I’ve seen Parker Kennedy duo designer style many times in the local Atlanta showhomes and this porch is a wonderful example of their style. Rattan and blue and white

{via Parker Kennedy Living}

Another showhouse in Atlanta that I visited a few years ago. Their signature style is always colorful with lots of great texture and accessories as well as vintage pieces.

{via A Glass of Bovino blog}

A blogger I’ve shared before, Alisa, is a great example of Grandmillennial style and she’s a millennial herself. I first found her on Instagram and was in awe of how she had transformed her basic fixer upper house into a grand masterpiece of modern traditional design by adding moldings, wallpaper, hunting down vintage finds and putting her own stamp on every space in her home. It’s gorgeous! She is the queen of Facebook Marketplace shopping and shares her secrets on her blog. She’s also written a great article on Grandmillennial style, so check it out too.

{via A Glass of Bovino blog}

All her spaces are just amazing eye candy. She has done such a great job with attention to every detail and most of her furniture is second hand finds.

{via A Glass of Bovino blog}

She’s the one I shared when I did our master sitting room, with the moldings all painted one color. Her bedroom was my inspiration and this is looking into her master bathroom, gorgeous with that wallpaper.

{via Dimples & Tangles blog}

Jennifer’s colorful style is definitely a nod to Grandmillennial with her fabric mixes and Traditional furniture she picks up thrifting. We both have a love of thrifting and the thrill of the hunt. Blue and white as well.

{via Dimples & Tangles blog}

I love Jennifer’s bold use of color and pattern in her home. She makes new Traditional shine. Note her Chaing Mai dragon fabric on the back of the chairs in her dining room.

{via Dimples & Tangles blog}

Color, pattern, texture, blue and white, brass. Note the white walls. One way to use a lot of color is to keep the walls very neutral in the background.

{via Dimples & Tangles blog}

Jennifer completed a redo in her master bath last year and it now flows with her colorful and eclectic style.

{via Eddie Ross designer}

Eddie Ross has a wonderful style and I’d also put him in the Grandmillennial category. He’s the king of thrifting and putting together a fresh but classic look with vintage things.

{via Eddie Ross designer}

Skillful mixing of patterns is a talent that Eddie is so good at.

{via Emily A Clark blog}

Blogger Emily Clark is another gal I’d also put in the Grandmillennial category.  Her fresh approach to Traditional design is fun and family friendly, since she has 5 kids.

{via Emily A Clark blog}

She’s a blue and white lover too and freshens up her home with thrifty finds.

{via Emily A Clark blog}

Her screened porch is pretty and classic in blues mixed with white wicker and there’s that Chaing Mai dragon fabric again in the blue colorway. Note the classic style Federal mirror hanging.

{via Jeweled Interiors blog}

Jewel is another blogger who is a great example of mixing traditional and modern vintage style. She is definitely not afraid of color or pattern and really has taken her traditional colonial home into a whole new level with her designs.You would never recognize the before pics of her home after seeing these photos.

{via Jeweled Interiors blog}

She painted this space all one color, giving it and elegant and elevated look, using a mix of patterns and color which is definitely not cookie cutter.

{via Jeweled Interiors blog}

This small powder room is another example of Jewel not being afraid to step outside the box and do her thing. This is a powder room you’ll never forget!

{via Jeweled Interiors blog}

Her kitchen renovation is great too with modern classic finishes and beautiful style. I love those navy cabinets mixed with the brass touches.

I hope you enjoyed this look at Grandmillennial style, what it’s all about and how it’s really not new, but old fashioned turned fresh and modern for the 21st century. We all want to love our homes and embracing the classic is a good way to reuse and repurpose, shying away from the throw away furniture we’ve seen in the last few decades. I know for a fact the old style furniture is made so much better than most of the new furniture made today. You just can’t beat the craftsmanship and finishes of vintage pieces, that’s why I love to save them and keep using them.

No matter your style, most people can appreciate the classic and traditional decor styles that most of us have grown up with. With the internet we can see how everyone lives now and get so many great ideas for ourselves. I’m constantly inspired by bloggers and designers and I’m happy to embrace my New Traditional style even though I’m definitely not a millennial.

All of you millennial girls who are making Grandmillennial style your own, I applaud you!

 

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