What exactly IS Grandmillennial Style? Emma Bazilian coined the term in a 2019 House Beautiful article to describe a revival of the traditional, classic looks of old.
A grandmillennial is someone in their mid-20s to late-30s who loves design trends that mainstream culture has written off as fussy or dated: Laura Ashley prints, ruffles, hand-stitched linens, Bazilian explains. Picture the homes from Home Alone and Father of the Bride and you'll recognize the look!
So while this style is nothing new, its fascination and comeback in popularity IS new. (I've long considered myself a fan of traditional style, so this is super exciting for me!)
I'll explain why I'm sharing this style at the end of the post, but first, let's dive in a little, shall we?!
Grandmillennial Decor
My heart is so happy that this classic style is making a comeback. I've always been drawn to it, and I love how it captures the comfort of our mothers', grandmothers' and great-grandmothers' homes, which is why it's nicknamed "Granny Chic."
I grew up with wonderful grandmothers and loved their homes, but this style reminds me most of my maternal great-grandmother. She was the epitome of a sassy, independent Southern grandmother, all 4′ 11″ of her.
Her 3-story white house had many rooms, beautiful ornate furniture, landscape art and lots of collections, like silver, china and crystal. I recently inherited her crystal collection, and I proudly display it in my butler's pantry. This style captures how I felt as a child in her home, and it makes me feel close to her again.
Important Elements of Grandmillennial Style
So what makes up this modern take on an old look? You'll find all of these beautiful design elements:
- floral wallpaper (as in my girls' bathroom)
- blue and white
- skirted tables
- block print
- needlepoint pillows
- hand-stitched linens
- mixed patterns
- monograms
- ornate chandeliers
- treasured sets (silver, china and crystal)
- pleated lampshades
- cane, bamboo & wicker
- toile, chintz & checks
- ruffles, pleats & fringe
- lace
- embroidered table linens
- slipcovers
- chinoiserie
- rich wood furniture, like walnut, cherry & mahogany
- vintage brass
- boxwood topiaries
- and more!
These lovely style elements may seem stuffy, but while they give off a fancy, high-end feel, they're actually very livable and cozy. This isn't our grandmothers' plastic-covered couches, but a modern spin on the classic look.
You might see abstract art paired with inherited dark walnut furniture. Or a modern framed mirror on patterned wallpaper. Mixing old and new is what makes this design choice feel fresh and timeless.
This style is known for collections that tell the story of its owner. It lends itself to many lovely layers, but remember to edit so the room doesn't feel overly cluttered.
There's also a shift away from the bleached wood look. Light wood is still lovely in moderation (and at the beach house), but this new wave is bringing back the antique, darker furniture of the past.
In the design world, trends tend to last about 10 years. Since the farmhouse style really took off about a decade ago, it was time for a shift in our decor.
The style adds traditional details to upholstery and cushions, like ribbon, trim or tassels, in monochrome or analogous color schemes.
– Stefani Stein
Popular design has been moving away from farmhouse for a couple of years now, and I'm excited to see what will most likely take its place. Since this is a classic, traditional style, it will never go out of fashion completely. It will just rise and fall in mainstream popularity.
As I always say, do what you love and listen to the bones of your home. Let it speak to you. It's taken me a little over a year to truly live in and get to know my new home, as I share below.
Settling into a Home Slowly
Does it take anyone else a full year to feel like a new house is really home? It does for me! I always feel like I'm visiting someone else's house for quite some time after we move in.
It just takes me a while to get my current belongings situated, and even longer to start putting my stamp on things. Sure, some people move in and seem settled within the first week. But that's just not me.
I knew this felt like home when I got almost all of the walls painted, but I still feel like I'm only scratching the surface of doing this house the way I'd like.
My head says I'd love to move into a home and have it be perfect with a snap of my fingers, but my heart takes a bit longer to figure it all out. I like the practice of settling into a home slowly, listening to the walls and adjusting my style to match its original look.
Over the past year I've spent hours upon hours flipping through decorating magazines and books, trying to find the style I want for this home. It's not as blank a slate as our last home. It's very traditional and leans toward a classic look rather than a farmhouse style or transitional style.
Side note: When we moved in, I felt like this house was the kind of house you give a name. After discovering this house name generator (who comes up with these things?!), I settled on Elmwood Manor. (I think anyone can name their home, and if yours has a name, share it in the comments!)
OK, back to the story.
This home boasts lots of brass and ornate details, beautiful hardwood floors, and at one point, I believe, every wall proudly displayed wallpaper. I want to stay true to her roots and not bring in a bunch of other styles that won't feel cohesive in our Elmwood Manor.
So, as I said, I've spent hours looking at photos and really researching how to decorate with what I love while also honoring the home's original style. Living here at Elmwood Manor makes me crave all things classic. It's been a fun adventure.
When I recently discovered that this timeless style is making a comeback, I was thrilled, because it feels like my home's true self. And while I may not take it to the extreme, it gives me much clearer direction on what I was trying to figure out this past year.
I'm here for all of it, and I'm excited to keep decorating and styling this home with these Grandmillennial Decor ideas in mind.
And while I might not be matching my draperies to my wallpaper anytime soon (you never know), I will definitely be taking lessons from the past!
Coming from the South, it just feels like coming home. It's why I fell in love with our current home, and I can't wait to be part of the journey of bringing a modern twist to its original style.
What do you think? Do you love it, hate it, or have you decorated this way forever? Tell me in the comments below!
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