Coastal Grandmother Style Explained

coastal grandma style
 

Grandmillennial meets Beach House Chic

 

The coastal grandmother style channels breezy, seaside-inspired elegance that blends beach house relaxation with vintage sophistication.

If you find yourself longing to infuse your home with the easy sophistication of a well-appointed beach cottage, then embracing this appealing blend of new and old could be just what your decor needs. Let’s explore coastal grandma’s key elements that define the trend and how you can incorporate a touch of salty sea breeze into your own home.

 

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The Coastal Grandmother Trend: Warm, Timeless Style for the Modern Home

If you've been noticing more woven textures and calming neutral tones in home decor lately, you're witnessing the rise of the "coastal grandmother" aesthetic. This trending interior design style is all about creating a warm, cosy, and timeless look for the modern home. The term ‘coastal grandmother’ was coined by interior designer TikTok user Lex Nicoleta, who used it to describe the relaxed yet elegant beach house look favoured by wealthy, stylish grandmothers living along the East Coast, especially in iconic coastal regions like Cape Cod, Nantucket, and the Hamptons.

There are a few reasons the coastal grandmother aesthetic is gaining popularity right now: (1) Nostalgia - It evokes a sense of nostalgia and comforting heritage styles, especially mid-century modern and traditional New England seaside homes. The familiarity is appealing. (2) Timelessness - Its focus on high-quality, durable materials and classics over trends gives it an enduring, investing-in-the-future feel that never goes out of style. (3) Balance of vintage and modern - Coastal grandma style blends vintage charm with clean, contemporary lines for a look that feels current yet classic. (4) Understated elegance - It's an elevated yet unfussy look befitting stylish grandmothers who value taste over trends. Graceful without being stuffy. (5) Familiarity of "grandmother" - It conjures happy memories of beloved grandmothers and connects to comforting domesticity.

Overall, the coastal grandmother style strikes the perfect balance between trendy and timeless, with wide demographic appeal. Its soothing, artisanal approach brings warmth and personality without feeling outdated.

coastal grandma stylish bathroom

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The Elements That Make Up the Coastal Grandmother Style

The coastal grandma aesthetic channels seaside cottages and chic grandmillennial abodes with their focus on high-quality artisanal details. Handcrafted wood furniture, woven wall hangings, ceramics, and natural fibre rugs create rich texture. Here's a closer look at what defines this trend:

  • Natural Textures and Organic Materials: The coastal grandmother look embraces natural textures like rattan, wood, woven fibers, and jute. You'll see these materials on furniture, rugs, curtains, and other home accessories. The organic textures add warmth and a sense of cosiness to a space.

  • Neutral Colour Palette: Soft, neutral hues are the hallmark of the coastal grandmother style. Think beige, sand, ivory, light blue, sage green, and other muted, earthy tones. Crisp whites are used to create an airy, open feel. Pops of colour come from natural materials rather than bold paint colours.

  • Vintage Appeal with Modern Simplicity: Coastal grandmother design has a nostalgic, vintage sensibility, but avoids over-the-top frills and clutter. Mid-century modern, Shaker, and Scandinavian furniture influences keep the look feeling contemporary.

  • Natural Light and Airy Ambiance: Breezy sheer curtains, large windows, lightweight fabrics allow natural light to fill the interior. The refreshing, airy feel transports you to the wind-swept dunes and gentle breezes of the seaside.

  • Timeless Classics Over Trends: Quality furnishings and time-honoured styles take precedence over trendy statement pieces. Coastal grandmother decor invests in enduring classics and sturdy wood furniture meant to last generations.

  • Handcrafted Details: Ceramics, pottery, woven baskets, and other artistic touches add personalised charm and character. Wood cutting boards, woven blankets, and seagrass poufs make authentic accents.

The coastal grandma aesthetic blends the best of old and new for a style both elegant and inviting. Borrow its organic textures, soothing palettes, and focus on quality over quantity to create your own sanctuary by the sea - or just channel that peaceful, coastal mindset.

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Coastal Grandmother Style: The More Refined Cousin to Cottagecore

How does coastal grandmother style contrast with the cottagecore aesthetic, I hear you ask… Well, coastal grandmother and cottagecore aesthetics share some similarities, but also have distinct differences that set them apart. While both styles embrace natural elements and have a vintage-inspired look, coastal grandmother is more refined and airy with its neutral colour palette, while cottagecore is playful and lush with bold florals and frills. Coastal grandma favours a lighter, breezy feel with plenty of windows, wicker furniture, and easy-living appeal suited to seaside living. Think sand tones, white slipcovers, and beachy textures. Cottagecore has a more maximalist and quirky personality, with darker florals, checked prints, and mismatched vintage china.

Coastal grandmother draws inspiration from New England seasides, with simplicity and quality craftsmanship as hallmarks. Cottagecore looks to pastoral British countrysides, with romantic whimsy and garden-influenced decor. Both aesthetics value natural materials and some handmade details, but coastal grandmother focuses on fine woods and artisanal ceramics while cottagecore embraces lace, wildflowers, embroidery and patchwork quilts. While coastal grandmother goes for more expensive, heirloom-quality furnishings, cottagecore embraces thrifted finds and DIY project potential. The nautical colour palette also sets coastal grandmother apart from cottagecore's playful prints.

In essence, coastal grandmother is the refined older sister - think pearl earrings and white linen pants;) - while cottagecore is the free-spirited younger sibling in a floral maxi dress. Both share nostalgic charm, but express it through different sensibilities.

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Coastal Style Goes His and Hers: Coastal Grandma Chic vs. Rugged Coastal Grandpa

Yes, you may have heard it… As the coastal style continues to dominate, this relaxed vintage look will emerge as the cool, masculine counterpart to the popular coastal grandma aesthetic. The coastal aesthetic is splitting into his and hers styles with the emergence of coastal grandpa design alongside the already popular coastal grandma look. Coastal grandma revolves around soft, feminine details like painted wood furniture, floral fabrics, and hints of romantic styling. Coastal grandpa offers the masculine perspective with its emphasis on worn leathers, natural unfinished woods, and collected vintage finds. In 2024, coastal grandpa will be the answer for those desiring interiors with vintage character, natural textures, and an unfussy vibe perfect for seaside living. Expect to see this look everywhere from the pages of design magazines to the most stylish beach cottages.

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While many home décor trends come and go, the coastal grandmother aesthetic has an enduring, classic elegance that feels like it could stand the test of time. With its artful blend of new and old, the coastal grandmother style feels simultaneously fresh yet settled, like a beloved heirloom passed down generations. This is timeless decor meant to invest in and savour for the long haul.

For an in-depth look at embracing the coastal grandmother style, check out our design style guide. It offers more tips and inspiration to help you achieve this timeless and elegant style in your own home, and compares the coastal grandma trend to other styles such as coastal grandchild, farmhouse, cottagecore and coastal chic.

 
 
 
 
 
Elke Bretz