20 Hallmarks of Grandmillennial Style
The Glam Pad has written extensively about the latest design “trend” identified by House Beautiful in 2019… Actually, it isn’t a trend at all, but a wave of “Grandmillennials,” identified as the mid-20s to late-30s generation, who “have an affinity for design trends considered by mainstream culture to be ‘stuffy’ or ‘outdated’ — Laura Ashley prints, ruffles, embroidered linens…”
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we just have to share this fabulous article from House & Home touting the rise of Grandmillennial Style. (We are also delighted to have been referenced!) For those of us who love traditional design, this is just such exciting news. This movement has been growing for some time now, but now that we are all confined to our homes, more than ever we want to create a beautiful sanctuary. House & Home says, “In a time of growing global unease, this comforting style is a small panacea for the unrest in the world. It’s also a reaction to the spare, Scandi minimalist aesthetic that, though photogenic, is somewhat generic.”
House & Home has identified 20 hallmarks of Grandmillennial Style:
1. Matching Layers: coordinating drapery, pleated bell lampshades and ultra-padded headboards!
2. Velvet
3. Grand Chandeliers: Hello sparkling crystals, goodby funky!
4. Chintz
5. Tufting
6. Antiques
7. Wicker
8. Scenic wallpapers from Gracie, Zuber and de Gournay
9. Blue and white ginger jars
10. Rattan
11. Floral wallpaper
12. Gold-leaf mirrors
13. Trellis Motifs
14. Settees
15. Gallery walls
16. Armoires
17. Collections
18. Tropical touches
19. Skirted sofas
20. Sterling silver: This one is my own addition… I haven’t seen anyone really talking about it yet, but they will. This is a generation who appreciates the history and permanence of Nana’s silver. Furthermore, as we head into a recession, it is never a bad idea to have silver on hand.
Below are images from the Instagram account of Amy Berry, a poster child for the Grandmillennial movement…
A recent article from One Kings Lane features an interview with the legendary Carleton Varney and his thoughts on the future of decorating… After years of lamenting “young people who want fast design,” Mr. Varney finally has hope for the future generations of interior design…
“The Buatta-loving, ruffle-wearing grandmillennials are ready to take the helm and steer us into a brightly colored future, he says, though he warns that they’re up against a ‘very forceful opposite.’ Luckily, ‘there will always be a group that’s classic, and thank God they still want us to decorate for them.'” ~Carleton Varney via One Kings Lane
Additional reading from The Glam Pad is below…
- FEATHER YOUR NEST WITH GRANDMILLENNIAL STYLE
- WHY TRADITIONAL DECOR IS MAKING A COMEBACK
- IS TRADITIONAL THE NEW “TREND” FOR 2020?
- THE RISE OF “GRANDMILLENNIAL” STYLE
- “BUATTACON” – MARIO’S FINAL FAREWELL
- MILLENNIALS WITH OLD SOULS SPASH OUT ON “GRANDMA CHIC” HOMES
- LYCETTE DESIGNS IS BRINGING NEEDLEPOINT TO THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION
- TRADITIONAL DECOR IS BACK IN VOGUE
Feather Your Nest with Grandmillennial Style
With an increasing number of cities and states issuing “stay at home” and “shelter in place” orders due to COVID-19, my thoughts turned to the rise of Grandmillennial Style. As we all adapting social distancing and navigating uncharted waters that feel like an episode of The Twilight Zone, now more than ever we will want to surround ourselves with comfort, beauty, tradition, and timelessness… which are all hallmarks of Grandmillennial Style.
Traditional interiors are rooted in history, and this nostalgia provides comfort and assurance during unsettling times… The elements of Grandmillennial Style are all designed to create a cozy inviting respite from the outside world. This weekend I found an article from One Kings Lane titled, “An Ode to Grandmillennial Style” and I highly recommend you pop by for a good read. It quotes the genius House Beautiful editor Emma Bazilian, who coined the term back in September, along with several of my favorite Grandmillennial designers, Clary Bosbyshell, Becky Boyle, and Lilse McKenna. Below are some of the key ingredients of Grandmillennial Style, as outlined by One Kings Lane, in addition to portfolio images from their featured designers:
Chintz
Florals and Laura Ashley prints
Botanical prints (click here for an article about their increasing popularity)
Ruffles
Fringe and trims
Curtains
Wallpaper
Scalloped lampshades
Skirted tables
Slipcovers
Needlepoint pillows (needlepoint is also skyrocketing as people hunker down!)
Embroidered linens
D. Porthault
Books (and style inspiration) from Sister Parish and Mario Buatta
Chinoiserie
Jadeite
Bordallo Pinheiro majolica
Fine china
Building “party closets” to house the fine china
Entertaining
Bamboo and rattan
Herend figurines
Pretty soaps
The timelessness of traditional design is another key selling point. I’m afraid we are in for some rough economic times my friends, and now is not the time to be investing in trends. To read this article in full, please visit One Kings Lane. OKL has also curated a shopping guide to Grandmillennial Style (use code OKLANY20 for 20% off). Additional reading from The Glam Pad is below…
- WHY TRADITIONAL DECOR IS MAKING A COMEBACK
- IS TRADITIONAL THE NEW “TREND” FOR 2020?
- THE RISE OF “GRANDMILLENNIAL” STYLE
- “BUATTACON” – MARIO’S FINAL FAREWELL
- MILLENNIALS WITH OLD SOULS SPASH OUT ON “GRANDMA CHIC” HOMES
- LYCETTE DESIGNS IS BRINGING NEEDLEPOINT TO THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION
- TRADITIONAL DECOR IS BACK IN VOGUE
James Farmer Revives a Historic Alabama Home
I hope everyone is staying safe and sane in the midst of this terrible pandemic. In times like these, I take such refuge in beautiful interiors, whether poring through old design books, or fluffing my own nest. Today we will take a virtual tour of a stunning historic home in the sleepy town of Oak Bowery, Alabama decorated by James Farmer, one of my favorite interior designers.
Built in 1845, the McCurd home was remodeled around the turn of the century and had remained untouched until the current owners took possession in 2017. Many authentic architectural details were still intact, but it lacked a functional kitchen, modern bathrooms, garage, and other modern conveniences. James worked with Atlanta-based architect Norman Askins to breathe new life into the beautiful old home, working diligently to maintain historical accuracy while infusing comfort and color. “People often think of antebellum homes and envision serious, stodgy interiors,” James said. “While we Southerners do love our antiques, heirlooms, and other fineries, a little lightheartedness sure goes a long way.”
Photography by Emily Followill, originally published in Flower magazine, with additional images provided to The Glam Pad below… Enjoy!
This home is one of 10 that will be featured in James Farmer’s upcoming book, Arriving Home: A Gracious Southern Welcome (September 2020). You can pre-order your copy here. For additional information, please visit www.jamesfarmer.com, and check out his other books:
- A Time to Plant
- A Time to Cook
- A Time to Celebrate
- Sip & Savor
- Porch Living
- Wreaths For All Seasons
- Dinner on the Grounds
- A Place to Call Home
You can also follow him on Instagram via @jamestfarmer and @jamesfarmerinc. Additional articles by The Glam Pad are below.
