As younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z are growing up and entering adulthood, they are finding themselves impacting a lot of different aspects of life in many major ways. Of course, many older millennials have been in adulthood for a while now, but that doesn’t make their impact any less significant.
One of the ways in which their influence can be felt is in the world of interior design. Mid-century modern design has dominated the design landscape for a while now. Characterized by its use of clean, simple lines and organic shapes, this of course evolved into the Scandinavian and ultra-minimalist designs we are seeing now, with an emphasis on white walls and greige furniture as seen in the homes of celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
These simplistic design trends are often cited as bringing a sense of calm and tranquillity to a space, by allowing a space and its occupants room to breathe, doing away with a need for “stuff”. To its detractors however, it’s seen as cold and impersonal, a reflection of mass-produced and catalogue ready furniture that has become the norm.
Enter: Granny Chic. Granny Chic, also known as “grandmillenial”, a term coined by Emily Bazilian, senior features editor on a story published on September 4th, 2019, in House Beautiful, is a response to the popularity in ultra-minimalist interior design. These maximalist and patterned styles may give you a rush of nostalgia, reminding you of designs of days gone by.
What is Granny Chic?
Taking inspiration from traditional English-country style, Granny Chic evokes feelings of warmth and individuality, as this allows people to really personalize their space. It combines traditional styles with a modern twist, with those who use the style often using bright patterns and colours to spruce up their home.
Within a home that’s styled in Granny Chic, you’ll find patterned wallpaper, typically in a floral pattern (but not always), vintage furniture in dark wood tones, and ornate mirrors. Metal fixtures and accents will most likely be gold, bronze or brass and textiles will be characterized by needlepoint embroidery or other bold patterns. On furniture, drapes, cushions, and wall décor, you’ll see ruffles, pleats, fringe embellishments, toile, plaid, and chintz. You’ll see pleated lampshades, blue and white ceramics, skirted tables, and Victorian furniture. You may also see an abundance of plants or greenery, or woven or rattan materials as well.
Unlike true traditional, however, Granny Chic combines the old with the new, featuring a more eccentric and eclectic touch, with mismatched items in bold and bright colours, and patterns being picked and chosen for their unique features without completely overwhelming the space. While this design is undoubtedly maximalist, it will still be devoid of clutter, and the degree to which a space will feel like it belongs to a granny will depend entirely on the taste of the person who lives there.
Walking into the home of a grandmillennial may make you feel like you just traveled back in time to visit your grandma’s house. Albeit, with a bit of a twist.
Why do People Love Granny Chic?
Granny Chic provides a personalized, cozy feel to a space. As mentioned above, the minimalist movement often feels lacking in personality, and while a person undoubtedly lives in the space, it often feels like they haven’t made it theirs.
As a result, people are turning to older styles, when rooms had a lot of character and comfort was key. People want to connect emotionally with their home and the space that they live in, and granny chic gives them the opportunity to do this.
Like most generations, millennials and Gen Z don’t want to live in spaces that feel like they were designed by their parents. They want a space that feels recognizable but still new, and outright reject the monotonous designs that they may have grown up with in their own homes and have certainly been seeing on social media for the past decade or so.
When decorating their homes, people are often looking for ways to save a dollar while also protecting the environment. Granny Chic allows people to do this, as thrift stores are the best places to find furniture and other pieces that match this aesthetic, while being fairly cheap, considering these kinds of pieces are often in an overabundance. Also, the recycling aspect is great for the environment and is far better than always buying your furniture brand new.
All of this is to say, it looks like we are finally seeing the slow and eventual end of the greige movement. While Granny Chic is still currently considered “anti-style”, as with all design movements, soon it will give way to a future of colour in interior design.
Lily Frances | Contributing Writer
