When I first came across the term ‘grandmillenial’, I was met with conflicting mental images. Grandparents kitted out in millennial aesthetics battled millennials borrowing their grandparents’ style in my mind. As it turned out, I wasn’t too far off the garden path; only the battling aesthetics were more focused on decor affinities.
In late 2021, the term grandmillenial raced onto decor diehards radars. In a nutshell, the trend pays homage to decor of eras gone by with a predominant focus on the 1920s and 30s.
Think decor with personality. Pieces with a story. The original maximalism. The cool vintage home with a floral backdrop that makes you want to curl up with a book and forget you have a phone with a thousand emails trying to enter your sanctuary.
Where minimalism asks us to embrace neutrality, plain hues and sleek designs, maximalism invites colour, creativity and fun into our little corners of the world. Grandmillenialism as a subset breathes a more curated focus, oozing a retro kick that will have you eyeing your parents or grandparents homes for inspiration, with a modern twist.
Key features of the grandmillenial trend:
If more is more made stylish is the energy you’re after, then here are a few key features from the grandmillenial trend:
- Le Style Anglais
Also known as English Country style, is a core part of the grandmillenial aesthetic. Soft greens, leather lounge suits and fringed ottomans are all essentials for bringing the English spin to your grandmillenial dreamboard, coupled with floral inspiration.
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A modern twist
If you couldn’t bare the thought of floral wallpaper gazing at you, opt for a feature wall with curated art.
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- Nostalgia
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The Grandmillenial enthusiast is nothing without ornate vintage pieces. From chintz beds to rattan chairs to blue and white detailed vases and ornaments; if thrifty nifting is a personality trait for you, it’s time to bring the same energy to your home.
A modern twist
Mixing preloved pieces with your modern favourites doesn’t have to be a mismatched nightmare. Either opt to have modern collections (like a lounge suite) with vintage accents (like art or vases) or vintage collections with modern finishings like sculpture candles.
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- Greenery
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There’s a special place for plant parents in the grandmillenial trend. If you’re not ready to incorporate a jungle into your home, then opt for a few bold eyecatchers like Areca Bamboo or Majesty Palms ( Majesty’s especially if your home is light and bright).
A modern twist
One of the easiest ways to modernise your plant family (although they are by essence timeless) is to opt for sculpture or disco pots.
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- Ornate frames
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There’s something so glamorous about pictures, mirrors or artworks framed with detailed purpose. The important beat here is to remember that these frames are statement pieces in themselves; so to give them their stage select one mirror or a large artwork to make the main character.
A modern twist
A hot trend that sings Friends praises is to frame something no one would expect to be framed – like a peephole. Especially if you’re looking for a way to add some opulance to a small space like an apartment, this is a cute way to bring your frame to fame (or at least to your friends popping in). Or how about a smaller mirror that’ll frame the most beautiful part of your home – you!
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Feature Image: Natalie Jeffcot/Apartmenttherapy
