Move over traditional Grandmother, because Coastal Grandmother is here!

And she’s defined not by her age, but by her style...

What is the “Coastal Grandmother” aesthetic, and how can you achieve this design trend which is storming social media, for your interior?

Here at Beach House Art, we spend a lot of time watching people by the coast - it's part of what we do, and we are in & out of coastal homes - styling for holiday rentals, which gives us an authoritative voice on what this 'new' trend, Coastal Grandmother, is all about. 

The Beach House Art creative team have studied the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic in-depth and here’s the lowdown.

What is the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic?

Coastal Grandmother is a lifestyle trend that social media is fast becoming obsessed with. The term has mostly been linked to fashion channels, with a bit of lifestyle starting to emerge. Essentially it celebrates a timeless, pared-back aesthetic - the Coastal Grandmother design emphasizes lighter, monochrome versions of classic elements that feel laid-back.

Inspired by affluent women of more mature age, and Nancy Meyers movies, the look revolves around anything you might find around the beaches of Nantucket, Cornwall, Devon and the Hamptons: think chambray button-down shirts, straight-leg jeans, cashmere pullovers, linens, and pashmina shawls - these are great examples of Coastal Grandmother style. 

The Coastal Grandmother's home is beachy, breezy and paired back. They use texture and fabrics rather than patterns - which is a key differentiator between Coastal Grandmother and the recent 'Grandmillenial trend' which favours chintz, florals, and pastel palettes.

The Do's and Don'ts of Coastal Grandmother - tapping into the lifestyle

• You don't need to be of a certain age to be a Coastal Grandma
• Men can also get involved - Coastal Grandpa is catching on; think Colin Firth & Hugh Grant
• Get cosy on the sofa - or your outdoor cinema, wrapped up in a gorgeous blanket from Atlantic Blankets and watch a Nancy Meyer film such as Something's Gotta Give or It's Complicated
• You don't need to live by the sea, or any body of water to channel your inner Coastal Grandma - a scented candle from Norfolk Living will help
• Put on The Big Chill soundtrack and potter around the house wearing something from Busby & Fox whilst sipping a chilled glass of Chablis
• If you're lacking in heirlooms, visit flea markets to pick up interesting knicknacks to add instant depth to a neutral interior design
• Get Coastal Grandma vibes outside too - from small courtyard gardens and balcony spaces, to hydrangea-filled country gardens, look at Simply Scandi Magazine for inspiration. Or this fabulous garden snug seat from Aldi. 

TikTok star Lex Nicoleta (@lexnicoleta) first coined the term in a post in March 2022, and since then this trend has spread across social and into mainstream media rapidly; BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley (herself a fan of family beach holidays in Cornwall), discussed this trend on her radio show just this week. (April 2022).
 

“What is Coastal Grandmother, you ask? It’s a term that I coined for this aesthetic…” “If you love Nancy Meyers movies, Diana Keaton, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cosy interiors, and more, there’s a good chance you might be a coastal grandmother,” she continues. “And no,” Lex says in her original video. “You don’t have to be a grandmother to be a coastal grandmother. It’s for anyone and everyone.

TikTok user Lex Nicoleta explains over Photographics of Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give” in a video in March 2022. Lex’s TikTok account has garnered over 380,000 likes in less than a month.  

Coastal Grandmother Interiors - how to bring the trend into your home 

Coastal Grandmother is a lifestyle, which includes interiors, art and styling.  
 
Lex Nicoleta even made a Spotify playlist filled with tunes that will have you "standing on your porch in a cashmere cardigan, clutching onto your morning coffee for dear life." She also liked a comment someone made on her TikTok saying “Meryl Streep’s house in ‘It’s Complicated.”

   
Minimalist, not maximalist, paired back and beachy. Our knot collection of art prints would be perfect to add a slice of Coastal Grandmother style to your home. This style also ties in nicely with Scandi interiors.

Molly Freshwater co-founder of Secret Linen Store has shared some of her top tips on how to transform your home into the archetypal coastal grandmother house: A sense of cosiness and calm is brought to many a coastal grandmother's homes with an abundance of lamps for good lighting. You want to be able to create different lighting states depending on the mood.

“Ecrus, old whites, creams and light beiges are the best base colours for any room, with pops of colour being added by fresh blooms or vintage-style knick-knacks,’ says Molly. 

Minimalist, not maximalist, paired back and beachy. Our coastal collection of art prints would be perfect to add a slice of Coastal Grandmother style to your home. This style also ties in nicely with Scandi interiors.