8 Essentials for Grandmillennial Decor – Splurge vs. Save
Happy colors, chintz, and needlepoint are just a few of the 8 essentials for grandmillennial decor; learn the rest in this blog post and find budget friendly options!
There is a growing club of decoristas who are rejecting the homogenized gray neutrality of minimalism and instead relishing in granny chic, neo traditional, and what some phrase as “modern meets traditional.” In other words, this club loves color, pattern, antiques, and that little extra embellishment.
I am so here for all of that!
Thanks to Emma Bazilian and House Beautiful as of September of 2019 we now have an official denomination – Grandmillennial!
I must say, it feels pretty good having an officially titled style! And despite the name older generations are fully in support too!
The interiors of grandmillennial style are discriminating but lived in; romantic but bold; and classic but fun. Basically, this style takes the traditional motifs and lines but uses them in fresh ways with updated colors, streamlined furniture, preppy classics, and whimsical playfulness! Moreover it looks to the designs of Sibyl Colefax, Albert Hadley, Sister Parish, and Nancy Lancaster.
Quite frankly, you know whether you are grandmillennial or not.
Personally, I’m ready to sign on the dotted line!
It is a decor style and aesthetic with very definitive tastes. But decorating in this style takes time. It takes building a collection and acquiring special trinkets and mementos from travels, family, and the good old fashioned thrift hunt.
Not to mention many of the brands favored by the grandmillennial are costly! If you’ve ever priced D. Porthault linens you understand!
But there are 8 essentials for grandmillennial decor you can incorporate in your space right now to get the look! There is budget friendly grandmillennial decor you can save money on, while other pieces you should look at as a quality investment.
8 Essentials for Grandmillennial Decor
Save vs. Splurge Options
No. 1 Chinoiserie Ceramics
Grandmillennials are in full support of Chinoiserie, especially ceramics. From blue and white ginger jars to plate walls made with Rose Medallion and foo dog figurines to tobacco leaf bowls overflowing with peonies, you’ll find Chinoiserie ceramics on prominent display in the grandmillennial interior.
These pieces of porcelain and earthenware interject bold pattern and color into these spaces not to mention a dash of whimsy with the fanciful figural scenes and lively creatures.
No. 2 Chintz
Give me all the florals! Chintz originally referred to a glazed calico often printed with big florals, but in the 1960s – 1980s with the designs of Jackie Kennedy, Dorothy Draper, and Mario Buatta chintz because synonymous with bouquets and trailing sprays of roses, tulips, hydrangea, and peonies, etc.
Chintz adds a romantic, feminine note to an interior. In a bright multi-colored pattern it can make a major statement. For that updated grandmillennial approach to chintz look for bright colors in a motif that isn’t too kitschy like these pretty curtains from Anthropologie or a detailed monochromatic print like this bedding from Laura Ashley.
No. 2 Needlepoint
Needlepoint is one of the hallmarks of grandmillennial decor and one of the catalysts according to House Beautiful. And indeed this craft is enjoying new found life as a hobby and collector’s item among the preppy and granny chic lovers. Currently the most popular brand is Lycette Designs whose cheeky sayings and revival of classic motifs is très chic.
Needlepoint is a form of counted thread embroidery in which yarn is stitched through a stiff open weave canvas to produce a design or saying. I love needlepoint pillows with cheeky quotes. There is just something so witty about the juxtaposition of a traditional, feminine craft with “ducking autocorrect” stitched on it! LOL!?
No. 4 Wicker
Another classic enjoying a bit of a revival that is definitely an essential of grandmillennial decor is wicker. As a material it has such versatility that you can find it in a variety of furnishings and accessories from chairs and shelves to trays and baskets.
Wicker brings great texture to a space as well as that natural element which provides some grounding to the room, especially when left in a light wood stain. I love the more whimsical forms like this kangaroo basket or the scalloped front wicker console.
No. 5 Boxwood
Green is a neutral and what better way to interject this vibrant color into a room than by bringing in nature with boxwood! It adds that living element to a space even if you don’t have a green thumb or want to deal with house plants. You will find this natural element all over grandmillennial interiors.
These days very realistic faux boxwood is available, but preserved boxwood is even better. Find it in wreaths and topiaries that you can use on mantels, consoles, and coffee tables. I have two preserved boxwood double ball topiaries that I have literally styled on everything from my mantel to Easter tablescapes!
No. 6 Block Print Fabrics
Grandmillennial decor features block print fabrics. They give that chic boho vibe to a room, but when paired with clean classic lines and traditional materials the interior looks updated and fresh not jungalow. Block printing fabric is an age old, simple yet time consuming technique – read about it here. Many fabrics you see today are screen prints imitating block printing.
The simplistic color palettes and floral motifs look good with a variety of patterns and fabrics. There is something magical about the mix when the right chintz and block print come together!
No. 7 Happy Colors
We grandmillennials favor crisp, bright colors with plenty of white thrown in. For me it is bright pastels like deep blush, spring green, and french blue. I love the happy vibe these colors give a space.
It is important to balance out these colors with dark contrasts and neutrals hence why the natural wicker works so well. But also mahogany. faded blacks, tan leathers, and leopard print are good balances that you’ll see regularly in the grandmillennial space.
Art is a great way to interject these colors into a space, and I’m adoring this lemon still life.
No. 8 Frills
Grandmillennial decor involves lots of frills. But, no, I don’t just mean ruffles and flounce. By frills I’m talking about that extra little embellishment that makes a pillow, a napkin, or a piece of furniture special and memorable. You know like the bullion fringe on an English three seater or the appliqué monogram on a napkin.
It’s these little details that set a decorative accessory apart and we Grandmillennials love those frills!
For added little embellishments right now I am loving greek key trim like on these pillows and these raffia scalloped edge placemats.
To save on frilled grandmillennial decor I often add the embellishments myself. It is easy to baste on trim or I’ll take a basic set of napkins to an embroidery shop to have monogrammed.
Save on Frills
Versus
Splurge on Frills
Alright y’all! I hope you have enjoyed this delve into the grandmillennial style with 8 essentials for grandmillennial decor: Chinoiserie ceramics, block print fabric, wicker, happy colors, chintz, boxwood, frills, and needlepoint. As you can see there are a variety of options out there for budget friendly decor, and I hope my advice helps you make decisions on what to splurge on versus what to save on!
See how I transformed my dining room with these 7 decorating tips for grandmillennial style.
So many beautiful ideas. I must definitely be a grandmillennial 🙂
Yay! So glad you are a fellow grandmillennial! Thanks for stopping in.
Love, love, love! A wonderful list of essentials you put together – and I can so relate as this is my style to a “t”! So, so well done!!
Steph | Magnolia Stripes
http://Www.magnoliastripes.com
Steph, thanks so much. So glad you found some delightful and classic essentials!
[…] is more formal, more feminine, and more elegant. If you are unfamiliar with grandmillennial style read this post. In Part I, we discussed decorating a more casual mantel in a preppy traditional […]
I never knew my passion had a name until just recently… wonderful article, enjoyed it and look forward to more!!
Welcome to the tribe! Thank you!
Thank you for years I have been collecting many of these beautiful treasures. I’m in my sixties now. Family and friends use to say that my style was old and traditional. It didn’t bother me to hear this. I just knew the treasures I loved would be around for generations. Well, my husband and I have downsized and my daughter has most of my treasures. Which she loves. I’m so grateful that I get to see all the china, linens and paintings in her home. My daughter was the one to introduce me to your instagram and I”mso happy. I enjoy all your beautiful photos and learning all about the china I have collected. Thank you so much!❤️
Hi Sheron! That is so great to hear! Sometimes we just have to stick to our tastes and personal style. I totally agree that traditional, classical decor will stand the test of time, and I’m so glad you’ve been able to pass these treasures on to your daughter. Best, Katherine
Can I be a Grand Millennial even if I am a grandmother? If I never see grey and brown again I would be thrilled. I use lots of happy colors especially with quilts and pottery. I change my quilts and decor seasonally – Spring and summer, fall, Christmas, winter!
Jeanne, Yes! Sounds like you are the grandest of grandmillennials. I love changing my decor seasonally too. It just add so much to a home and makes every season feel special and celebrated. Thanks for stopping by!
So weary of dreary, grayed out decor! I will be glad when gray is passé
Yes, indeed!