The Coastal Grandmother's House
The Coastal Grandmother’s House
STORY BY VIRGINIA BESHEARS
The coastal grandmother aesthetic has taken the internet by storm.
The quintessential coastal grandma is all about neutral tones, understated but beautiful linen clothes, and reading a novel on a chaise lounge with a glass of wine in hand. The term was coined on TikTok back in March by Lex Nicoleta, who says that the coastal grandmother “loves Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, and cozy interiors.” The coastal grandma is (or, was) incredibly niche, but incredibly recognizable (are you picturing Oprah? I pictured Oprah).
Regarding coastal grandmother interiors, Nicoleta states that she pictures “open kitchens, rustic textiles, white accents, slip-covered sofas, the mixture of beautiful older pieces with newer ones, and lots of natural light.” The look is both eclectic and serene.
Below are some wonderful past ORC projects fit for a Nancy Meyers movie.
This beautiful living room checks every coastal grandma box: classic look, neutral palette, natural light, great collected pieces. The splashes of blue are lovely.
PHOTO & CREDIT DESIGN INDULGENCE
The combination of gorgeous textiles, wood tones, and natural light place this breakfast nook firmly in coastal grandmother territory. The baskets on the wall definitely seal the deal.
PHOTO & CREDIT PLACE OF MY TASTE
This kitchen is definitely more modern, but elements like the backsplash and neutral tones push it into the coastal grandmother sphere. Maybe this is “coastal grandmother with a contemporary bent.”
The textiles, rug, and coffee table in this family room are so great and very coastal grandma. It feels traditional but fresh, and the natural light is the cherry on top.
PHOTO & CREDIT THE PINK PAGODA
This bedroom is so incredibly airy, and it’s grounded by several great antiques/collected pieces.
PHOTO & CREDIT CYNTHIA ZAMARIA
Can’t you just imagine Meryl Streep slicing heirloom tomatoes in this gorgeous kitchen? It’s light & bright with the perfect balance of traditional and rustic elements.
PHOTO & CREDIT MURPHY DEESIGN
I’ve seen a lot of articles calling the coastal grandmother aesthetic a “trend,” and I don’t think that’s accurate. This aesthetic is in no way new, and an eclectic look is famously popular with millennials (grandmillennial, anyone?). Rather, I think coastal grandmother is blowing up online right now because, thanks to Lex Nicoleta, we have the words to discuss it.
While we may not all be able to afford a picturesque California beach house, we definitely can (and should) spend time in the sun sipping lemonade or white wine spritzers. May we all channel our inner carefree coastal grandmothers this summer, one linen shirt at a time.
OUR COASTAL GRANDMOTHER PICKS…
