Is It “Grandma Chic” or “Grandma Core?”

Interior Design

Jan 14

We’ve seen iterations of it in interior design like Cottage Core, but “Grandma Core” encompasses more than just interiors. It’s the slow living, baked goods and handmade gifts. Don’t get me wrong, I’m currently working on a cross stich pattern my grandma left behind (probably purchased in the 1970’s or 80’s…), but for this blog’s purpose, I’m going with “Grandma Chic.”

Why I prefer “Chic”

You know that feeling you get when you walked into your grandma’s house and were immediately hit with the sense of nostalgia and too many florals? That’s what this is. This trend has a tendency to go overboard, and while I am excited to have more personality in spaces, I don’t want to throw up from too many clashing patterns.

How to Translate to Interior Design

In terms of architectural details this could mean visible storage and open shelves, fewer built-ins. In terms of decor, you’ll be seeing vintage tea cups, handmade tile, possible craft projects. If you’ve ever thought about re-upholstering a chair or bringing a white painted dresser to its natural color, now is the time to do so.

How to do this thoughtfully: First, consider your overall color pallet. I would stick to 3-5 colors with 1-2 being your main and the rest as accents. Second, as you incorporate pattern, make sure they all fit within your color pallet and you have a range of pattern sizes (extra small paired with medium, small with large) You should also have solids for visual relief. And lastly, there is such a thing as too much. Limit your gallery walls and break up with a single large piece of art on an other wall. No more than two pillows per chair 5-6 per sofa. Use your open storage to showcase styled vignettes, not your clutter or loose papers.

Shop My Picks

Are you ready to try this trend in your home? Click the photos to shop my picks. Disclosure: The following links are affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase through these links.