Coastal Chic

Refined yet fresh and breezy, the Coastal Grandma trend is making waves—and you don’t need a coast or a grandma to get the look.

by Andrea Bennett

FIRST THERE was grandmillennial. Then came cottagecore. Now the “in” decor is Coastal Grandma. Suddenly it seems like everyone wants to live in a set from a Nancy Meyers rom-com. Think Diane Keaton’s home in Something’s Gotta Give and Meryl Streep’s in It’s Complicated. Clean and streamlined, effortlessly elegant yet still warm and inviting, the aesthetic embraces nautical minimalism with a multitude of cool off-whites and muted gray-blues.

If you picture Ina Garten with a farmers market basket, an artfully lived-in room in sun-faded neutrals inspired by sea and sand, liberal use of wicker, and a few generously proportioned vases or pitchers in muted tones, you’re on the right track. The feel is less nautical and more about a breezy, effortless chic. You’ll find no ship’s wheels or anchor art here.

Coastal Grandma is an aspirational aesthetic. In other words, no actual grandmotherhood is required, nor is a picturesquely weathered shingle-style mansion overlooking a coastline dotted with beach grass.

Chic Tweaks

For those who aren’t in love with the moniker, says Kristianne Watts, principal of KW Designs in Solana Beach, California, you might think of Coastal Grandma as a sophisticated, pared-down modern home with nods toward the beach.

“We are seeing a trend toward more traditional architectural elements that I think hint at the Coastal Grandma look, but are very refined,” she says. “Our clients will describe a warm coastal feel—something that is sophisticated with all the modern conveniences.”

The idea is a “style that will last the test of time, which is where a layer of authentic goods and classic finishes come into play.” Watts points to interior elements like custom iron picture-frame doors and heavy rubble stone. “There’s a blending of clean, modern aesthetic and weathered elements that guides our designs.”

Happily, it’s not difficult to make small tweaks to your existing decor to capture the look. “Painting or replacing any heavy distressing to woods and cabinets, updating hardware, and changing heavy, gray-washed finishes can make a big difference,” Watts says. Preserving some older architectural features while layering in breezy coastal furniture and accessories is the goal.

Remember that this look is personal, so aside from a general feeling of refined airiness, there’s no playbook. After all, Coastal Chic is a lifestyle, not a checklist.