Move Over Mid-Century—Grandmillennial Style Is the Design Trend You Need to Know
“Your house reminds me of my grandmother’s,” would not be considered a compliment for most people of the millennial generation. After all, most twenty- and early thirty-somethings have spent the last decade absorbed in design trends that are much more minimalist, mid-century, or modern than generations before.
However, over the last year some millennials have become disenchanted with the somewhat generic, impersonal aesthetic that dominates so many influencer feeds. A new wave of design-savvy, nostalgic-natured, and traditionalist-inspired influencers is on the rise, recently dubbed “grandmillennials” by House Beautiful. Pleated lampshades, ruffled linens, needlepoint pillows, blue and white ceramics, and chintz-everything are a few of the items these young traditionalists gravitate towards. Other items you might find in these spaces include needle point, victorian furniture, floral wallpaper, or an eclectic rug, adds Glenn Rush, Visual Design Manager for Build.com. Oh, and anything vintage of course.
“It was only a matter of time before the influencers discovered history, and with it, these new traditionalists are creating a fresh, more modern sense of style that honors the past, celebrates craftsmanship and—best of all—not in an ironic kind of way,” Los Angeles-based interior designer Mark Cutler tells MyDomaine. He describes grandmillennials as “young, fresh faced design aficionados that are almost preppy (but not quite) and know the difference between a hand-blocked wallpaper and it's machine-made cousin.” Modsy VP of Style Alessandra Wood describe them as “millennials who love design and décor that we might culturally view as old lady or grandma-ish, hinging on classical design forms and patterns.”