So Granny loves your Interior Design Style?
Photo by Jazmin Quaynor
What is Granny Chic?
Let me begin by saying that if, in 2023, your Gran loves your home styling you are probably very on-trend. Well made mid-century wood furniture, iconic Scandinavian chairs, floral wallpapers - it is all back. Some publications lovingly call the trend “Granny Chic" or I have also seen the style referred to as “Cottagecore '' in the US. A blend of traditional, rustic, classic, charity shop treasures and car boot sale finds. Keep some empty spaces and a neutral colour backdrop. Items are often mismatched so carefully place items and light well. You don't want it to look like the inside of a vintage charity shop.
Chest of Drawers
Photo by Julian Hochgesang
So if you have visited Grandmas’ Attic Fair in Woking, Sandown Fair in Esher, Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair in London or even Guildford Antiques Market then you may have found a similar gem like this vintage chest of drawers. Full of embellishments you can imagine a cabinetmaker applying all their love and skill to this piece. Would sit comfortably in a traditional or modern farmhouse setting.
Floral Wallpaper
Jacaranda - Delft - Designers Guild
There was a time when all well dressed walls were adorned with flowers. Large flowers, small flowers, buds, bouquets, trailing flowers and botanical greenery. Now designers and well established retailers are offering an assortment of floral wallpaper with clear patterns and fresh backgrounds.
Round Velvet cushions
B&M Stores
Cushions like these were very fashionable in the Fifties/Sixties and placed on sofas for decoration only. Apparently inflexible and firm, not designed for lounging. They came in many fabulous colours, the icing on the cake to a mid-century design scheme. Now available, new, in many retail home stores.
Tiled Fireplaces
20th Century Fireplaces
I am not sure that this type of fireplace has gained any traction in the last few decades, it is usually the first item that new homebuyers pull out in their bid to modernise their new homes. Looking a ‘little dated’ although visually cute. My own grandmother would have been overjoyed to have this in her lounge, adorned with a million tiny ornaments and crocheted doilies. We have since updated the style.
Ribbed Glass Sliding Doors
Innes
Monopolised now by the Industrial design trend these doors were originally popular in 20th century kitchens together with patterned and etched glass. Obscuring the view of plates, cups and saucers. This type of glass disappeared for so long that its reintroduction now appears new, modern and fresh.
Shaggy Carpets
Photo by Julie Marsh
This style item was huge in its day and is still available today in rugs. Soft to walk on, in a variety of colours with a richly textured pile - long and unruly. Engulfing paperclips, coins, hair clips, pencils, earrings and any small object you wished to drop on it.
Finally…
Happy New Year!
What goes around comes around. Design trends just keep moving categories - what was old fashioned yesterday is in fashion today and so we add a little flourish to it and it is brand new tomorrow. Déjà vu" Gran.
Photo by Amber Eve Anderson
