Grandmacore Design Is Having a Moment—Here's How to Get It Right
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As editors at House Beautiful, we like to stay on top of all of the interiors trends, no matter how quirky they may seem. We’ve delved into everything, including bookshelf wealth, quiet luxury, and, now, grandmacore. Before you wince at the thought of antique candy dishes filled to the brim with expired butterscotch candies, plaid wallpaper that’s peeling at the edges, and an overwhelming stench of staleness, know that the kind of grandmacore we’re talking about is cool, not tired.
“To me, it’s about mixing older pieces into your home. Perhaps an antique dresser, a vintage vase, or an old lace tablecloth to give a feeling of nostalgia to a room,” says Louise Roe, founder of Sharland England. “It’s not about copying your grandma’s home piece for piece to make your space feel like a period drama set.” The California kitchen designed by Meta Coleman and shown above, with its cabinetry inspired by vintage furniture and patinated brass accents, is a great example.
The goal of incorporating any trend is not to make your home feel like that trend has exploded in each room. On the contrary, it’s about using the bits of that specific trend that speak to you most. Doing this slowly (read: slow decorating) will help ensure you’re adding pieces you love.
Plus, unlike with some trends, such as Barbiecore, perfection and symmetry aren’t the goal. In fact, when you think about your grandma’s house, a more laid-back vibe comes to mind, right? That’s what makes it so cozy, and that is the goal. “A house feels lived-in and layered, and to me that can be extremely elegant,” Roe adds. “I grew up surrounded by my great-grandmother’s furniture and have even now named my brand Sharland England after her.”
What Is the Grandmacore Design Style?
Grandmacore is similar to cottagecore in that it’s quaint, colorful, warm, and comfortable. Nothing is too precious to sit on, lean against, or touch. “I wonder if the aesthetic is popular because it really does elicit a feeling of comfort. Minimalism was popular for a while—and, of course, still is for many—but the contrast of coziness, layering, and warmth, it’s an inviting respite,” Roe says.
How Can You Decorate in the Grandmacore Aesthetic?
There isn’t as much of a science to grandmacore as there is to Barbiecore or cowgirlcore because you’re not trying to mimic something. It’s more about creating a vibe that elicits the feeling you get when you step through your granny’s door. “Start small, perhaps with a piece of artwork or tabletop decor,” Roe suggests. “Then look into old wooden furniture with a patina. When we moved to London from L.A., I invested in an antique bureau desk, and it’s a centerpiece I sit at and adore every day.”
Roe’s definitely onto something. This aesthetic is about investing in pieces that evoke a past era when things were simpler and not mass produced. So, the next time you’re at a flea market, antique shop, or vintage furniture fair, look around and pay attention to the pieces that linger in your mind. Those are going to be the ones that not only ring true to grandmacore but will make you happy long after the trend passes.
How to Use Vintage and Antique Finds
If there’s one rule when it comes to grandmacore design, it’s that you must have at least one piece of antique or vintage furniture in each room (decor and accessories will work too). After all, have you ever seen any grandmother’s house without a piece of furniture from a past era? We think not! “Older pieces have stories to them and are usually handcrafted to outlast newer pieces. Cottagecore also makes me think of chintz, which just makes me happy when I see it,” Roe notes.
When shopping for older pieces, Roe suggests trying your hardest to not become influenced by something’s potential monetary value one day. “Don’t be guided by what might become valuable. Just go for what you love!” We’d say that philosophy applies when shopping any trend.
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