11 Items from Grandma's Sitting Room That Captivate Us
Rediscovering the charm of yesteryears, grandmillennial style has been making waves for a decade now, and it's no secret that the '50s and '60s living rooms leave a lasting impression on us. Here are 11 timeless features that today's interior designers are eager to resurrect, bringing a touch of nostalgia to your own personal spaces.
Acoustic Affair: Curved Settees
Remember those comfy, curved settees that filled the living rooms of yesteryears? Designer Hallie Henley Sims stood by her grandmother's crowning interior gem, her curved back settee clad in orange velvet. This classic seating option, often dubbed the "gossip bench," invites conversation and encourages face-to-face chats - what a novel concept in today's digital age!
Soothe and Swing: Rocking Chairs
Vintage rocking chairs boast the best rocking mechanisms money can buy. Designer Shani Core is always on the hunt for these treasures, reupholstering them with longer, box pleated skirts, and contrasting welts for a more enjoyable experience.
Light Up Your Life: Vintage Lighting
Laura Umansky adores the statement brass lighting pieces dating back to the 1960s, while Venetian glass chandeliers exude an unparalleled elegance and artistry not found in their modern counterparts.
Regal Seating: Dressed Up Accent Chairs
Marie Cloud craves the return of skirts on accent chairs, with box pleats or fringe, adding a dose of timelessness and softness to any room. These chairs, reminiscent of the care and intention of our grandmothers, can be reimagined with contemporary fabrics and bold prints.
Bring Back the Atomic Age: Atomic Decor
Valerie Darden yearns for the atomic decor that graced her grandmother's living room. With its unique silhouettes and playful shapes, this 50s aesthetic remains underutilized today. Perhaps it's time to add a touch of atomic charm to our modern spaces.
Workhorses: Secretary Desks
Elaina Darden is a fan of secretary desks, which offer a dash of practicality coupled with style. Depending on your preference, choose a modernized bar for a contemporary approach, or let the original details shine on their own.
Cocktail Conversations: Bar Carts
In the spirit of the bar cart, reminisce on times gone by with an elegantly stocked antique piece. The 1950s bar carts with their fun, curvy structures add a touch of vintage glamour missing in today's designs.
Curtains and Cabinetry: Chintz Furniture
Bailey Ward and Danielle Domingues are united in their admiration for chintz furniture, fearlessly advocating for this bold floral pattern that lends character and personality to any room.
The Pastime Resurgence: Game Tables
Flip-top game tables have found their place yet again in homes, especially in small spaces. Perfect for game nights, antique game tables double as charming side tables or consoles.
A Memorable Touch: Needlepoint Decor
Needlepoint enthusiasts, unite! Needlepoint pillows with floral patterns create a tasking, luxurious atmosphere and are long overdue for a comeback in modern homes.
On Display: China On The Wall
While plate walls might be a throwback to your grandmother's home, Mary Clair Cumbaa believes they add a unique texture and a cost-effective solution for filling large wall spaces. June 2023 marks the revival of this charming tradition in modern interiors.
- Southern Living presents home decor ideas that transform your living room with grandmillennial style, resurrecting timeless features from the '50s and '60s, such as the comfy, curved settee.
- Acoustic affairs can be recreated in your home with curved settees, inviting conversation and encouraging face-to-face chats reminiscent of yesteryears.
- Vintage rocking chairs, with their best rocking mechanisms, can soothe and swing you into a more enjoyable experience, as championed by designer Shani Core.
- Vintage lighting pieces, such as statement brass lighting or Venetian glass chandeliers, can light up your life and add an unparalleled elegance and artistry to your interior design.
- Secretary desks, a blend of practicality and style, are workhorses that can add a modern twist with contemporary fabrics or let the original details shine on their own.
- In the lifestyle of home and garden, antique bar carts, with their fun, curvy structures, can make a memorable touch to your modern home, bringing back the vintage glamour missing in today's designs.
