Grandmillennial style guide

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 04/17/2022

Sometimes called “granny chic,” the grandmillennial style of decorating has come to the forefront of accessible design trends. Grandmillennial style is a perfect balance of new and vintage, mixing beloved heirloom pieces with contemporary essentials.

To help you understand the basics of this chic yet comfortable decorating scheme, here are some of the key elements of the style:

Vintage & modern

An emphasis on vintage furnishings and decor is where the “grand” in grandmillennial comes from. Whether timeworn or in perfect condition, vintage aesthetics are essential to achieving this design style.

However, to create balance and practicality, include more modern and contemporary furnishings as a starting point in your grandmillennial style space.

For example, major furniture pieces like sofas and beds are sleek and modern, while accessories and accents add vintage charm. Brown wood furniture is prominent in grandmillennial style interiors, both in contemporary and traditional style.

Blue, white & brass

While it’s difficult to define a specific color scheme in grandmillennial style design, one of the most popular combinations is white, blue and metallic brass. Blue and white often appear in traditional style fabrics, accessories and wallpaper. Victorian-era toile, decorated china and other precious heirloom accents add color and charm.

Shiny metallic brass is another common theme among decorative accessories, but also in furniture. For example, shelving units, table lamps and bathroom fixtures are perfect places for a brassy sparkle to complement the blue and white grandmillennial color scheme.

Patterns, prints & embellishments

Grandmillennial style incorporates traditional details into nearly every aspect of an interior space. Floral motifs, plaid, needlepoint and toile print are abundant and often blended to create layers of texture. Even grandmillennial spaces with sparse use of color feature classic styles in shades of white or other neutrals.

For a truly grandmillennial interior space, include plenty of floral prints, embroidered linens, pleated lampshades, fringed knit blankets and prominently displayed collections. While it’s best to avoid an overly cluttered aesthetic, don’t leave any surface without a decorative accessory.

While it might seem like a bold trend, grandmillennial style was born naturally through modern lifestyles. Opting to keep treasured heirlooms and furnishings in a classic style to combine with newer necessities can help you create an eclectic yet well edited design.

If you’re interested in something cozy, charming and timeless, try incorporating grandmillennial style into your home using these basic tips.

Grandmillennial Style

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Interior Design

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About the Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.