Shhhhh….I have tan lines! A little bit of gardening each afternoon is to blame, and it’s a bonus to look healthier with the color. As summer approaches, coastal grandmothers and lifestyle vibes are still vibing even if they were a 2022 trend. Let’s face it, coastal grandmother is a laid-back, elegant aesthetic fresh with hydrangeas, understated neutrals, and bowls of fresh citrus. Those classics aren’t going anywhere. The hashtag simply re-packages the loveliness coastal romantics have been celebrating since well before the chic Nancy Meyers movie sets. Oh the pretty blues, the natural colors of coastal life, cozy cottage style kitchens, and lazy summer afternoons without plans. And beach houses! That luxe Hamptons beach house in Something’s Gotta Give is epic coastal granny dream house territory.
![Schumacher 1889 fabric on roman shades in a beautiful white kitchen with farm sink, little girl in polka dot dress, and vase of limelight hydrangeas. #blueandwhitekitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/schumacher1889-blue-white-kitchen-roman-shades-child-polkadot-farm-sink.jpg)
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2023 Coastal Grandmothers
What is a Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic?
Jimmy Fallon has fun with coastal grandmothers and some of the tenets in this:
“Got me eating dinner at 3” is maybe my favorite lyric…hahahaha.
![My rustic French farnhouse dining area with harvest table and Belgian linen upholstered chairs - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/european-country-dining-room-belgian-linen-chair-hello-lovely-studio-french-country-dining-room.jpg)
But you don’t need to be divorced, watch THE VIEW, or relate to Jane Fonda. Nope. You don’t even need a nearby beach or grandparent status. Heavens, I’m a card carrying Midwestern CG along with Stanley Tucci, who totally has coastal grandmother down to an art.
![Coastal living room furniture and decor resources to get a Hamptons look. #hamptonsstyle #coastallivingroom](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/coastal-living-room-shop-the-look-banner-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
It’s about enjoying the little things, and the aesthetic is easily applied to lifestyle, interiors, gardening, wardrobe, and even self-care habits.
![Funny midlife quote about golden girl summer authoreeholmes on Hello Lovely Studio. #midlifequotes #girlfriendquotes #squadmenopause](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/funny-golden-girls-quote-milife-coastalgrandmother-humor-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Maybe coastal grandmotherhood can even be a state of mind. And maybe I’m a coastal grand-mama.
![Michele of Hello Lovely Studio reclining on Nollapelli sheets in a white linen robe from Serena & Lily. #nollapellisheets #hellolovely #whitelinen #whitebedrooms](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/michele-hello-lovely-white-linen-nollapelli-pillow-pajamas-7.jpg)
![Funny cake quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #cakequotes #bakingquote](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/funny-quote-about-cake-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
“It’s more about the way you live your life — slowing down and taking time to enjoy the little things.” – Lex Nicoleta via HGTV.
Can you dig it? There’s no ocean or sea breeze here, but there’s a breezy barefoot elegance, yes?
![Hello Lovely's farm sink (Hyannis-30 from Nantucket Sinks) in renovated kitchen with Viatera Muse counters and Waterworks Julia faucet. #farmsinks #farmhousesink](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_3944-c.jpg)
CANNOT wait for our hydrangeas to bloom magnificently like this again!
![One off humor tweet about being imperfect or awkward by @delia_cai on Hello Lovely Studio. #oneoffhumor #socialfail #relatabletweet #lifetweet](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/funny-tweet-about-imperfection-delia_cai-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Why is a Coastal Aesthetic Timeless?
It is no surprise this aesthetic for interiors and lifestyle endures with its timelessness. Maybe it is timeless because it relies on classics and is always timely as an antidote for stress.
So many of us are dang exhausted from politics, social media, global threats, AI emergence, and information overload. We’re deeply concerned and want to be a part of reconciliation and resolutions, but we need breaks from the stress to re-energize. Things “cozy and calm home” feel even more sacred in the 2020s as uncertainty comes in fresh ways.
![Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/001-april-2023-hello-lovely-bath-25.jpg)
More than ever, folks need home to feel to like a safe retreat to recharge and regroup.
![Beachy basket with champagne and towel - Hello Lovely Studio. #coastalgrandmother #picnicbasket #summerliving](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hello-lovely-studio-modern-french-bistro-black-stripe-seagrass-basket-turkish-blanket-towel-coastal-grandmother.jpg)
Coastal Icons?
Certain celebrities and influencers spring to mind. I mentioned Stanley Tucci. But also, Oprah, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, Anne Hathaway, fictional characters created by Nancy Meyers (Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep), and if we go back to the 1950s…Brigitte Bardot!
![Book cover, IN THE SPIRIT OF ST. TROPEZ by Henry-Jean Servat (Assouline, 2003) with Brigitte Bardot reaching into a convertible on a city street.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/in-the-spirit-of-st.-tropez-brigitte-bardot-book-cover.jpg)
Talk about a single human being propelling a coastal village to fame!
When is coastal style not just a décor style?
I think going coastal is about loving the simple things, slowing down to savor them, and staying close to the earth by truly noticing the beauty of sea, sky, sand, and nature’s bounty. It is about honoring natural materials such as cotton, linen and cashmere, yet it transcends fashion.
![Levi's jeans. Melissa James Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/hello-lovely-studio-jenny-sweeney-13.jpg)
Inherent in coastal living are aspirations to elevate ordinary days with simple elegance and everyday romance.
![Hello Lovely modern vintage bath mood board resources for our Georgian's primary bath. #modernvintage #bathrooms](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/001-hello-lovely-modern-vintage-bath-mood-board.jpg)
The aesthetic and lifestyle may especially appeal to homebody types who love to create subtle backdrops for peaceful moments to unfurl within a safe haven.
![Hello Lovely's white coastal kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash. #coastalgrandmother #whitecoastalkitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hello-lovely-studio-white-kitchen-oak-floor-marble-subway-backsplash-industrial-cart-farm-sink.jpg)
There’s little patience for uncomfortable high heels or underwire pushup bras. (Shhhh. Since my reconstructed boobs don’t need one, I rarely wear a bra.) White tshirts, denim, and chambray button-downs belong. Self-care may look like: long walks in nature, reading books, crocheting, sipping lemonade or wine, gardening, painting watercolors, and uncomplicated recipes.
![Belgian linen upholstered furniture including swivel egg chair in my living room with white oak hardwoods - Hello Lovely.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/european-country-cottage-living-room-egg-chair-fireplace-michele-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
How Does Coastal Grandmother Vary From Preppy Style?
Preppy all-American style seems to overlap with coastal grandmotherhood. However, their interiors may reveal a discrepancy. A prepster may be more likely to choose chintz, plaid, and fussy wallpaper. These may feel too busy or like too many layers for a coastal granny’s taste. Also, a lot of preppy lovers favor colorful maximalism whereas there’s a pared down quality to coastal grandmother chic environments.
“…preppy decor’s roots remain in exoticism as popularized by upper-class European society” – House Beautiful
![French country garden with bench and stone wall - Hello Lovely.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/hello-lovely-garden-boxwood-bench.jpg)
While both styles are rooted in sophistication and classicism, CGs are maybe more uplifted by the natural world, solitude, and the rhythms of the sea. They may treasure driftwood as decor for their cozy cocoon more than exotic chinoiserie.
![Belgian linen slope arm dining chairs in our breakfast nook with window seat - Hello Lovely.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/european-country-cottage-kitchen-breakfast-nook-window-seat-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Is Coastal Grandmother Lifestyle Expensive?
Diane Keaton’s character in Something’s Gotta Give (Erica Barry) owns an oceanside Hamptons beach house that would cost a fortune. Not a simple or inexpensive lifestyle to copy!
“The vibe is very ocean inspired and feels vacation-ey. It also looks effortless and chic and is easy to copy at any price point.” – NY Post
![Stikwood Hamptons rustic reclaimed wood wall in my Country French white bedroom with furniture painted Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/european-country-cottage-bedroom-hello-lovely-studio-005.jpg)
Can you truly capture the vibe on a budget? It depends.
![Coastal Grandmother Shop the Look on Hello Lovely Studio. #coastalgrandmother #coastalcore #classiccoastal](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/coastal-grandmother-shop-the-look-hello-lovely-studio-ina-garten-boxwood-diane-keaton-nancy-meyers.jpg)
Sure, a single room can be decorated with a chic coastal look on a budget. However, it’s the authentic lifestyle and carefree mindset that comes with a steep cost.
![Michele of Hello Lovely in a swimsuit and floppy beach hat. #coastalgrandmother](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/michele-hat-green-swim-suit-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
In the 2020s, FREE TIME is also wealth. So if you should have hours for coastal grandmother hobbies and pursuits, maybe your bank balance is irrelevant.
![Hello Lovely's white coastal grandmother kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash. #coastalgrandmotherdecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hello-lovely-studio-white-kitchen-oak-floor-marble-subway-backsplash-industrial-cart-stool-1.jpg)
For many folks, experiences trump expenditures. Arranging a branch in a vase or freshly plucked flowers from the garden in a simple ironstone pitcher? It can feel more lifegiving and rich to a CG than shoe shopping.
![Rustic antique Belgian sideboard with oak branch in vase in early fall - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/00001-fall-decor-hello-lovely-living-room-sideboard-rustic-belgian-linen-candlelight.jpg)
“A coastal grandmother doesn’t care for thong bodysuits…She likes heirloom tomatoes and going to bed early.” – Glamour
Ha! That tickles me every single time because YES, Glamour. No thong bodysuit could ever compete with an heirloom tomato on planet coastal granny!
![Serene breakfast nook with window seat, Belgian linen slope arm chairs, and round dining table - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/hello-lovely-studio-belgian-linen-dining-chairs-serene-white-kitchen.jpg)
Is This TikTok Trend More Martha or Ina?
Even though Lex Nicoleta says coastal grandmother “is not fully Ina Garten,” it’s hard to imagine anyone who comes closer! Ina’s calming disposition, recipes, and entertaining suggestions are accessible yet utterly chic.
![White Parisian style cafe dining set is perfect for small spaces and casual dining when you love a little romance - Hello Lovely.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_2025s.jpg)
Yet I wonder if coastal grandmothers appreciate the IDEA of her ideas for perfect soirees more than the actual execution of them. Hahahahaha. I know you know what I mean. (i.e. my hoarded crafting and art supplies…no, madame, I am neither rich nor busy crafting all day, just highly irresponsible and skilled at procrastination.)
![Serene coastal cottage breakfast nook with dining table, Belgian linen slipcovered chairs and window seat - Hello Lovely Studio. #coastalgrandmother #breakfastnook #windowseat #belgianlinen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/serene-white-decor-european-country-cottage-hello-lovely-studio-kithen-window-seat.jpg)
What’s your take? Do coastal grandmas hoard craft supplies? I wonder if what I’m doing is rebelling against the culture’s push for constant productivity and hustling. It is still so countercultural to value rest. Add to that pressures to make hard work appear effortless!
![Serene white modern French dining room with farm table, rustic wood candleholders, and succulent in rustic pot - Hello Lovely Studio. #allwhitedecor #modernfrench #diningroom](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/serene-white-decor-european-country-cottage-hello-lovely-studio-dining-room-kitchen.jpg)
Coastal peeps need pajama time and lazy days. Intimate Ina Garten-esque gathering with a simple menu that won’t require exotic ingredients or days of prep? I’m in.
![Hello Lovely Studio](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/00001-breast-cancer-hello-lovely-michele-19.jpg)
How to Capture a Nancy Meyers Chic Inspired Look at Home
Emulating an effortless, Something’s Gotta Give look? Ummm. It’s Complicated and requires effort!
![Coastal Grandmother Kitchen Shop the Look - ideas from Hello Lovely! #coastalgrandmother #coastalkitchen #shopthelook](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/coastal-grandmother-kitchen-shop-the-look-hello-lovely-studio-banner.jpg)
Study The Movie Sets!
We shall not discuss the number of times I have pressed pause to view a scene in slow-mo or spend more time with the set decoration of a Nancy Meyers movie. Train your eye. Notice the architecture, layering, and furniture placement.
![Coastal grandmother inspiration from Something's Gotta Give.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/somethings-gotta-give-kitchen-banner.jpg)
Notice what’s there and what’s not there. BTW. The interiors within that unforgettable Hamptons manse in Something’s Gotta Give were actually movie sets built to Nancy Meyers’ specifications. Even the kitchen countertops only appear to be soapstone! They were painted to look like the real thing.
![Cozy Copenhagen egg chair with Belgian linen upholstery in a bedroom with grisaille wall mural - Hello Lovely Studio. #coastalgrandmother](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/briarcliff-bedroom-egg-chair-fall-living-well-candle-004.jpg)
Don’t Shop the Nautical Section
Kitschy beachy-themed décor at your favorite discount stores has never been your friend. There’s a wide difference between taking decorating cues from the sea with strokes of subtle understatement and filler which clutters a room with beachy signs. Natural sea fans or coral cluster can be beautiful accents, while a slew of faux beach decorations from Homegoods misses the mark.
![Hello Lovely Studio's white oak hardwood floors coastal grandmother living room, dining, and kitchen with Belgian linen.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0001-hello-lovely-studio-white-oak-hardwood-floors-living-room-hall-kitchen-dining.jpg)
Keep the Color Story Cool & Neutral
White sofas are right at home in a beach house, and blue is a timeless coastal accent. I’m partial to grey and white since it reminds me of the moon (yes, a hippie coastal grandmother), and I don’t tire of the combination. Paint trim a crisp white (see this for ideas for the right white), and search my archives for timeless and tranquil inspiration.
![European farmhouse style and French Nordic cottage decor in our fixer upper - Hello Lovely Studio. Come see the renovation photos in Before & After: European Country Style Fixer Upper.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2017-06-08-16.17.09.jpg)
![Coastal Grandmother shop the look style on Hello Lovely Studio. #coastalgrandmother #homedecor #fashion #coastalstyle](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/coastal-grandmother-shop-the-look-hello-lovely-studio-home-decor-fashion-coastal-chinoiserie-blue.jpg)
Psst. I love my everyday flatware from Georg Jensen and nearly identical to this:
I may not live near a coast or enjoy grandchildren, but a coastal state of mind appeals!
![Soothing and serene neutral bedroom with European country cottage style and Stikwood planked wall - Hello Lovely. Furniture is painted #reverepewter](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/011-hello-lovely-studio-honeydew-sleep-pillow-scrumptious-classic-grey-piu-belle-coverlet.jpg)
I’d love to hear your thoughts and whether the aesthetic suits you too.
![Michele of Hello Lovely on a rocky beach. #coastalgrandmother](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/00001-breast-cancer-hello-lovely-michele.jpg)
p.s. thank you for being here on the journey with me – it’s so much easier when you feel joined.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Love the Jimmy Fallon/Jane Fonda “Coastal Grandma” video! And oh, yes, Stanley Tucci is hot as can be 😉
Author
Hahahaha. So funny how these trends make their way into mainstream media and inspire parodies! Stanley Tucci love is in the house! 🙂
I love this post, Michele! I wish I could have someone come decorate my house with all of these items you’ve linked. I love the inspiration. And, that video is so cute! I haven’t been circulating much around blogdom lately. Trying to get back to visiting. I hope you’re feeling well and enjoying “almost “summer.” xo
Author
Thanks so much for stopping here, Pam. It’s always wonderful to connect with you. I’ll be right over with a trunk full of coastal grandmother chic so keep an eye out! 🙂 The warm weather is great for my autoimmune stuff, and I’m hanging in there, muddling through with a song. 🙂 Hope the summer will be gentle with us both.
LOVE this post! I’m ALL in. I do agree it’s as much an attitude or mindset as decor and fashion. Who doesn’t want to be confident, talented, interesting Diane Keaton living in a beach house? But it’s also very much the message “Love is not only for the young. I’m older, wiser, beautiful, interesting and I am ENOUGH. I hope you get it but if you don’t, oh well, that’s your loss” kind of understanding of ourselves. Comfortable in our skin, aware of the beauty of slow growth and being present. I do happen to be a grandmother, have white sofas, limit my wardrobe to cotton or linen and live on Florida’s east coast and defiantly I horde craft supplies. Have an entire room dedicated to my many varied interests! 🙂 Loved the JF video with Jane Fonda.
Author
Hahaha – that’s the CG spirit all right. Thanks for reading! Love that confidence in enoughness – only wish it didn’t take me this long to step into it. Remember that scene in Something’s Gotta Give where Erica challenges her daughter about vulnerability and how love is worth the heartbreak and loss…always gets me. Living is about feeling ALL of it all the way through and loving with a whole heart, not for tiptoeing around the complicated messy parts.