Grand Millennial and Coastal Grandmother interior design styles have been trending on

When asked in a recent interview with Martha Stewart Home on my thoughts on the relevance of the design trend I responded — “I think the trend is spot on for our current socio-economic climate and focus on sustainability. Coastal Grandmother is about utilising what you have available to you in the form or heirlooms etc and mixing it with elements that encourage relaxation and calm. After two years of a pandemic… this is exactly the mood we want to capture. That feeling of being with family in what you consider a safe space..” — https://www.marthastewart.com/8260394/coastalgrandmother-style-design-trend

It is unusual for a kitchen to be designed around an antique breakfront, but that’s exactly where we began. Recessing the breakfront in the entry wall immediately created much needed storage. The deliberate choice of oak cabinetry accessorised by brass pulls added balance to the heavier tones of the traditional pieces. A custom mosaic backsplash and open shelving helped to infuse coastal moments throughout.

White slip covered Queen Anne dining chairs and a cream upholstered sofa created a relaxing coastal atmosphere. We reupholstered a pair of wingback chairs in a mix of plaid and pinstripe fabric, which reinforced the union of coastal and traditional elements.

A bold tropical wallpaper mural instantly lifts the mood of all who enter and adds a sense of whimsy to an otherwise calm space. Chinoiserie vases and driftwood elements finish off our coastal grandmother project.

There is Coastal Grandmother and then there is its very distant cousin, Tropical Modern. At a first glance, the stark contrast between both design styles would beg to question why they would be considered relatives at all, but the material that remains prominent in both styles is 100 per cent natural hardwood.

Tropical Modern design relies heavily on using natural materials and textures to create that casual and salubrious environment we have come to know and love about living in the tropics. We utilised locally sourced cedar wood to fabricate prominent 8ft high doors, custom kitchen cabinetry and bathroom vanities throughout this living space nestled in the hills of St Andrew.

The Jatoba Wood clad stair treads and risers were supplied and installed by Dougal Flooring and add warmth to the contemporary glass banister and brushed nickel handrail. An imported 8-seater teak live edge dining table and a complementary Maramade console table that our clients brought from a previous home, continued the use of wood from the millwork to the furniture.

Wood will last a lifetime if properly cared for; and after decades of use, one can simply refurbish and repurpose pieces from what was once part of a Tropical Modern oasis to whatever version of Coastal Grandmother we will come to enjoy in the future. As transitory as some design styles may be, they always return to seamlessly blend with contemporary design. Each trend has its own unique journey, and with each journey there is an opportunity to explore, experiment and enjoy the process. We continue to embrace the evolution and look forward to infusing old-world trends into future designs.

If Walls Could Talk is a Jamaican based Interior Design firm, led by Managing Director and Lead Designer, Joelle Smith.

Website: www.ifwallscouldtalkja.com

Instagram: @ifwallscouldtalkja