It’s the segment of the summer where some of us are noticing tan lines. For me, afternoon gardening is to blame, and why why why do I look significantly healthier with golden color? 2024 coastal grandmothers are alive and well, and the trend seems not to be going anywhere. Let’s face it, it makes sense since all things timeless, preppy, and classic are trending too. Romantic coastal chic Nancy Meyers types favor a laid-back, elegant aesthetic fresh with hydrangeas, understated neutrals, and bowls of citrus. The coastal granny hashie re-packages what coastal romantics have celebrated well before a chic Nancy Meyers movie set dawned.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Romantic Coastal Chic Nancy Meyer Types
What’s all the romantic coastal chic fuss?
Jimmy Fallon poked fun at coastal grannies and the trend here:
“Got me eating dinner at 3” is maybe my favorite lyric…hahahaha. And just in case you need that Grace & Frankie mood board after seeing the above…
But are divorced status and watching THE VIEW prerequisites for loving the look? All the nopes. You need not live near a beach or even be a grandparent. Heavens, I’m a card carrying Midwestern romantic coastal chic type along with Stanley Tucci, who is a convincing ambassador.
Maybe it is about enjoying the little things. Right? This aesthetic is easily applied to lifestyle, interiors, gardening, wardrobe, and even self-care habits.
Something about the idea of solving all the problems combined with late night cheesecake feels like a winning summer. Could romantic coastal chic be a state of mind? For example, I will not apologize for turning my simple bathroom into an at-home spa:
I know full well that “self-care” is an instrument of marketers to get us to buy product for bathing, but for me it’s still a path to stillness and quiet. How can calming the nervous system and pampering the largest organ of our bodies for 30 minutes not be a sort of liberation from so many chaotic demands out of our control? (And those Jenni Kayne skincare products? The best I have ever used, and they don’t supply product or compensate me for any mentions.)
“It’s more about the way you live your life — slowing down and taking time to enjoy the little things.” – Lex Nicoleta via HGTV.
Psst. Coastal granny skin can glow too…
Can you dig it? There’s no ocean or sea breeze here, but there’s a breezy barefoot elegance, yes?
CANNOT wait for the hydrangeas to bloom magnificently like this soon!
Why is a Romantc Coastal Aesthetic Classic?
It is no surprise this aesthetic for interiors and lifestyle endures even as fashions fizzle. Maybe it is classic because it relies on traditional timeless style and reminds us to decompress.
In an election year, many folks are exhausted by politics, addictive apps, social media, and the threat of war. There are so many unknowns along with information overload. We’re deeply concerned and want to be a part of reconciliation and resolutions, but we still need breaks to re-energize. Things “cozy and calm home” and nostalgically romantic appeal as uncertainty blooms in fresh ways.
More than ever, many homebodies are after a safe retreat to recover. In recent years I have questioned why it is I feel the need for so many “recovery days.” Chronic illness seems more to blame than age, and if we listen to our bodies, they will let us know the pace that best serves.
Romantic 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!
Talk about a single human propelling a coastal village to fame!
Eclectic Glimpses of Coastal Chic
When is coastal style more than a décor style?
Going coastal is about admiring simple things, slowing down to savor, and connecting to nature through the beauty of sea, sky, sand, and plant life. It is about honoring natural materials such as cotton, linen and cashmere.
Aspirations to infuse ordinary days with simple elegance and everyday romance.
The aesthetic and lifestyle may especially appeal to homebody types who create subtle backdrops for peaceful moments to unfurl within a safe haven.
One of my favorite things about laid back coastal casual style? How I can skip uncomfortable high heels and underwire pushup bras. (Hahahaha…reconstructed boobs unaffected by gravity and time don’t need ’em anyway!) White tees, denim, and chambray button-downs belong in the rotation. Self-care includes long walks in nature, reading, crocheting, sipping lemonade or wine, gardening, painting watercolors, and uncomplicated healthy recipes.
How Does Coastal Vary From Preppy Style?
Preppy all-American style seems to overlap with coastal romance. However, the interiors may reveal discrepancies. A prepster may be more likely to reach for chintz, plaid, and fussy wallpaper patterns. These selections may feel too fussy for a coastal granny’s taste. Also, a lot of preppy lovers favor colorful maximalism whereas there’s a more pared-down quality and room for contemporary to coastal chic environments.
“…preppy decor’s roots remain in exoticism as popularized by upper-class European society” – House Beautiful
While both styles are rooted in sophistication and classicism, romantic coastal Nancy Meyer types are maybe more influenced by the natural world, solitude, and the rhythms of the sea. They may treasure driftwood as decor more than exotic chinoiserie.
Is a Barefoot Contessa 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 emulate!
“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
Can you truly capture the vibe on a budget? It depends.
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.
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.
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.
“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 YESSSSS, Glamour. No thong bodysuit can compete with an heirloom tomato on planet coastal granny!
Is the Aesthetic 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.
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 get my drift (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.)
What’s your take? Do coastal types hoard craft supplies? I wonder if what I’m doing is defying the culture’s push for constant productivity and hustling. It remains countercultural to value rest. Oh, and by all means, MAKE YOUR HARD WORK LOOK EFFORTLESS!
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.
Capture a Nancy Meyers Romance at Home
Emulating an effortless, Something’s Gotta Give look? Ummm. It’s Complicated and requires effort!
Study The Movie Sets!
We shall not discuss the number of times I have paused scenes to spend more time with the set decoration of a Nancy Meyers movie. Train your eye. Notice the architecture, layering, and furniture placement.
Notice what’s there and what’s not. 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.
Don’t Shop the Nautical Section
Kitschy beachy-themed décor at your favorite discount stores has never been your friend. There’s a world of difference between taking decorating cues from the sea and beach-suggestive filler and signs pointing to the lake. Natural sea fans or coral cluster can be beautiful accents, while a slew of faux shells from Homegoods misses the mark.
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 not-yet-granny), 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.
I may not live near a coast or enjoy grandchildren, but a coastal state of mind appeals!
I’d love to hear your thoughts and whether the aesthetic suits you too.
p.s. thank you for joining me on the journey – so much lovelier with you here, friends.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!
Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
