Erin Napier's Tips For Perfecting The Grandmillennial Design Style

Since starring on HGTV's "How Town," Erin Napier has captured the hearts of viewers with her down-to-earth personality and eclectic style. Together with her husband, Ben, the Napiers restore homes in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi, vowing to breathe life back into the town. But fans don't only love their mission, but also Erin's eclectic style. She never designs a space that's too modern; they all have interesting touches from unique items and vintage finds.

Her style perfectly fits into the grandmillennial trend that's been on the rise in recent years. The trend was first coined in 2019 in a House Beautiful article, the term refers to a resurgence of traditional, classic, and older styles, says The Turquoise Home. Think floral prints, embroidery, and ruffles that most would associate with an older generation. "Granny chic" is all about capturing that warm, comforting, inviting feeling you get from visiting your grandmother or great-grandmother's house.

One of the easiest ways to add a grandmillennial touch to your space is with vintage accents. Don't underestimate the way these items can transform a space better than even bigger changes. Consider items like etched vases, antique frames, patterned curtains, antique rugs, and candlesticks as a way to bring the traditional style into your home. You can find antique class by looking for certain manufacturers like Fenton, Hazel-Atlas, and Westmorland, says Love to Know. Etched, fluted, and colored glasses and vases can bring in that authentic vintage style.

Antique rugs and curtains can bring in the traditional patterns that are characteristic of grandmillennial style. Candlesticks and taper candles have also become popular in recent years. You can find them in a variety of styles and materials, which allows you to find some that are more customized to your style. Place taper candles with different colors and patterns to add a pop to the space.

Think of the furniture that your grandparents had in their home. Most of it probably wasn't manufactured particleboard put together one evening. There's a good chance that their furniture was solid wood. That's why people love searching for old and antique furniture. Solid wood is much more durable and made to last even after several decades. If you're looking for the authentic Grandmillennial style, swap out cheaply made furniture for real wood for items like dining, side, and coffee tables. Chairs, sideboards, credenzas, and bookcases are also great contenders for solid wood furniture.

A good way to tell if you have real wood furniture is by weight, says Furniture Clinic. Furniture that's solid wood is heavy, so it won't be easy to push around or move. Real wood also has a non-symmetrical grain pattern with small variances and a raised texture. Many antique wood pieces will also have a seal on the inside that can speak to their authenticity. Infusing real wood antiques into your home provides a nearly instant transformation.

Open floor plans are a modern creation. Traditional homes had more separation between living spaces. Of course, a renovation to add walls isn't always an option just to add grandmillennial style to your home. If your home has the separation, that's great. But if it features an open floor plan, you create a dedicated dining space to get the vibe. Use furniture like a sideboard and decor such as a rug to definite your dining space. This will create the visual separation that gives the feeling of a closed-off room. If you really want to add physical separation, screens can be used in place of walls.

When creating a dining room, whether open or not, one of the most important considerations is the scale of the items, says Hither & Thither. Light fixtures should hang about 30 inches from the surface of the table unless you have very high ceilings. And if you have long tables, choose a fixture that's long rather than compact. Because this is a gathering space, it's a great place to invest. So don't be afraid to opt for more expensive pieces to get solid wood and sturdy items.

Grandmillennial is not the place for all-white interiors. Erin Napier says to find bold and cozy colors to add throughout the space. A new shade of paint can instantly transform your interior. Soft pastels can be a great option, especially if you're looking to add a feminine touch to the room. Pender & Peony says some of her favorites are Wedgewood blue, Colonial teal, blush pink, sage, and lemon yellow. But you can also add darker shades for a moodier and cozier look to your home.

Of course, you don't have to only think about incorporating these colors with paint. These are great colors to create a full-home color scheme. Lean into the Grandmillennial aesthetic and choose wallpaper, rugs, curtains, or even your furniture with these shades. Or, opt to use them in the small details like the pillows on your sofa or artwork on the walls. A consistent color scheme is key to having an aesthetic properly come across.