What Is A Coastal Grandmother And How Do I Become One?

What is Coastal Grandmother, you ask? Well, simply put, it's a whole way of being. The term was coined in 2021 by TikTok creator Lex Nicoleta, a 20-something who is as far removed from being a grandmother as I am from caring about TikTok. The trend is nothing new, but it feels relevant because a new generation is embracing it. To be a Coastal Grandmother (or CG for short) means taking long walks in nature (beach is not required), wearing button-downs and oversized sweaters, designing with natural fibers but especially linen in the summer, using neutral colors but predominantly white (white linen for extra points!), baking fresh bread, decorating with flowers picked from the garden, cooking with organic produce straight from the CSA or farmers market, and the list goes on and on. She has impeccable taste, commands respect based on quality work, isn't flashy or showy, throws a mean picnic, and most importantly, embraces all the elements of a slower lifestyle. Basically, she's Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give. Or, if you're on the other coast, Meryl Streep in It's Complicated. So, really, let's just say any Nancy Meyers movie character.

With our semi-annual upholstery sale starting this month, I wanted to share a few CG-inspired staples with you. Let's start with what to wear. If I were to get dressed up in my finest CG garb, I would pull virtually anything from Frank and Eileen from The Hive. The Mary Dress in navy and white stripe is just right.  Then a pair of white sneakers. I'm obsessed with the Isabel Marant versions at The Shoe Hive. For accessories, a straw hat that can go from garden to beach and delicate yet fine materials for jewelry. Classic gold hoops and highly personal birthstone bangles from Alx & Co. will do just the trick. A CG wears her heart on her sleeve or, in this case, on her wrist. I have one for each of my children and love them.

A key staple of a CG beauty routine is sunscreen. Keep the sun away with Coola, and be sure to hydrate it with a good moisturizer. As for makeup, keep it simple. A little mascara and a good bronzer go a long way. I just picked up the Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer by Westman Atelier, and it's fantastic. The Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore has become a personal staple. I can't recommend it enough.

For your living space, there's no question that you start with a slouchy, the-more-wrinkles-the-better linen slipcovered sofa, a natural fiber rug, and distressed(ish) woods. The Seda sofa slipcovered in linen and flanked by two Montauk chairs - both by Cisco Home and available to test sit on in the store now - provide the bones of the perfect GC room. Anchor it with a chunky jute rug from Dash & Albert and accent it with cotton throws, lovely decorative pillows, rattan baskets, and ceramic lamps. Beautiful rich or weathered woods for the accent and coffee table finish off the look. 

When you entertain, keep it simple and use cloth napkins. A good wine paired with charcuterie and baguettes fresh from the oven - or Mae's Market - on which you slather butter, brie, or jam makes a lovely intimate soiree. If you want an even more coastal vibe, look to the water for inspiration. Oysters are a given, and lobster rolls with fresh summer salads are too. A CG entertains with effortless style. Homemade is always great, but, as Ina Garten, the OG CG, would counsel, "Store bought is fine."  

The beauty of the Coastal Grandmother lifestyle is that nothing has to be perfect. It's about self-care, easy living, and no-fuss-no-muss. To help you create your perfect CG home, this August and September, we will be taking an additional ten percent of all Cisco furniture. Stop in or drop us a line, and we can help you find your true inner Coastal Grandmother!