Diane Keaton Posts an Ode to the "Coastal Grandmother" Trend

Photo credit: Instagram/@nmeyers
Photo credit: Instagram/@nmeyers
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Admit it: Whether or not you're a fan of her movies, chances are that at some point while watching a Nancy Meyers film you've wished you could live inside one of the homes of her breezy, linen-clad characters. If that's the case, then the design world's latest aesthetic du jour might be familiar to you already. Dubbed the "Coastal Grandmother" by influencer Lex Nicoleta, the look is heavily inspired by Meyers through the many movies she has written, produced, and directed, including Something's Gotta Give and It's Complicated.

"If you love Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cozy interiors...there's a good chance you're a Coastal Grandmother," Nicoleta posted in a now-viral TikTok.

In fact, Meyers herself recently took to Instagram to post a photo of a Coastal Grandma interior that was featured in Something's Gotta Give, writing, "I really don’t like dining rooms but love to have friends over to dinner. They feel like dead spaces most of the time but this was a nice one we built on a soundstage for @diane_keaton’s house in #SomethingsGottaGive. The wall of plates in my favorite color helps."

And on Friday, Diane Keaton, star of many of Meyers's films as the embodiment of Coastal Grandmother ideal in her linen outfits, posted her own satirical tribute to the style, juxtaposing the famous clip of Erica crying over her computer in Something's Gotta Give with clips from Nicoleta's video on her computer. "FROM ONE COASTAL GRANDMOTHER TO ANOTHER, THANK YOU," she captioned the post.

So, aside from its connection to the sprawling white kitchens and entertaining-ready homes of Meyers's films, what exactly is "Coastal Grandmother"? Well, we're here to break it down to you.

What Defines the Coastal Grandmother Look?

Essentially, it's a more modernized/minimalist version of the farmhouse aesthetic; as in, it involves all white or all off-white interiors, with splashes of beige and brown (and maybe some green or black for some pizazz).

Why Is It Called Coastal Grandmother?

Just like its name suggests, the Coastal Grandmother trend echoes the design style of Nancy Meyers characters who a) live near a body of water and b) are typically old enough to be grandmothers. Case in point: Meryl Streep's character in It's Complicated. Much like the wardrobes of Meyers's protagonists, Coastal Grandmother interiors skew neutral and gauzy, like the right pair of effortless linen beach pants.

Is It Similar to Grandmillennial Style?

While both the Grandmillennial and Coastal Grandma aesthetics pay homage to the design styles of our ancestors, there's no denying the stark difference between the two. Grandmillennials tend to gravitate towards a more maximalist approach (think colorful floral wallpapers and patterned antique chairs), while Coastal Grandmothers are typically more minimalist (think much more neutral color palettes and far less patterns).

What Movies Should I Watch for Coastal Grandmother Inspo?

In addition to the aforementioned examples of Something's Gotta Give and It's Complicated, we also recommend watching The Father of the Bride, The Intern, The Holiday, The Parent Trap, Father of the Bride Part II, and Home Again, all of which are Nancy Meyers creations.

What Are Some Examples of Coastal Grandmother Decor?

We highly recommend following Instagram account @nancymeyersinteriors, which has garnered nearly 100k followers since its inception. They often post images of interiors featured in Nancy Meyers films that perfectly capture the Coastal Grandma aesthetic.

Want to copy the Coastal Grandmother look in your own home? We've rounded up our favorite finds to help you live our your dream Nancy Meyers' movie life.

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