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Nostalgic, layered, and full of heart – grandmacore is bringing back the beauty of lived-in spaces with stories to tell
Some of my fondest memories are at my Sicilian grandparents’ house– the scent of tomato sauce simmering all Sunday afternoon, my Nonna seated at their Mahogony dining table schooling the patriarchs of the family at a game of Briscola – Italian card game – and the burn on my legs from sitting too long on their plastic-covered furniture.
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Their living room perfectly preserved. Handmade dollies on every surface. Cabinets full of fancy teacups (which I happily inherited), glasses and dinnerware, only brought out on the rarest of occasions. A space so layered with texture, narrative, and love, it was like a living scrapbook.
That cosy, eclectic look (minus the plastic!) that is synonymous with our grandparents’ house is back with a new name and fresh perspective. Grandmacore.
It’s not just a trend, it’s a warm pushback against the minimalism look that has persisted for so long. And after years of blank slates, there’s something deeply grounding about a space that remembers where it came from.
That’s the quiet power of grandmacore. It’s not just a style but a feeling—a response to years of simple spaces and fast-furniture fatigue. Where minimalism prizes restraint, grandmacore embraces tenderness. It leans into memory, into texture, into story.
And clearly, it’s striking a chord. According to Pinterest’s internal data, searches for grandmacore rose by 48 per cent globally in Q2 of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The surge reflects a growing desire for comfort-forward design with emotional resonance.
Even designers are gravitating towards it, reinterpreting the aesthetic with fresh eyes. “Grandmacore is rooted in nostalgia, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel outdated,” says Toronto-based designer Tiffany Leigh of Tiffany Leigh Design.
“We’re seeing a lot of pattern-on-pattern, slipcovered furniture, dainty florals, and colour, but paired with clean architecture and an edited eye.”
What distinguishes grandmacore from pure vintage revival is its balance. Done right, it doesn’t feel cluttered or costume-y, it feels curated. “It’s about finding harmony—letting a piece with history shine, while ensuring the overall space still feels considered and current,” says Leigh.
For Tamara Robbins Griffith, principal designer at Kerr + Field Interiors, the style is deeply personal. “My grandfather was a home builder, and my late bubbi (Yiddish for grandmother), Pearl Robbins, decorated his show homes.
She had a great sense of style, believed in the value of quality pieces, and took great pride in her home,” she shares. “She truly inspired me, and I have a lot of pieces in my home from her house today.”
Robbins Griffith recently reupholstered a pair of tub chairs from her bubbi’s bedroom in a high-performance off-white woven fabric. “The new fabric modernizes them a lot, but the shape is classic.”
For those just dipping into the style, Robbins Griffith recommends hitting up a flea market on a weekend. “A side table, a vintage oil painting, even some decorative accessories can instantly bring personality to your space.” Better still, she says, “If you have a grandma who’s downsizing, experiment with her furnishings. There might be a classic piece just waiting for a new fabric or fresh coat of paint.”
Leigh takes a similar approach but focuses on incorporating texture and thoughtful curation. “Adding pattern curtains, vintage needlepoint pillows or a ruffled floral quilt to a bed is a great place to start,” she says.
“Even just styling your bookshelves with a few delicate trinkets or a teacup from your grandmother’s collection can bring that layered, story-filled feeling to a room.”
Beyond its nostalgic charm, grandmacore embraces sustainability in a tangible way. Heirlooms are restored, thrifted finds are refreshed, and vintage accents are brought back into rotation. It’s a way of living that keeps beautiful, well-made pieces in use, allowing us to carry their memories forward.
Grandmacore reminds us that the most compelling interiors aren’t built overnight; they’re collected over time. For me, it echoes the nostalgia of my Sicilian grandparents’ home, where every object had a tale and style was instinctive, not overly staged. We can learn a lot from that design philosophy. Because at the end of the day, home should feel like a hug. And grandmacore? That’s a hug wrapped in a crocheted blanket.
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