Decorating Trends for Spring 2023

I am not a trend follower, per se, BUT when a prediction falls in line with my aesthetic I like to embrace it. I've shared my thoughts on the whole what's in and what's out thought process before (if you like it in your home and it works for you then trendy or not - you do you!!)

I piled one of my huge blue and white fishbowl planters with shells and coral last summer and I enjoyed walking past it in my entry way many times a day. A nod to the sea doesn't have to be a whole themed look. It can be a few shells (or a bowl full!)

BUT the reason I'm excited about this Spring trend forecast is that Veranda mag has predicted "Under the Sea" as a major design player moving in to Spring 2023. I am here for it. Already. And it isn't seasonal for me. I've shared my nod to coastal and shell decor many times before here and here. We can count on Veranda to share some beautiful, elevated coastal looks to inspire us. 

I can't stop looking at this amazing room from the May/June issue of Veranda. It has so many amazing details and confirms my thought that you don't have to live at the beach to embrace your love of the ocean. This home is in the French countryside and belongs to designer Thomas Boog and his wife. 

via Veranda

So many great design ideas to use in your own space. Another great source of inspiration for me is Amanda Lindroth. I just finished her Create Academy course and I can't wait to go through it again. She has just decorated a show house room that has everyone oohing and aahing. I wish I had seen it in person. 

via Veranda

This pile of shells was on a concrete boat dock in the Bahamas about 10 years ago. I couldn't stop looking at the colors, textures and the sheer beauty of these rather large conchs. The meat had been harvested by divers (this was their livelihood) for the restaurant industry and the shells were a by-product they were hoping to sell for extra income. Yep, I helped them out. It cost me some overweight luggage fees but I have enjoyed those shells every day for over a decade. Pretty good investment if you ask me. I knew "under the sea" wasn't a trend for me so the investment was worth it. 

I have moved them around through the years. They are currently lined up on top of some bamboo cabinets in my family room. The cabinets are filled with blue and white, coral that I've thrifted and some lighthouse replicas including Morris Island Light in Charleston.

Vintage shell boxes are a favorite of mine. I rarely see them when thrifting but I snatch them up if I do. The marbled clay pot is holding some pieces of a large vintage coral piece that I accidentally dropped and shattered. It was so fragile. I rescued the bits and I'll enjoy them this way now. 

I'm slowly reclaiming the porch from the pollen and that is where I love to use seashell decor year round most of all. I've sorted a lot of my shells in to this old and worn three tiered silver serving piece. I had this one and it had a few worn places in it so I didn't mind putting it on the porch. I see pieces like this at thrift stores all the time. I love the juxtaposition of the silver and the textured shells. 

Shells and palm tree and sandcastles. All thrifted. 

As always I am a big fan of using items that are personal and memorable and not just purchased. Most of my shells have come from trips we've made. I have shells that I collected as a child mixed in with all the others. I've been a beachcomber since day 1!

What about you? Are you a shell collector?

My Personal Style Has a Name!!

When people ask me what my home decor "style" is I never know what to answer. I'm a bit like a mutt - a little bit traditional, not quite grandmillenial, eclectic is pretty broad, I am definitely influenced by my Charleston and southern roots... so what is this mish mash I have going on at home?

I'm not on Tik Tok (apparently I'm in the minority) but they have given my "look" a name! 

It started out with a focus on the fashion influence but they have included home style in this as well. I mean, who doesn't watch Nancy Meyer's homes for the interiors?? We all have a favorite! So what is this style that's created a buzz...

I first saw this on the Today Show's IG:

And from Yahoo- More about this trend/style coined on Tik Tok:

COASTAL GRANDMOTHER!!

 But you don't have to be a grandmother. Or live at the beach!

This article by The Spruce is comprehensive and nails the essence of "Coastal Grandmother:"

If you're wondering what exactly the coastal grandmother style entails, we're here to give you the rundown. In sum, it's all about the little luxuries, including fresh flowers, scented candles, special antique pieces, and a bowl of lemons ever-present on the kitchen counter, of course.  via The Spruce

(I brought several of these back from the Bahamas. A little girl and her brother dive for them to sell the conch meat in them. The shells were for extra money. 

My bags weighed a ton. The shells were a deal - my overage for bags was not!!)

I'm thinking about coining the style term "Coastal Grandmother Chic" because, while I'm not claiming to be chic by any stretch, I don't want anything frumpy to be imagined either :)

I love the fashion and home decor looks behind this aesthetic. 

Lots of natural textures and white.

 I love that combo but I have to add in blue and white chinoiserie pieces to my 

"coastal grandmother (chic)" vibe. 

I'm not a trend follower but this Tik Tok trend has put a name to the aesthetic I've used for years - small pleasures, flowers and fruit, natural fibers, lots of white, rattan, wicker, seashells that I leave out year round and comfortably celebrating the every day.

Are you a Coastal Grandmother?