It isn’t particularly usual for a coastal style interiors story to find itself at the centre of international news headlines, especially when there is so much else going on in the world. But in the Spring when I was researching Styling Box schemes for a client’s Greek Island holiday home, and writing about coastal style for the August issues of Period Living and Saga magazine, a curious ‘Coastal Grandmother Style’ story was emerging from a Tik Tok influencer in California.

Something’s Gotta Give

Based on an appreciation of the fashion and interiors in Nancy Myers’ 2003 film Something’s Gotta Give, Lex Nicoletta, a 27 year old Tik Tok influencer in California, went viral with her Coastal Grandmother Style videos.

I may have mentioned in a previous post that Something’s Gotta Give is one of my favourite films. Firstly, for its humorous script with stellar cast (Diane Keaton, Jack Nicolson, Frances McDormand and Keanu Reeves) but also for its fashion (think tailored white shirts with a relaxed American glamour style) and beautiful Hamptons-style beach house interiors.

Although I slightly baulked at Lex’s catchphrase, the Coastal Grandmother Style twist was a bit of a gift to explore for my piece in Saga magazine.

It turns out that Lex Nicoletta’s appreciation is rather sweetly, very real. Nicoletta’s Tik Tok videos have sparked a worldwide flurry of countless Something’s Gotta Give-inspired style news stories amongst the press and other influencers.

Perhaps the last time there was quite so much controversy in the world of interiors was when an editor at US House Beautiful affectionately coined the phrase Grandmillennial Style for the classical style of English decorating.

Coastal styling notes

Here then are a few highlights from my research …

Styling Box for a Greek Island holiday home

A brief for my affordable interior design service Styling Box came from a client to upgrade the interior/terrace styling for a Greek Island holiday home. This was (sadly!) achieved remotely for the client and needed not only to complement the blues of the infinity pool with the Mediterranean sea that wrapped around the extraordinary terrace view but also include furniture that could be purchased locally.

I selected wallpapers and fabric designs from some wonderful designers including Eloise Home, Lindsay Alker, Elizabeth Ockford and Milola Designs. I call them the ‘Sea Queens’ for the way they capture so beautifully the essence of sea treasures.

Also included were paint samples from Farrow and Ball, Stripes from Ian Mankin, Knot So Blue fabric by Charlotte Gaisford, Morinda, a new outdoor fabric from Osborne and Little; and Albacin wallpaper by Rapture and Wright.

Coastal style in the press

‘Shades of The Sea’ is a 6-page feature on decorating with the colour turquoise. It is one of a series of monthly features I have been writing for Period Living magazine on colour and is out now in the August 2022 issue.

‘It’s A Shore Thing’ is the title of my 4-page Coastal Grandmother Style feature in the August 2022 issue of Saga magazine (a wonderful subscription-only features magazine). Don’t miss out!

Shop the blog

Evocative seascape in oil attributed to Cornish coast with signature by C McLaughlan. Available now in my online vintage shop.

Thank you

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Charis x