Image Credit: Matthew Williamson

The newest aesthetic on the décor block is the Paris Grandma look – a style which combines a little bit of luxury, a sprinkle of serenity and a large dollop of nostalgia.

When it comes to being chic, no city does it better than Paris. Hailed as the style capital of the world, it’s little wonder the cool-set turn to the French capital for the latest in fashion and interior trends.

But what exactly defines a space decorated in the style of a Parisian grandma and why is it proving popular right now?

According to Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert the trend is defined by its “elegant, timeless pieces infused with a hint of over-the-top chic, perfectly capturing the essence of the ‘city of love’.

“From French-inspired motifs to ruffled details, it’s all about incorporating classic elements that effortlessly elevate any space.”

The style gracefully combines classical elegance with contemporary flair, merging modern accents with traditional furnishings.

“The Paris Grandma aesthetic is polished yet welcoming and a look that evolves over time to tell personal stories through thoughtfully chosen, meaningful pieces,” Dayna adds.

As for why now, of course the ongoing love for season four of Emily in Paris has a role to play in the drive for this kind of eclectic décor.

“Parisian influence has taken the spotlight in TV, film and culture, with this chic and understated style being all about quality over quantity,” Dayna continues.  

“From ornate family heirlooms to rich textures and vibrant colours, this is about embracing timeless style.”

We spoke to the experts to find out how to transform your home into that of a quintessentially Parisian Grandma? 

Embrace a mix of patterns and fabrics

Classic French patterns like Toile de Jouy, chintz and delicate florals are essential to the Paris Grandma aesthetic.

“Use these prints in upholstery, curtains or scatter cushions to create this soft, vintage look,” advsies Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV.  

“To further accentuate the lived-in feel of this trend, try combining rich, textured fabrics like velvet, linen, lace and cotton, draping them over furniture, layering tablecloths or using fabric-lined lampshades for a sense of softness and charm.”

Paris Grandma: Learn the art of mixing and matching

The beauty of this style is that the scheme does not need to look obviously cohesive and nor do the furniture pieces have to be spendy.  

“You can go wild in your local charity shop to achieve the perfect aesthetic,” advises Karen Robinson, interior designer and owner of Ruby Red Interiors.

“Don’t be disheartened if you can’t find the exact piece to add to your scheme, just DIY it! For example, you might already have the perfect bed base but the headboard is too modern; keep the base and rummage around thrift shops and Freecycle sites to replace the offending headboard.

“Before long you’ll have a ’new’ bed at a fraction of the cost!”

Paris Grandma: shabby can be chic

When it comes to renovating furniture to get the Paris Grandma look, you don’t have to be a slave to the varnish and paint pots as scuffs and scrapes can be your best friend.

“The Paris Grandma look is adhoc and eclectic, not pristine and polished and those minor imperfections can add character,” Karen advises.

“If upcycling is your thing however, get stuck in and give your great second-hand find a quick lick of paint; it will give the item a new lease of life and fine tune the (un)curated, laissez-faire style.”

Curate your space

The Paris Grandma look is a move away from sterile minimalism, toward something filled with memories and personality. Using delicate and personal touches to bring the space to life.

Rudolph Diesel, interior designer at Rudolph Diesel London advises trying to bring a sense of history into the home, softening the rooms with a feeling of familiarity.

“Look for antique furniture like walnut dressers or intricately carved tables and explore places like Portobello Road to find pieces that capture that Parisian charm,” they advise.

Most importantly, however, choose pieces that resonate with you.

“A Delft vase here, a gilded frame there. Each item should have its own story, helping to create a home that feels both stylish and soulful,” Rudolph adds.

Georgia suggests focussing on accessories to achieve the characterful essence of Paris Grandma décor without having to redecorate an entire room.

“Combine cushions in clashing prints with plain additions that feature subtle embroidered or ruffled detailing for textural variation,” she advises.

“Mixing and matching means that the look doesn’t feel too precious and contrived which is perfect for creating the personal and relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of the look.”

Don’t overlook the lighting

Lighting makes a big difference to the charm of a Parisan Grandma’s home.

“Brass wall sconces or delicate chandeliers can layer the lighting, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere,” Rudolph explains. “Adding one in a dim corner can completely change the mood of a room.”

Play around with maximalist touches

“The most wonderful thing about this look is that it encourages an eclectic approach to interiors – the fusion of old and new, with a combination of the beautiful French aesthetic,” explains Georgia Metcalfe, French Bedroom’s creative director and founder.

She suggests looking to traditional silhouettes and prints when incorporating this trend into your home.

“Vintage toiles, florals or traditional ticking stripes are a great starting point,” she explains.

“To keep it feeling fresh, lean into a maximalist look by layering contrasting patterns and colours to bring a more modern feel, and you’ll get bonus points for adding a considered colour clash like blush pink and maroon!”

Know when to keep it simple

To make sure an abundance of patterns doesn’t feel overwhelming, it is important to keep the rest of the look simple.

“Maintaining a limited and considered colour palette that makes use of complementary colours adds a sense of balance to the look,” Georgia advises.

Embrace the natural

Wooden furnishings are perfect for this look as they wear beautifully and the patina that comes with age only enhances the comforting sense of home that is at the core of the Paris Grandma trend.

“Different wood tones can combine well within a room too which means that adding in and swapping around pieces won’t cause a clash, encouraging you to continue to collect and craft your perfect home,” Georgia adds.

Think like a Paris Grandma… opt for traditional flooring

Think classic parquet teamed with a vintage rug. “Last year herringbone and chevron floors were a huge trend, and in 2025, we’ll take this a step further with the introduction of Parquet de Versailles-style patterns,” explains Neel Bradham, CEO of flooring brand, Parador. “The modern geometry of this basket-weave look accentuates the characterful grain of a warm, rustic wood – creating the perfect balance of past meets present.”

Looking for more trend-led inspiration for your home? Check out Demure interiors: 10 ways to get the look in your home or 8 trends interior designers will be adopting this autumn.