Granny Core: (Almost) Everything Old is New Again, Even Granny

by Barbara Miller Beem

Floral cotton tablecloths on the dining room table, even if it is not in use. Chintz skirts dressing up the sink while shielding from view what’s underneath. Crocheted afghans thrown over the backs of sofas. And then there’s the renewed interest in fine china and crystal. Yikes! Are old things that no one wanted just a few years ago once again back in vogue?

Did I miss something? Am I dreaming? Have we hopped aboard a time machine that transports us back to Grandmother’s mid-century house? Funny, I don’t recall going over the river and through the woods.

No, as it happens, our eyes are not deceiving us; it’s all in a name. “Granny Core” is alive and well, according to the online postings of coolsters and the printed pages of glossy magazines. When it comes to all things “Granny,” many of us can attest to the fact that they were not exactly what you’d call “chic.” I’m thinking granny dresses and granny squares, granny glasses and Granny Clampett. (Look them up if you weren’t around to see them the first time.) But in the past several years, all that has changed. Because the second time is often the charm, let’s take another look at ideas for recreating that warm and cozy feeling.

To begin: Books, books, books. Enough said.

On the other hand, for those who choose not to use up all of their wall space with bookshelves, they can leave plenty of room for large groupings of oil paintings, mirrors, and old family portraits. You might recall that about twenty years ago, gallery walls were in style, and then they weren’t. Well, now, once again, they are. There are no rules, except that more is better. Take care not to leave a lot of “breathing space” between the exhibited pieces.

Moving along, classic patterns of dinnerware, including those manufactured by Wedgwood, Minton, and Lenox (and more), are once again meant to be used, or at least seen. Ditto vintage Waterford glassware and sterling silver flatware. I hope you have kept your armoires and curio cabinets, if not for storage, at least for their decorative value.

That’s not all. According to lists of “must-haves,” it might be time to make room for pianos, with Persian rugs underfoot and stained-glass light fixtures overhead.

There is no need for me to go any further, except to point out that, in my opinion, lists such as these are not (cannot be?) meant to be guides for active collectors. Seriously, do you know anyone in the market for a grand piano just because it might lend an air of elegance to a living room?

On the other hand, if you happen to have a grand piano in your living room, or china, crystal, and silver service for twelve, there is no need to hide these treasures, much less discard them. Don’t wait for a large dinner party to use your fine dinnerware. Instead, pick one night a week to set a beautiful table, even if carry-out pizza is on the menu. Just saying, maybe it’s time for non-piano players in the family to take lessons, either in person or online. As for other inherited family treasures, keep a record of them for future generations.

Looking to the future, I wonder which things that I cherish will one day be collectible. When my grandchildren have homes of their own, will they make room for my Beatles memorabilia, not to mention my considerable collection of all things Barbie pink? Probably not, but a girl can dream.

And while we’re dreaming, could “Pop-Pop Core” be next? And what would that look like? Faux leather reclining chairs, plaid flannel shirts, man cave collectibles?

Enough of that. As I leave you this month, I do so on a sentimental note. As Grandparents’ Day is celebrated this year on Sunday, September 13, I continue to keep my loving grandparents in my heart. I don’t think that either of my grandmothers would ever have considered herself to be a trendsetter. On the other hand, my brave paternal grandmother demonstrated that a woman really can do anything, including work in a defense plant during World War II. My maternal grandmother was gracious and resourceful. She chose her words wisely, and she taught me how to knit. Meanwhile, my maternal grandfather, whose favorite food was strawberry shortcake, was always fun to be around. And when I close my eyes, I see my paternal grandfather hunched over his typewriter, pecking out yet another colorful letter to his many brothers and sisters. As much as I enjoy the various material treasures they left behind, my memories of them mean much more.


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