Think Jane Fonda’s house in the Netflix show Grace & Frankie or Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give and you’ll get an idea of the breezy Hamptons-inspired aesthetic that has taken over social media and is gaining traction with Gen Z and millennials.
Promoting a soothing, calming environment, “coastal grandmother" has become a runaway interior trend and takes its inspiration from older, wealthy women living in serene beachfront houses. It is the antithesis of busy urban homes, encouraging a retreat to seaside-inspired spaces.
There are also outfits to match — chunky sweaters, oversized shorts and straw hats. It's not about nautical stripes, shells, seagull sculptures or anchor prints. Instead, it focuses on emulating a lived-in feel with crisp, clean interiors, beachy colours infused with stripes rather than bold print, and sofas slipcovered with rustic textiles.
Going to farmers' markets and filling your kitchen with patterned ceramics and wicker baskets is all part of this look, as are flowing, billowy curtains that graze the floor, fresh flowers, a multitude of floor and table lamps, and perhaps even a grand piano in the living room. It’s all about comfortable luxury that is not overly ostentatious.
The term was originally coined by TikTok-er Lex Nicoleta (@lexnicoleta) and has gone viral on the social media platform. She says Reese Witherspoon is a prime example of “coastal grandmother energy” because of her affinity for powder-blue hues and her book club, among other things.
The social media personality also cited Keaton and Meryl Streep as references for this viral aesthetic. “If you love Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cosy interiors … there’s a good chance you’re a coastal grandmother,” Nicoleta said in a now-viral TikTok.
“My take on the viral trend coastal grandma is a modern version of the farmhouse aesthetic, with a minimal approach to furniture and a colour palette of all-whites," says interior designer Valentina Piscopo of Dubai’s Kuky Design. "This new aesthetic sees sprawling white kitchens ready to entertain, where residents roam around the space — a coastal breeze coming through the open windows — all exclusively wearing effortless linen outfits. It’s a celebration of an easier pace of life. For most living abroad this trend represents true escapism, but for us in Dubai it’s easier to achieve more than ever.”
At the heart of this trend are off-white tones and breezy, rustic, textured textiles such as linen. To add texture, natural materials such as wood, wicker, rattan, straw and natural plant fibres are used. Think wooden coffee tables, whitewashed furniture with cracked finishes, light-coloured wood, exposed panelling and wicker chairs. Scout local antique shops and thrift stores for accent pieces.
Beige, white and gentle shades of blue are part of the required colour palette. Other pops of colour can be added with knick-knacks and decorative accessories, while throws and cushions are essentials. Make sure that every chair, sofa or bed is piled high.
Experts at the Secret Linen Store say that lighting is an integral part of this aesthetic. “A sense of cosiness and calm is brought to many a coastal grandma’s home with an abundance of lamps. On side tables, windowsills, above fireplaces — basically wherever you have the space, pop a lamp there.
"It means that as the natural light starts to dim, you can create the perfect backdrop to read or chat with friends. If you’re running out of plug space, you can use wireless spotlights that can be popped under the lampshade and charged with a USB.”
Panoramic views of the ocean from your windows are the icing on the cake but not essential. Jessica Hanley, founder of the UK’s Piglet in Bed, says: “You don’t have to be by the coastline to recreate the beachy coastal grandmother look, but adding soft, flowy decor can create the scene you want to achieve.
"Swap out your dark curtains for lighter shades to turn the natural light in your home into a focal point. Relaxed, flowing curtains are essential to the beach house aesthetic, especially when they catch the summer breeze, adding a sense of movement to your home. The aesthetic is all about creating a space for your guests to be able to relax and feel comfortable in — which means lots of cosy accessories.
“You haven’t completed the coastal grandmother aesthetic without collecting fresh flowers for your home, whether that's from your garden or from your local flower shop. Besides being a beautiful decorative piece that can liven up any room, they also help to purify the air while you sleep. Try tulips, daffodils, hydrangeas or a calathea plant to really brighten up your space.”
This aesthetic is said to promote better sleep by reducing clutter and creating a light, neutral backdrop. Kitchens are also at the centre of the coastal grandmother look. “Kitchens are the heart of the home for any coastal grandma, but forget your minimalist tendencies, this kitchen style is all about the room feeling lived-in,” say the experts at the Secret Linen Store.
"Think utensil jars, hung pots and pans, cookbooks out and bowls of fresh produce on the counter space. Bonus points if you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen island. If so, these should be used for relaxed meals with friends."
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7-inch%20flexible%20Amoled%2C%202%2C412%20x%201%2C080%2C%20394ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%20Corning%20Gorilla%20Glass%205%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MediaTek%20Dimensity%207%2C200%20Pro%2C%204nm%2C%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2014%2C%20Nothing%20OS%202.5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%2050MP%20main%2C%20f%2F1.88%20%2B%2050MP%20ultra-wide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3B%20OIS%2C%20EIS%2C%20auto-focus%2C%20ultra%20XDR%2C%20night%20mode%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2030fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2060fps%3B%20slo-mo%20full-HD%20at%20120fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2032MP%20wide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2C000mAh%3B%2050%25%20in%2030%20minutes%20with%2045-watt%20charger%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Google%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fingerprint%2C%20face%20unlock%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP54%2C%20limited%20protection%20from%20water%2Fdust%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual-nano%20SIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%2C%20milk%2C%20white%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nothing%20Phone%20(2a)%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%2C%20pre-applied%20screen%20protector%2C%20Sim%20tray%20ejector%20tool%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%20(UAE)%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh1%2C199%20(8GB%2F128GB)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C399%20(12GB%2F256GB)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)
Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')
The%20specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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