The Interiors on “The Queen’s Gambit” Are a Grandmillienial’s Dream

There are so many things to love about everyone’s newest Netflix obsession, the limited series the “The Queen’s Gambit.” From the insane wardrobe (fans of “Mad Men” will absolutely swoon) to the nuanced storyline and star Anya Taylor-Joy’s knockout performance, it’s certainly a worthwhile way to spend a few days of your winter hibernation—that is, if you didn’t already binge it over Thanksgiving weekend. 

If you have no clue what I’m talking about though, here’s a quick synopsis. Set during the Cold War, “The Queen’s Gambit” follows chess prodigy Beth Harmon from her upbringing in a girls’ orphanage all the way through her quest to become a worldwide chess champion (no spoilers). Beth’s prowess on the board is certainly something to marvel at but, more importantly—at least for the purposes of this article—the show’s interiors are impossibly chic.

The rooms depicted throughout the series perfectly encapsulate the time period, showcasing the eye-catching patterns and mod shapes that defined 1960s and early 1970s decor. As often is the case with design though, what goes around comes around. So it makes sense that the show’s interiors are making a whole different subset of design fanatics swoon: grandmillenials. This fairly newly-dubbed design style, characterized by a love of chintz, traditional furniture, and liberal use of pastels, is flooding the Instagrams of design and fashion influencers alike… and now, our Netflix screens. If you consider yourself more grandmillenial than grandmaster, peep my decor picks inspired by “The Queen’s Gambit” below.

Maybe a little too on-the-nose, but let’s start with the obvious: a chess board. Like sourdough starter and banana bread, maybe quarantine has made you think that you, too, can now become a chess prodigy like Beth. The good news: This set will be, at the very least, a nice addition to your coffee table if it turns out you’re not so good at game strategy.

Buy: Printworks Chess Set, $47.00 from Urban Outfitters

Pattern mixing and patterned wallpaper are both queen when it comes to grandmillenial style. This plaid pick’s reminiscent of colors and patterns found in rooms throughout “The Queen’s Gambit”‘s sets. Try it in a powder room or use it to create an accent wall behind a bed.

Buy: Bartola Plaid Sure Strip Wallpaper, $79.98 per double roll from York Wallcoverings

The high back and button tufting of this seat makes it feel super fresh and super retro all at once. Pair it with a neutral sofa if you prefer your grandmillenial style to whisper instead of yell or jump right into the trend by teaming it with the pastel floral sofa of your dreams.

Buy: Mod Armchair, $399.00 from Article

Every good grandmillenial knows that you have to have a floral print somewhere in your space to be considered legit. “The Queen’s Gambit” set designers opted for a whole bedroom covered in florals (see above), but the least you can do is manage one pillow on your sofa or bed, right?

Buy: Floral Velvet Lombardy Throw Pillow, $34.99 from World Market

Whether you want to feel like a queen as you learn how to out-maneuver the king—or you just crave a stylish spot for a little post-work R&R—this pink pick is for you. Upholstered in a lush blush velvet, a classic roll arm sofa puts the grand in grandmillenial.

Buy: Rose Sofa, $1,795.00 from Interior Define

Lush teal curtains flanked the entryway in Beth’s adoptive mother’s home, and I can’t get the awesome statement they made out of my head. Snag this similar style to add some drama to your bedroom or use them to divvy up the living spaces in your studio apartment. 

Buy: Velvet Louise Curtain, Starting at $58.00 per panel from Anthropologie

Every chess queen needs a stylish place to rest her pawns when not in use. This gilded coffee table, featuring classic clawfoot legs, will add just the right amount of glamour to any grandmillenial space.

Buy: Olivia Cocktail Table, $399.00 from Ballard Designs

Mimic the bold floral-on-floral (on floral) bedroom look from the series with this eye-catching bed, covered from top to bottom in Scalamandre’s blush aviary print. Allow it to make it a simple statement with white sheets or pull out all the stops with a matching tonal floral duvet.

Buy: Art Deco Bed, Starting at $899.00 for a Twin Bed from The Inside

No grandmillenial space is complete without a few glam table lamps. Mint, teal, and pink seemed to be the unofficial color palette for Beth throughout “The Queen’s Gambit,” so I’m choosing this sweet pick in honor of the queen herself.

Buy: Brynn Table Lamp, $106.00 from Amazon