Y’all, someone finally came up with a name for my decorating style. This may be coming a little late but better than wandering the antique stores and aisles of a thrift store for the rest of our lives being baffled by the desire to name our aesthetic. For decades I couldn’t put my finger on it. I’d call it casual with a bit of romance, cottage(y) with vintage pieces, classic, country garden but with antiques, unique with some traditional elements. I had no clue! My vibe never fit any of the styles we’ve been hearing all of our lives. Well, a big fat thank you to whoever came up with Cottagecore style!
Better Homes and Gardens
Even as I type this out I am still in awe of having a name for it. The elements are so me; warm, inviting, casual, intentional, nostalgic, full of texture, soothing, whimsical, romantic and ever evolving to name a few.
County Road 407
I had to change the name of my Pinterest Board when I finally figured it out. It’s full of great inspiration if you’d like to take a gander. Honestly, Liz Marie has been changing her farmhouse style to cottagecore as well. Long before they moved into the home they are in now, she’s been my muse. No one comes closer to my likes than her. It’s like she can read my mind and my soul.
Liz Marie Blog
A big fat thank you to whoever came up with Cottagecore style!
When I finally got my own bedroom in high school and was able to choose things just for me, I chose all white wicker furniture, Laura Ashley bedding and wallpaper, an old bench/toybox we had as kids for seating, a brass lamp, white flowy sheers, an old ceramic canister for my hair ties and even had a floral wreath hanging over my bed. It was my hideaway.
County Road 407 with cottagecore style
When I got married, we had a vintage sofa, floral print chairs, garden looking wallpaper in the dining room and kitchen, vintage plates on the walls, an antique teacart as a serving area, fun and quirky ceramics, French doors, lots of plants, a fountain in the backyard, baskets galore and a few more vintage lamps. Even then, I didn’t know what to call my style.
BHG shares cottagecore style
All I knew was I wanted to create a home that was me. The Mister couldn’t care less. It was fabulous to decorate our home back then and is still awesome today. Except that recliner he’s been hinting about for years. I know they’ve come along way, are said to be extremely comfy, and the man deserves one but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
County Road 407
Some of the fantastic characteristics about cottagecore style is how you can mix things like textures and prints, woods and pops of color. Or you can keep it simple or go all maximalist with it. It has to be the best style out there. Especially for the casual, cottage looking lifestyle that goes along with it. Gaaaah! I love it so.
Vibeke Design
Picture yourself walking through a field of flowers with a flowy dress, a hat and a basket for what you find. Or sitting in a sunroom full of floral prints, in a cozy chair with pillows and throws galore. And on the side table is your grandmothers lamp and a photo of your mom and dad playing on a beach somewhere or your grandads favorite Bible or book stacked over there holding your coffee mug.
County Road 407
Whatever holds your heart is key. Items that are meaningful, fun, old, worn or in perfect condition. That’s what you’ll surround yourself with inside a cottagecore home.
The Painted Hinge
I’ll share more of how I’ve changed a few things around in my home this summer in a tour coming up in June. Until then, keep collecting, honing your decor skills, perfecting your own niche and a big fat thank you to whoever came up with cottagecore style! 😉
Thanks, Cindy and I love Cottagecore style too. It’s personal and fun with lots of old thrown in. You have fun decorating and I’ll wait patiently to see what you do, maybe haha!!
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LOL Marlene! I went shopping today because I’m chomping at the bit trying to finish the empty kitchen. After I took down all the old stuff, I left it blank for a while and now I’m ready for it to be finished – yesterday!
I have loved your style since I started reading your blog! Mine is so similar. I never knew what to call it, just went with what spoke to me. When the term cottagecore was first coined, I told my daughter I was cottagecore before we even knew there was a word for it, she heartily agreed.
As for the recliner your husband is wanting, go for it! My husband is tall and long legged, I am not. Last year I bought him his third recliner in our 25 years together, The Beast. It’s huge. And this time, I figured if I couldn’t beat him I would join him. I bought me one, too! It’s much smaller but in the same fabric and color. And I put a table in between that we share. Our friends and family get a kick out of seeing the two chairs together. Either my small recliner makes his look larger, or his large recliner makes mine look smaller. We love our new recliners, so comfortable! This is his home, too, and while he couldn’t care less how I decorate (the land is what he wanted out here), I want him to be comfortable in where he lands after a hard day.
Author
I agree with every word you said and thank you for the encouragement Lynne. I’m definitely getting him one when we get the game room/theater back in order. We had someone staying up there as his room for about 8 months then it became the catchall room since we couldn’t use it. We are eager to take it back over but finding the time to purge things and clear them out is daunting. Maybe if I tell the Mister we’d get a recliner for him, we’d get started?! 😉 Happy Father’s Day! LOL.
Your home is lovely and so carefully curated. Reminds me that mine is a hodgepodge and really needs a good edit. Loving all the antique and vintage pieces! Hugs, Sandi
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I used to call mine hodgepodge so I totally understand the feeling. Somedays it’s not so great. Home should feel comforting and exhilarating at the same time. I started editing a few years ago and even though there’s a lot still to do, it feels so good! The biggest thing that has helped me transform my home into a place I always want to be is asking myself if that piece brings my joy and would I buy it again. Hope that helps. Thank you Sandi for the kind words. It makes my day.
I love the “cottagecore” name. It fits your style so perfectly. Life is short get the recliner!
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Yeah yeah. Stop being the good sister. 😉 He’ll get one.
Cindy,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your very kind words…It helps for me to keep busy as I try to find a new normal in this life without Joe…I too love cottage core..Many years ago it was called Victorian Country or romantic country…What goes around ,comes around…even in design and style …I am glad to see it all coming back in style even with the new name of Cottage core…I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!!@
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
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When I see stuff we had growing up in an antique store I just keep on walking. LOL. I don’t want to relive that but I sure wish I still had some of it. I’d be so trendy. Or rich. One or the other. 😉 Thanks Debbie.
I enjoyed your post so much Cindy, and I love cottagecore style too! I’ve been leaning that way for the last couple of years, and I agree it helps so much to identify your own style of decorating. I cringe thinking back on some of my decorating attempts wondering at the time why they didn’t work for me. Now I read everything I can that has to do with cottagecore. 😊
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I need to start reading some cottage core articles. That might help be feel a little better about the quirky stuff I still like. I cringe at some of the stuff I did long ago. Sponge painting comes to mind. LOL. But now I’ve seen some of it in places and think hmmm, that doesn’t look bad. But I’m still not even going there again. 😉 Thanks bunches Michelle. Have a great weekend and mom’s day celebration!