The Rise of Cottagecore

An Interior Design Guide to Cottagecore

 

You probably noticed ‘Cottagecore’ trending on social media streams during the last year. So what is this new design style and how can you get the look in your home?

 

What is Cottagecore

Cottagecore is at its heart an aesthetic movement which takes heed of past agricultural life, skills, and crafts. The aim is to embrace a simpler more sustainable lifestyle taking note of, and respecting, nature along with tradition.

Cottagecore runs through all aspects of our daily lifestyle, the fashion we choose, the food we cook, activities we take part in and the homes we choose to live in. Think romantic floral dresses and shirts, nurturing your sourdough starter and spending time in the great English countryside.

 

Shown above - Ian Mankin fabrics, natural fibre trimmings and fabrics woven in the UK.

 

Cottagecore’s Origins

Partly growing out of a reaction to screen time and the burnout of modern lifestyles, Cottagecore also taps into our awareness of wellness and sustainability. The pandemic and worldwide lockdowns have only heightened these needs and desires to re-evaluate our lifestyles, to be in tune with nature and tradition.

 

 

Camellia Folly fabric by John Derian, shown above, is a large-scale floral in blissfully delicate shades. Printed on a soft linen rich fabric it is perfect for Cottagecore curtains, blinds and cushions.

 

 

The romance and nostalgia of wisteria and lilacs is elegantly reinterpreted on this printed linen fabric from Linwood. From the aptly named English Garden collection, Vita could be used for casual upholstery or window treatments.

 

Cottagecore Inspiration

Handmade, vintage and nature are key elements. Try to add softness and cosiness in your home décor choices. Fabrics made from natural fibres, soft and mellow colours, quaint and nostalgic prints are all things to look out for. Add hanging dried herbs and casual flowers from the garden and frame your own cross stitch creations or hand drawn pictures. With parallels to the Arts & Crafts movement, Cottagecore inspired interiors place value on things chosen and made with care and integrity.

 

 

Natural fibres and a home-made, artisan quality underpin the Homespun collection from Mark Alexander. Natural qualities and understated designs come together in a relaxed collection of textural linens. Muted, earthy shades with hints of teal and green.

Display hand drawn or locally sourced artwork and rough thrown pottery to create the Cottagecore feel. Pencil drawn in fine detail, this charming, printed fabric from Sanderson depicts the Squirrels, hedgehogs and flora seen on woodland walks.

 

 

Walk through the woods and forage for berries and fruits with this delightful scene of stylised birds, fruits, and berries in fresh contemporary colourways. Printed using Ecofast inks on a sustainably sourced cotton, Sanderson’s Birds and Berries is part of their National Trust collection. Paired with flagstone floors and weathered timber the fabric gives a modern edge to a traditional country style fabric.

 

 

Wallpaper & Fabrics with Countryside Motifs

Take your inspiration from the countryside, consider pretty florals, lush botanicals, and simple animal prints on fabrics, wallpaper, and accessories. Make them less stuffy and old-fashioned to channel a wholesome and practical effect. Try to avoid anything overly chintzy and twee. Add some simples checks and stripes as a contrast.

To add some Cottagecore style to a rural retreat or a city space, Pheasant fabric from quirky British brand Barneby Gates showcases a symbol of our traditional British countryside.

Warren from Sanderson picks up the Cottagecore theme of traditional crafts with its embroidered hares bounding across a polka dot linen background. Perfect for a country style kitchen.

 

 

Cottagecore Colour Palette

Warm and soft neutrals can form the base of this interior style, look for the browns of natural stone and wood along with mellow creams and greys. Add in soft shades found outside the window – sage and pale lime greens from foliage and take your pick from colours found in flowers. Unlike some interior styles there are less rules to follow in Cottagecore. Also consider the season, pick fresh and lighter shades in spring and summer and switch accessories in the cooler months adding some deeper and warmer hues.

‘House Linen’ is a pigment dyed, brushed linen for making beautiful upholstery and curtains. ‘Weathered Linen’ is a heavier weight, stone-washed linen with a soft, laundered handle.

 

 

Add painterly but modern florals such as Amelia from Warwick fabrics Bloomsbury collection for a fresh feel.

 

 

Don’t be shy of slightly darker colours in the Cottagecore style, Fernery is a beautiful botanical design, shown here in the dramatic Green / Charcoal colourway.

 

 

Cottagecore Embraces Natural Materials

Wool and linen would be key fibres to consider for the Cottagecore aesthetic, team them with crisp cottons and natural textures to achieve this look. Think of soft woollen blankets, vintage linen tablecloths and cosy sheepskin rugs. Try to avoid overly shiny and synthetic looking fabrics.

 

 

Natural fibres, such as those in the Wooland Plains collection from Sanderson (shown above), are key to achieving the Cottagecore look.

 

Layer Patterns and Fabrics

Cottagecore is all about the clutter and joy of life; a pile of soft cushions on a comfortable armchair, piles of logs next to a burner, a country cottage kitchen hung with practical aprons, a sociable table laid with plenty of jugs, plates and glasses, pretty lampshades on top of vintage bases. All things to evoke the essential feeling of laid-back, back to nature living.

Displayed treasures all add to the charm of Cottagecore style. Shown here with understated and versatile checks and stripes from the Romo Kemble collection.

 

 

Mix & Match Patterns and Pieces

Cottagecore is less of a ‘one stop shop’ interior style. Ideally a combination of vintage furniture (handed down or purchased) and carefully chosen new pieces. Look for local artisans and makers for individual pieces rather than mass produced items and buy second hand to be more sustainable. Mix outdoorsy foraged finds and creations alongside modern comforts to avoid the space feeling too stuffy and traditional.

A casual, layered approach is key with this style, don’t hide away your everyday items – instead make them part of the décor. Try Quirky brand Mind The Gap’s statement stamps wallpaper accessorised with riding boots and saddles.

 

 

Cottagecore Design Basics

Cottagecore is a universally popular design style appealing to young and old, city and country dwellers, media influencers and those that simply like to be outside away from their screens. It is an interior look which can be adapted to suit you and your home. Some basic elements can be added to virtually any type of property.

• stripped back and natural floors (wood or stone)
• a warm and inviting focal fireplace (or create this effect with a faux fireplace)
• comfortable and sociable furniture styles and layouts
• multipurpose and layered lighting sources for function and ambiance
• Soft rugs and throws for warmth and texture
• a view of nature outside, this may be a farmers field, a small garden, a brightly planted window box or a balcony full of planters
• well-hidden technology!

A statement fireplace, natural brick floor and inviting seating to create the laid-back easiness needed for Cottagecore.

 

Try Ian Mankin for soft neutrals and textures.

 

Liberty fabrics have wonderful florals such as The Modern Collector, a wonderful selection of liberty furnishing fabrics that reinterpreted archive designs, perfect for a cottagecore style. 

 

 

Sanderson are ideal for Cotttagecore fabrics, with collections full of florals and natural materials. 

 

If you stick to these style essentials you will be able to identify the perfect fabrics and wallpapers for a cottagecore style from any of the luxury fabric and wallpaper brands available from our website, but to get you started why not check out the latest collections from some of the great British brands:

- GP & J Baker

- Clarke & Clarke

- Morris & Co

- Cole & Son 

Or the American luxury brand Thibaut.

The movement of Cottagecore looks here to stay as we continue our desire to live a healthy and more sustainable life into 2022, a style that will evolve and change blending both modern and traditional ethos. Here at TM Interiors, we can help you fulfil this look with our collections of fabrics, wallpapers, accessories, lighting and furniture, or through our made-to-measure or interior design services.