COTTAGECORE- ANCIENT EUROPEAN LIFESTYLE TO CHARMING AESTHETIC TREND
Picture this – A sunlit living room adorned with vintage furniture, handmade quilts, and wildflowers in aged pottery. Imagine the comforting embrace of nostalgia and tranquility that cottagecore home décor offers, like a peaceful escape to a countryside haven, right within your urban dwelling. A world of its own – the cottagecore lifestyle originated in a small French town some 2300 years ago. It’s like a pastoral dream, an ode to calmness brought into our fast-paced modern world. It’s an escape to a slower, more peaceful life without stepping outside your home. The internet has revived this slow, simple, yet highly aesthetic way of life again, and we are here for it!
COTTAGECORE BENEFITS: GREEN & SERENE
The cottagecore lifestyle and décor aesthetic have several benefits for both sustainability and mental health:
- Promotes Reuse and Recycling: At its heart, cottagecore embraces vintage and second-hand items, promoting a culture of reuse and recycling. This reduces waste and the need for new production, which is more sustainable and better for the environment.
- Encourages Connection with Nature: The aesthetic encourages indoor plants and using natural materials, which promotes a deeper appreciation and connection with nature. This connection has been shown to improve mental health by reducing stress and increasing feelings of well-being.
- Supports Slow Living: The cottagecore lifestyle promotes slowing down, taking time to read, create, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. This can help reduce the hustle of fast-paced modern living, decreasing anxiety and burnout.
- Spurs Creativity and Mindfulness: Engaging in DIY projects, such as creating homemade art or gardening, can be therapeutic and foster creativity. These activities require mindfulness which has been linked to improved mental health.
- Fosters a Sense of Community: Cottagecore promotes sharing, trading, and communal activities like baking or crafting. Building and being part of a supportive community can contribute to a feeling of belonging and improved mental health.
SIMPLE STEPS TO CREATE COTTAGECORE AESTHETIC AT HOME
Now let’s dive into some simple ways to attain cottagecore home décor that fits your budget –
1. Choose Natural Colors: To mimic the tranquility of a rural setting, select a soft, natural color palette. Think muted greens, pale blues, soft pinks, creamy whites, and earthy browns. If you’re on a budget, a new coat of paint in these hues can transform the space dramatically.
2. Incorporate Vintage Furniture: Wooden furniture with a rustic charm, like a weathered table or antique wooden cabinet, can bring a cozy vintage touch. Check out thrift stores, flea markets, or online platforms like Shop LC to score affordable pieces.
3. Add Soft Textiles: Quilts, crochet blankets, lace curtains, or linen tablecloths add a homey feel. Mix n match various patterns in beddings, cushion covers, and upholstery to create a cozy cottagecore feel. Picture this – Floral bedding, sheer curtains, and many pillows and cushions on a four-poster bed.
4. Create a Reading Nook: A cozy corner with a comfortable armchair, good lighting, and a pile of books can invite calm and leisure. A cheap and chic idea could be a reupholstered thrift store find paired with a rustic boho lamp.
5. Display Vintage Kitchenware: Expose wooden cutting boards, cast-iron pans, carved wooden bowls, or mason jars on open shelves. Collect special items like this beautiful, eco-friendly glass bottle with a chic bamboo lid.
6. Install Fairy Lights: Soft string lights can create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Fairy lights are affordable and can be draped over windows, beds or displayed inside mason jars.
7. Create Homemade Art: Finally, let your creativity flow! Frame pressed flowers, paint watercolor landscapes, or create a wall hanging from found objects. Taking on a D-I-Y project like candle making will also personalize your space and is a low-cost way to decorate.
Remember, the aim of cottagecore is simplicity, coziness, and connection to nature. Have fun with it, and make it your own!
DECORATING WITH NATURE
- Utilize Dried Flowers: Wildflowers or herbs tied in bunches, dried, and hung or placed in antique vases create a rural aesthetic. You can pick these for free from nature if you’re able to!
- Embrace Natural Elements: Use pinecones, stones, or shells as decor pieces. Display them on tables, shelves, or in clear glass containers. Nature provides these items free of cost! One unique way to bring the healing energy of nature into your home is by using genuine gemstone decoration; read on to know more.
- Grow Indoor Plants: Think about filling your space with green. Low-maintenance plants like pothos, spider plants, or succulents could work well. I suggest adding some color and fragrance with African violets or jasmine. Peace lilies and anthuriums are also great for a cozy, cottagecore feel. Make sure to use good-quality gardening tools.
CRYSTALS AND COTTAGECORE: INFUSING GEMSTONE MAGIC INTO YOUR HOME DÉCOR
Integrating gemstones and crystals into your cottagecore décor adds a unique layer of earthy, whimsical charm to your home. Adding crystals to your cottagecore home décor doesn’t just add a visual appeal; it also introduces an element of mystique and spirituality, strengthening your connection with the earth. With its distinctive color, shape, and purported energy, each gem becomes a conversation piece, adding a deeper layer of interest and wonder to your quaint, rustic setting.
- Place amethyst clusters on your bookshelves or coffee table to radiate calming energies and enhance the room’s aesthetic with their beautiful violet hues. I found this unique amethyst board game that takes you back to the old world while literally bringing joy to the table!
- The healing energies of a quartz crystal figurine will help bring peace and harmony to your family. Smaller stones like rose quartz or lapis lazuli can be placed in a decorative bowl or incorporated into a DIY wind chime for that soft, magical tinkling sound in the breeze.
- Shungite, with its deep, lustrous black appearance, can be placed in corners of your home or on a side table, bringing a stark, beautiful contrast to softer cottagecore colors. Spiritual healers believe that Shungite absorbs and eliminates negative energies and electrical emissions, making it a perfect stone to place near your electronic devices.
- Ammonites carry an element of prehistoric intrigue due to their association with fossilized, extinct marine life. Their spiral shape and earth-toned colors can complement the organic, rustic vibe of a cottagecore space. A larger ammonite piece can be an engaging centerpiece on your coffee table or mantel. In contrast, smaller ones can be arrayed in a shadow box display, sparking curiosity and conversation. Their intricate, natural patterns can create an engaging visual focal point, amplifying the love for nature that underlies the cottagecore aesthetic.
Remember, these stones bring color and sparkle to your home and are also said to possess various energies – attracting love, promoting relaxation, or boosting creativity. So, enjoy celebrating Cottagecore’s love of nature’s treasures with the magic of gem crystal treasures.
EMBRACING THE SIMPLICITY OF COTTAGECORE
Cottagecore living is your ticket to a simpler, nature-filled lifestyle. It’s all about cherishing the little details, slowing down, and connecting with the natural world. Whether baking bread, tending to your garden, or adding a vintage touch to your décor, it’s your chance to return to a more mindful way of life. Here’s to you enjoying every moment of your cottagecore journey! Until next time…
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