Over the years, cottagecore became more of a lifestyle than an interior design trend, and that might just be the reason I was intrigued about it in the first place.
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I've got the keys for this cottage at the end of November 2021. I always dreamt of living in a cottage and 2021 has been the hardest year of my life in so many levels, I felt this will be my reward for all the hardship.
I wanted to be able to relax and feel calm as soon as I step through the door and as soon as the door shuts, I wanted to be in a safe bubble.
Work commenced a couple of weeks later and I found myself living on a building site (as you do with old properties). I will be leaving a link here for you to read once I've finished writing up all the tricks, should you be interested in: "How to survive, when you live on a building site".
Although, this is not a cottage in an idyllic country and I don't have thatched roof or roses around the door (yet!), there was plenty for me to keep my design idea going and transform the space. I kept the original features as much as possible and I've introduced elements that highlight and enhance the cottage feel.
I'm about to walk you through the house, so grab a cup of tea or coffee and I hope you enjoy the tour.
The Entrance
Here's what the entrance looked like when I bought the house. There are actually 3 things I loved about this space:
The green Dutch door - I mean, it doesn't get any more cottage like than this. I love opening the top half to let some light and fresh air inside without opening everything up. Because the bottom half is still locked, it gives a sense of security (it is completely false security as anyone could just jump over it and there they are!)
There is a radiator
Dark wood supporting beams
After sweat tears and working till 2am, this is what greats me now as soon as I walk through the door. What I love about this space now:
Even though I've opted for dark panelling, it still feels bright and airy
The "Honey, I'm Home Wallpaper in Monochrome" from Lust Home Wallpaper - Unique Home Decor
The contrast between the #wallpaper and the #wallpanel
The painted floor tiles - when you are on a tight budget, I swear this was a great money saver
The cast iron style radiator with retro valves - who said these things have to be boring? You've never seen me more excited than opening the box of valves and being overjoyed by how pretty they actually look!
The Living Room
I was never overly keen having to step right into the living room when you open the front door, but I can't imagine this space in any other way.
I walk in, and I'm instantly happy. I've got candles all around the space and I leave the lid off, so even when the candles aren't lit, you can still smell them. If you like to buy things that are somewhat local, then I truly recommend: THE CANDLE BRAND. Hand made in the UK, and I adore their flower diffusers! My personal favourite is the peony and rose, and you have to be quick with this one as it gets sold out pretty quick. They do refillables, so you don't have to buy the full package every time you run out. If you haven't yet purchased from them, as a brand rep, I can offer a 10% discount, just use: PIRISTYLE at the checkout, or click on this link: https://www.thecandlebrand.co.uk/discount/PIRISTYLE?ref=mW-xvV_BdWtvxa
Here's my list, of what I consider cottagecore inspired:
Inviting, warm and cozy with light neutral colours - I've painted all the walls in brillinat white, including the stones behind the logburner
Dark beams - lucky for me, these were already exposed
The loveseat chasie from @Loafhome - it may be on the expensive side for some of us but, considering the quality and how much I actually love this thing - for me - it's worth every penny. I particularly like falling to sleep whilst watching rom-coms.
The sisal carpet - I've got mine from designer-carpet.co.uk - you can find yourself walking away with a bargain if I say so myself
Thick heavy curtains, patterned cushions, throws
The fireplace with the floor cushion - it's amazing how good it feels sitting in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and marshmellows!
Upcycled furniture, vintage teacups and glasses, mirrors and antique pieces
Stone staircase - again, this was already exposed, but I've added the spotlights above and for me - they make all the difference. It's my favourite #stonewall to look at
I love my accent chair from @johnlewis - I needed a modern element to break up the space and this piece sits lovely against the stone wall (I can't wait to dress it up for Christmas)
Wicker basket with lavender, artwork on the wall, magazines
Nooks and Corners are very much my thing, so here I've created a very cosy and intimate dining area.
The Dining "Room"
I clearly haven't got space for a separate dining room, but that didn't stop me making the most of the space that I've had available for me. Here's a list of the #cottagecore elements I love in this space
The cosiness of the space - It may be a small space, but it is packed with character.
Round table with chairs (you can find these chairs on amazon) and custom built corner bench
The pendant light with the ceiling décor - this is a very heavy brass pendant, and so what I've called ceiling décor is actually supporting the weight, so my ceiling doesn't come falling down.
Patterned cushions
Flowers, plant, pots and more plants
The small shelf
Botanical artwork
Lace and embroidery - I'm lucky to have an amazing grandmother with all the skills one can wish for, so I can own my very own and unique tablecloths, cushion covers or even wall coverings. #lovemygrandma
The kitchen
I'm not going to lie, if the kitchen didn't look as good as it did when I viewed the house, I probably wouldn't have bought it. Renovating a kitchen can be a huge expense, but lucky for me, I've already been presented with a converted cellar. Apart from a lick of paint, I've had the outside door replaced as that was the only thing that didn't have double glazing. Because it's a small door, it had to be custom made and I've paid £1300 for the privilege, but on the bright side, I now feel safe and it's warmer aaaaand: it's given me an opportunity to pick a nice lace effect window in it. I've got a lovely cottage galley kitchen with:
Shaker style cabinets
Wood butcher block worktops
Very low - stone ceiling
Stone effect floor tiles
Subway tile backsplash
Stone nooks with the necessary baskets and jars
The bedroom
I love a white bedroom and I always loved the French shabby chic furniture, so that has obviously travelled to every house I've moved into. I've paid just under £1000 for my 3 piece bedroom set when I first moved into an unfurnished house on my own near enough 9 years ago, and I still love it. Given that I do actually live in a cottage, I've already had some features which I can't really claim for myself:
Beautiful stone window mullions and windowsills
Fireplace
More cottagecore elements that I've added and love:
Panelling
Retro door handle
Shabby chic furniture
Neutral colours
Natural materials:
Wooden floor
Mix of linen and silk bedding
Wool rug
Patterns - cushions and throw covers
If you would like to see the evolution of this room, I am working on a blog post for this and as soon as it's ready for you to read, I will leave the link here.
The Bathroom
I have a small bathroom, which has gone through some renovation, you can learn more about my bathroom renovation 101 here. Although, I would have loved to have a roll top and claw foot bath, the space and layout just wasn't accommodating enough and so because I was on a budget, I've concentrated on other cottagecore bathroom elements:
Pattern and texture is key in any cottagecore design:
Patterned tiles
Patterned towels
Retro hardware on door and vanity cabinet
Neutral colours: I've kept it simple with white, grey and black
Plants: I've had my lucky bamboo for over a decade now
Artwork
Baskets - not only practical but pretty too
Natural and eco friendly items
If you are interested to see my full bathroom renovation, you can read more about it in here (Link coming soon)
The spare room or in my case The art room
Don't get me wrong, I know it's much more comfortable to have a place for your guests, but considering how many times you actually get family/friends to sleep over, you might want to use that "spare room" for other than just a pretty looking room. I've decided, if I'm paying for that extra room (it's part of the house, and I've got a mortgage, so I am paying for it), I want to spend time and enjoy that room as much as I do the other part of the house. And so, I've decided I will dedicate this space for creativity. This is where I do my colouring in, my watercolours, draw, write my blog and sort my photographs.
This room's cottagecore elements are:
The lovely stone window mullions and windowsill
Patterned vintage chaise longue
Cushions, throws
Wooden floor
Upcycled bureau (link to my upcycling coming soon)
Vintage chair
Same neutral colours and walls and ceilings to tie in with the rest of the house
Built in storage shelving
If you would like to see the evolution of this room, I am working on a blog post for this too and as soon as it's ready for you to read, I will leave the link here.
I've put a shopping list together for each room mainly to track how much I'm spending and I will be sharing them in my shop section. As I do a lot of my shopping from charity shops or DIY things myself, I've also tried to find you items that I would buy myself if I was, to buy new. Please head over to my shop, to find my favourite things.
As always, should you need any help with creating your perfect space, I'm only a message away. If you like things #piristyle then don't forget about my interior design services, I truly love helping everyone out.
Until next time,
Love,
Piri
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