Anyone know how to turn notifications off on an iPhone? Each week I have a notification pop up on my phone telling me how much time I’ve spent on it this week, and it’s not pretty! Few things hit me as hard as realizing that I have yet again become Alice and fallen into a social media rabbit hole of design and aesthetics. However, I can’t stay mad at myself long – it’s no fault of my own that new looks and styles are popping up every week! New Traditional design is always adapting and growing to include inspiration from like-minded design movements in order to stay a stimulating and timeless style choice, and I for one love to look at all the new visions that are coming into the spotlight! Gen Zs and Millennials are taking to their social platforms to create new image combinations that create a visual feast and a surprisingly specific design viewpoint. These aesthetics tend to be more than just a design choice and also embody a sometimes fantastical-seeming lifestyle for those who participate in them. This last month I stumbled across two aesthetics that I found to be both fun and encouraging to my own design tastes. These two genres of design have been branded as Cottagecore and Cluttercore.


Cottagecore is an escapist aesthetic. It takes you to a place where there are no phones ringing for attention, no errands to run and the pie on the natural wood countertop is always baked from scratch. When thinking of cottagecore, think of an English countryside where all you have on the schedule for the day is baking artisian bread, picking wildflowers from the meadow and finishing up your tiresome tasks with an afternoon-long picnic (and perhaps some slow stitching before bed). It is the beginning of the fairy tale before the villain shows up. Cottagecore is romantic and soft, based around natural elements and the simpler things in life. The liberal use of white and cream and severe lack of artificial colors provides a stunning backdrop for fresh florals, intricate embroidery, and woven grass accents (plus it hides all the flour you have no doubt spilled from all the baking). Feminine, fresh, and airy textiles add a softness to the look that is complemented by purposeful, delicate accessories like vintage teacups, dried flowers, and mossy hued knickknacks. It is the perfect visual masterpiece to reduce any anxiety you feel and to help re-center on the simple things in life.





If Cottagecore is sunbeams peeking through fluffy clouds and a lazy afternoon, then Cluttercore is sitting by a warm hearth after a quick walk in a fall rainstorm. The art of achieving a clutter core aesthetic is to create an organized mess that feels like a big hug. This movement takes to heart (and practice) what I have always believed, that less might be more, but more is certainly better! I find comfort in (organized) clutter and think that filling your home with beloved sentimental objects is both creatively stimulating and creates a “homey” atmosphere that I crave in my personal space. While this look does require some self-discipline (it is a fine line from Cluttercore to Hoardercore), when done correctly it shows off your design skills and your great eye for balance. When practicing this visual approach, try to utilize your free space by filling your surfaces with curated vignettes and stack your books and baskets up to create height. Sometimes this loud and unapologetic movement leans towards bohemian, but I prefer the antique approach where the collections are reminiscent of walking into your favorite hole-in-the-wall antique shop. In fact, a lot of what we do at the shop I would consider a version of Cluttercore! By utilizing picture frames for bold and beautiful gallery walls and upping your #shelfie game with plenty of books and knickknacks this look it easy to edge into. Plus, think of all the storage room you can free up when you actually put all of your belongings to good use!





With new styles like this to discover, is it any wonder why my phone usage is up an average of 23% this month? Don’t worry, I won’t let it discourage me from my exploration. I am willing to take one for our team so I can keep sharing my finds with you! Until next time – happy decorating!
Kathy P. says
August 24, 2020 at 1:03 pmThat orange and green tablecloth is gorgeous.
Katie Laughridge says
August 24, 2020 at 3:21 pmThank you! We have it available at the shop if you are interested just give us a call! 🙂
Tina Degenhardt says
August 24, 2020 at 4:57 pmKatie
You never run out of gorgeous ideas? I love those greens vases.. For sale?
Tina
Priscilla says
August 26, 2020 at 9:24 pmHi! I hopped on your blog today hoping I would see you posting about transitioning to fall. I’m seeing this cottagecore trend a lot and am curious to see how and if it will work for those of us that LOVE fall and all things in fall colors. It’s been so bleak these last couple of months that I am really looking forward to putting out my spice orange pillows and lighting my pumpkin candles. I can’t wait to see what you have planned!
Katie Laughridge says
August 27, 2020 at 11:19 amHi Priscilla! It’s like you read my mind – I am so ready for fall also! I’m talking about welcoming Autumn in next weeks blog but I love your idea of taking cottagecore into the next season! I feel like that includes a lot of dried flowers and crisp colorful leaves, plenty of fresh apples and pumpkins off the vine (perfect for a homemade pie), and a steaming cup of chai tea 🙂
jillian says
August 27, 2020 at 1:49 pmCottage core and clutter core…both are right up my alley! So, having an addiction to pinterest aside, this is the first I have heard of these and wonder how to access? Is there an online site? Something you sign up for? or perhaps just the name of a style? Thankyou, photos are beautiful.
Katie Laughridge says
August 31, 2020 at 11:41 amPinterest would have some inspiration boards available! Or if you look on instragram under #cottagecore or #cluttercore they have a lot of photos as well 🙂
Diane Laughridge says
August 30, 2020 at 4:31 pmHow does CottageCore differ from Shabby Chic?
Katie Laughridge says
August 31, 2020 at 11:50 amI think they have quite a lot of overlap between the two styles! However, I think Shabby Chic welcomes more colors and patterns into the style than cottage core does. For example, instead of worn-in floral patterns, cottagecore would be more likely to have fresh stems and white light linens. Furthermore where Shabby Chic tends to get its texture from antiqued and distressed accessories, cottagecore focuses on bringing texture in from natural elements such as woven baskets and natural wood finishes. The styles do have a lot in common though and look wonderful together!