This year I have really embraced my own style and have found so much inspiration from European farmhouses and cottages. I really wanted that to be the core feel of our home for Christmas because there are so many beautiful and easy elements that can add rich warmth and cozy vibes.
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What is European Cottage Style?
This type of style has been around for a long time, but we’ve seen a huge increase in popularity recently, and for good reason! English Cottage design offers rustic charm, cozy ambiance, and timeless appeal. It’s characterized by simple lines and color palettes that are inspired by nature.
Traditionally, it features lots of white and natural wood tones, but you’ll often see earthy colors like brown or green mixed in or even accents of deep red and blue. I have enjoyed adding in lots of rich, moody color for cottage design for a home that feels both luxe and homey.
If you missed any of the European Cottage inspired makeovers in our home this year, you can find them here!
English Cottage Primary Bedroom
Moody Cottage Powder Room
Our Small Primary Bathroom gets a Cottage Makeover
5 Easy Ways to Add English Charm to Your Home
5 European Cottage Decorations For Christmas
1. mini ornate frames
I saw several images on Pinterest of these beautiful ornate frames adorned with ribbon and hung on the banister or tree!
You can choose to frame small vintage portraits, family photos, or anything that you love! I’m low-key thinking I might have to commission Victorian pet portraits of my three pets for my Christmas tree!
I have a collection of THRIFTED mini frames I’ll be upcyling in the next few weeks to achieve this look in my own home!
You can see how I made a vintage portrait of my parents’ dog, Tate here!
2. Blue and White
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but 2023 seems to be the year of dusty blue!
I’m using a lot of blue in my home this Christmas, which is something I’ve never done before! It feels old-world, and very European.
Look for blue and white Chinoiserie bowls and planters at antique and thrift stores. I’ve been on the hunt for the past few months, but have not been successful. I would love to add a tree to a beautiful blue and white pot in my kitchen!
Here are some other ways to incorporate blue into your holiday home:
- toile ornaments for your tree
- blue velvet ribbon
- blue charger plates
- blue stemware
- navy blue pillow covers or these dusty blue
3. fresh or faux fruit
The Winter season is filled with jewel toned fruits like pomegranates, figs, and clementines. Add a pretty bowl of these beauties to your counter or arrange some fruit along your mantle for a festive touch!
If you’d like to go the route of dried fruit slices, don’t miss these posts!
How to Dry Sliced Oranges
5 Easy Ways to Style Dried Oranges in Your Home
4. greenery
Whether you select fresh or faux, winter greenery is a classic staple you can use year after year! For a cottage feel, add small bundles of greenery to wall sconces with a velvet ribbon.
5. copper & brass
Copper and vintage brass offer a warm glow that works so well in a cottage inspired space. Fill a footed copper bowl with fruit like we mentioned earlier. Make a simple centerpiece with candles, greenery and a copper or brass bowl.
If you don’t already own any copper or brass pieces, the thrift store is a great place to look! In a pinch, amber glass is a fabulous substitute!
Keep checking back because over the next few weeks I’ll be adding all of these elements to my holiday home and I will absolutely show you how I achieve the look! For more simple and affordable Christmas and winter decor, start here!
xoxo, L