Cover BM0488 table and bench by Børge Mogensen

Turn your bedroom into a relaxing escape with tactile, cosy accent pieces inspired by the rustic elements of the cottagecore movement

“When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality,” wrote American writer Henry David Thoreau, who famously retreated from the world and lived in a remote cabin for over two years.

While most of us may not feel compelled to become hermits ourselves, a similar desire for a simpler and more meaningful life has arisen during the Covid-19 lockdowns worldwide. Known as “cottagecore”, this trend promotes a way of life that sees enthusiasts embracing hobbies ranging from crafting to baking bread.

This idealised aesthetic is defined by a pastoral inclination towards natural materials, greenery and minimalism. It’s a movement against the pressures of the rat race, where you are inspired to prioritise self-care by incorporating soothing elements into your surroundings.

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Above Menu Umanoff side table, Knitting chair, Torso table lamp and Plinth vase, from menuspace.com

See also: Home Tour: A Stylish Apartment Inspired By Rustic Cottages 

Introduce simple touches such as the use of ambient lighting; a calming balm for an anxious mind. “Soft lighting is essential for a relaxing ambience in the bedroom and we recommend sticking with dimmable lamps so you can adjust the intensity to your needs,” says Rhiannon Hills, managing director at Danish Design Co, a Scandinavian furniture retailer.

Terence Choo, marketing and public relations manager of multi-label furniture purveyor P5 Studio, agrees. “Having plants with ambient lights strung across the bed gives a warm feeling that is peaceful and ideal for meditation and reflection,” he says.

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Above Pictured in a home crafted by Designworx Interior Consultant, plant life, wooden elements and furniture pieces with woven textures contribute to a calming mood in this alcove

A cosy and comforting atmosphere can be augmented by scents that evoke images of nature, nostalgia and domesticity. For example, candles with warm and woody fragrances, or fresh, citrusy scents offer a therapeutic touch. Other mood-enhancing details include surrounding yourself with “the right sounds” you love. According to Grafunkt co-founder Jefery Kurniadidjaja, music can have the effect of allowing people to submerge themselves fully in their surroundings without outside distractions.

A comfortable rug will create a cosy yet versatile spot for work and also a sanctuary to relax in

- Terri Tan, Design Director at Designworx Interior Consultant -

As for those who live in compact apartments, Terri Tan, design director at Designworx Interior Consultant, says that converting a corner or small space into an aesthetically pleasing workspace will go a long way in improving your mood, even if deadlines beckon. “Jazz up the area with an interesting table lamp, chair or stool, or an artwork that speaks to your soul,” she advises. “A comfortable rug will create a cosy yet versatile spot for work and also a sanctuary to relax in afterwards.”

See also: Home Tour: A House That Pairs Californian Cool With A Rustic Beauty
 

1. The Reflection rug from Moooi Carpets' Nordic Collection

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Add to the tactile layers in your room with carpeting. Part of Moooi Carpets’ Nordic Collection, the Reflection rug was inspired by the light-catching reflections of stained-glass windows.

Available at Space Furniture 

2. The Florens sideboard by Oscar and Gabriele Buratti

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Designed by Oscar and Gabriele Buratti for Lema, the Florens sideboard is distinguished by a bronze-painted metal profile that’s carved flush on the top; it allows ample room to display your favourite vases.

It features a tempered glass top and an integrated lighting system, and is available in thermo-treated oak in a matte or glossy lacquered finish.

Available at W. Atelier

3. The Flag Bed from Bolzan Letti

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Snuggle into the cosy depths of the Flag bed from Bolzan Letti, which features wood, fabric and subtle brass details. It incorporates brass shelves that can store your watch and other small accessories, keeping them within easy reach; a customisable combination of upholstery options is available for the headboard.

Available at P5 Studio

See also: The French Luxury Furniture Brand That's Found In The Homes Of Designers And Celebrities

4. The Giulietta - Romeo Comodino nightstand from Reflex Angelo

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The Giulietta - Romeo Comodino nightstand from Reflex Angelo comprises drawers in matte or polished lacquered wood, as well as in an ebony matte finish. Its lacquered glass lid can swivel outwards to reveal the contents of the top compartment; leather and metal detailing adds to
the exquisite look of this piece.


Available at Sphere Living

5. Wall-mounted electric diffusers from Diptyque

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Adjust the intensity of your favourite scent with these wall-mounted electric diffusers from French home fragrance brand Diptyque. We recommend either Gingembre, a bright scent with hints of citrus and freshly cut ginger, or Ambre, which has notes of vetiver, patchouli and tonka beans.

Available at Escentials

6. TR7 floor lamp by Tom Rossau

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Accent lighting adds soft illumination to a room; the lamp itself can be beautiful to behold, too. The TR7 floor lamp is the work of self-taught designer Tom Rossau—it features a sculptural form crafted in either natural birch or white plastic in two height options.

Available at Danish Design Co

7. The Sparrow X Round clock

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The brainchild of Taipei-based company Haoshi Design, the Sparrow x Round clock adds a touch of whimsy to any space. Featuring three sparrows perched on its diagonal lines, this three-dimensional piece also sports large metal hands that make it easy to tell the time.

Available from theartling.com

8. BM0488 table and bench by Børge Mogensen

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First produced in 1958, Danish designer Børge Mogensen’s BM0488 table and bench still looks timeless half a century later; it forms part of his “building furniture” concept, which aims to create versatile pieces that can adapt to its users’ changing needs. Relaunched by Carl Hansen & Son, the BM0488 is crafted in solid oak and topped with a double woven surface; it can be used as a seat or coffee table.

Available at Danish Design Co, P5 and Xtra

9. Globe Vase from AYTM

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To complete the cottagecore look, add some foliage to your room and showcase it in beautiful vessels such as the Globe Vase from Danish design brand AYTM. Its rotund form is supported  by an elegant brass base; the vase is equally suitable for holding freshly cut flowers, dried plants, candles and other creative bric-a-brac.

Available at P5 Studio

10. The Vitra Compas Direction desk by Jean Prouvé

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If your preferred idea of quiet time involves craftmaking, consider creating a compact workspace where you can work on your smaller-scale project. Designed in 1953, the Vitra Compas Direction desk by Jean Prouvé features a solid wooden table top and slender powder-coated steel legs inspired by the hinged arms of a compass.

Available at W. Atelier

11. Ligne Roset Païpaï armchair by Lucidipevere

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The Ligne Roset Païpaï armchair by Italian studio Lucidipevere was born from a simple idea—the designers folded a piece of paper to create a cocooning shape. The folds play up its origami-influenced look, with its contours forming the armrests.

Available at Grafunkt

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