Have you ever heard of 'cottagecore'? Either way, here's how you can make it your own.

Cottage culture - commonly known on TikTok as 'cottagecore' is a "sentimentality for a simpler, cosy life that evokes nostalgia, beauty and a way of living that takes us back to our roots," according to content creator Lucy Blackall.

Lucy, daughter of the English antique dealer Andrew Blackall, works full-time in the countryside living sector.

Her career has a "keen focus on the environment, wildlife, countryside and passion for unique cottage interiors and style," she explains to her father.

The content creator and social media personality from Wiltshire has a background in media and marketing and a huge passion for creativity, beauty and culture.

Lucy explained to Andrew that her passion is Cottage Culture. 

“The idea of cottage culture, or more popularly known today as ‘cottagecore’ is a sentimentality for a simpler, cosy life that evokes nostalgia, beauty and a way of living that takes us back to our roots," Lucy details.

She adds: "Think Jane Austen, Beatrix Potter and more recently movies such as The Holiday and Anne of Green Gables.”



Explaining where her affection for cottagecore began, Lucy commented: “For me, being part of this community on social media happened completely by accident after my husband and I made the decision to leave London in 2018 and move to the Cotswolds.”

She admitted that her life in London was "overwhelming at times" and that she "yearned for a life waking up to the birds and falling asleep to the owls and with country walks and arts and crafts fairs right on my doorstep"

In fact, she longed to create a life for herself that was similar to that of her childhood!” 

Lucy and her husband found a gorgeous English cottage dating back to the 14th century.

The content creator explained: “I was completely sold even before viewing the interiors.

"At this stage we had no income and very little savings having just made such a big move and so furnishing a property like this was a challenge for us.”

When it came to building this now popularised aesthetic into her own home, Lucy turned to her childhood and her parents' lessons for inspiration.

There are certainly some things. I will be very keen to keep in the family and pass down to my daughter should she wish to keep them.There are certainly some things. I will be very keen to keep in the family and pass down to my daughter should she wish to keep them. (Image: Lilly Wilson Photography)

She explained: "We set about sourcing secondhand furniture, going to local flea markets, fairs and looking across local marketplaces for furniture. Some of which, still have today in our new old cottage.

“Alongside this, I also grew an interest in gardening and cooking, and set about learning as much as I could about growing my own cut flowers, my own food and turning a garden into a living, thriving place which also inspired me in my whimsical fairytale design you see throughout my home today.”

Lucy brought together those two aspects of her life and created her own country living blog dedicated to her passion and interests in cosy cottage interiors, nature and animals.

The social media personality continued: “I grew up in a very unusual house surrounded by an eclectic mix of antiques and have memories diving into skips for chairs and all sorts as well as sitting in a chest of draws on the way back from London more times than I care to remember!"

Speaking to her Antiques expert father, Lucy noted: "I’ve learned a lot over the years regarding antiques how to identify them and how much I should be paying for things when it comes to furniture for my home.

"It’s giving me an insight into different styles and things that I might like, and how to sympathetically style and design a property to suit its age, period and the style of the individual living in that home.

"Whilst I’ve taken a lot on board from the various antiques I’ve lived with growing up.

"I still develop my own passion and interests, something I love is Indian furniture and antique jewellery as well as old books and unusual trinkets to style my home in a clutter free way.”

Previously, Andrew had introduced Lucy to his friends the Bristow family who own an artique in Tetbury.

“I’ve been interested in India as a country for many years, the film industry, the food, fashion and rich vibrant culture," Lucy went on to say.

She added: "Since developing an interest in interiors, I’ve found a real passion for Indian furniture. I find it beautiful unique and it can be a brilliant talking point when guests visit".

One of her favourite Indian pieces of furniture is a gorgeous green angled side drinks cabinet.

It is a very unusual statement piece in the Cottage, and is regularly commented on when she shares her interiors on social media. 

In fact, this particular item was bought in Tetbury from Artique.

Andrew quizzed her daughter: "The antique market is quiet right now, are antiques a generational thing, I ask?"

Lucy rebutted: “Not at all, a lot of interior designers I know like to use antiques in their styling and I’ve definitely noticed a lot for shabby chic farmhouse and more usable pieces as old as it can be upholstered to look gorgeous and cool or cabinets that can be changed and painted.

"A real buzz continues around up-cycling at the moment which I think can be slightly demented to the antiques industry as some things should be kept in their original form." 

The antique expert then turned his attention to Heirlooms - asking Lucy if she would keep or sell them.

She confessed: “It depends on the heirloom and whether or not it sentimental to my family or not, and whether I would want it in my home. Or, more importantly have space for it".

Andrew noted that here are certainly some things that he will be very keen to keep in the family and pass down to his daughter should she wish to keep them.


Before becoming a full-time business owner and working on her country living, Lucy used to live in London and worked at the V&A museum which is a place known for its incredible art culture and unique exhibitions showcasing amazing designers.

Before that, she even worked at the Pitt Rivers Museum part-time as a student.

The content creator noted that he spent many hours walking around this anthropological treasure trove finding new things every day.

She recalled one particular treasure - an old glass bottle that thought had a witch inside of it and it hadn’t been opened in over 100 years.

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Lucy concluded: "Well, something like this might not be considered an antique in the same way the chair or table would be I finally these things of not any historical importance but the fascination and something that has definitely fueled my unusual fairytale / whimsical earthy style when it comes to antiques and interiors.”

Who is Andrew Blackall?

Andrew Blackall is an English antique dealer with more than 30 years of experience selling period furniture and quirky collector's items to clients across the globe. He has written and produced award-winning film and television productions. He was born in St John’s Wood, London and he grew up in and around London. He currently lives in Avebury, Wiltshire. His love of antiques stems from an early fascination with history and from visiting country homes throughout old England and the British Isles. Many of Andrew’s clients are well known on both sides of the pond, patronising his ability to source antiquities with provenance and appeal. His stock has appeared in a number of films and TV shows. Andrew has two styles of business: one selling high-end decorative antiques at The Blanchard Collective, the other selling affordable collectables at The Malthouse Collective.