I’ve been asked a few times now how I found myself working as a shopping editor, but truthfully, I feel like I’ve been training for this role since childhood. Not in any formal sense, of course, but by growing up alongside my mother’s interior design work.
Throughout the entirety of my childhood, my parents’ shared passion was renovating homes. We moved frequently, picking one fixer-upper after another, making it beautiful, then moving on to the next. On the side, my mother would pick up freelance interior design and styling work, resulting in my weekends being spent between tile showrooms, furniture warehouses, and painting test patches on the walls of her current project.
Since then, I like to think I’ve developed good taste, and I credit that entirely to my mother. And so, with Mother’s Day approaching, I simply couldn’t resist roping my own interior-obsessed mum in for a very special edition of The Paris Edit.
The brief:
Just a couple of weeks ago, I spent six days staying at my parents’ farmhouse in rural New Zealand. Nestled amongst the rolling hills, their charmingly renovated villa exudes a palpable sense of calm.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to pack up and move to the country (or, at the very least, weave comforting farmhouse decor through your current home). So, to capitalise on this wave of inspiration, I set myself and my mother a challenge: create a moodboard of country-inspired interiors from a set list of Home Beautiful’s favourite shopping destinations. What follows are our respective takes on both farmhouse and English cottage aesthetics, and our respective thought processes from the curation process.
Capturing the charm of an English cottage:
Paris: When I think of country-inspired interiors, my mind immediately goes to the idyllic cottagecore aesthetic plastered all over my Pinterest board.
In fact, since returning from a week-long stay in the countryside, I’ve been fantasising about building my very own English-style cottage on a small rural plot. I’m envisioning exposed beams, beautiful hardwood floors, and a pale green kitchen (a la Dakota Johnson). Outside, I’d plant a generous veggie patch, graze miniature goats, pick wildflowers, and partake in all the dreamy country-living activities hailed by slow living enthusiasts.
“I’m envisioning exposed beams, beautiful hardwood floors, and a pale green kitchen (à la Dakota Johnson).”
PARIS BLANCHFIELD
But because my current residence is situated amidst the hustle and bustle of Sydney, all I can do is make pretty moodboards about how I would style my dream cottagecore home if it did, in fact, exist. Starting with a light-filled room, I’d work with a palette of soft blues, pinks, and butter yellow, adding stripes and florals for a bit of personality. To offset the light colours and add a touch of dimension, I’d bring in dark, rich wood accents and woven baskets.
1. Dean Striped Upholstered Sofa, Temple & Webster. 2. Evie Table Lamp, Walnut, RJ Living. 3. Azure Rug, Ash, RJ Living. 4. Dulcet Print, RJ Living. 5. Néroli Orchidée Perfumed Shower Gel, L’Occitane. 6. Glasshouse Radiance In Bloom Candle, Adore Beauty. 7. Tempo Dining Chair, Walnut, RJ Living. 8. Newbury Rectangular Seagrass Basket, Temple & Webster. 9. French Linen Quilt Cover, I Love Linen. 10. Toulouse Rattan Headboard, Temple & Webster | Background: The Fabric Editors.
Capture the English farmhouse aesthetic
When selecting pieces to fit this dreamy English farmhouse aesthetic, it pays to prioritise homely additions that still give off an elevated feel. Rattan headboards and striped couches make for great statement pieces, while floral art prints and scalloped lamps tie it all together.
Dean Striped Upholstered Sofa
$1,916 (was $2,082), Temple & Webster
Dulcet Print
$69, RJ Living
Evie Table Lamp
$279, Temple & Webster
Azure Rug
$699, RJ Living
Glasshouse Radiance in Bloom Candle
$64.95, Adore Beauty
Tempo Dining Chair
$649 at RJ Living
Bring the modern farmhouse aesthetic home:
Lisa: Who doesn’t love the idea of a farmhouse sanctuary in the countryside?
After years of city living, my husband and I finally made the move, settling into a relocated transitional villa in rural New Zealand. It’s here, surrounded by sweeping countryside views, that I’ve found my happy place.
“I wanted to bring the beauty of nature inside without overwhelming the space, and a modern farmhouse aesthetic felt like the perfect fit.”
LISA BLANCHFIELD
Because our villa’s character was somewhat undefined, I wanted to bring the beauty of nature inside without overwhelming the space, and a modern farmhouse aesthetic felt like the perfect fit. In my experience, weaving thoughtfully chosen furniture and decor throughout the space is key; we want to keep our spaces simple and timeless, not cluttered.
1. Softly 3-Seater Premium Sofa, Temple & Webster. 2. Karo Tripod Floor Lamp, Castlery. 3. Radience In The Darkness Painting, Freedom. 4. Ottavio Cushion, Cocoa, RJ Living. 5. Adela Cushion, Cashmere, RJ Living. 6. Corso Rug, Quarry, RJ Living. 7. Matte Black Candlesticks, Amazon. 8. Artisan Vessel, Freedom. 9. Sheepskin Slippers, Hommey. 10. Rattan Basket, Freedom 11. French Linen Quilt Cover, I Love Linen, 12. Shoreline Entertainment Unit, Freedom | Background: The Fabric Editors.
Bring the modern farmhouse aesthetic home
By designing with moody earth tones, like ochre, rust, black, charcoal, olive, and cream, and layering in organic elements like basketware, linen, and timber, creating that cosy (yet contemporary) feel is easy. These top picks serve as the perfect starting point for bringing the modern farmhouse aesthetic into your home, whether that be through texture, tone, or ambience.
Ottavio Cushion, Cocoa
$135, RJ Living
Shoreline Entertainment Unit
$867 (was $1,020), Freedom
Softly 3-Seater Premium Sofa
$1,299 (was $1,399), Temple & Webster
Corso Rug, Quarry
$1,799, RJ Living
Adela Cushion, Cashmere
$99.95, RJ Living
Artisan Vessel
$89 (was $99.95), Freedom
What you need to know about the modern farmhouse design trend
Modern farmhouse style is an interior design aesthetic that combines rustic, traditional farmhouse elements with contemporary finishes and minimalist styling. It typically features natural wood, neutral colour palettes, vintage-inspired furniture, linen textiles, and warm layered lighting.
The best colours for farmhouse interiors are warm neutrals like white, cream, beige, taupe, sage green, and soft grey. These shades create the calm, lived-in feeling that defines the farmhouse aesthetic while allowing natural textures to stand out.
You can make farmhouse decor look modern by mixing rustic materials with clean lines, contemporary lighting, and minimal styling. Avoid overly distressed furniture or overly themed decor in favour of elevated, timeless pieces.
Farmhouse-style furniture is typically characterised by solid wood materials, vintage-inspired silhouettes, slipcovered seating, shaker-style cabinetry, and oversized dining tables. Pieces that feel handcrafted, functional, and slightly imperfect work best within the aesthetic.
You can decorate a small home in farmhouse style by focusing on light neutral colours, natural textures, and multifunctional furniture. Keeping the styling minimal and prioritising warmth over clutter helps smaller spaces feel cosy rather than crowded.
The difference between farmhouse and cottagecore is that farmhouse style is more rooted in practicality and clean rustic design, while cottagecore leans whimsical, romantic, and heavily decorative. Farmhouse interiors tend to feel more structured and neutral, whereas cottagecore spaces embrace florals, colour, and maximalism.
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