Dearest Gentle Reader, the long-awaited Season 3 of “Bridergerton” is upon us, and so are all things romantic, swoon-worthy, and downright sultry.
The latest storyline in the popular series sees Penelope Featherington, aka the secret gossip writer Lady Whistledown (played by Nicola Coughlan), looking to find a husband as a way to move out of her mother’s house. (This is the early 1800s, after all, so simply buying her own home is not an option.)
To land a significant other, Penelope transforms her style and becomes a de facto coquette, or “a woman who flirts.” The trailer for the show sees Penelope getting lessons in the art of seduction from her true secret love, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).
Ooh, la la!
Coquette is not just a role
It turns out, the coquette is not just an archetypal character but a decor craze, too. Indeed, the coquette aesthetic started as a pretty-in-pink, bow-topped girly fashion fad that’s recently made the leap to the home.
This romantic, lacy style is blowing up TikTok, too, with tens of millions of views, proving the trend is off-the-charts huge. What’s more, Yelp’s 2024 Summer Home & Outdoor Trends picked up on the craze, noting that searches for “coquette” are up a whopping 337%!
Want to learn more about this hot “Bridgerton” aesthetic? Here’s the backstory, as well as how to incorporate this fresh and flirty look into your room.
“This home decor embodies a playful, feminine, flirtatious style,” explains Noel Fahden, vice president of merchandising at Chairish.
A soft, feminine approach to colors—most often pink and related pastels—fabrics (lace, sheer material), and furniture with slender details (cabriole legs) is at the heart of this new trend.
Coquette decor is closely related to romantic home style, as both touch on florals, ornate patterns, ruffles, and delicate edging (ribbons, scallops). Other hallmarks of the coquette aesthetic include candles, gauzy window treatments, and soft textures such as mohair, faux fur, and velvet.
In other words, it’s girly with a large dash of dramatic and sexy English elegance.
How did coquette decor start?
Coquette aesthetic is both new and old, as it combines the current zeitgeist with a nod to certain points in history, explains Fahden.
“This home decor is inspired, in part, by contemporary media, such as films and TV—especially ‘Bridgerton,’” she says. “But it also draws on historical notions of elegance and beauty associated with women as found in vintage styles from the Victorian and rococo eras.”
Other femme-forward pop culture moments have also added to the popularity of this look.
“The coquette resurgence is likely influenced by the strong impact of last year’s Barbie mania and the revival of ‘Mean Girls’ this year,” explains Amy Tuntasood, an interior designer at Salem Home Designs.
Lately, fashion trends have prominently featured a lot of pink, she continues.
“And the celebration of the 150th Kentucky Derby played a role as many fans dressed up in pink and florals, and this year’s Met Gala theme was ‘Garden of Time,’ which also coincides with feminine coquette decor,” she says.
Which colors and details are coquette-like?
When considering a coquette theme in your space, lean on delicate hues and materials, say the pros.
“Overall, the palette here tends to be lighter and includes shades of ivory, pink, lilac, or light blue,” says Fahden.
Other colors that match this style are peach, blush, beige tones, and soft greens like sage or pistachio.
As for fabrics and textures, Fahden opts for floral patterns, “lace-trimmed cushions, and lush materials like velvet.”
Trim is an important supporting player—think lace, pompoms, fringe, and scalloped edges.
Which rooms are best for coquette decor?
How to achieve a coquette aesthetic
As with so many decor trends, less is more (a bow on every single lampshade and lace-trimmed upholstery will begin to feel saccharine unless done with the perfect touch).
“Opt for a light touch with delicate accents rather than bold statements,” says Fahden.
Tuntasood suggests trying smaller, temporary items at the start, such as a soft pink throw, pillows, or a floral arrangement, in case you tire of the trend.
Other tiny touches (that are also reversible) include “decorating an accent wall or the inside of a cabinet with removable wallpaper in a floral design.”
Delicate salad plates (like below), pink touches, or framed botanicals can also work with this look.
“Or you could change the drapes or add an extra sheer layer with lace,” she says.
Swapping bedding for a pastel shade and topping it with a cushion with a bow is another quick way to channel the coquette aesthetic.
“A lovely romantic bedroom might even attract a suitor—which is actually true from a feng shui perspective,” Tuntasood says.
Perhaps Penelope should try this decor upgrade to lure Colin into her bedchamber!
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