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For years, the Cotswolds have been held up as the epitome of rural style.
Whitewashed kitchens with Shaker cabinets. Limestone floors. Antique pine dressers artfully stacked with Emma Bridgewater mugs. Boot rooms bigger than most London flats. Every corner looked as though it had been borrowed from a Cotswolds farmhouse renovation on Instagram.
But this summer, Britain’s most stylish homes are heading west. The new obsession is the Devon Girl – an effortlessly relaxed coastal look that swaps perfectly curated country living for something softer, saltier and infinitely more liveable. Think less immaculate boot room, more baskets overflowing with beach towels.
Instead of obsessing over whether your pantry is colour-coordinated, the Devon girl aesthetic celebrates homes that feel as though they’ve evolved over generations, collecting driftwood, vintage sailing prints and weathered furniture along the way.
Here are 7 ways to get the look – all without leaving your house.
Far Studio
Incorporate sea-inspired colours
The Cotswolds palette revolved around mushroom, taupe and sage green. Devon Girls look to the coastline for inspiration instead. Think chalky whites, faded denim blues, seafoam greens, sand tones and weathered greys. The colours should feel sun-bleached rather than bold. Remember, it’s meant to look effortless, not showy.
Carmel Brantley
Say so long to matching furniture
One of the biggest shifts is moving away from perfectly coordinated rooms. Finally!
Instead of buying an entire dining set, mix antique wooden chairs with a farmhouse table, or pair vintage bedside tables with a contemporary bed. The collected look feels far more authentic than matching suites. Plus it gives you the permission to decorate a space over time. Your bank manager will personally thank you.
Decorate with things you actually use
The Devon Girl look isn’t about styling shelves with dozens of identical ornaments, and nobody needs a seashell collection that gathers dust. Instead, display stacks of cookbooks, pottery, woven baskets, shell collections, favourite mugs and well-read novels instead. Practical and pretty.
YAM Studio
Embrace beautifully imperfect furniture
One of the best things about the Devon Girl trend is that wear and tear is not only tolerated, it is necessary. Paint doesn’t need to be flawless. An old pine dresser with chipped edges has far more character than something fresh from the highstreet window.
Rather than replacing tired furniture, consider repainting or restoring what you already own. A lick of clear matt varnish from Ronseal will bring a tied wooden dresser or bedside table back to life, whereas a coat of paint will add personality to an old dining chair. Coat Paints do a range of tonal Devon Girl friendly shades.
Make natural materials do the talking
Texture, texture, texture. Forget high-gloss finishes. Linen curtains, jute rugs, wicker baskets, reclaimed timber, rattan lighting and woven storage all add warmth and texture while creating the easy-going feel of a coastal cottage.
The more tactile the materials, the better.
Viruta Lab
Fill your home with coastal references – with zero cliches
There’s no need for decorative anchors or ‘Life’s a Beach’ signs. Instead, choose framed seascapes, vintage sailing prints, botanical artwork, watercolours, shiplap wall paneling, handmade ceramics and oversized glass vases filled with seasonal greenery.
The coastal influence should feel subtle rather than themed. No starfishes here thank you.
Choose lighting that creates atmosphere
Swap harsh ceiling spotlights for diffused pools of lights.
Ceramic table lamps, fabric lampshades, wall sconces with fluted glass and candles instantly make a room feel warmer and more welcoming, particularly during long summer evenings. You are aiming for Nancy Meyers holiday home, not a showroom.
Jared Kuzia. Design: Moore House Design
Our Devon Girl picks:
