Cottage Inspired Spring Home Tour
We’re sharing our cottage inspired spring home tour and the simple techniques that have kept us grounded while building a life filled with simple pleasures.
A few weeks ago, I was on the phone with my Mom talking about her trip to Europe.
She is wildly excited about all the fun things they have planned, but she’s also nervous about leaving us.
While my parents frequently travel together now that they’re both retired, they rarely traveled at the same time when we were little.
Once we were grown and had families of our own though, my Mom’s anxiety around traveling seemed to ease a bit.
But when both of her parents died about 36 hours apart several years ago, she started hesitating every time she had an opportunity to travel with my Dad.
In part, because the aftermath of those deaths so close together was devastating for her and our big farm family.
Given her age, I want my Mom to soak in every ounce of Europe she possibly can while she is away.
I want her to immerse herself in the sights, sounds, smells, and culture of the magical cities that have been on her bucket list for years.
So, I’ve been sending her tips and tricks to not only help ease her nervousness but to also make sure she has a memorable experience.
The simple grounding technique that has helped me the most is a technique anyone can do, at any time, in any situation.
While it’s frequently taught to people who have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders (that’s where I first learned about it), PTSD, and panic attacks, I continue to use it even when I don’t have anxiety to help me stay fully present in magical moments I don’t want to forget.
As always, this technique is not meant to be seen or substituted as professional medical advice (I’m not a doctor), rather it’s something I’ve personally found helpful in my own journey and wanted to pass along.
It’s called the 5-4-3-2-1 Method and it’s used to help you shift your focus and thoughts to the present moment.
You can click the link above for more information, but the gist of the grounding technique is super simple to remember.
Take a deep breath and look around, what are…
- 5 things you can see.
- 4 things you can feel.
- 3 things you can hear.
- 2 things you can smell.
- 1 thing you can taste.
While my parents will, no doubt, come home having seen amazing landmarks, beautiful works of art, exquisite culinary delights, and having experienced the energy of famous cities frequently written about in books.
I truly believe you can still have a magical season filled with simple pleasures right in your own cottage inspired spring home and cozy backyard.
Here’s a look at our cottage-inspired spring home tour and easy ways to stay mindful and grounded this season…
Spring Things You Can See:
- A warm and inviting front porch or back patio.
- A home that feels clean and fresh
- Pastels
- Snow melting
- The first spring buds on the trees
- Flowers popping up from the ground.
- Clear blue skies
- Boats on the water
- Baby farm animals
- Dye or sticky bits on your fingers from spring craft projects
- A new wreath on your front door.
- Spring home tours.
- Pink sunsets.
- Candlelight dinners and holy services
Spring Things You Can Feel:
- The time change.
- A fresh start.
- A new beginning.
- Finishing and filing your tax returns.
- Rain washing away the pollen.
- The last snowfall of the season
- The excitement of Spring Break
- The eagerness for vacation or upcoming travel plans
- Dirt on your hands as you plant your garden.
- Flower petals
- Hugs and kisses at family reunions.
- The fabric of your Easter dress
- Easter grass
- Easter basket gifts
- Decorating Easter eggs
- Anticipating the arrival of the Easter Bunny
Spring Things You Can Hear:
- Birds singing
- The buzz of lawnmowers and equipment
- Rain falling on your umbrella.
- A new playlist
- The sounds of people exploring new books at the bookstore.
- Chatter at your favorite outdoor brunch spot or café.
- The crowd cheering at spring sporting events.
- Giggles while flying kites or blowing bubbles.
- Your shoes scraping the welcome mat before you walk through the door.
- Relatives preparing heirloom meals in the kitchen.
- The people next to you singing old hymns in church.
Spring Things You Can Smell:
- Lilies
- Hot cross buns baking in the oven.
- Easter cakes
- A cozy fire on a chilly day.
- Your favorite scent as you spring clean the house.
- Freshly cut grass.
- Spring garden tours
- Linens hanging on the line.
- Flowers, plants, and herbs from your garden.
- Your family’s favorite recipes.
- The signature scent of someone you love.
- Coffee brewing.
- Salt air at sunrise service.
Spring Things You Can Taste:
- Cadbury eggs and Easter candy
- A fresh batch of maple syrup
- Whipped herb butter on freshly baked bread.
- Seasonal casseroles
- Egg salad sandwiches
- Fried green tomatoes.
- Deviled Eggs
- Glazed Ham
- Hummingbird Cake
- Key Lime pound cake
- Strawberry Lemonade
One of my biggest goals for the year is to enjoy the season I’m in.
While it takes practice, it is possible to train yourself to look for and stay grounded in the simple pleasures of life.
The exciting part about simple pleasures is that they’re different for everyone.
For my parents, it’s finally being able to travel to Europe again.
For my middle sister with young kids, it’s taking a long bath without any interruptions.
For some of my girlfriends, it’s a cozy trip to the beach with all their favorite reads, endless Bloody Marys, and a bottomless brunch menu.
I know practicing mindfulness and gratitude, or finding clarity through journaling prompts are three things that get a lot of buzz no matter what season we’re in.
But I can honestly say, they’re not all hype.
They’re things that have drastically helped me to create a life I love.
So, if you feel stuck, need a fresh start, or frequently fall into bed not knowing how you spent your day, consider adding them and the grounding technique I shared above to your rituals and routines.
Because there’s no better time to celebrate renewal than spring.
Up Next on the Spring Home Tour and Blog Hop…
MONDAY
FRIDAY
Other Cottage-Inspired Spring Posts to Explore:
Cottage-Inspired Spring Porch Tour
How to Decorate a Store-Bought Cake for Easter
Many blessings,
CoCo
It is all beautiful! I love your mindfulness technique. I will share it with some of my students! Many of them could really use it! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you bunches, Susan. It helps me all the time. Especially, when there is an event or a special occasion I want to always remember and hold dear. I love that it’s easy to do too no matter what the season. Hugs, CoCo
Beautiful CoCo. I enjoyed the message and technique. Your home looks so pretty dressed for spring.
Oh, my CoCo, you have me swooning over every spec of your home tour. The purple you added is perfect and I love your rabbit centerpiece and your table. Your bedroom is gorgeous! Pinned!!!
Thank you so much, Cindy! It’s been fun to mix things up with pinks and purples this season. They just feel like spring! Hope you’re having a great week, CoCo
Hi…new to your site, loved your home tour and decorating style. Will for certain be following you. Happy Easter!
Welcome, June! We’re excited to have you here. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out. I can hardly believe Easter is almost here. I hope you and your family have a blessed week. It’s such a special time to be together. Hugs, CoCo
As always your beautiful home is stunning for spring. I appreciated your tips, I will be sharing that with a loved one who has anxiety.
That’s so kind of you, Cara. They help me stay present in the moment all the time! Hope you’ve had the best week. Hugs, CoCo
Coco,
What a lovely post and pictures. I so agree with you, we have to be mindful and intentional about looking for the good in life so that we can practice Gratefulness……….it truly makes all the difference in the world.
Blessings,
Nellie
Thank you so much for your kind words, Nellie. I really appreciate them. Gratitude and mindfulness take a bit of practice at first but it changes everything once you include them as part of your daily life. Hope your spring season is off to a great start, CoCo
You had me at purple! I loved how you displayed it on your porch and everywhere. It’s my favorite.
Thank you bunches, Donna, I really appreciate it! Hope you’ve had the best week, CoCo
Absolutely beautiful, my friend! I love the
Mindfulness technique. I hope that I can remember it. Hugs and blessings to you.
Thank you, Renae! It helps me all the time. Hope your week has been filled with all good things and you’re recovering well. Hugs, CoCo
Beautiful ideas, CoCo!! I hope your mom has such a fun trip!!
Your spring decorations are perfect! I’ll have to share this technique with my family. When I am not distracted and present with my kiddos they really can tell. Some times the chores have to wait and I need to get down on the rug with them and get silly.
CoCo – you always have the best posts. I think your true calling is to be a writer. Having said that, I do love all the spring photographs you included in this post. That was so thoughtful of you to think of your Mom and share the 5,4,3,2,1 method. No doubt, it will come in handy. (And I plan on using it too). I hope your parents have a fabulous trips
Oh, how I loved your spring tour CoCo, and all that is purple. Your hydrangeas are magnificent. Every detail, from the beautiful spring flowers to how you’ve styled your cabinet shelving, you have given me so much inspiration. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
CoCo, as always, your home looks so beautiful. I really enjoyed looking at all the pictures and soaking up the inspiration. I also enjoyed the advice you have given to your mom while she travels. Such a wonderful way to savor the moment and leave your worries behind. Thanks for sharing with us.
Love the mindfulness technique that you shared! I will need to use that on our road trips this year! Your home looks beautiful all dressed up for spring! I am still putting the finishing touches on my Spring decor now! Blessings, Donna
Thanks so much for the backstory and the calming ‘tip’, Coco! And so fun to see the calmness in your spring home, as well! I’m delighted to be featuring your post at Tuesday Turn About this week! Pinned!
Your home and photos are so beautiful CoCo! Thanks for taking us on the tour, and thanks for the calming technique too. I’m definitely going to try it, and I hope your mom enjoys her trip without much anxiety! You’re a good daughter to help her out! 😊
CoCo, your home is stunning. I love all of the spring touches, the use of the purples, lavender, blues, and pinks throughout your spaces. Gorgeous!
Coco your touches of spring beauty are so inspiring. I love the hydrangeas and the color palette of lavender and lilac. Such a pretty tour!
CoCo – Your home is beautiful, and I love your mindfulness technique. It came at a good time for me. I’ve been feeling rather anxious about some travel and big changes going on in our family. Your post is truly a treat for all of these 5 senses.
PS – I’m dying to know what hummingbird cake is?
CoCo each space in your home looks so beautiful. I love the story you shared and the 5-4-3-2-1 method is so good! I’m going to Europe in a few months and this was a lovely reminder to soak it all in. Happy spring!
Wow, Coco. This is truly exquisite! I love how you storytell, and let the home tell its own story through the photos. And oh my goodness, each detail is flawless. I LOVE the hydrangeas on the porch and the tulips throughout the house. Your attention to detail is perfect. Thank you for the mindfulness techniques – I love that you focus on helping others through this post!
Your hydrangeas and tulips are so beautiful! Love your spring home!
I’m so excited for your parents, CoCo! Hope they enjoy every beautiful part. Yes, we are enjoying boiling our fresh maple syrup from our yard right now; it’s a special season as winter closes down & Spring begins. Thanks for the lovely tour!
Coco, I hope your parents have the most wonderful time in Europe. What a lovely story and a truly amazing way to calm down. And you so artfully wove this helpful technique between lovely images of your home. I can almost smell the spring flowers filling your home. This has been such a special visit. Happy Spring.
Your post came at just the right time. I am so grateful for your lovely mindfulness techniques. I’m sharing with my entire family. And your home tour (and hydrangeas!) gives so much joy, peace, and calm. Thank you for a beautiful tour!
I’ve never heard of the 5.4.3.2.1. method. It sounds genius! I’ll share that with our kids in case they ever need it.
Your home is one of the softest, happiest I’ve ever seen, and I love all the pops of color. And the jars of tulips with the moss table runner are magnificent! Hope your mom takes in every ounce of Europe. She totally deserves it! Happy Easter!
CoCo ~ YES! This my friend! Slowing down, taking it all in, and truly living in the moment is such a thing to strive for this year. Thank you for sharing your heart and your hacks. The european touches you added to the table were awesome and can we just have a moment of silence for your hydrangeas? Thanks for the gentle reminder that life is fragile and to be savored. This spring blog hop was fun to do with you my friend! Happy Spring!
Coco your spring decor is just so gorgeous! Oh those purple tulips and the blush pink satin ribbons everywhere! The tablescape is just amazing. You have created a charming home full of romantic vintage spring and Easter vibes and I love it all so much!
Great tips for easing anxiety too. I believe your parents are going to have an amazing trip!
Happy spring!