Inside Story

Move over coastal chic and cottagecore – this summer, it’s all about saddling up in style and embracing the newest cowgirl core trend. Rooted in Western Americana with a modern twist, this new country and Western-inspired aesthetic celebrates a nostalgic nod to the American untamed spirit.

From Queen Bey’s red-hot “Cowboy Carter” tour to the popularity of many western-themed TV shows (“Yellowstone,” “Longmire,” “1920,” “Walker,” “Elkhorn”), it was only a matter of time before homes that look like they are on a chic yet rugged range popped up in interiors.

What is Cowgirl Core, Exactly?

As realtor.com reports, Cowgirl Core is a combo platter of Western style with bits of Americana (think metal barn stars, quilts, and gingham or checked patterns). “The trend is also associated with the American Wild West and its dry, desert climate,” notes Lauren Kavanagh, art director at Hovia.

The home’s materials should mimic the landscape, such as “woven baskets, relaxed recycled furniture, dried flowers, cacti, and macrame accents,” she explains.

Cowgirl core is similar to mountain modern style, though this trend is a bit more rugged. It taps into nubbly textures, animal skins, and roughhewn wood to achieve a look that pays tribute to the outdoors and the American independent spirit.

How did this decor style start?

Cowgirl core has deep roots in American history and the icons we’ve long revered, explains longtime Texas resident Beverly Solomon, of the eponymous design firm.

“Cowboys and Native Americans have always been the image and lifestyle that people around the world recognize when thinking of freedom and the American West—and especially Texas,” she says. “It’s that romanticized image of a life lived free in our nation’s open and majestic spaces.”

As with many decor trends, this one has also taken many cues from the worlds of fashion, movies, and music—think Beyoncé in her chic white Stetson and the viral “Fast Car” duet by Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. “Of course, Ralph Lauren hit the bull’s-eye with his American Heritage collections dedicated to Western clothes and furnishings,” adds Solomon.

And then there’s the massive juggernaut “Barbie,” says Kavanagh. While that hit film ushered in the massive Barbiecore trend, the movie was also “full of Western-style references, from Barbie’s iconic pink cowgirl outfit to Ken’s Mojo Dojo Casa house, complete with the swinging saloon-style doors.”

What does cowgirl core look like?

Sure, barn doors could work in a cowgirl core home—these sliders are everywhere nowadays, thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines and their wildly popular modern farmhouse aesthetic. “Leather, wood, and stone are associated with cowboy decor, as well as wrought iron, minerals, and hand-woven fabrics,” Solomon adds.

Kavanagh points out that whimsy can also work when incorporating cowgirl core into your rooms. “Try playful motifs like cowgirl boots and horseshoes in wallpaper or vases and candles,” she says. But cowgirl core doesn’t have to be so on the nose (not everything needs to be cactus-shaped). Try it in a small way, maybe with a woven carpet.

Solomon loves the idea of a Navajo rug, though the real deal is pricey. You can look for an antique with some wear and tear or consider a reproduction, she says.

Which rooms are best for cowgirl core?

Not sure if you want to lasso cowgirl core in your more public spaces? A bedroom or bathroom is the perfect spot for this treatment. A homespun quilt on a guest bed, whether new or vintage, or a quilt-like tile pattern on a shower wall is a small but sweet way to try cowgirl core.

Kavanagh has seen the look work in both living rooms and the bedroom, depending on your willingness to embrace the style. “You might want the maximalist interpretation with a cowhide-effect wallpaper,” she says. Or lean minimally with a throw pillow or blanket accent.

How to bring cowgirl core to your rooms

Rawhide pendant lights with visible stitching can illuminate a home bar or small table in a dining nook. Or bring cowgirl core to your rooms with cowboy art to hang on a wall. Consider Connor Liljestrom, an artist based in Jackson, WY, who creates large-scale cowboy and cowgirl pieces. The in-demand painter sells limited-edition prints of his work, alongside special releases of the original artwork.

A fresh coat of paint can transform a ho-hum white room into one with a cowgirl feel. “Think warm desert tones here, and neutrals, too, like sandy beige, warm whites, muted dusty pinks, and shades of brown,” says Kavanagh.

The do’s and don’ts of cowgirl core

Antler decor fits the theme well, but don’t be tempted to hang ones harvested from hunted animals (there are permit issues, Solomon says). “Stick with bones made from other materials like ceramic or plastic,” she suggests. Also, “avoid using raw wood or corrugated tin—these might work in a rustic hunting cabin but not so much in your home,” she adds.

Too many literal cowboy items, like saddles for seats, a wall of hats, and chaps draped on railings, can seem trite. (You’re not living in a saloon, after all!)

Now that you know what to do, giddyup!

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Photo Credit: Allison H. Smith / Shutterstock.com