Giada De Laurentiis may be synonymous with the kitchen (the Food Network host has, after all, made a name for herself in the culinary world). However, Giada at home Star has created a beautiful home beyond her conventional camera backdrop.
In her living room, Laurentiis has perfected the “Cozy Girl” design aesthetic (think a more structured take on the classic “Vanilla Girl” look), which consists of calming neutrals with warm undertones and, of course, lots of bouclé as standard.
Creating a neutral living room is perhaps one of the safest decorating decisions we can make, as these hues work consistently in even the smallest of spaces and outlast design trends. However, design movements like the Cozy Girl aesthetic keep this color palette fresh and exciting. While some neutrals can sometimes feel safe and (dare we say, a little uninspiring), there are ways to keep them contemporary. De Laurentiis’ space is the perfect example.
As you can see in De Laurentiis’ room, the Cozy Girl look takes more than just cinnamon candles. The key is knowing how to decorate with neutral colors to create a home environment that makes us feel physically comfortable, safe and secure – as Tash Bradley, interior designer and color psychologist at Lick, explains.
“The Cosy Girl aesthetic includes a warm autumnal colour palette of burnt orange, warm red, earthy beige and earthy neutrals. The key is to choose colours with a warm yellow or red undertone rather than blue or grey,” explains Bradley. She recommends opting for white, beige, orange and taupe tones to perfect the look.
Aside from calming neutrals, De Laurentiis’ use of textured furniture and accessories is equally inspiring. Alongside her bouclé accent chair, De Laurentiis incorporated blankets, pillows, and a large rug to add warmth and coziness to the space.
“Creating a cozy home requires layering lots of fabrics and textiles, and when it comes to blankets, pillows and cushions, you can never have too many. Stack them high in a wicker basket on your sofa or bed – just make sure one is always within reach,” says Bradley.
(Photo credit: Jake Arnold)
If you want to follow the Cozy Girl trend in a De Laurentiis-inspired way, we recommend the following select suggestions. We can’t get enough of the bouclé chair, which has a similar shape to the one in her space. This pillow and throw, designed by Nate Berkus, are the perfect addition to any neutral living room or bedroom.
Bacio Camel Bouclé lounge chair
Bouclé has a bubbly, oversized shape and takes on camel hues in this lounge chair designed by Ross Cassidy.
Decorative cotton cushion
Designed by Nate Berkus, this cushion offers style and comfort for the ultimate lounging experience.
Textured cotton throw blanket
The cotton fabric of this throw blanket is lightweight and breathable. It is the must-have accessory for “Cozy Girl”.
“When it comes to decorating your home, the ‘Cozy Girl’ aesthetic shares many similarities with the hygge trend,” adds Bradley.
“Hygge is a Danish word meaning coziness, but the ideology translates to the art of creating intimacy. Think layered lighting, decorating your home in colors that warm and envelop you, and spending evenings in front of the fireplace in your comfiest pajamas surrounded by the people you feel most comfortable around.”
