From Chaos to Cottagecore: Teche’s Design Risks, Budget Breakthroughs & Cozy Aesthetic

Real Talk Before the Pretty Pictures

Flipping a house is basically like signing up for a group project where you’re the leader, the note-taker, and the one buying snacks—except the snacks are $7,200 worth of tile you absolutely cannot justify.

That’s been the journey at 105 Teche. We started with a house that felt more “structurally haunted” than “dream home”. But after months of foundation fixes, roof replacements, and late-night design debates, it’s turning into something that’s both functional and… dare I say, pretty charming.

If you’ve been following along, you know the vibe has shifted from “what did I get myself into?” to “wait, is this about to be my best flip yet?” Let’s break it down—design risks, budget wizardry, and a heavy dose of modern cottagecore.

Modern Cottagecore Without the Cliché

When you hear cottagecore, you might picture mushroom mugs and gingham everything. Cute, but not sustainable when you’re designing for real buyers (and not just Instagram). What I’m aiming for here is modern cottagecore—which means blending cozy nostalgia with clean, livable updates. This renovation is about enhancing and staying true to the spirit of the home while still giving it the thoughtful updates that still make it not just livable, but a dream living space.

Think:

• Textures that feel layered, not chaotic. Plaster walls, warm wood tones, textiles that look collected over time.

• Colors with personality. Nothing sterile, nothing too “builder beige.” Just rich hues that feel alive without screaming.

• Patterns in moderation. Checkerboard floors, wallpaper in unexpected spots, terrazzo-inspired tile. Small doses that make you pause, not panic.

The point is to create a house that feels warm and welcoming—but still fresh, functional, and move-in ready. A space with soul, not a Pinterest board cosplay.

Budget Tricks That Saved This Flip

I’m all for bold design choices—my budget, not so much. That’s where a little creativity (and a good dose of stubbornness) really saved the day.

Checkerboard Tile: Dream vs. Reality

In my head: a dramatic, magazine-worthy checkerboard floor running through the kitchen, dining, and laundry.

In reality: $7,200 quotes that made me laugh-cry into my calculator.

Solution? DIY. We got in the car, drove the Great American Race: Lafayette Flip Edition, and finally sourced affordable tile at Lowe’s, laid the pattern ourselves to make sure the thickness/exact LxW measurements were compatible for our pattern, and cut the cost down to a whopping $650. It was a little chaotic, a little back-breaking, but totally worth it. I stood firm on my design non-negotiable that shaped the project from day one, and the budget stayed intact.

Strategic Material Swaps

Sometimes it’s less about compromising and more about pivoting. Instead of overspending on “must-have” finishes, I found affordable dupes: terrazzo-inspired porcelain instead of true terrazzo, plaster-textured paint instead of imported limewash. Luxury materials for accents/small spaces, and tried and true budget friendly tile for larger footprints (while still being on trend and vibe obvi). Each choice keeps the aesthetic intact without tanking the bottom line.

Bathrooms That Refused to Be Basic

Bathrooms are always where flips can tip into either “safe and boring” or “sterile modern style departure” territory. Not at Teche.

Primary Bath

This space got the quiet confidence treatment:

• Calacatta Marble inspired floor tile for subtle pattern and texture.

• Fluted standalone soaking tub for the vibiest escape of all time.

• A layout that feels functional and calm, not fussy.

It’s earthy and understated—but in a way that feels intentional.

Secondary Bath — The Dark Horse

This is the one that surprised me. It’s small, sure, but that just gave me permission to go bold:

• Ocean-blue terrazzo floor tile (TileBar’s “Kobe Flakes Ocean Blue”)—playful and moody all at once.

• Matte microcement navy shower walls—they absorb light, creating a cocoon-like vibe that makes the tub pop, while still introducing a more natural texture that ties the room into the design flow of the rest of the house.

• Shower niche with arched alternating luxury tiles—the kind of unexpected detail that elevates the whole room.

When I shared the mockup with friends, the group chat exploded with heart eyes and “okay but what tile is that??” That’s when you know you’re onto something.

Tiny Details, Big Payoff

Cottagecore doesn’t really live in the oversized gestures—it’s in the details you almost miss at first glance, but can’t stop noticing later.

Like the wallpaper mural in the laundry room, turning what’s usually a “close the door and forget it” space into a spot that actually feels intentional (yes, even folding socks deserves a view). Or the addition of dentil trim accents, those subtle architectural touches that give otherwise plain edges a sense of craftsmanship.

Then there’s the vintage-toned brass plumbing fixtures—warm, lived-in, and just enough patina to avoid the too-shiny “new build” look. Pair that with paint colors chosen like a playlist—every shade in conversation with the next, cohesive without being predictable.

And of course, the lighting. Nothing random, nothing filler. Each fixture placed to shape the mood, not just illuminate it. The result? A house that doesn’t feel “flipped,” it feels considered. Designed. Like someone cared about the small stuff.

Conclusion — Still in Motion

Teche isn’t done yet, but the progress feels exciting. Risks are paying off, the budget hasn’t collapsed, and the house is finally shedding its “before” energy.

We’re heading toward the fun part—staging, finishing touches, and eventually listing—but for now, I’m just enjoying this in-between moment where vision and reality are finally syncing.

And yes, I’m still open to mirror and sconce suggestions. Or laundry wallpaper votes. Or any unsolicited design hot takes. You know where to find me.

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Quick FAQs (Because People Always Ask)

• Q: How do you pull off modern cottagecore design without it looking cliché?

  A: Balance. Too much floral wallpaper and it screams costume, too many niche/trendy light fixtures and it feels cheap. But pair vintage-inspired touches (like brass fixtures and botanical artwork) with modern functionality (like updated layouts and smart lighting), and you get cozy luxury without kitsch.

• Q: Is a cottagecore aesthetic actually practical for a flip house in Lafayette?

  A: Absolutely, when done right. Buyers love character, and the cottagecore aesthetic layers warmth into a renovation. The trick is being intentional: wallpaper in a laundry room instead of every wall, brass plumbing fixtures instead of builder-basic chrome. Those details sell (and I have the eager potential buyer DMs to prove it).

• Q: What’s the most budget-friendly upgrade that makes the biggest impact?

  A: Paint. Always paint. At Teche, carefully chosen palettes gave each room personality without adding unnecessary budget spend. Lighting comes in second—swap one boring overhead for a statement fixture, and suddenly the whole vibe changes. These are also the most DIY friendly upgrades, and labor costs are always the first to get out of hand in a home renovation. Say it with me: Sweat Equity.

• Q: How did you decide on the paint colors?

  A: Like curating a playlist—you want every track to feel different, but still cohesive. Each color was chosen in conversation with the next. Neutrals with depth, moody accents for contrast, and no sterile whites in sight. Unlike most flips that have 2 colors: trim and wall, we really went for maximalism here in color and sheen variation.

• Q: What’s trending in Lafayette real estate design right now?

  A: Loaded question, but at the risk of oversimplifying I can attest to this: Buyers are leaning toward cozy, character-driven spaces. Think: textured walls, mixed metals, vintage-inspired furniture, and warm neutrals. The farmhouse-gray trend is fading, and personality is back in.

• Q: Why bother with details like dentil trim or niche tile accents in a flip?

  A: Because they make buyers stop and feel something. Anyone can recognize a mass-market flip. But a dentil trim detail or tiled shower niche tells people the house was designed, not just renovated. That’s the emotional hook. This also isn’t your typical “quick flip turned investment property,” at our price point and level of detail, this isn’t so much a “flip” as it is an upscale restoration destined to be a lucky buyer’s forever (or for a long time) home.

• Q: How do you keep a flip on budget without it looking cheap?

  A: Spend where it matters—tile, fixtures, lighting—and save where you can DIY. At Teche, the checkerboard floor went from an almost 7 figure estimate to a little over $500 total with a scrappy Lowe’s hack. Buyers notice the design, not the receipt.