This image was created with creative tools for the If I Lived in a Cottage by the Sea – Fall Dreambook by The Inspired Room.
Autumn has arrived, and to celebrate the season of cozy spaces I’ve put together a fresh “get the look” mood board inspired by the fall bedroom image above. That image was designed for one of the Cottage by the Sea Dreambooks, and below I’ll explain a bit more about those Dreambooks and how you can use them to inspire your own home.
I’ve always dreamed of having a fireplace in the bedroom, but with our small room that likely won’t happen.
Still, dreaming is part of the fun.
That’s why I create Dreambooks.
There’s something restorative about slowing down with a cup of tea and flipping through images and ideas the way we used to with magazines—imagining how a room could feel, what colors might soothe, and what details bring warmth.
The Dreambooks are digital, so you can enjoy them instantly on your computer or device whenever inspiration strikes.
When you’re ready to make those cozy dreams real, explore the Get the Look mood boards.
The mood boards I share are designed to capture and recreate the feeling of a room rather than simply copying every element. Over the years readers have loved these curated boards because they make it simple to bring a cozy atmosphere into any home.
You can shop where you prefer, but for convenience I include the exact sources shown on each mood board so you can find the pieces that helped create the look.
Below you’ll find a “get the look” inspiration board with similar styles and additional options to help you recreate the cozy fall bedroom vibe.
I’m so grateful for the enthusiastic response to these Dreambooks—readers tell me they are a seasonal favorite and a reliable source of ideas for making homes feel calmer and cozier. Each Dreambook is filled with images, color palettes, and styling tips designed to spark fresh ideas for your space.
New in our digital shop: watch for the Room by Room Dreambooks coming soon. These will focus more specifically on practical, room-by-room inspiration so you can apply the cottage-by-the-sea sensibility throughout your home.
Make a cup of tea, settle in, and let the cottage-by-the-sea aesthetic inspire your own decorating choices. Whether you live near the ocean or inland, the Dreambooks show how this relaxed, layered style can adapt to any setting.
The If I Lived in a Cottage By the Sea Dreambooks are meant to be both an enjoyable escape and a practical source of inspiration you can use in your home. They emphasize mood and feeling—soft textures, layered neutrals, and thoughtful details—so you can create a space that feels restful and welcoming.
The Dreambooks are not really about where you live, but how. Cottage by the Sea is a lifestyle and mindset, as well as a style.
the inspired room
For more seasonal inspiration, follow @cozycottagebythesea on Instagram, or join the Cottage by the Sea email list for regular “get the look” ideas and announcements about new Dreambooks.
I’d love to hear which parts of the Dreambooks you enjoy most—whether it’s the color palettes, the cozy textures, the styling ideas, or the stories behind the rooms. Your feedback helps shape future collections.
Get your Dreambooks here! All seasons are available now.
The Dreambooks get rave reviews!
“Melissa, this digital Dreambook is pure magic! I adore how you’ve blended AI-crafted cottages with whimsical stories— it feels like a cozy seaside escape right on my screen.” — Laura
“This Dreambook feeds my soul.” — Lynn