Cottage core II by Wallpassion x Ulrika Jarl

Welcome to Cottage Core – a collection inspired by the idyllic countryside lifestyle, perfect for the cottage, the seaside home, or the cozy retreat where nature takes center stage. With its romantic and timeless patterns, the collection captures the essence of the simple and charming country life, where each wallpaper tells a story of harmony, nostalgia, and natural beauty. A collection where tradition meets personal expression.
In the second release, Cottage Core II, we are introduced to beautiful designs created by designer Ulrika Jarl.

We interviewed Ulrika to get to know her a little better:

About the process & inspiration

What inspired you to create this collection?

The theme Summer Cottage brought my thoughts back to my childhood summers in the countryside and our lovely cabin in the Halland forest. The natural surroundings have long been a source of inspiration for me, even in my previous career when I worked with ceramics. Colors, shapes, and details you encounter in nature constantly inspire new ideas. I love walking in the forest, where I often take photos and jot down thoughts and ideas that come to mind. This process of being outdoors and capturing nature’s beauty truly helps me develop my patterns.

I’m fascinated by how colors and patterns can influence the mood of a room and create spaces that are inspiring, joyful, and calming. I wanted to capture the feeling of being in the countryside – in an environment that encourages you to slow down and notice the details.

I like when there’s movement in a pattern but I’m also drawn to building designs with geometric foundations because it creates a beautiful harmony.

How would you describe your creative process when designing wallpapers?

I often start with a list of around 20 words that I associate with the theme of the collection. From those words, many new ideas for patterns are born. It gives me a clear direction and opens up creativity throughout the process. For example, I associate “summer cottage” with threading wild strawberries on a blade of grass – something I did as a child and now do with my own children. From that, the pattern Wild Strawberries was born – a lovely, swirling design with a touch of nostalgia. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.

Do you work mostly digitally, traditionally, or a combination of both?

I mostly work digitally, but I often start with analog sketches and ideas. Sometimes the sketch continues in Procreate on my iPad, where I refine and test the repeat to make sure it works before deciding how detailed it should be and which color palettes to use. I’ve experimented with creating patterns in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Affinity Designer, but I always return to the fast and intuitive way of designing in Procreate, which I really enjoy.

Do you have a particular place, time, or routine you return to?

One of my favorite places is my home studio, which we built a few years ago in our small garden in Brighton on England’s south coast. There, I’ve gathered objects and sources of inspiration that speak to me. Here, I can pin up color palettes, patterns, and textures from different projects and travels.

Usually, early morning is my most creative time. Before everyone wakes up, when it’s quiet and peaceful – I drink my morning coffee, listen to the radio, and work freely. It’s wonderful to have this space just a few steps from home – a place I can leave as is and return to whenever there’s time. This was especially helpful when the children were small, and there were many stops and starts.

I’m naturally more of a night owl, so I also love working late into the night when creativity strikes. It’s great to have a separate space where no one else gets disturbed.

About style & expression

How was it working with Wallpassion? What was the most fun or most challenging part?

Collaborating with Wallpassion was a fantastic experience. It was both stimulating, educational, and challenging to create such a large collection. I was given the opportunity to work very freely within the theme. After an initial meeting where color palettes, ideas, and concepts were discussed, I developed proposals that were refined and evolved – eventually becoming 20 patterns.

I hope the result is a collection that captures the essence of both Wallpassion and my own style. Seeing the designs come to life and later appear in customers’ homes is truly a highlight.

What do you want people to feel when they see your wallpapers?

I strive to create a sense of calm and harmony – spaces where people can feel at home and relaxed. I want my wallpapers to convey warmth and welcome, inviting togetherness and connection. At the same time, I hope they inspire creativity and reflection, encouraging people to see their spaces as places for both rest and activity.

Personal

What does it mean to you to see your designs on someone else’s walls?

Seeing my designs on the walls of someone’s home is an incredibly meaningful experience for me. It’s amazing that someone chooses one of my patterns among the vast selection of wallpapers in the world. It’s not just about my designs being used – it’s about them becoming part of people’s lives and daily routines. The patterns become part of a family’s story and identity. It’s wonderful to think about how my designs can reflect a person’s or family’s style and taste. I love knowing that my patterns are not just decorative but carry meaning and stories unique to each home.

Do you have a favorite pattern in the collection – and if so, which one and why?

My favorites from this collection are Wild Strawberries, which I mentioned earlier, with its soft organic curves, and Summer Meadow, with its delightful flow and detail. It’s made up of flowers found in a summer meadow outside the cottage. I wanted to capture the lush feeling of being surrounded by plants and flowers, and I believe Summer Meadow does just that. The pattern combines a harmonious palette of muted greens, earthy tones, and touches of lively floral detail. It evokes calm and harmony, making it perfect for both relaxing spaces like bedrooms and more vibrant rooms like living areas. I also love how the pattern changes entirely depending on whether the background is dark or light.

Beautiful patterns in natural colors

The collection offers a dreamy blend of small- and large-floral wallpapers, classic stripes, soft leaf motifs, and subtle textures that create a cozy and harmonious atmosphere. The color palette is inspired by nature’s variations – with shades of pale pink, muted greens, earthy tones, and soft pastels that blend seamlessly into rustic interiors.

A tribute to traditional craftsmanship and Scandinavian countryside charm

The Cottage Core collection combines the best of old-world charm and modern elegance. The patterns are thoughtfully created, drawing inspiration from traditional textiles, botanical illustrations, and turn-of-the-century wallpaper artistry. Each design has been carefully developed to suit both the classic cottage style and Scandinavian coastal romance.

Create your dream home

Whether you want to refresh your summer cottage, give your home a rustic touch, or create a calm and nature-inspired atmosphere, Cottage Core is the perfect collection. The wallpapers give rooms a warm, inviting feel and allow you to embrace the timeless beauty of nature. All patterns are also color-matched with coordinating paint shades – making it easy for you to make the right choice.

Explore the full collection and be inspired by Cottage Core – where the dream of a rural paradise becomes reality.