WIP -- Seems like this 1970s-early 90s style was possibly an influence on the much later 'Cottagecore' style in the 2020s.

Some names to research: Auntie Em Collection, Treasure Craft USA, Alma Lynne, Gunne Sax, Laura Ashley, Homco Home Interiors, Paula Vaughan

Cultural-context wise, maybe this has something to do with the conservative turn in the early-mid 1980s (though it technically emerged in the late 1970s), the rise of the religious right, "Morning in America" Reagan, the continued white flight and suburbanization at the time, boomers aging and settling down with families, the influence of Gay Nineties Revival and general 'Victoriana' revival at the time. Also there is possibly some aspect of the rise of historic preservation; with Victorian architecture being a big part of that. Victorian homes were sorta considered the 'McMansions' of their era after the great depression occurred, it made those opulent, exuberant, and intricate homes look ridiculous. So they fell into disrepair, but in the late 1960s onward, became a focus of preservationists.

I'll add that the main impetus to actually delve into this aesthetic was an article on the 'Country SF' store -- they mentioned that this style/look/aesthetic was the most lucrative in consumer history; like it was apparently bigger in the 1980s than I think our collective memory acknowledges.

Originally titled: 1980s Country-Victorian-Folk Americana Style. New name is a portmanteau of Soft + Country + Victorian + Americana