The early forms of shabby chic were, to a certain extent, over the top, but the style has made progress taking inspiration from many forms of decoration and increasingly available accent pieces. These range from 18th century Swedish painted decoration, the French Chateau as well as the American Shakers where simplicity and plainness was essential.
March 31, 2010
March 30, 2010
Shabby Chic – Stylish Not Fashionable
In the 1980s expensive quality decor was the rage with the upper middle classes. It was in this environment that the “stylish not fashionable” look became popular with modern Bohemians and artisans that made up a sidelined counter-culture movement. The original shabby chic interiors were usually considered in themselves works of art.
March 29, 2010
Aged Look in Shabby Chic
You really can’t pull off a true Shabby Chic look without some recycling of old furniture and fabrics. But, it is a look that we’re talking about, so intentionally aged pieces that are new will also work. And still another approach is to use new items which are made in a vintage style, for example, vintage lampshades.
March 25, 2010
Shabby Chic Origins
The Shabby Chic style started in Great Britain and calls to mind the type of decoration found in large country English cottages where there are softly worn and faded chintz sofas and curtains, aged paintwork and understated ‘good’ taste. In fact, Shabby Chic style is sometimes refered to as Cottage style. The goal of Shabby Chic is to achieve an elegant overall effect while avoiding an emotionally cute Pop-Victorian.
March 24, 2010
Shabby Chic Decorating Items
Popular decor items are pillows made of vintage barkcloth fabric, vintage linens, chenille bedspreads, vintage styled lighting including Victorian styled lampshades and vintage chandeliers with small shades in vintage fabrics, and anything with roses on it. It is soft, it is relaxed, it is in fact a feminine romantic way of decorating that looks homey and comfortable which is always inviting.
March 23, 2010
The Shabby Part of Shabby Chic
Shabby chic style boils down to vintage accents (not necessarily old) and too, antique furniture painted (usually white or another soft pastel color, and distressed at the corners by sanding). No need to hire a refinisher, do this yourself. The distressed look allows room for ‘flaws’ that will add character to any piece of furniture. Especially do hand made treasure fit nicely into this style, such as hand made lampshdes! Made in China, cookie cutter lighting can stand out in an unmatched discorded way even if the colors match.
March 22, 2010
The Color of Shabby Chic
Whites and worn or bleached out pastels are favorite colors but the look can achieved, and sometimes with more pleasing results, using colors already existing in the room. Fabric is often stained with tea to give it the look of old fabric. This can also be done to fabric trims, not to contrast but to accent while blending in to the shabby chic. While bleached and faded are looks that dominate the look, accent items that glow and shimmer can also be used successfully!
March 20, 2010
Shabby Chic Part 1
So just what is Shabby Chic? The term takes in items which are often heavily painted with many layers showing through obviously worn areas. In this style you’ll find faux painting using glaze or by painting then rubbing and sanding away the top coat to show the wood or base coats. Fabrics tend to be cottons and linens, with linen being particularly popular, inspired by old French linens or fabrics which simulate this look while at the same time incorporating finer design.
March 19, 2010
Victorian Elements- Shabby Chic
Shabby Chic is another style of decorating that, in appearance, can be closely related to Victorian. What most people call Shabby Chic today is a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either selected for age and signs of wear and tear or where new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique or where the item’s design mimics the look of a vintage era. And, while the words Shabby Chic have been adopted as a trade name in decorating circles, the term’s origin show it to much more than a brand name. It is the Shabby Chic look or style of decorating that we’ll explore in this article.
March 16, 2010
Victorian Elements
Here are some accents that make the French Country theme work:
• Woven or wire baskets
• Colorful ceramics and tiles
• Carved wood
• Chinoiserie pottery
• Pieces made of natural grasses
• Flowers in baskets, pitchers, copper pots and vases
• Window boxes overflowing with brightly colored flowers including geraniums and lavender.
• Pottery usually decorates the kitchen table, not fine china
• Old colorful paintings
• Iron candleholders
• Wrought iron wall hangings
Most of these elements can be incorporated into lamps or custom lampshades and lighting.