Do you like old things, furniture with the character of age, wood that has acquired patina over the years? Do you like to search for treasures in attics or flea markets, do you get a sense of accomplishment or just pleasure when you find an object with a story to tell? Then you might be a follower of the shabby chic trend and shabby chic furniture is right for you.
Definition of shabby chic by Wikipedia is a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their age and signs of wear and tear or new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique.
The word was first coined by the magazine The World Of Interiors in the 1980's and was revived a few year later by a British Designer Rachel Ashwell, who established her company in California. Her first interior design shop was a mix of hand made restored pieces and an eclectic collection of styles, but she was extremely successful and a new style shabby chic was born to stay. Today the chain of Shabby Chic stores is well known around the world and many books have been written on this style.
It is synonymous with flea markets, and remembering the past but first and foremost... with style ! Shabby chic is an elegant style that is authentic, it is simple and retro, it is a lot of fun.
The dominant colors are light, and white is the queen, frequently accompanied by her suitors in pale blues, pinks and grays, all adorned with flowers . Shabby Chic furniture is old or made to look that way, taking us back to a time when elegance was essential. The style feeds the aspiration to find authenticity, comfort and grace without spending a fortune. Imperfections and wear are not only welcome they are coveted. However, the function of the pieces you find does not have to be respected. You can turn an outdoor bench into a coffee table, use old chairs to make planters.
You can buy new furniture in Shabby Chic style in stores or on line, but it is by definition a recycling style, the use of old furniture painted white or one of the pastel colors, sanded at the corners to let bare wood show, old and use is good and if it is not used enough you can make it so. Rachel Ashwell said it herself "be creative".
So for some shabby chic furniture is just "pastelised" old stuff with a leaning towards bad taste, but for others it is elegant vintage, affordable comfort, carefully selected furniture with character, that is given another chance to shine before finishing its days on the pile.
Shabby chic colors
White is the most used color, to that you can add natural colors like sand, beige, off white, ivory or gray, all to create a warm, sophisticated atmosphere. To shake things a little you will add here and there small amounts of pink, coral, peach or salmon, complemented with soft green.
Flowers
Fresh or dried flowers are everywhere, on the print of curtains, pillows, throws, and lamp shades. They can decorate woodwork or walls, they can be on the tiles either on the walls or the floors. They figure on paintings, or photos and sometimes on the frames that hold the paintings.
Accessories
On low furniture, coffee tables or dressers, ordinary objects like grandma's dishes make the room look more personal. Trays and tea sets from years gone by (buy an inexpensive reproduction if you cannot afford the original) provide nostalgia and romanticism. A few mirrors and vases with floral decorations, lamps with crystal, a few porcelain pieces and lace round up all you need to make a romantic shabby chic nest. You might also consider changing your door knobs and cabinet door pulls, crystal door knobs and vintage glass door knobs will make a great finish to your room. It is in the small details that the greatest looks are accomplished.
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