by K. Unsworth - Houzz
Shabby chic emerged as a popular style trend in the 1980s, when British bohemians and artists began to upcycle old furniture into works of art, added charm with fabrics, and repurposed treasures for display. They were, in effect, making use of both their creativity and their limited funds to develop a look all their own. The trend soon spread to the US and beyond, and it is now seen as a timeless style aligned with our growing focus on eco-sustainability in building and design. Shabby chic embraces old, worn and nostalgic pieces – a perfect fit for the current trend of recycling, upcycling and repurposing. The style is also comfortable, relaxed, warm and charming, and adaptable to most homes. The term shabby chic is often used in reference to variants French country, cottage chic, Gustavian, and beach cottage chic and is as popular with those making the most of roadside finds as it is with those who simply choose the style for its warmth and character. Discover the key elements of shabby chic, and how you can display preloved items in a classic and elegant way in your home.
EMBRACE THE OLD Shabby chic is a collection of the old, the faded and the second-hand. The look is vintage, bohemian and very lived-in. Key features include the use of whites and soft colours, distressed wood, vintage mirrors, chandeliers and glassware.
SCOUR THE MARKETS
Trawl markets and second-hand stores as you can often pick up a bargain. Look for quality pieces, and consider whether they can be sanded, repainted, re-covered or repaired.
LEARN TO LOVE WHITE
White is the key colour for a shabby chic interior. You can combine many different whites from warm to cool, off-whites and creams. The more white you use, the stronger the statement will be.
PICK PASTEL
Stick to pale pastel colours when not using white. Anything from duck-egg blue to watery greens, pale pinks, lemon yellow and cool grey
.…AND BLUES AND GREENS
Blues and greens suit shabby chic style, too, and look wonderful when teamed with white like here in this room. Look for pale greens and blues and then mix them with just a small splash of a bolder shade such as teal.
CELEBRATE FLORALS Shabby chic is often very feminine and romantic, incorporating floral cushions and curtains, antique rugs, decorative pieces and soft pretty colours. The floral curtains in this room are a focal point.
OPT FOR DISTRESSED WOOD Furniture in natural materials, such as wood, wicker and metal, is key to this look. Wood can be left in its natural state, or painted (usually in white) then sanded back for a distressed look.
CHOOSE FREESTANDING DRESSERS These are a warm, welcoming addition to this kitchen and add visual interest when used in conjunction with standard kitchen cupboards and drawers. Look for old pie safes and jelly cupboards, and use them to display everyday items or decorative vintage pieces.
…AND MIRRORS Use old, antique mirrors in unusual places such as the bathroom. This makes the space feel more homely, and more like a room than a clinical bathroom. Choose decorative mirrors in wood, painted wood or gilded finishes.
ADD INTEREST WITH CREATIVE ARTWORKS Art doesn’t need to be expensive. Old artworks can easily be reframed, or even consider framing vintage tea towels or wrapping paper. Grouping artwork together, like seen here, makes a big impact.
TELL ME.... Are you a shabby chic fan? Hope so, if not you should give it a chance; Shabby Chic has turned into a very modern stylish interior design style that has made a breakthrough in the design world.