If you’re a little confused by the term “shabby chic,” you’re not alone. The two words it comprises don’t seem to fit together. Shabby means run down and old. Chic means upmarket and elegant. What’s the link?
The basic idea goes something like this: you take something that looks smart and upmarket and then age it. At the end of the process, you wind up with something that looks a bit worn out but still posh.
That might sound like a bad idea – aging something faster than you need. But it is actually one of the best things you can do to give your rooms a unique feel.
Are you sold on the idea? Check out these incredible ways to incorporate shabby chic in your home.
Make A Shabby Chic Home Office
Making a shabby chic home office takes quite a bit of thought.
The best place to start is with natural flooring. Brickwork using irregular colours tends to work particularly well. You get a rustic feel, but it doesn’t feel harsh.
Then, you pair the flooring with colonial-style furniture and perhaps a bookcase in the background with some antique hardcovers.
When it comes to a shabby chic office, you don’t have to make all the items both shabby and chic at the same time. It’s fine to have worn paintwork on your cabinets paired with a pristine white desk.
As for stationery – well, you can go mad. One idea is to take some used food tins, wrap them in white paper to cover the metal, and then wrap them again in old newspaper cuttings. Then you have a series of semi-rustic, semi-fashionable pots you can use for all your pens, pencils, and scissors.
Add Shabby Chic Elements To Your Bedroom
When it comes to making a shabby chic bedroom, you have to be careful. In general, you want your bedroom to remain a cosy environment, so going too far in the shabby direction probably isn’t a good idea.
One of the best ways to give a bedroom a shabby-chic feel is to include lots of ruffles, both on the bed and the drapes. If you have space for a sofa, you can also add ruffled cushions. Voluminous upholstery gives the room texture and depth.
Also, make sure that you choose a deliberately pale palette in your bedroom. Judicious use of white is fine. Pastel pink and green can also work well, so long as you know what you’re doing.
Which iron beds suit country chic decor? Ideally, those that use neutral or a pale colour palette. Deep black or blue is probably out. Choose something relaxed and low key to contrast with your bedding.
Put Candelabra-Style Wall Sconces In The Living Room
Shabby chic is a design philosophy you can apply anywhere in your home. However, you find it in the lounge most often.
If you do decide to put it in this room, be sure to include candelabra-style wall sconces. These will add a bit of visual sophistication. Use this upmarket appearance to contrast with artificially-worn fixtures and furniture.
Again, not every piece of furniture needs to be worn and chipped. The odd bit of pristine furniture can work well here and there, so long as it remains reasonably neutral.
When it comes to furniture style, baroque is best. These tend to evoke memories of past glory more than practically any other form available on the market. Again, you can go and find baroque antiques, or you can buy fake modern versions that look just as good.
If your living room looks a little harsh once you’ve done all this, try placing a few indoor plants here and there to soften things up. Contrasting plants can help create a cosier atmosphere.
Make Your Kitchen More Vintage
Finally, you can apply shabby chic to the kitchen too.
In this room, the emphasis is more “vintage” than “baroque”, but that’s just splitting hairs. Ultimately, you want something that goes above and beyond and delivers that “wow” factor. It needs to transport you into a bygone age while still retaining its modern charm and convenience.
It sounds impossible, but it’s actually quite easy.
First, start with all of the functional items in your kitchen. Make sure that these are modern neutral versions of classics. A plain white Belfast sink is a good example.
Then choose a couple of elements in the room to make it shabby. These could be the wooden cabinet doors or a worn kitchen table. Once you’ve done that, you’re well on your way to a shabby chic look.
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