Shabby Chic Decorating Tips

The phrase shabby chic is being overused these days to describe everything from papercrafts, scrapbook supplies, ornate furnishings of all colors, clothing and anything white along with rooms that are full of feminine accents, collectibles and covered in pink. I think that is why there is so much confusion.

What is Shabby Chic?

Shabby chic is all about using vintage pieces in a modern way. White and barely there colors are the main focus. It includes big cushy comfortable furniture with lots of pillows all slipcovered for easy clean up and easy to live with. Garage sale and flea market finds are the focus. Vintage wood and metal furniture that is made well and serves a purpose is usually painted white or used as is, vintage crystal chandeliers that do not have to be perfect, roses in vases, vintage rose paintings, rose accents, mismatched china and candles. Shabby Chic is about repurposing vintage items that no longer function the way they were intended, but using everything you buy. It is about clean lines with a contemporary airy feel. It is clean open spaces not cluttered or cute.
Although many of us decorated in this fashion, Rachel Ashwell gave it a name and made it popular in the eighties.

What is Shabby Romantic or Romantic Country?

Shabby romantic is actually a design style that has come from the bones of shabby chic; whites, pale colors and roses but has taken on a more feminine feel. Vintage furniture painted white or pale pink, used to display collections. It is cute and frilly, lacey, pink and sweet with lots of roses and has a vintage romantic feel. It incorporates more ornate pieces and is about filling spaces with the things you love. It is a cross between victorian and shabby chic.

What is Cottage Style?

Cottage style is relaxed and casual.A colorful, comfortable look characterized by painted furniture with clean lines, textural elements like baskets, beadboard walls and natural fiber rugs, weathered finishes and colors and accents taken straight from nature. It can be inspired by the garden, mountains, lakeside or beach.

* Soft Colors
Whites, muted grey, pale pinks and blues and faded greens all have a place in shabby chic. If you are decorating with mostly white add different textures and shades of white for interest.

* Mixing Floral Patterns and Colors
Combine faded, washed out florals to acheive a warm inviting look. Pick up fabric from yard sales and flea markets. Fabrics can be aged by tea staining, bleaching or using a box of Ritz denim fade. Pulling out of the wash and hanging in the sun can also fade your fabrics. When combining prints choose one color that repeats in every fabric or pick fabrics with the same background color.

* Painted Furniture
Use what you have or collect pieces at yard sales and flea markets. Buy what you love. For the shabby chic look white would be the paint choice, for the romantic cottage look you may prefer pale, pale pastels. You can use spray paint or your favorite can of paint. If you aren't the painting type, contact your nearest paint store and ask if they have names of painters that may be interested in painting a few pieces of furniture for you.

* Slipcovers
Camouflage old furniture and cover up mismatched pieces with slipcovers. You can have them custom made or buy ready made. I love covering furniture in vintage chenille and matelasse bedspreads. Be sure the covers are washable especially if you have little ones.

* Architectural Details
Anything old and beautiful will have a place in this style of decorating. Vintage window frames, glass doorknobs and old mantels.

* Rusted Metals
Decorative accessories and wrought iron furniture are perfect compliments to this style. If paint is peeling or flaking off, sand lightly and seal with a clear coat of spray finish.

* Accessories
Be sure to have plenty of fresh flowers scattered around, use anything that holds water to display them in. Candles add a wonderful glow to any room, pick your favorite scent for added pleasure. Lots of soft and cushy accent pillows and your favorite throw. Ornate framed mirrors, floral prints and rose paintings are the finishing touches for every room.

Keep in mind that there are some things to think about when shopping for vintage items:

Vintage chippy paint may be in or a look you are fond of but the reality is that most paints used before the 70's were oil based and contained lead. They should never be placed in a home with little children and pets. Children and pets tend to chew, suck and put things in their mouth. In the 70's there were many diagnosed cases of lead poisoning in children that had been exposed to lead base paint and some that had swallowed paint chips. Be sure you know what you are buying and it is best if you are in love with a piece to take it to a professional and have it sanded and sealed or stripped and repainted. If refinishing yourself be sure you do it the right way and wear safety equipment as required.Shabby Rose Chic strips and paints our vintage furnishings with low VOC, water based latex paints.

Vintage lamps and chandeliers may be more affordable at a thrift shop or flea market, but if they have the original wiring, they are unsafe and a potential fire hazard. Be sure the vintage lighting you purchase has been rewired to code and current safety standards. Take the pieces you can't live without to a licensed electrician and have them rewired for you. It can be costly but not as costly as losing a home or loved ones to fire. At Shabby Rose all of our lamps have been rewired and meet all current safety standards.

We value your safety... so should you!