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Shabby chic is a style of interior design, furniture and accessories that uses worn, faded or imperfect items to create a cosy, comfortable atmosphere in your home. Items like chipped vases and rugs, vintage furniture and mismatched dishes will all contribute to this rustic-chic look that any homeowner can achieve with just a little bit of elbow grease and imagination. Or you can purchase new products online that are made and designed to look distressed or to compliment the shabby chic aesthetic.
The phrase "shabby chic" was first used in the 1980s. This was a period in design when opulence and debauchery were rife, reflecting the greed and loads-a-money culture of that decade. Elegant penthouses to corporate lobbies brimming with gleaming marble and brass, as well as sleek style, were easy to come by.
Shabby chic style is almost the polar opposite and perhaps could be considered a revolt against the excesses of that decade.
The Shabby chic look is defined by a variety of features. Worn furnishings, for example, give the impression of being old. Some items can be authentic antiques, but with multiple coats of paint peeling away reflecting a design feature that normally would be fixed or rectified, is instead desirable.
The furniture may also be distressed, which entails sanding and other processes that give it an older appearance. A piece or accessory can also be enhanced with a variety of special glazes and finishes, which may give it a distinctively vintage feel which is in keeping with Shabby Chic Style.
When it comes to shabby chic, particular fabrics are preferred, with cotton and linen at the top of the list. The colour palette typically includes a variety of colours, including pink and blue. Feminine, floral patterns are popular, and vintage textiles may be used as beautiful accents.
Slipcovers are yet another distinguishing feature of shabby chic design which were first used by Rachel Ashwell, who to many is the designer who made Shabby chic popular the Shabby Chic Godmother no less.
A shabby chic interior is filled with soft and subtle tones. White and beige are popular colours, as are pastel hues such as pink, lavender, and light blue. There is a wide range of colours to choose from, some of which are vibrant. Turquoise is one of them, especially when it comes to painted furniture.
Also, don't forget about the importance of vintage accessories in shabby chic interiors! Whether they're genuine antique and vintage items (chandeliers, china, etc.) or brand new things that appear to be old (napkins, glassware, and more), the effect is appealing, quaint and of a time gone by, but in a stylish way.
It's difficult to discuss shabby chic without mentioning Rachel Ashwell, who helped to popularize it. Rachel Ashwell opened her first store in California in 1989, though the shabby chic craze really took off during 1980's England. It was at this site that she launched her iconic slipcovers, which were draped over flea market pieces.
She also brought a variety of flea market finds into the public eye, creating a second-hand decorating style that was undeniably elegant. But not stuffy. which struck a chord with the buying public which grew in popularity.
