It has been almost 30 years since World of Interiors coined the phrase ‘shabby chic’ and there is no doubt that this is now one of the most desirable interior styles. Its origin is in a natural evolution of the English country house (with a bit of Swedish and French chateau), but shabby chic is now a different style with its own creative lexicography. It’s a comfortable style in most homes, but if you haven’t inherited a country house filled with beautifully designed, yet old, and well-used furniture, it can be quite difficult to pull off from scratch. They key? In a word: flowers.
The balance between shabby and chic is not always easy to achieve, but it does emphasize style and construction; Shabby chic pieces are solid and well made, often with exquisite details, the style of the piece is always elegant, only the finish is tatty.
One way to adapt your interior to this style is to use simple prints in faded colors and choose coffee tables or side tables (preferably both) with an aged finish. Shabby chic tables are always made of wood, but typically painted, usually in white or pastel colors and occasionally embellished with a design. Floral accents are ideal, again in soft colors like pale pink or sage green. Roses, hydrangeas, and other cottage garden flowers in worn containers or grouped in standing florist buckets are the ideal ornamentation.
Why is shabby chic so popular? Possibly because it is great and friendly; It is ideal for greenhouses, living rooms and bedrooms, as well as corridors, and as a showcase for timeless design. Floral chintz on botanical wall print furniture, and if your sofa is plain so much the better, just add a collection of feminine pillows.
Accented with rose, its shabby chic interior is a cottage style, accented with pale blue or duck egg, it belongs close to the beach, where the console and worn coffee tables can host collections of seashells and pale blue hydrangea vases. .
The centerpiece of a shabby chic living room is the perfect coffee table; it does not matter if it is round or square, what matters is that the table has a pale and slightly worn painted finish. Add subtly worn end tables to complete the look.
A painted garden bench is great for sitting inside a greenhouse, drowning it out with soft cushions, and if you can’t afford a piece of art, stretch some floral or lace fabric over a frame. This style is crying out for vintage accessories, so visit antique and second-hand stores and remember that if you find something that looks perfect, only the colors are too garish, you can always paint it white or cream and it will blend in perfectly. Add lots of potted plants and a collection of little ornaments, gathered in one tray for the perfect shabby chic home.