It’s inevitable: old things spark curiosity and even fascination. What’s more, sometimes there’s nothing more modern than wearing or using something that looks like it’s from another era and shows signs of wear. That explains the recent success of styles like vintage, since they take us back in time and evoke a certain sense of nostalgia.
Today, we’d like to suggest an option that’s gaining popularity and can help you modernize your home with the best of the past: shabby chic decor. So, if you have any worn-out furniture or decorative items that are several decades old and you think you can still find new uses for them, be sure to read on.
What is the shabby chic decor style?
The shabby chic style emerged as a decorative movement in the United States during the early 1980s. It was pioneered by Rachel Ashwell, an English writer, designer, and entrepreneur, who introduced it as an interior design solution in the magazine*World of Interiors*.
However, although it has been around for only four decades, its inspiration dates back much further. Specifically, Ashwell drew inspiration from the grand country estates typical of the 19th-century British countryside to bring the most distinctive features of these homes into our homes today.
As we’ll see now, the result of this approach is a rustic yet sophisticated and refined decorative style with a romantic touch. In fact, the word“shabby”means “worn out or unkempt,” while“chic”translates to something “elegant” or currently in style.
Therefore, shabby chic decor combines the mystery and tradition of the past with the freshness and boldness of the new—and it does so from a distinctly feminine perspective. As a result, the look is often unique and very inspiring.
What are the distinctive features of the shabby chic style?
Pastel colors and a predominance of white
In this case, one of the priorities is to create bright and visually comfortable spaces . That’s why white is the preferred color, typically used for the walls and the rest of the decorative elements. And to avoid a monotonous color scheme, we’re also encouraged to use pastel colors as secondary options, such as pink, light blue, beige, or green. Not to mention gold accents, which are also a great choice for furniture and decorative elements, such as picture and photo frames.
With elegance as its hallmark
What feeling do we want to convey with the shabby chic style? Well, that of an elegant room that has seen better days. In other words, it’s a tastefully decorated space that doesn’t need to look brand-new to feel cozy. In fact, it’s the natural wear and tear on the furniture, walls, and decorative objects that creates a nostalgic atmosphere that is as appealing as it is inviting.
Antique-style furniture
The best way to bring that vintage touch to our rooms is to use antique furniture—or pieces that look antique. In this case, materials like wood and wrought iron —which have a worn or aged look— are ideal. For example, in a bedroom decorated in the shabby chic style, we can use wooden dressers and nightstands with a rustic, vintage look, as well as headboards made of old iron.
To get your hands on shabby chic furniture, you have two options. The easiest is to visit flea markets or antique shops, where you can choose the piece that best suits your style and, of course, is still in excellent condition. And the more complicated (but also the most exciting) option is to make it yourself through DIY projects. You can use, for example, techniques like stripping or decoupage to give your existing furniture an aged look and make it appear older than it actually is.
Curved Shapes and Designs
The shabby chic decor style is pleasing to the eye. It also stands out for emphasizing curved shapes that bring dynamism and “life” to rooms. The tables don’t have sharp corners but rather rounded ones, and their legs avoid straight lines. It’s also common to see decorative objects (such as mirrors, lamps, or candlesticks) with circular, spiral, or even curly shapes.
Floral prints and patterns
We can achieve a rustic, countryside feel by drawing inspiration from nature. Wood and white tones will go a long way on their own in this regard; but if we also decorate the rooms with flowers and use floral prints and wallpaper, we’ll achieve a very cozy and feminine look.
But… be careful! Just because the shabby chic decor style is floral doesn’t mean we’re going for a colorful, over-the-top look. Try to keep the patterns subtle—or at least make sure they don’t steal the show. We recommend using them, for example, to decorate specific areas, such as the table (with tablecloths and napkins) or the chairs (upholstery and cushions). Or you could also showcase floral tableware in your dining room.
Natural Materials
In addition to wood, you can also use other natural materials to enhance the “country” feel of your rooms. For fabrics, you can use materials like cotton, silk, or even linen ( which is ideal for the hottest months). Leather is another material that will allow you to enjoy unique finishes on your furniture, such as chairs or the sofa.
Shabby chic is not vintage
Although one might say that both belong to the same family of decorative styles because they draw inspiration from the past to innovate in the present, the reality is that they shouldn’t be confused with each other. Vintage is a more industrial style that focuses primarily on objects reminiscent of a period in the 20th century, from the 1920s to the 1970s. Shabby chic, on the other hand, is more characteristic of the Victorian era and, as we’ve seen, has a more rustic feel.
Furthermore, the vintage style isn’t limited to a specific color palette and allows for the use of styles from different eras to decorate the same space. It therefore offers more creative freedom than shabby chic, which is easily recognizable for its light tones and its delicate, romantic style.
How well does shabby chic go with other decor styles?
One of the great advantages of the shabby chic style is that it blends perfectly with other decorating styles for our home. If we use more modern furniture to create some contrast, the result will still be very interesting. Or we can also mix it with styles that share common characteristics, such as rustic or bohemian. So it’s perfect for you to try things out, mix and match, and experiment until you find the look you like best!
We recommend:
