All about shabby chic style

In the process of decorating the interior of any room, it is very important to determine the style in advance. You can do it yourself or have the help of professional designers. Today we will talk about the shabby chic style, and also learn how to use it to decorate rooms and premises in your home.

If you try to summarize the main characteristics and properties of the shabby chic style, then it should be noted that it is often called romantic and cozy. Within the framework of this design, both new technological solutions and more traditional, familiar interior motives are successfully combined. The very phrase "shabby chic" came into Russian from the English language, in translation it sounds like "shabby chic" or "shabby shine". This is due to the fact that the basis of this style is "antique" furniture, without it it will not be possible to decorate a particular room in the "shabby chic" style.

If we talk about the history of the emergence of this trend, then it should be noted that this happened in the 80s of the XX century. During this time, shabby chic became widespread and fell in love with many people. The founder of this movement is Rachel Asheville. In the process of arranging her own home, she bought antique and second-hand furniture at flea markets and antique shops. The Englishwoman partially restored and processed the acquired items. After Rachel finished the design of the room, placing in the room not only the acquired antique furniture, but also other (more modern) elements, she was surprised at the resulting mix.

Thus, analyzing the unique features of the shabby chic style, we can conclude that if you want to decorate any room in your house with it, then must adhere to a simple rule and combine antique furniture and modern furnishings. Thanks to this, you can achieve the effect of layering different styles. It should be borne in mind that, despite the unusual combination of objects from different styles, they must be comparable in color to each other in order to ultimately create a complete ensemble.

The untrained eye of a beginner very often confuses shabby chic style with provence. However, it should be borne in mind that in fact these directions differ significantly from each other. Generally speaking, it is generally accepted that shabby chic is more suitable for the female than for the male half of humanity.

In the process of decorating a room in a particular style, primary attention should be paid to the appropriate color scheme. Shabby chic is no exception. So, first of all, it should be noted that the shabby chic style is inherent in the colors of a light palette. This is due to the fact that in the process of restoring antique furniture, it is most often covered with white paint. At the same time, a layer of paint does not always hide the very distinctive "wooden" structure, which is a unique design feature.

Consider a few popular shades that are allowed to be used in the design of a shabby chic room.

• White. White and its shades (milky, creamy, cream, etc.) are the most common color choices. This is due to the fact that these shades traditionally denote nobility and purity. But at the same time, they are quite intense.

• Beige. Due to the fact that beige shades are characterized by the presence of yellow notes in their composition, they create warmth and comfort in your home. Beige shades are chosen by those for whom snow-white colors are too strict.

• Blue and green. If you decide to use such shades in the process of decorating a room in the shabby chic style, then you should keep in mind that in no case should they be overly bright and saturated.

• Mint. Mint pastel color can give the interior energy and liveliness. This shade is considered one of the most fashionable and trendy, therefore it is chosen by many designers (both beginners and professionals).

• Gray. Gray (as opposed to beige) is cool and restrained. If this shade is combined with an ash or pearl bloom, then you can give the design a certain nobility. Most often, men prefer gray tones.

• Purple. As part of the shabby chic style, a dark purple shade is used. He is able to create a mysterious, enigmatic and somewhat ambiguous atmosphere in your room.

• Pink. So that the pink color does not look clumsy within the design, but, on the contrary, gives the interior a special light and romantic mood. It is necessary to use only light pink shades and avoid too bright and saturated colors.

• Brown. In this respect, we are referring to the natural woody shades that can be found in nature. They go well with antique furniture and other wood furnishings (like picture frames).

• Metal. Metallic shades, like woody ones, fit perfectly into the shabby chic interior. With the right approach, they can become unusual and stylish interior and color accents. In the process of designing a room and choosing a color scheme, it is very important to take into account the fact that the selected shades should be well combined with each other. In addition, in no case should the room be made monochrome.

You can decorate a room within the shabby chic design both with your own hands and with the help of trained and qualified specialists. Wherein this style is suitable both for a large private country house or summer cottage, and for a small one-room apartment. Today in our article we bring to your attention an interior master class on decorating rooms in the shabby chic style.

The most traditional and familiar shabby chic flooring solution is the choice of wood flooring. However, in addition to this, you can use stone or ceramic tiles, carpets, and so on. First of all, you should start from the purpose of the room. Often the chosen flooring is covered with light colors.

In the process of decorating walls, you can use options such as:

• brickwork;
• wood;
• wallpaper;
• plaster;
• painting;
• stucco and so on.

To decorate the ceiling, you can use plasterboard parts, stretch glossy ceilings, painting (for example, artificial cracks), and so on. The center of the ceiling (the place where the chandelier is attached) can be decorated with stucco molding. It should be borne in mind that it is not necessary to choose only one option, you can combine several solutions you like. The simplest design option for the ceiling is whitewashing.

As mentioned above, the basis of the shabby chic interior is antique furniture. Wherein it is advisable to choose such items that have different "prints" of antiquity: for example, it can be scuffs, cracks, chipped corners. At the same time, in the process of choosing furniture, it is worth focusing not only on the appearance of the furniture, but also on its functionality. In the process of arranging furniture, you should strive to ensure that the room is as comfortable as possible.

Consider the typical characteristics of shabby chic furniture:

• the presence of such decorations and additional accessories as moldings, milling, cornices, baseboards, and so on;
• furniture fittings should be made of brass, copper, bronze and so on;
• furniture with stained-glass windows, mosaics, decoupage and so on;
• the presence of carved, ornate and openwork patterns and so on.

As for the distinctive features of the shabby chic design, we can note the fact that designers often use such unusual furniture as benches, offices, dressing tables and so on. In addition, the use of a variety of wicker furniture is appropriate. It is also important to pay close attention to the upholstery of furniture.

In the process of decorating a room in the shabby chic style, it is recommended to pay attention to the decor and textiles, namely:

• curtains with a lot of drapery, with unusual finishes and various details;
• bedspreads and blankets for beds, sofas, armchairs;
• furniture covers;
• tablecloths and napkins for tables;
• decorative pillows and so on.

In this case, it is recommended to choose textile elements that are made from natural fabrics. The presence of prints and ornaments (for example, floral or animalistic) is acceptable.

Very often, elements with bows are chosen (for the most part they will be relevant if you are decorating a room for a girl). As for the color scheme, it should correspond to the palette acceptable within the shabby chic, the tones should go well with the rest of the room or play the role of color accents.

The basic rule of lighting is absent-mindedness and low brightness. As for the direct objects of lighting, the main element must be present - a chandelier. It is recommended to give preference to massive chandeliers that have various decorative details (for example, crystal pendants).

Besides, floor lamps and sconces are allowed within the framework of shabby chic lighting fixtures. They can be equipped with ruffle or ruffle fabric lampshades. Floor lamps can be both table-top and floor-standing. Very often, lighting is used for zoning.

Shabby chic style is suitable for decorating any room in your home. In this case, the main thing is to adhere to a few simple rules, which we will discuss in more detail in our article.

Traditionally, the living room is the place for receiving guests (hence the name of the room), as well as the rooms in which the whole family gathers to watch TV or communicate. To give this room the desired style, it is recommended to use large chandeliers, antique sofas and retro style sideboards. As for the finish, it must comply with the following rules and regulations:

• the floors should be wooden, as this material creates a general coziness in the room;
• in the process of decorating the ceiling, it is recommended to choose the most standard and classic solutions, for example, it can be whitewashed;
• you can safely show your imagination and creativity in the process of decorating the walls: depending on your individual taste preferences and desires, you can choose plaster, wallpaper, brickwork and so on (a combination of several options is available).

It is believed that the decor of the living room should be as diverse as possible and consist of a large number of details. Moreover, this applies to both lighting elements and furniture, even textiles.

A fireplace with a variety of forged elements that act as decorations will look appropriate within this style. Moreover, the fireplace can be both real and artificial. Quite often, massive mirrors are installed in the shabby chic living room.

Generally speaking, choosing a shabby chic style for kitchen decoration is a rather rare occurrence. This is primarily due to the fact that the style itself requires a fairly regular and thorough care. But if you are ready to perform constant cleaning, then generally accepted rules should not stop you in any way and limit your desires. At the same time, in the shabby chic style, you can arrange both the kitchen itself and the dining area (if the size of the room allows you to do this). So, for a start, a shabby kitchen set can become the basis of your design. In this case, you can immediately purchase antique furniture or create it yourself using painting (or other design methods). For convenience, you can choose a Provence or Baroque style headset.

As for the decoration of the dining room, the center of this room should be a stylish and attractive one of a rather large size. Chairs should also be suitable. If you live in a private house and there are large windows in your room, then you can create banquets from their window sills. To do this, you need to choose matching in color, but at the same time comfortable and functional cushions and backs.

The bedroom is the most popular shabby chic room. This is due to the fact that the purpose of the premises fully coincides with the values ​​and principles of style. The central element of the bedroom is the bed, therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of this particular piece of furniture. So, it is advisable to choose a bed, the headboard of which will be shabby and decorated "antique".

Consider the following possible design options for the headboard in the bedroom:

• wooden shabby headboard;
• forged headboard with openwork elements;
• a soft headboard that provides maximum comfort and convenience (it is important to choose soft and functional fabrics that will not wear out with constant use, and will also match the required color scheme) and so on.

In addition to the headboard, you should pay attention to other decorative elements of the bed. So, if desired, you can use drapery around the bed: it can be a canopy, curtains or a light curtain around the perimeter. When choosing a bed, it is also important to give preference to furniture that has sufficient height. The supporting elements should be the legs, not the box. It is desirable that they be delicate and fit into the overall style.

However, it should be remembered that in addition to the bed, there may be other elements in the bedroom. So, it would be appropriate to equip a recreation area (for example, put several armchairs or a comfortable sofa). And also of great importance are various decorative elements that can be placed on bedside tables or shelves. Depending on your individual preferences and desires, you can choose furniture and decor of various shapes.

The shabby chic style can be used to decorate a child's room for a girl. First of all, this is due to the color scheme that is characteristic of such a design. Wherein it is permissible to use technological solutions, for example, computer technology, without which not a single teenager can do today. Depending on the character and preferences of the child, you can give the room a more serious mood - for this, it is recommended to use a combination of gray, white, beige shades. But for a more romantic and light atmosphere, different shades of pink will do.

Both for the kitchen and for the bathroom, the shabby chic style is quite problematic. Nevertheless, if you wish, you can implement this idea as well. In this case, the bathroom should be quite spacious. So, for walls and ceilings, you can use ceramic tiles. Mosaic details will also be appropriate (it can be made of a mirror or glass). In this case, it is recommended to avoid excessive amounts of decor.

Let's look at some examples of the use of the shabby chic style in interior design.

• Cozy and stylish decoration of a children's room for girls.

• Living room, made according to all the rules and principles of style.

• The shabby chic style can add originality to the kitchen and dining room.

For information on how to decorate an interior in a shabby chic style, see the next video.