Shabby Chic

Spring Fever

Admin — 2013-03-18T19:04:53Z

Fun with Color

It has been sunny and warmer this last week and I find I have a little spring fever. I have been playing with pinterest, looking for decorating inspiration in google images and daydreaming. I will be a graduate in just a few months and I am ready for a little fun. I think I will be adding some fun color to my shabby white cottage. My all white rooms are looking a little tired and the color will give them some needed energy.

bhg.com

I am not going color crazy mind you, I think there is a little to much on this sofa but I think you can see where I am going with this....

Do you mix color into your shabby chic rooms?

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

Shabbychicblog.com is on Pinterest

Admin — 2013-03-10T21:01:41Z

I finally signed up for Pinterest and have spent a few hours putting together boards and figuring out pinning, repinning and following. It is rather addicting.....

You can find more decorating ideas on my boards. Follow me here ... Crissi at shabbychicblog..... I am looking forward to invitations from my readers.

Are you on pinterest?

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

Shabby Chic Blog Updo

Admin — 2013-02-27T16:47:00Z

Pardon the Mess

I forgot to mention that there will be a little downtime off and on, and maybe a little ugliness over the next week here on the blog. I am changing over to a new updated template and it will not be pretty until I can complete the do over.

I have also joined pinterest and am trying to figure that out, if you have any tips I would be ever so grateful!

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

Hello Again

Admin — 2013-02-27T00:06:51Z

I know its been a while but I am slowly making my way back to a normal schedule. School has been a bear, carrying a full load was a little more time consuming than I thought it would be...go figure. I haven't had time to post but I have been thinking about you. I would like to add some new features that would be interesting to you my friends, readers and lovers of shabby chic. I am adding one new category this week: Shabby Chic Shop and thinking about adding a Blog Link Party.

Shabby Chic Shop - I love shopping for shabby chic pieces and can't seem to pass them up so the shop is where I will share my finds with you.

Shabby Chic Blog Party - I have been wanting to do a link party so you can find other shabby chic diy projects, decorating ideas and crafts

So what do you think? What would you like to see featured weekly?
I would love some input, just leave a comment, idea or request.

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

Shabby Chic Craft Idea

Admin — 2012-10-12T00:51:33Z

Vintage Jewelry Craft

I love collecting vintage floral pins from the 60's and 70's and have always kept them in mason jars but I found the cutest craft idea for displaying them ....

isn't this gorgeous?

This one used about 22 pins for the arrangement, the complete instructions can be found at bhg.com.

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

Dining Room Chic - Ikea Love

Admin — 2012-08-18T19:49:16Z

I love Ikea because it is an affordable alternative for furnishings without compromising on style and who doesn't love style? I have had my eye on a few pieces for months, I have gone into the store a few times placed them together added accents so it was easier to picture what it would look like in my home. It made it easier to work a little overtime and cut back here and there and put the extra in my decorating fund. Well yesterday I picked up my new dining room table and chairs and today I am putting them together. ♥

Docksta table in white and two Tobias chairs in clear

I have been on the hunt for a suitable coffee table and hitting all the yard sales, estate sales and thrift stores and I have to tell you 80's oak isn't my thing and that seems to be what everyone is getting rid of right now, so if I can't find one soon I spotted one in Ikea I might be bringing home.

I know you are probably thinking not very shabby, but it is very chic. I have this great ornate 70's dresser/cabinet that I painted white and did a tiny bit of distressing that I have turned into my buffet/bar in the dining room and my new table and chairs are the perfect compliment. Shabby chic can look a little old or stuffy but when you mix it up with new things it gives your rooms a fresh, updated shabby chic style.

And that is how I like my shabby chic style..... what do you do to keep your style fresh?

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

Glamping Shabby Chic Style

Admin — 2012-08-13T23:45:56Z

Shabby Chic Camping

I spent most of my summer traveling and camping out with my family it's the only time I get to see everyone, we do it every year, up and down the coast of California, and when I say camping I mean tents, campfires, no electronics and fishing poles. I have never been big on the tent thing but I am good at it and my family loves it. I dream of the days when I can do my camping in an RV, but right now this working girl couldn't even afford the gas. I did decide to make this years trip a little more chic and a lot more comfy.

I put together this list for you after the fact and never thought about taking pictures, next trip I promise.

Shabby Chic Surviving Camping Kit:

1. One queen size, double high, pillow top, air mattress and a pump. I found this great pink
one this year at a big box store.

2. Bedding includes two sets of crisp white cotton sheets, a lightweight duvet and two
    comfy pillows.

3. Rugs, I found one large and one medium size area rug at an estate sale on the last
    day, so a bargain price. They weren't in good enough shape for my home, but they were
    clean and perfect for layering on the floor of my tent. (Yes, I have my own tent I got
    tired of being a tent surfer a couple of years ago.) Once I rolled them up they
    didn't take up much room.

4. One tray table. I have a vintage metal tray table that is the perfect size. It becomes
    my side table. I see them at garage sales and estates sales all the time. I use one of
    my crates that I pack sundries in as the base and I used my ice chest.

5. Lighting. I carry a battery l.e.d camping lantern and white unscented candles which a place
    in a small mason jar with sand in the bottom for weight. ( Be sure you do not use any
    scented candles except citronella for bugs, you definitely do not want something that may
    attract any wild animals!)

6. Two battery operated fans. So glad I did it was unusually hot this year even at the beach.

7. One cast iron skillet with lid. One tub of chocolate chip cookie dough. I have perfected the
art of baking in a cast iron skillet on a campfire and let me tell you there is nothing better
    than warm chocolate chip cookies sitting next to the campfire. You can keep your old
    smores, they really never did it for me.

8. Two magazines, a book, a pencil and a sketchpad for the quiet time when you get into bed
    just to wind down before your ready to fall a sleep.

There you have have it, it was so much fun that my mom, sister and nieces all decided to sleep over in auntC's tent.

Best Glamping Ever!!!!!

Happy Trails....

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

History of Shabby Chic Style

Admin — 2012-06-27T15:30:00Z

History of Shabby Chic, the style.

Shabby chic was actually used by an established English designer that was asked to describe a style that was trending in England through 70's by an interviewer for the World of Interiors magazine. Rachel Ashwell used that same term to describe her style when she came to America and it became so popular she used it as her business name and trademarked it in 1989. It had already become widely accepted as a design style in the decorating field. It was trendy through the 90's and on its way out when the internet/ebay boom and the shabby chic enthusiasts kept it alive for a new generation.

My mom was one of those enthusiasts and shared her love of the style with me and here we are today. Of course it isn't our mother's shabby chic anymore, because of the popularity of the term it has morphed and is being used to describe every product you can think of and every type of business you can possibly imagine. Shabby chic style has morphed into so many other design style names. The last five years have brought about a flood of other design styles jumping on the "chic" wagon. Here are just a few:

Farmhouse Chic
Vintage Chic
Paris Chic
Country Chic
Rustic Chic
Industrial Chic
Urban Chic
Beach Chic
California Chic
Coastal Chic
Boho Chic
Cottage Chic
Brit Chic
Global Chic

My own personal style is a mix of beach, industrial and shabby. It is about making it yours by mixing influences and styles to come up with your own personal version of blending the old with the new.

I am looking for a beautiful, magazine ready picture that best reflects my style, because my place is a work in progress and definitely not camera ready! I will have to get back to you on that.

Can you think of anymore and are you straight up shabby or do you have your own combo shabby chic style?

All articles and photos are protected by copyright laws. Do not use without permission. Shabby Chic Blog©

Kitchen Backsplashes

Admin — 2012-06-26T04:19:40Z

Backsplash Ideas for the Shabby Chic Kitchen

A comment was left a few weeks ago regarding ideas for backsplashes in a shabby chic kitchen, well it just so happens I have been thinking about that very topic for my own little kitchen and now that I have finally finished my homework I can share my favorites with you. Thank you for your comment, Sandra.

The truth is that there are so many options out there it will come down to budget and preference. You definitely can save quite a bit if you are not afraid to do-it-yourself and some options are easier than others.

1. Painted - Easiest, least expensive. Clean look can change it by painting over it. Drawback is keeping it clean, it doesn't really matter what paint finish you use. If your spouse or children use the kitchen you will be scrubbing on it all the time and it soon looks like you scrub on it.

2. Beadboard - gives a kitchen that vintage, down home, country, farmhouse feel. This backsplash idea has been around for many, many years. Easy to cut and glue, can be repainted when your color preferences change for someone with diy skills. Drawback for me is keeping it clean seems to attract dust and grease residue and leaves a huge mess if you decide to remove it.

bhg

bhg

bhg

3. Porcelain/Ceramic/Glass Tile - Currently this is the most popular trend it has a nice clean look and can be used to add a punch of color or change the flavor of a kitchen. There are prepackaged diy kits that are great for a weekend project, they come with peel and stick tiles and premixed grout and instructions. Peel and stick what could be better! Tiles are easy to wipe down. Drawback for me is grout, it stains if not sealed properly, I don't like to clean grout, reseal grout or look at grout of any kind and because it is the trend it will become outdated before you know it, especially the subway tile.

subway tile

house beautiful

glass subway tile

ceramic tile
bhg.com

my favorite iridescent tile
indulgy.com

luv luv luv

4. Metal - vintage to modern feel, easy to keep clean. Requires professional installation for stainless steel solid piece back splashes and is pricey. There are some new metal tiles that come with peel and stick backing and are fairly easy to install, but also a little pricey.

americantinceilings.com

stainless mosaic tile

aluminum tiles
aspectideas.com

5. Mirror - Gives a glamorous to modern feel, easy to keep clean. Requires professional installation and can be pricey. Can be seamless, pieced or come in mirror mosaic tiles. This option might seem a little out there but right now this is all the rage in restaurant and hotel kitchens. Drawbacks are that silvering goes bad especially on edges and when there is constant humidity and exposure to water. If you have any water problems there can be mineral build and clouding.

seamless is much easier to clean and much better looking
apartmenttherapy.com

house beautiful

mirror mosaic tile

6. Marble/Granite - The ultimate kitchen accent, counter tops and back splashes. Needs to be professionally installed, and can be budget breaking. Marble is more porous than granite and requires extra care and vigilance. Drawback for me is that marble stains, chips and scratches easily.

house beautiful

dekotile.com

Which one is your favorite?

Shabby Chic Decorating with Color

Admin — 2012-05-16T17:25:05Z

Color Your Home..

Guest post by Sarah Price, Managing Director of Hunters at Home, an online furniture store specializing in French style Shabby Chic.

Color has always fascinated me; the psychology of it is so interesting. From the color wheel to rainbows; color is incredible, mesmerizes and can be used in so many ways. But why do we feel the need to use color? Even as cavemen we felt the urge to transform those lifeless walls with color.

I love how you can make a room look completely different depending on the color you select and how it can affect our mood, along with our perception of space. Below I’ve compiled what different colors can do to your living space, which ones best suit your living space and also what colors complement most suitably.

Neutrals and Naturals are really popular now, however, they can be bland and uninspiring if left unchallenged by more positive colors. I do like to use some black upholstered items with neutrals, it’s very powerful. White (which contains the full spectrum) is often used to create a sterile appearance and looks amazing if not only the walls but the furniture are all white too!

Red is a stimulating, attention-grabbing color that can speeds things up; however, used in the wrong context red can heighten anxiety. Having said that, I love using reds in color schemes, I think it is so easy to use and will brighten up the dullest of rooms. The red-striped cabinet from Hunters at Home is one of my favorite pieces of furniture and is the ideal dramatic feature in any room.

Pink has strong associations with the feminine principle and with nurturing. Delicate, flattering and luxurious when used properly, pink is having a revival with the interest in Shabby Chic in glamorous restaurants, homes and boutique hotels currently.

Orange is the first color babies learn to distinguish and fosters an innate sense of well-being. A warm, sensual color, orange really is the marmite color, but like red can be so dramatic when used properly; burnt oranges are so easy to use in the home, adding warmth making it the perfect ‘cuddle up’ color. As well as in the home, orange also looks ravishing in the garden.

Yellow is the color of optimism and is inherently uplifting, radiating a sunny cheerfulness. Deeper yellows are warm and rich. Yellow breeds positivity and can provide you with a knockout blow of refreshment when you enter a room.

Green heals, soothes and refreshes - the color of fertility and growth. It is the complementary color to red, and is widely used in operating rooms to provide a restful environment for surgery. Cottages and period homes can’t be without green, and is so easy to use this color in any room in the house.

Blue signifies mental activity and reason. It is an airy, distancing color, which enhances the sense of space; at the same time, too much blue can be cold, authoritarian and unfriendly. Blue is also associated with moodiness, sorrow and depression. I like putting various shades of blues together; dark blue adds drama, whilst powder blue is a timeless favorite.

Purple evokes richness and quality. Deep purple is an imperial shade and wearing purple was once a privilege restricted only to monarchs and the nobility, with lighter shades of violet suggest refinement. I love to put purple with gold, it can be so glamorous.

As you can see, colors can be used in an eclectic array of forms to bring life to your home. What are your favorite colors for the home?

Thank you Sarah!