Shabby Chic

Shabby Chic Decorating - Color

Modern Home — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:25:05 GMT

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!

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Shabby Chic Decorating

Modern Home — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:28:19 GMT

Beach Chic...

California is all about the beaches and when the weather changes I start feeling the pull towards the shoreline... Here are a few pics of some of my favorite rooms with a shabby chic coastal feel.

coastal living

bhg.com

hb.com

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Shabby Chic Blog - Spring Cleaning

Modern Home — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:32:41 GMT

Since I have inherited this blog I have been putting off the inevitable, I will be doing a little spring cleaning here and there. Sorry for any inconvenience....

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Shabby Chic DIY - Trays

Modern Home — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:25:33 GMT

I found another wonderful DIY project from Chic Home Blog waiting for me in my inbox...

she shows how to customize big box purchases for a high end look and I think this tray would look great in my home! Read more here

.

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Shabby Chic and Perry Mason...what??

Modern Home — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:25:50 GMT

Shabby Chic before it was Rachel's trademark

fun fact: Yesterday I was chillin after an extremely busy week and found and old episode of Perry Mason, The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host from 1993 to watch because I have always been a Perry Mason fan and imagine my surprise when Cristina Ferrare walks into an overly collected, dark and uninviting space and says ..."oh, shabby chic" in a very nonchalant manner. Seriously someone wrote that phrase into a script before Miss Rachel and her white shabbiness.

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Shabby Chic Dining Rooms

Modern Home — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:02:58 GMT

Guest Post - Design Shuffle

Hi. I’m Joanna, a blogger for Design Shuffle, a premier destination on the web for all things interior design. On the site, interior designers share their portfolios while design enthusiasts enjoy their beautiful designs. Thanks to the Shabby Chic Blog for allowing me to share a post about shabby chic dining spaces with you today! If you love shabby chic style, then you know carrying the look through the whole house is key to a beautiful home. The dining room is a space where you can really let the style shine with rustic farm tables, romantic chandeliers and slip covered chairs. I’ve included a few of my favorite shabby chic dining rooms for you to enjoy and hopefully, they’ll inspire lots of interior design ideas.

This is one of my favorite dining rooms. It is a colorfully hued variation of the classic shabby chic dining room. The collection of shells and the turquoise and seafoam colors make me think of a seaside cottage.

A rustic room sets the mood for this dining room for eight. The aluminum retro chairs give an industrial feel, while the chandelier makes the space feel romantic.

Full of dining room design ideas, patinaed furniture sets the tone for this very shabby chic space and many other cottage interior designs. A touch of blue in the china cabinet and on the rug gives a lovely hint of color.

via shabbychic.com

Unfinished wood on the table and chairs feels a bit rustic against the pristine white of the ruffled and skirted chair cushions.

A conservatory dining area features a wrought iron dining set and an oversize china cabinet.

I love the collection of framed art and mirrors covering the wall of this chic dining room.

via shabbychic.com

A distressed farm table takes center stage in this dining area. A concrete floor is unusual in a space such as this but it works nicely with the furnishings. This space inspires many decorating ideas.

A modern table surrounded by dining chairs in a classic design gives an edge to this very chic shabby chic space. The ornate floor mirror is a favorite of mine. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Looking for more shabby chic inspiration? Check you Design Shuffle where you'll find an amazing array of work from the top Boston interior designers, San Francisco interior designers and others!

Thank you Joanna !

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Shabby Chic Decorating

Modern Home — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:35 GMT

Bathrooms

I have a bathroom that needs a little freshening up and I have been looking around the net for ideas. Here are a few of my favorites:

via Better Homes and Gardens

via House Beautiful

and for those that like a little more color with their shabby vintage chic

via BHG

and something for the glamorous

via House Beautiful

XXX

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Shabby Chic DIY Tablecloth Tree Skirt

Modern Home — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:29:52 GMT

Tablecloth to Christmas Tree Skirt

I have a small stash of Simply Shabby Chic table linens in the Rosalie pattern which was one of the first patterns in that line and has since been retired. I have really never used them so as I was looking at them and deciding whether they were staying or going, I was also thinking, as I spread out a round one, it was such a pretty little thing. The idea just popped into my head, how easy it would be to turn it into a one of kind, beautiful shabby chic tree skirt. It took under an hour to do...if you don't count machine set up, ironing board set up and finding my sewing box.

1. Fold round tablecloth in half and then half again. I used one of my other tree skirts to cut out center. I folded it into quarters and placed it on top of new skirt and lined up the sides to get the same dimension.

2. Unfold to half and cut up one fold to create back opening.

3. I used bias tape on neck edge, stitch to right side edge along crease. Press.

4. Finish back seams by folding over twice and stitching. Press.

5. Fold bias in and stitch. Press

6. Ties. I used a matching napkin, cut off the ruffle and ripped eight 2" strips. Pressed short edge in for hem, pressed them in half lengthwise and them pressed in each edge towards center and pressed together (just like bias tape). Stitch.

7. I debated over using ties and although they would be cute, I decided on just one at the top. Attach your ties by spacing evenly and stitching in place.

There it is a romantic, ruffled, shabby chic couture, one of a kind Christmas tree skirt!

Now I know some of you may be thinking what a shame, I do have an oblong tablecloth that I haven't used but it has been laundered with eight matching napkins in the same pattern if anyone is interested.

You can find other great projects at the link parties we are participating in:

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Shabby Chic Blog-Matelasse Slipcovers

Modern Home — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:14:17 GMT

Freshen up Furniture

We would all love to buy new furniture on a whim, but new furniture is an investment and sometimes is not in the budget, slipcovers can be a budget friendly alternative. One of my favorites was a Shabby Chic white matelasse cover for my sofa from Target but it has been unavailable for years. I have been on the hunt for a replacement because I love the texture and they are easy to clean, especially with a hubby, children and pets. I am so happy to say I finally found a replacement @ Surefit. I am truly loving this slipcover. Note: (I am not getting any compensation for this post although if they wanted to send me one to give away I wouldn't turn it down...hint..hint.)
This slipcover is a wonderful buy @ $129.99.

surefit.com

I found these great parson dining chair slipcovers to match...

great way to start the new year.. Happy shopping!

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Shabby Chic New Year from Del Mar

Modern Home — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:58:43 GMT

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Shabby Chic Christmas

Modern Home — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:56:16 GMT

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Shabby Chic DIY Framed Mirrors

Modern Home — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:01:38 GMT

Love this:

Every room should have at least one mirror. They bring in light, add interest and in this case texture to an uninteresting wall in any room!

Shabby Chic Diy -Take your favorite vintage frame, paint it your favorite color then take it to a glass and mirror shop and have them cut, safety back and mount for you. Pricing depends on the size of mirror but well worth it for a one of a kind piece.

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Shabby Chic Rooms

Modern Home — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:53:58 GMT

Shabby Chic Decorating

Here is a little Friday design inspiration, have a wonderful weekend...

via hgtv by dusty lou interiors

via Country Living

and a fab new find via Simply Me

It is getting harder and harder to find pics of shabby chic rooms, most of them have been around forever and featured on many blogs. I would love to see how your shabby chic decor has changed since you began your shabby chic obsession and I would love to see how the newbies are interpreting shabby chic style. If you are interested in sending me pics of your rooms and I choose them I will write a post with a link to your blog.

Leave a comment and I will email you.

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Shabby Chic DIY - Bulletin Boards

Modern Home — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:11:00 GMT

DIY Bulletin Board

Chic Home Blog posted a diy project I know you will love......

Chic Home Blog

Shabby Chic Lamp

Modern Home — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:55:00 GMT

Pier One Find

Just found this gorgeous lamp "Rosette Hayworth Lamp"at one of my favorite shops, Pier 1. Perfect addition to the shabby chic styled home and a bargain at $ 99.00. Great mix of modern and romantic, that is why I ordered 2! LUV IT... Find it here .

Shabby Chic Fall Decorating

Modern Home — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:59:03 GMT

Summer here is going out kicking and screaming. First day of Fall and it was 99 in the shade this afternoon. Fall is my second favorite time of the year and although I am not one to do seasonal decorating (except for Christmas) other than changing out a few pillows and adding throws, it has been a lot more fun decorating the last few years with the growing popularity of white pumpkins.

I found a new favorite last year at our favorite pumpkin farm, I don't remember what they are actually called but they are definitely Shabby Chic. They are a wonderful faded pink with wonderful woody looking growth. Some of them are totally covered in the "warts" and some have only a shabby little touch.

via Shabby Chic Blog

I am definitely looking forward to cooler weather......

9/11

Modern Home — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:10:04 GMT

In honor....

United We Stand
Together We Fall

Shabby Chic Trend or Tired

Modern Home — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 02:53:22 GMT

Shabby Chic Trend Fades Away....

Trends don't last forever and shabby chic lasted longer than some. Rachel Ashwell, the stylist/decorator that achieved the most attention for this style through her books and t.v. shows managed to trademark the term here in the U.S. and the internet community brought her style back for a few years but now the trend seems to be fading mainly due to a bullying campaign inflicted on businesses and bloggers to eliminate any use of the words "Shabby Chic" by her brand partners.

So is the trend fading or is it just being called something else and eventually do we all get tired of looking at "shabby" things?? What do you think?

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Shabby Chic Sheet Magic

Modern Home — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:25:56 GMT

Ruffled inspiration:

featured in Country Living last year... retails from 100.00 and up.
see my previous post Romantic Ruffles

Love the concept but in reality this wouldn't last one minute at a 4th of July barbecue! I taught myself sheet magic years ago when I moved into my first apartment. After deciding to make a shorter version with three ruffles, I picked up two double flats at my local discount store. I love sheets they can be used for almost anything you can think of, I don't like shiny sheets so I went with a lower thread count. It took me a couple of hours start to finish. Cost was 22.50 and I am happy to say although it took some major punishment it emerged out of the washer (Tide and bleach) in perfect shape, ready for my next get together.

These are some of the projects I have done with sheets over the years:

Curtains/Drapes for living room, bedrooms and a large set of pleated drapes for a huge sliding glass door.

Dust ruffles

Shower curtains just added a liner

Slipcovers for pillows and furniture

Duvet for my Calif King.

Shabby Chic Decorating Inspiration

Modern Home — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:10:00 GMT

Love to look at magazines in front of the fire on rainy days so here are few favorite pics for inspiration...

all pics from elle decor

just sold a matching set of nightstands like the one on the left, they were gorgeous!

chic

shabby chic

with hint of color

Have a nice weekend.