Shabby chic is a decorating style that combines aged, distressed items with elegance and comfort. It usually involves a pleasant blend of antique and vintage pieces, delicate furnishings, and soft, muted colors.
Shabby chic spaces often feel cozy and inviting, creating a comforting atmosphere that’s still beautiful. It is a popular style that has its roots in 17th and 18th century English interiors, where irregularly shaped pieces and worn luxurious fabrics were used to decorate.
This style gave interiors a romantic, lived-in look with a vintage flair.
Shabby chic is known for its rustic, vintage vibe, which often includes: a mostly neutral palette, distressed furnishings and decorations, reclaimed wood, white painted furniture, vintage accessories and light fixtures, sumptuous fabrics with embellishments, and minimalist artwork.
To add to the romantic feel, elements like crystal and pearl accents, fresh flowers, and lace tablecloths can be incorporated into the decor.
What are the characteristics of shabby chic style?
Shabby chic is a timeless style that combines comfort, elegance, and a little bit of charm. It’s a cozy, inviting style that favors whites, creams, soft colors, and neutrals. The look is achieved by combining vintage pieces and furniture with modern accessories, fabrics, and colors.
Characteristics of the shabby chic style include:
• Natural colors and materials such as wood, stone, and vintage linens.
• Incorporation of distressed, antique furniture and trinkets.
• Vintage and antique accessories including picture frames, lamps, and wall hangings.
• Layers of rugs, upholstery, and fabrics in soft hues and various textures.
• Wallpaper in floral or intricate designs that bring a gentle charm to a room.
• Accessories such as chandeliers, mirror, and botanicals to emphasize the refined look.
• Incorporation of family photos and sentimental pieces to create an effortless atmosphere.
What paint to use to look shabby chic?
If you’re looking to give a room a shabby chic look, the type of paint you should use will depend on the item that you’re painting. For furniture, it’s usually best to use chalk paint, which also provides great coverage and a matte finish.
If you’re painting walls, use an eggshell or matte finish paint. The best color palette to achieve a shabby chic look is usually a combination of whites, blues, blues and grays with a subtle yellow undertone.
When it comes to painting, you should also plan to incorporate layers and distressing. White wash your piece by adding a thin layer of white on top of the surface you’re planning to paint. This will help create a sense of shabby chic character and charm.
You can also choose to slightly sand down the area you’re painting to create a textured appearance, which will help add to the shabby chic look.
What’s the difference between farmhouse and shabby chic?
The difference between farmhouse and shabby chic styles is quite subtle and often difficult to define. Farmhouse style is a combination of styles, some of which include traditional and classic, while shabby chic is a more vintage or rustic style.
Farmhouse style usually incorporates wood, plaid, and white colors, with elements like natural fabrics, wooden furniture and fixtures, and vintage accessories. There is often a hint of homey comfort, with warm and cozy touches.
Shabby chic style is a little more eclectic with elements that are seemingly worn out and distressed, but also very elegant. It embraces the rustic and vintage vibe, with furniture and decor being painted white, soft colors, and faded fabrics.
It has a cozy, inviting atmosphere where one can relax.
Overall, the distinction between farmhouse and shabby chic styles lies mostly in their respective designs and furniture pieces. Farmhouse style prioritizes functionality and comfort, while shabby chic style celebrates vintage charm and beauty.
Is shabby chic still popular?
Yes, shabby chic is still a popular design style. It has roots in the French Rococo and Swedish Baroque styles, and its relaxed and aged style gives it a classic, timeless charm. The key components of shabby chic are layering of colors, textiles, and furniture; distressed finishes; vintage pieces like candelabras and armoires; and antique and collected items.
All of this creates a look that is at once casual and inviting, yet classic and timeless.
In recent years, shabby chic has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its highly stylized and mix-and-match approach to design. Homes featuring shabby-chic accents can be found from downtown lofts to suburban living rooms.
It has transcended the traditional confines of interior design to become a full-fledged lifestyle trend, with furniture and home goods stores nationwide carrying shabby-chic accessories and items.
Shabby chic looks to continue being popular for the foreseeable future, due to its ease of adaptation, timelessness, and appeal to both traditional and modern sensibilities. It is an ideal style for those who are looking to add a bit of comfort and personality to any space.
Is shabby chic a brand name?
No, shabby chic is not a brand name. It is a type of interior design style and aesthetic that has become increasingly popular over the past several decades. The style incorporates vintage and antique furniture, distressed fabrics, and a mix of old and new elements.
It often features layers of worn-down fabrics, including floral prints, lace, and burlap, as well as vintage window treatments and materials like linen, chintz, and cotton. It also tends to include pastel colors and white painted furniture.
Shabby chic interior design can bring a graceful, romantic, and comfortable atmosphere to a home, allowing for a distinct homey feeling.
What is Rachel Ashwell doing now?
Rachel Ashwell is currently running her own lifestyle brand, Shabby Chic, which offers an array of beautiful home furnishings, bedding, and décor pieces. The brand focuses on creating a stylish yet livable atmosphere, which is why her pieces have become essential elements of many homes.
Rachel also recently released her first-ever book, “The Shabby Chic Home”, which offers plenty of design inspiration, personal anecdotes, and décor tips. She is also featured as a judge on the Lifetime television show, “Design Warriors,” where she travels around to passionate DIYers’ homes and helps them makeover their living spaces.
Finally, Rachel is an advocate for causes related to the home, making her presence felt through fundraising, donations, and other philanthropic activities.
Did Target stop selling shabby chic?
Yes, Target recently discontinued their shabby chic decor line. They have decided to focus on modern and rustic-inspired decor instead. This decision was made in June of 2020, shortly after the brand announced the decision to depart from their partnership with HGTV’s Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Shabby chic was a popular style of decor at Target, featuring soft colors and cozy furniture that evoked a sense of familiarity. Fortunately, customers can still find similar items at other retailers, with many stores carrying items that are in the same style or look.
Additionally, a quick search on retail sites such as Amazon or Etsy can quickly provide a variety of shabby chic products from independent stores, designers, and artists. Since Target’s decision, many individuals have decided to take a do-it-yourself approach to creating their own shabby chic furnishings as well.
What year did shabby chic start?
Shabby chic originated in the 1980s, when the term was first used by Londoner Rachel Ashwell. She was the founder of a shop that specialized in the style, which was largely inspired by antiques and French country décor.
The look features furniture and home décor that are aged, worn, and distresser in appearance, with a soft and romantic palette of colors like whites and pastels. It also involves giving new life to older furniture pieces by giving them special treatments like painting, sanding, and distressing.
The focus is on creating attractive, livable spaces that also look stylish and timeless. Shabby chic has been popular ever since its inception in the 80s and has become an increasingly popular style with numerous spin-offs and adaptations over the years.
Is Cottagecore the same as shabby chic?
No, Cottagecore and shabby chic are not the same. They have some similarities in that they involve incorporating rustic, vintage, and antique elements into home decor, but there are also important distinctions between them.
Cottagecore is a heightened appreciation of images depicting rural pastimes, peacefulness, and comfort — often featuring floral motifs and natural elements like plants and flowers. In comparison, shabby chic is a specific decor trend characterized by weathered, timeworn furniture, as well as fabrics with distressed designs or prints.
Shabby chic is often eclectic and incorporates upcycled furniture and accessories, such as painted-over frames or thrift store finds. While the two trends share some visual cues, Cottagecore is more of an aesthetic mindset and shabby chic is a specific decor style.
What trend is replacing farmhouse?
One trend that is replacing farmhouse style is minimalism. Minimalism has become increasingly popular as it provides an airy, clean, and modern look to homes. Rather than emphasizing rustic accents, this trend strips a space down to its essential elements, leaving in only the most necessary of furnishings and decor.
It’s also often focused on creating a calming environment, making it perfect for those looking for a peaceful, orderly atmosphere. Additionally, minimalism is flexible, productively utilizing a blank slate to create a style that is unique and tailored to the needs and wants of the homeowner.
Natural materials, such as wood, leather and linen are used to add texture to the home, creating a fresh and relaxed feel. Soft, muted colors and simple, plain, lines provide a contemporary look. While some trends come and go, this clean and timeless style is here to stay.