The shabby chic design is appealing to almost everyone. Or, okay, maybe really everyone! Because we cannot imagine the person not fancy it! If you do it right, it will be a perfect balance of relaxed and pulled together. And how is that possible? By embracing a worn, lived-in look! Yes, we are aware, it is not an easy task! But that is where we step in! We will teach you what includes the shabby chic interior, its history, and most importantly, how to do it by yourself! Ready to learn how to hack the shabby chic aesthetic? Let us go!

What Is Shabby Chic Style?

Shabby chic is an interior design style. The term itself originates from the 1980s. So, how the houses looked like back then? Elegant but packed with gleaming marble and brass! If you think of it, it is predictable that an alternative look would arise, don’t you agree? The alternative was filled with history-rich items that showcased cracking paint. Yup, that is how shabby chic was created!

Which elements are portraying the shabby chic style? We would divide them into the following categories:

• Worn furniture
• Comfy fabrics
• Soft colors
• Vintage accessories

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Looking for interior style other than shabby chic, check my article 10 Interiors Styles That Are Going Trendy In Upcoming Year

Which Paint Do You Need For Shabby Chic Style?

They say home is where the heart is. Yet, it cannot really feel like you are at home without the proper furniture! Now, you decided to try shabby chic, but you got no idea from where to start? Okay, first thing first! What you will need is two or more colors of chalk furniture, clay, or emulsion paint. Any of this three is fine – it is all up to your preferences of desirable look!

If you pick the chalk paint, you need to apply clear or light wax over the top of the color. In that way, you will protect the delicate surface. Of course, you can use them with other types of colors to get even more aged look! But it is up to you, it would not be essential, as it is with chalk.

The World Of Colors- Which Ones Belong To Shabby Chic Decor?

The shabby chic design is all about romance, so it is no wonder that it includes light pale colors. To be more specific, we are speaking about all hues of soft and creamy white, pale pink and purple,  pastel blue and green, and light gray with a touch of brown colors of the real wood.

The following are few examples of some tones:

• Chalky White
• Clotted Cream
• Antique Champagne Gold
• Metallic pink, purple, blue, and green
• Nautical blue
• Dusky Pink

The Worn Furniture and Wood Distressing

You may wonder why you would want furniture that looks worn instead of brand new? Because it gives it an antique look! Sure, maybe some things you will get will be authentic antiques. But other stuff you could make look worn by using the techniques of distressing. If you do it nicely, you will create a sense of history.

You should bear in mind that distressing wood will require some external damage to the wood surface. So, why would you use expensive wood? Expensive wood is free of knots. Thus, you are paying a lot only to destroy it! Plus, knots on cheaper woods will add to imperfections that give the effect of distressing. Now, another thing to remember is not to use curved wood! The damage may be profound when you join paint.

Speaking of techniques, there are many you could use! We like beating it up and tea staining!

I know- beating it up sounds a bit weird! But think about it: the old wood will look like it has been through a lot in life. And the new one will look, well, like a newborn! That why you should make marks by using any compact tool you have on hand.

Tea staining is a stain of steel that leads to corrosion. You will need black tea, vinegar, and steel wool. In one container, pour black tea and leave it to cool down to room temperature. In another one, put steel wool and vinegar for about ten hours. Those two combined will cause rust. When it is ready, brush the tea onto the wood. After it is soaked in, apply the iron acetate solution. The result will be darkened color!

Cozy, Comfy fabrics

We all love to feel cozy. But with shabby chic, it almost feels like a must! Cotton and linen being are the top sellers when it comes to this style. Any vintage fabrics will add to the beauty. Also, feminine and floral patterns are regularly seen here. Slipcovers are also characteristic of shabby chic.

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More Than Beautiful: Vintage Accessories

The most enjoyable part of designing is picking the furniture! As it comes to shabby chic, there are plenty of items to choose from! Depending on your budget, you could buy ready-made furniture of this style or an incomplete model to home-make it after. What you need to remember is that it should ONLY look distressed. But everything must be well put together, have all demanded parts and feel firm. Altering the look is fine, but why would you buy some unfunctional? It would be a waste of money.

The mirrors fit in any room- salon, bedroom, bathroom, or hall. The only thing to consider is to keep the vintage style!

What is the first thing to notice in a living room? Chandelier– if stylish enough! We would recommend baroque for this occasion.

Pay attention to the wall decor! You would be surprised how much it will change the appearance of your home.

If you find any problem selecting the perfect candle holder for your home, I would suggest reading my article Guide to buy the candleholder you would love.

Even one or two arrows from the wood would affect!

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The bottom line

Do you have a clearer picture in your mind now of which furniture pieces, and wall arts you wish to get? We hope we gave you inspiration! Something is comforting and beautiful about shabby chic! So, enjoyment is not a question. What is the best about it? Is it the fact it is both vintage and modern? Or a mixture of feminine accents and a bohemian feel? Or the best part is the soft colors? We bet it is all of this together! And what do you think?