Shabby chic style in the interior: 110 photo ideas
Clothing, accessories or decor in the style of shabby chic is heard today, but initially this trend originated in the field of interior design. The room, which combines elements of retro, vintage, as well as Provence, looks a little shocking, but always interesting. Due to blurred boundaries, it is not easy to create a shabby-chic style in the interior, as well as to balance between “antiquity” and “luxury”, but we will try to clearly show the possible options for its implementation within the framework of different spaces.
Features of the shabby chic style
The ancestor of shabby chic was Rachel Ashwell, an antique lover and housewife who makes cozy home accessories in her spare time. After the divorce, the woman took up the production of a wide range of goods under the Shabby Chic brand, the name of which translates as “shabby luxury”. This is how a whole direction in design was born – eclectic, gentle, shocking, but at the same time restrained, thanks to the interweaving of strict English classics.
The style is sometimes confused with Provence, mainly due to the old scuffs on the objects and the pastel color scheme. But the shabby chic, unlike the French neighbor, instead of provincial rudeness goes towards the aesthetics of the Baroque, the poet in the interiors you can often find really antiques.
The “shabby chic” is characterized by light, delicate colors, which can include white, beige, blue, pink shades. The standard palette is sometimes diluted with lilac or light green, but dark or too bright colors are extremely rare – they violate the natural light atmosphere.
Of course, the interior will ideally be complemented by antique objects with aristocratic charm, but in modern realities it is permissible to turn to high-quality stylization, especially in a space with moderate decor. The shape of the furniture should be associated with the palace classics: this is hinted at by curved outlines, smooth lines and rich decorative elements..
In a shabby chic home, a romantic mood always reigns. It is helped to create florid ornaments, lace, graceful stucco molding, candles or figurines with angels. And you will also have to show the skill of needlework and add at least a few hand-made details – this rule was established by the ancestor of the style, who began with the manufacture of such accessories..
Shabby chic cannot be attributed to the budget options for the interior, although if you wish, you can fit into a fairly narrow financial framework if you carefully think over each component. In addition, an abundance of natural light and spaciousness form a kind of luxury here, so you should think about the design of spaces with a medium or large area. Despite the difficulties of implementation, the result will delight romantic, sophisticated natures who seek to create a relaxing atmosphere that reflects their tastes..
Finishes and materials
The basis of any interior, not only in the shabby chic style, is decoration. It will serve as an organic background and will unite all the components of the room..
Floor
Parquet is ideal as a floor covering – a natural, practical base that is more often used in living rooms. Small abrasions that are not related to the quality of the material, wood texture or careless painting, as if faded over time, will help to emphasize the style. A small carpet will help to decorate such a floor..
In the kitchen or bathroom, it is appropriate to “line” ceramic tiles with faded ornaments. In this case, it is worth giving preference to light shades that visually expand the space..
Walls
Depending on the overall composition, you can stop at the usual painting, especially in rooms with rich decoration. Such walls are usually decorated with stucco, emphasizing the classic side of shabby chic..
It is recommended to select wallpaper with a monochromatic pattern that does not accentuate much attention. These can be paper varieties, only one should remember about their short service life, or luxurious textile fabrics.
Walls lined with decorative plaster will look interesting – they qualitatively imitate the effect of antiquity. Wood or decorative stone will also perfectly fit into the shabby chic framework..
Ceiling
The white flat ceiling looks canonically. Stretched glossy surfaces with built-in lamps are inappropriate here, but if you need to hide noticeable flaws, you should give preference to a canvas with a matte texture. Note that the wooden beams brought to the fore in such an interior can become an advantage if they are refined. Stucco molding around the perimeter will give the design the desired chic.
Shabby chic furniture
The set of furniture will vary depending on the room, but in any of them additional storage and rest space will help to arrange the desired setting: dressers, cabinets, ottomans, dressing tables and comfortable armchairs. Shabby chic is far from the rational practicality of modern trends, with any composition there should be space for free movement.
The set should have classic elegance, stucco molding, carved details or glass facades. You should not save on material, since no artificial analogs can replace the aesthetic texture of natural wood. It can be left in its original form or painted in a light shade that is in harmony with the overall palette. The look of antique furniture is created by scuffs on the surface, as if left by time.
Do not be intimidated by the word “luxury” in the name of the style. It provides a vast field for the implementation of unusual ideas. For example, the living room can be decorated with a coffee table from a suitcase or old pallets, as well as a compact false fireplace.
Textiles, decor and lighting
It is impossible to realize a beautiful interior in the shabby chic style without textiles – it acts as a kind of decorative basis. Naturally, only natural fabrics are meant – from fine silk for decorating pillows to coarse linen in the form of a handmade tablecloth.
In this case, the fabric can be plain or richly decorated – the choice depends on the design. It is important to stay within the light pastel range, the different variations of which may already look like bright accents..
In addition to textiles, you can decorate the room with the help of old accessories from an antique store or grandmother’s pantry: figurines of angels, shepherdesses, vases and panels, which others would have thrown out because of their outdated look, will find a new life in the shabby interior.
Lighting fixtures will become a separate decorative component: exquisite crystal chandeliers, wall lamps and floor lamps. A few candles will only enhance the romantic atmosphere..
Shabby chic interiors – photo
To get a deeper understanding of the features of the style, let’s consider how to implement it in each separate space..
Shabby chic kitchen design
Such a kitchen requires constant care and attention, since the service, cutlery and other household items, which are usually hidden behind the facades of cabinets for rational reasons, are often presented here for everyone to see, being part of a decorative composition. But the technique is recommended to be hidden, as it stands out from the concept of shabby chic..
For decoration, ceramic tiles are used, which will cope well with high temperature, humidity and food splashes, and the furniture can be protected from negative effects by the varnish coating.
Shabby chic living room
Shabby chic in a room where it is customary to gather loved ones for a joint vacation is an ideal solution. Soft pillows, natural upholstery, delicate color combinations and an abundance of light will only help create the right atmosphere.
Often, you can find the following set of items here: a sofa, several armchairs on the sides and a coffee table that face the fireplace, and along the perimeter of the living room there is a wardrobe, chest of drawers or other storage places. The living room is also sometimes combined with the dining room, if you can allocate an area for the dining table..
Shabby chic bedroom interior
As in any other style, the central object of the shabby chic bedroom is the bed – large, high, with a wrought-iron headboard and legs. It is covered with beautiful pastel linen, usually in two versions: white textiles or fabric with floral patterns. Canvases with geometric patterns and restrained cold colors will help to add a more “masculine” character.
If the area of the bedroom allows, it is recommended to divide it into two zones – for relaxation and everyday affairs. The second part will house a dressing table, workplace, chest of drawers or bookcase. Local light sources create a comfortable environment.
Shabby chic bathroom
In the best traditions of the classic style, the shabby bathroom resembles a separate living room – with a small sofa for relaxation, a window with graceful drapery and furniture with sophisticated carvings..
Ceramic tiles or moisture-resistant wallpaper will perfectly cope with the difficult microclimate of the room, and a mirror in a richly decorated frame, together with a classic bathroom, will emphasize the luxury of style. Showers are much less common, but for them it is enough to select a corner and install the necessary equipment.
Shabby chic hallway design
The hallway should be large and spacious so that people in it would be comfortable getting ready for the trip or changing their clothes. In addition, attention should be paid to the design of the space, because it is it that first meets the guests, forming an impression of the whole house..
It is recommended to stay on a light scale, highlighting, perhaps, only the floor with tiled or parquet finishing. Instead of bulky and functional wardrobes, wardrobes, dressers for storing clothes, ottomans or even large sofas are more common here..
Shabby chic children’s room
Shabby chic is a real joy for a girl, but boys may not like excessive luxury and gentle character of the style. If you need to preserve the unity of style, you should give preference to a restrained cold palette, monochromatic surfaces or geometric patterns. Even such a set is allowed within the style..
Depending on the age of the child, it is necessary to regulate the number of decorative elements. The bed of the young mistress can be decorated with a canopy, and the shelves with various figurines.
