What is the Shabby Chic decorating style?  It is a style of decorating that has been around for many years but was recently given a name by Rachel Ashwell in the late 1980’s.  This style of decorating uses vintage accessories, soft colors, and comfortable, over sized furniture.  It is reminiscent of the way Grandma’s house looked with a mixture of beautiful, elegant objects along with the old and worn.    White painted furniture and accessories have long been associated with shabby chic decorating.  You will see the term “distressed” also used in connection with shabby chic decor and shabby chic furniture.  You can convert a dark, dingy table or chair into a crisp, attractive piece of shabby chic furniture by using white paint or whitewash.   Upholstered furniture in the shabby chic decor style is comfortable with a wrinkled but neat look.  Chairs are over sized and are just about big enough to seat two.  Slipcovers are frequently used and can disguise old, dull furniture.  Use delicate prints to recover throw pillows for a true shabby chic look.   Other characteristics of shabby chic decorating make use of colors such as soft green, pastel pink and muted gray.  Vintage bedspreads, tablecloths, curtains and lacy linens as well as well-worn rugs are popular soft goods.    Where do you find furniture and accessories that will fit in with your shabby chic decorating style?   Start by looking around your basement, attic or storage shed for unused and about to be discarded furniture and home decor.  Even if an item is relatively new but looks old, it can be used in shabby chic decorating.  Remember to ask friends and relatives for their old, abandoned home furnishings—they might love to get rid of discarded items especially if you will carry them away!   Another place to look is in your cupboards, closets and store room.  You never know what treasures you might find and have probably forgotten about.  Keepsakes such as grandma’s chipped teapot or fluted glasses are perfect shabby chic accessories.  Guests in your home will enjoy seeing beautiful heirlooms being displayed as part of your shabby chic decor.   As you can see, it is easy to add beauty and elegance to any room by incorporating the simply shabby chic decorating ideas listed above.  By using creativity, imagination and time you can transform a dull, boring room into an attractive, lovely shabby chic decorated room. Back to Articles