10 Steps to Making a Shabby Chic Home

A shabby chic bedroom with a white and purple bed and pillows.

Here are 10 simple steps for creating a gorgeous shabby chic project or conversion. You can use these guidelines either to create/alter a specific furnishing in your house, or to redecorate and revamp your interior design.

So here it goes:

1)     First of all, there must be ivory. Any shade of ivory (even off white or ecru) is essential to create a soft base for the rest of the colours.

An ornate shabby chic white armoire in a room.
Ivory is a must for any Shabby Chic Home

2)     This ivory base must then be distressed. This means it must look faded and uneven (by sanding, rubbing, etc) so to echo a vintage romantic style.

A shabby chic mirror with shutters sitting on a bench in a garden.
Chalk paint is ideal to create an ivory ‘distressed’ look

3)     You then need to choose a dominant colour(s) that you want to be a recurrent theme in the project. Usually these are soft pastels, with dusty rose and aqua blue being particularly popular. You might then choose a more complete palette, but this is not essential. Shabby chic is about using what you have, and there are no clear guidelines as to how to achieve it (you can visit my previous post on ‘what is shabby chic’ to have a well-rounded knowledge of what this style entails).

A shabby chic color palette with pink and green flowers.
A complementary Shabby Chic Palette

4)     It needs to be true faded style, so no bold hues of pink (like shocking pink). Instead, use bleached or faded shades. You can do that with fabric both by bleaching and through tea-dying.

A shabby chic bowl with a liquid in it.
This is how you tea dye your fabrics or papers

5)     You then need floral or chintz patterns. It can be big and beautiful roses and rhododendrons, or a cute little chintzy pattern. This is up to your taste, and what materials you have available. This must have at least a hint of FOILAGE, to spruce up the colours with shades of green (or other contrasting colour).

Related:
4 Ways to Hide Your TV
A shabby chic living room with a floral couch.
Floral and Chintz are at the heart of a great Shabby Chic home

6)     Couple the floral with a complementing pattern, such as gingham, small polka, or even plain. The important thing is that they are of a similar level of fading, and complementing colours – or at least in a similar palette.

A shabby chic pillow on a wicker chair.
Always choose a contrasting but complementary pattern to your florals (i.e. gingham)

7) LACE is probably the most important thing you need here. Any kind of lace will look smashing with your project. Try dying it in tea, or keep it pure white. Both options are good, depending on your kind of project. For paper crafts, use the edges off paper doilies, they are perfect. I think scalloped lace looks very apt for shabby chic, but eyelet is nice too. If you want to save yourself some time, you’re better off getting a hold of lace that is already gathered at the top (frilly). You could also crochet your own lace, which works out cheaper (most of the times).

An ornate shabby chic bedroom with a canopy bed and chandelier.
Lace is the hallmark of a great Shabby Chic Home

8)     In the background, try and fit earth tones too (with a hint of gold). This is very important to give it a country edge, or you might risk the shabby chic to be too saccharine like, thus slightly claustrophobic. The best earth tone effect is probably offered by jute, burlap and twine. These natural fibres are a great addition to any shabby chic project.

An outdoor table set with burlap runner and shabby chic white chairs.
Enhance the look with rich burlap, jute, or twine

9) Textures and Layers are very important here to transform a basic girly shabby chic into a real masterpiece. Make things three dimensional, or give an impression that you do. Use different textures. For instance instead of using only satin ribbon, try mixing them with organza ribbons, scraps of tulle, and lots of pearls. User products from nature too, like twigs and little acorns. This will give the eye such an overwhelming amount of beautiful details, that it will be difficult to even begin to identify what looks the nicest.

Related:
Convert Your Basement into a Bright and Comfortable Space
A shabby chic bedroom with a white and purple bed and pillows.
Add lots of layers for a romantic Shabby Chic project

10)      Lastly, you need appliques. This can be furniture appliques like cherubs and garlands. For other projects you might want to use old brooches, cabochons, wrought iron broken jewellery and skeleton keys, pearls of all sizes, shapes and colours, silver charms, fabric flowers, pasted coloured buttons, wooden buttons and metal buttons, paper flowers (roses usually), diamantes, and faux Swarovski. Also, a lit candle (maybe on an altered candelabrum) adds that extra romance when you have to present your finished beauty.

White roses adorning a shabby chic wooden door.
Top everything off with beautiful appliques!

Finally, good luck with your Shabby Chic projects!

 

A shabby chic living room featuring white furniture and flowers.
Lovely Shabby Chic Living Room

shabby chic decor When‍ it comes to creating a shabby chic home,there are ten essential⁣ steps you can follow to achieve that‍ charming and‌ cozy⁤ aesthetic. Whether your looking⁢ to update a ‌specific⁣ piece of furniture or ⁤completely revamp⁤ your interior design,‌ these guidelines ⁤will help you create a gorgeous shabby chic space that exudes vintage elegance and‌ romantic charm.

  1. Start with Ivory: The first step‌ to creating a⁣ shabby chic home is to incorporate⁣ ivory‍ into ​your color palette. Whether it’s a soft off-white or a creamy ecru, ⁢ivory provides the perfect base for the​ rest of your colors ‍to pop against. Consider using ivory ‌for your walls, furniture, or accent pieces to achieve that quintessential shabby chic look.
  1. Embrace Vintage Finds: ⁣Incorporating vintage pieces into⁣ your decor is⁢ key to achieving a shabby chic aesthetic. Look for unique,⁢ weathered furniture, distressed mirrors, and antique accessories that add character and charm to ⁣your⁣ space. Mix and match different styles and eras to create a curated, lived-in look.
  1. Layer ⁢Textures: Texture plays a crucial role in shabby ‌chic​ design. Mix ​and match fabrics like⁢ lace, linen, and burlap to add depth and visual interest to ‌your space. soft, fluffy pillows, cozy throw blankets, and plush rugs can all contribute to the cozy, inviting feel ​of a shabby chic home.
  1. Distress Furniture: Creating a shabby chic look often involves distressing furniture to give⁣ it a weathered, aged appearance. ⁣Sand down wooden surfaces, paint and then rub with sandpaper for a distressed look or layer ⁤on chalk paint in pastel colors for​ a soft, vintage feel.
  1. Add Floral Prints: ⁢Floral prints are a hallmark of shabby chic design,adding ⁣a⁤ touch ⁣of softness and‍ femininity to ⁣your space. Incorporate floral patterns in fabrics, ⁣wallpaper, or artwork to bring a romantic, vintage vibe to your home.
  1. Include Shabby Chic Accessories: Accessories⁤ play a‍ crucial role ‍in shabby chic‍ design. ‌Look for delicate chandeliers, vintage mirrors, ornate picture frames, and distressed candle holders ⁤to add ⁣a ⁢touch of elegance and whimsy⁢ to your space.
  1. Choose Soft, Pastel Colors: soft, pastel hues ​are synonymous with​ shabby chic style. Opt for colors like pale ​pink, mint ⁣green, ​sky blue, and lavender to ​create a soothing and tranquil atmosphere in your home. These​ subtle shades will complement⁤ your ivory⁢ base and add a touch of⁣ vintage charm‌ to your space.
  1. Mix Old and New: To create a modern take on shabby chic ‌design, consider mixing ‍old and new elements in⁤ your ‍decor.Blend vintage finds with contemporary pieces ⁢to‌ create a unique and eclectic ⁢look that feels fresh and updated.
  1. Create a Cozy Ambiance: shabby⁢ chic ‌design is all about creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. ⁢Add dim ⁤lighting, scented ⁢candles, and soft textiles ⁢to create a warm and welcoming space where you⁤ can relax and unwind.
  1. Personalize⁣ Your Space: don’t forget to infuse‌ your⁢ shabby chic home with personal touches that reflect your ​unique style and​ personality. Display family ‌photos, heirlooms, and cherished mementos to ⁣make your space‌ feel‌ truly special and inviting.
Related:
The 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating Home

By following these‌ ten steps, you can create⁣ a gorgeous shabby chic home that exudes vintage charm and‌ timeless elegance. Embrace the ‌soft colors,‌ vintage finds, and cozy textures that define shabby chic style to​ transform​ your space into a welcoming retreat that you’ll love coming home to.

1 thought on “10 Steps to Making a Shabby Chic Home”

  1. This is such an inspiring guide! I love how easy it is to incorporate those delicate, vintage elements into my space. Can’t wait to try out some of these steps!

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top