Shabby Chic: Found Elegance

The term Shabby Chic seems to be everywhere. There are thousands of shabby chic items on eBay and scouring flea markets and garage sales has become a national pastime. The concept, however, began in the mid-1990s when British designer, Rachel Ashwell, opened a Santa Monica boutique that reflected her design style and called it "Shabby Chic." She has since turned the concept into a cottage industry, with books, television shows, and a signature product line. Simply put, Shabby Chic style seeks to find the elegance and romance inherent in "not-so-new" furniture and accessories and to combine them in new and unexpected ways. It's a comfortable style that encourages children and guests to use a room, not simply observe it. Shabby Chic doesn't have to be perfect. In fact, almost by definition, it is not perfect. It is, however, stylish and fun.

Shabby Chic draws its inspiration from the flea markets of Europe. Such treasure troves as the Clignancourt Market in Paris and Portabello Road in London are filled with discarded architectural items, such as window frames and finials, as well as old furniture, such as armoires, vanities, and chests. The Shabby Chic charm in these items lies in their past and their history. Scratches and peeling paint are ok. In fact, they are encouraged.

Shabby Chic reflects the practical and ecology-minded views of the 21^st century. By finding new uses for "old" items, we keep from adding to the mountains of items sent to the landfill each year. What's more, no tree has to be sacrificed for a found, Shabby Chic furniture treasure.

Expect the Unexpected