The Shabby Chic Look and How to Get It

What is Shabby Chic you ask? Quite simply, it is an eclectic look of antique florals and stripes, tangled with white and a hue of pastels. Well worn furniture and antique pieces are praised for their distressed look and are the foundation for this popular decorating technique.

Rachel Ashwell is Ms Shabby Chic; she has taken the look and created her own books and television specials that have catapulted the design into newfound fame.

People are crazy about the look for many reasons. You can bring simplicity and crispness into your home or garden with out hardly any out of pocket cost to you. The only investment you need is a few dollars into some pastel or white paint and an eye to refurbish items you may already have around your house.

Here are a few tips for achieving the look.

Using what you have-

Find dark and outdated décor items from around the house, such as coffee tables, old end tables, dressers, even mirrors. The more dented up and chipped the better. This gives the piece a well weathered look. Paint white and lightly sand to let the natural wood or under tarnish show through, this creates the look and serves as a back drop to adding accessories such as flower arrangements in old pots, or candles on vintage floral plates.

Even old vintage floral sheets that may even have a few flaws or holes make quaint tablecloths, or be creative and use them as curtains by draping them to the side with curtain tie backs or swag them above on a whitewashed rod.

Scour Flea Markets and Junk Shops-