Shabby chic in the interior: description of style, choice of color, finishes, furniture and decor

Only talented designers work with the shabby chic style. The term shabby itself, when translated from English, means “old”, “aged”. It includes such concepts as shabby and antique. But the room in this style does not look abandoned. One glance is enough to understand that all interior items are expensive, even if the varnished surfaces are cracked or the upholstery on the furniture is worn out.

Beautiful room in shabby chic style

Shabby chic bedroom

• 1 History
• 2 Basic principles
• 3 la
• 4 Principles of creation
• 5 Presence of mint color in style
• 6 Basic color shades
• 7 Finishing features
• 8 Lighting
• 9 Selection of furniture
• 10 Decoration
• 11 Creating house elements
• 12 Decoupage of a wooden chest of drawers
• 13 From interior to wedding celebration
• 14 Video: Shabby chic in the interior
• 15 50 photos of apartment design ideas in shabby chic style: 15.1 See also

History of origin

The shabby chic style in the interior was created by the American artist Rachel Ashville in the late 80s of the 20th century. One of her hobbies was buying old things and bringing them back to life with her own hands. She recreated some objects, restoring their appearance, and artificially “aged” some. Her passion began with renovating old furnishings in her home, then she began creating “fashionable” accessories. Over time, people began to contact her with requests to decorate furniture or interior elements for a decent fee. Her works acquired a second life and fit perfectly into any interior, making it warmer and more complete.

Rachel Asheville became famous thanks to the Internet. She posted all her works online for everyone to see, gave advice on how to create similar things on her own, and taught how to decorate a room in the shabby chic style. A few years later she wrote a whole series of books on the design of this style. Despite its popularity, the direction is relatively young.

Room interior in shabby chic style

Inexperienced designers sometimes confuse shabby-style interiors with country, baroque or French Provence decor.

1. They really do have some things in common. But there are also differences.
2. Originality of patterns (small ornaments, angels, birds).
3. Luxury and antiquity of objects.
4. Bulky crystal chandeliers are a must.
5. Delicate and restrained colors.

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What kind of furniture does shabby chic require?

For this style, you can take old family furniture or look for suitable rarities at a flea market. It can be either the most ordinary one or with its own special long-term history.

Wicker furniture, which is usually used in dachas and country houses, is well suited for such an interior. For example, a wicker rocking chair with soft pillows will look good in the living room or on the loggia of an apartment in the spirit of shabby chic.

To prevent the furniture from looking like shabby trash, you will have to clean and decorate it yourself.

The most important point is that all furniture should be made of wood. Then it will be easy to work with, and you will have a lot of room for imagination. Craftsmen create the effect of cracked or worn paint, carved decor, a patina effect on metal elements, or simply paint floral motifs.

Basic principles of style

Shabby chic room design

Shabby chic in the living room interior

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la

Shabby chic style in the interior is a combination of rare and expensive antiques. But the desired chic is not pretentious, but warm, homely. Flaws are necessary not to spoil the overall appearance of the interior, but to make it noble and sophisticated.

This style is not understandable to everyone. It is preferred by creative and original people who have their own vision of this world. These are artists, architects, photographers, poets, musicians. An individual who prefers classics and standard orders will find it very difficult to appreciate shabby pieces of furniture, a roughly painted wall, or a figurine with missing parts.

The living room and bedroom are made in shabby style. Experienced designers do not recommend decorating the entire living space in shabby chic; it will be very expensive or one mistake to turn the space into a home for Barbie.

Shabby chic bedroom design

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Textile

Interior decoration with textiles is a fascinating, albeit labor-intensive process. It is important to choose harmonious fabrics that are compatible in texture and color. For each room, a specific set of fabric items is selected.

For the bedroom

The main attention is paid to the design of the bed. The basis is usually a combination of white and pastel colors. For example, ash pink. In this vein, bed linen, bedspreads, covers for bolsters and pillows are selected. Alternate plain and patterned fabrics. The bright bed is complemented with thick decorative pillows that repeat the patterns. Curtains can be thick, plain, protecting from bright light, or completely weightless. For example, from organza or chiffon.

For kitchen, dining room

In the kitchen, the main place is occupied by the dining area. It is decorated with a tablecloth, covers or chair cushions. Select beautiful curtains. The table is decorated with napkins.

For the living room

The room is intended for receiving guests and relaxing, so it creates a special cozy atmosphere. Sofas with fabric upholstery are decorated with decorative pillows of different shapes and colors. Usually the patterns and colors repeat all those that were used to decorate the room. The floor is covered with a soft carpet, the windows are covered with beautiful curtains.

Creation principles

To properly decorate a room in the shabby chic style, it is advisable to follow the following principles.

1. First, several basic antiques are selected that the creator will focus on. It would be better if these were pieces of furniture. They will attract the bulk of attention. All materials are natural, moderately used.
2. The color scheme of the interior in the shabby style is created based on the color scheme of the furniture. It’s good when the walls and floor are the same color as the main interior items. For example, cream, beige, pink, blue, mint. When the furniture is a noble shade of brown, more surfaces should be white.
3. Special attention should be paid to the decor of the room; with its help, the effect of luxury and prosperity is created. These are antique sets, vases, fabrics, paintings, curtains, boxes, candlesticks.
4. The presence of a pink pattern is the main condition for creating an interior in the shabby chic style. The design can be applied to walls, boxes, curtains, pillows. If the main part of the interior is monochromatic, fresh flowers will look especially colorful.

Bright room in shabby chic style

Shabby chic room design

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Enrich your color palette with charm

The idea of ​​total white is not at all necessary. You can recreate the style with an unusual palette, using richer accents in accessories, furniture and colors. Choose natural, but slightly muted shades of green, yellow, brown, blue. The following combinations will also be relevant

• White with dusty gray, light blue, light green, mint green, pale pink;
• Dark accents with muted cream, white and gray tones;
• Accentuate black, yellow, pink details and accessories on a white background;
• Blue-green decor in a white room.

The presence of mint color in the style

Aged furniture and interior items should not give the impression of going to a museum. All items should be necessary and easy to use.

If a light color predominates in the interior, there is no need to be afraid to dilute it with bright elements. The main thing is not to overdo it, everything in moderation.

As much warmth and homely furnishings as possible, a large number of things and textiles: numerous pillows, bedspreads, curtains, tablecloths, carpets.

Shabby chic in the interior of a room in pink

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Basic color shades

Shabby chic style involves the use of light shades. These are mint, beige, sky blue, cream, peach, pink. Be sure to use white in the design of any room. Most designers prefer that it be the main one: the ceiling, walls, the main amount of furniture, windows and window sills.

If a bedroom is being decorated, then bed linen, knitwear, parts of the furniture and sleeping area can be snow-white. You can combine the above colors in the shabby chic style as you wish, it all depends on the idea and imagination of the creator. Some people use them all, others limit themselves to 2-3. In any case, white color will dilute and soften them; there is no need to be afraid that the interior will be “reloaded”. It is possible to complement a bright solution designed in this style with the help of patterns on furniture, environmentally friendly materials, for example:

• tree;
• polished stone;
• brickwork.

The main pattern of the interior in the shabby style is a rose. It should be present in such interior elements as textiles, wall patterns, stucco, and art paintings.

Beautiful room design in shabby chic style

Shabby chic bedroom design

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Who will suit the style?

There are times when style itself manifests itself in the interior, whether you want it or not. The presence of various antiques that came with the great-grandmother’s apartment a priori qualify for a small restoration.

So, the shabby style will be relevant for the following categories of people:

• For those who like to save money. It’s not at all inexpensive to transform your home, which requires renovation, from ordinary dullness into an interesting picture. Old furniture can be well decorated using various techniques (decoupage, painting, stencils, framing). Glass in furniture will look great using the stained glass technique (for this they use a contour on the glass and stained glass paints). It is not necessary to dismantle the old parquet, but simply sand it, fix holes and varnish it. A whitewashed ceiling and old wallpaper painted on top (especially if it has not sagged or puffed up) will only complement the chosen style.

• "Plyushkin." If it’s a pity to throw away old things that are of particular value to the owner, you can restore them to this style and decorate your home this way. In this way, the objects will be preserved, and the room will acquire a new image.
• Romantic and creative people. You can get inspiration for creating something new in such a cozy girl's room. This style is for sensual people who prefer comfort and mood rather than practicality.

You should not arrange a room in this style if you cannot clean it often, since the abundance of textiles and decorative items will regularly collect dust.

Finishing features

The walls of a room decorated in shabby chic style are decorated in the following ways.

• Plastered surfaces are coated with matte paints.
• Plaster of different colors and shades is applied to the wall. To give the work surface a rough look, you can leave spatula marks.
• Traditional wallpapering.
• Wood panels.

In most cases, shabby chic wall decoration is done in white. This allows you not to overload the overall interior of the room and experiment with bright elements. But so that the light walls do not resemble a hospital, you can decorate them with voluminous plaster or wooden panels. Wood panels can be taken in different lengths and widths, artificially aged or painted in any color. To make the interior more sophisticated, you can use white stucco.

Living room in shabby chic style

A popular type of shabby style decoration is a brick wall. It can decorate the headboard in the bedroom or the fireplace in the living room. The walls can be traditionally decorated with wallpaper with roses. But the flowers should not be very large or bright; the background should be a light shade with bright elements. If the room is spacious and the ceilings are high, then the walls can be decorated with moldings and volumetric elements can be added.

In the shabby chic style, you can treat the surface with a touch of antiquity. The entire wall or part of it is painted a dark color. Then a lighter shade of paint is applied to the dried layer and sanded down. The effect is amazing, both shades used are visible on the surface, the texture is rough.

Bright white interior in shabby chic style

White beautiful room design in shabby chic style

In order not to overdo it in a shabby chic style interior, it is better if the ceiling is monochromatic, for example, sky blue, ivory, pale pink. For registration you can use:

• painting;
• treatment with Venetian plaster;
• whitewash

To dilute the color, you can place a wooden beam around the perimeter of the ceiling. If more than 2-3 colors are used in the design, then the ceiling can be neutral and smooth, for example, in the bedroom. If there are not many decorative items, then it can be decorated with antique stucco. Shabby chic style uses aging techniques: peeling plaster, worn paint, darkened whitewash.

There is a large crystal chandelier on the ceiling. For the shabby chic style, this is a special condition. To cover the floor use:

• stone tiles;
• wooden boards;
• used parquet;
• artificially aged parquet board.

It is very important that the floor is made of high-quality, natural materials, preferably wood. To match the shabby chic style, it can be artificially aged. If you are decorating a kitchen or bath, you can put tiles on the floor. For those who like soft floors in the bedroom, you can put a carpet (short or long pile) on the surface. If it has ornaments, then it is better to try to age it, to create a worn-out effect in some places, so it will fit better into a chic style interior.

Living room in shabby chic style

Shabby chic in the living room interior

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Transparency for better style reflection

Add lightness and charm to your space using transparent decorative items. Here are some ideas for inspiration:

• Original dishes in pastel colors;
• Crystal flower vases;
• A beautiful collection of jars for storing food;
• Transparent lampshades.

Lighting

In most cases, a room decorated in a shabby chic style is spacious, so there should be plenty of light to see every corner. First of all, there should be a chandelier: large, multi-tiered, made of crystal, regardless of location (in the bedroom or bathroom). It can be made in the style of the Renaissance, Baroque. Chandeliers are purchased in specialized stores; if necessary, the device can be aged a little, “dusted” or added patina.

You can buy a lighting fixture at an antique store, but it will be an expensive purchase.

Lighting can be arranged in the following ways:

1. Huge chandelier on the ceiling.
2. A chandelier in the center plus several sconces on forged curved legs.
3. In addition to the large chandelier, 1-2 floor lamps with fabric lampshades are installed in the recreation area.

An ideal option for shabby chic are lighting elements with forged parts, complemented by glass and crystal pendants.

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Selection of furniture

Furniture in the shabby chic style is the main focus of the design, so it is very important that an experienced person select it. Its correct combination is the main difference from similar design solutions. Furniture elements in the shabby chic style are produced in limited quantities. The founder of the direction, Rachel Asheville, recommended creating it yourself. Examples can be taken of antique furniture from the Baroque era. It doesn't need to be completely redone, just tweaking the details a little. As a rough draft, you can take all types of antique furniture, classical and empire. You can look for creative options among vintage antique elements.

The main thing is that all furniture elements are made from high-quality materials and retain their original shabby appearance of the fabric. Synthetic fibers are not acceptable. Modern models can be aged and repainted.

Shabby chic room decor

Shabby chic room design

See also: Combination of mint color in the interior with other colors

Distinctive features

Shabby chic originated in the late 1980s, when an English designer had the idea of ​​​​giving old things a new life. Items from flea markets were restored, while leaving a trace of antiquity.

• A characteristic feature of shabi chic is scuff marks and the effect of aging in the interior;
• The color palette is filled with light pastel shades: blue, peach, pink, cream and white;
• The style and shape of the furniture do not matter, the main condition is that it must bear a trace of history;
• Shabby chic interiors often use floral patterns;
• Shabby chic does not accept strict geometric shapes in designs;
• The interior welcomes the use of vintage and antique furniture;
• Furniture models corresponding to the shabby chic trend are rarely presented in stores; the design is often done by hand;
• Shabby chic interiors use a lot of fabric and decorative elements.

In the photo there is a chest of drawers and a table with an aged effect.

Decoration

In the shabby chic style, the main means of decoration is textiles: cotton, satin, linen. This is both a labor-intensive and very interesting process. There is one for each space. In a bedroom in this style, the central emphasis is on the bed. It should be large and massive. Decor colors are white and pastel. Almost everything should match them: bed linen, pillows, bedspreads. Often a designer is asked to decorate a bedroom in pale pink tones, especially when it is intended for a girl or young girl. Ruffles, lace, and numerous small pillows would be appropriate here.

Curtains can be chosen to suit your taste. Both heavy plain ones and light ones made of chiffon and organza are suitable. In the kitchen and dining room of the shabby chic style, the dominant place is given to the dining area. The table is covered with a thick tablecloth, possibly with a bright ornament.

Shabby chic bedroom

A kitchen decorated in shabby chic style is the best idea for good housewives who love to decorate and make everything with their own hands. Unlike the living room or dining room, you don’t have to buy expensive furniture and antiques for the kitchen. Worn antiques, chairs, a table, a little shabby parquet - all this will only successfully complement the decor. All that remains is to sew the accessories. These are all kinds of tassels, numerous ruffles.

The surface can be decorated with napkins. Cushions are placed on the chairs. The tablecloth is the same color as the curtains.

A shabby chic living room is a special place in the home. Family and friends gather there to socialize and relax, so it should be both luxurious and cozy. It is preferable if the sofas in the living room are upholstered in thick fabric.

Shabby style furniture is located in the very center. You can build a fireplace near the wall. The bathroom is also made in this style. The plumbing remains modern; it will be enough to gild it with paint. A massive chandelier, a mirror in a three-dimensional frame, and stucco decoration will add a special flavor.

Bedroom interior in shabby chic style

Shabby chic in the bedroom interior

It is also important not to forget about other important little things:

1. Watch. They can be wall or floor.
2. Large candlesticks made of bronze.
3. Mirrors and frames can be voluminous.
4. Busts of great people in the living room.
5. Sculptures of different sizes.
6. Caskets.
7. Dolls made of porcelain, dressed in satin outfits.
8. Antique telephone, gramophone.
9. Antique service.
10. Photo frames.
11. Various sizes of vases with fresh flowers.

All of the above items are purchased not only in antique stores, but also in markets.

Shabby chic bedroom

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Ceiling decoration

The following methods are used for finishing ceilings:

• coloring;
• decoration with Venetian plaster;
• covering with wooden panels;
• whitewash.

The ceiling can be the backdrop for an antique setting. If the room is filled with objects that strongly attract attention, then the ceiling is made smooth, even, covering it with plain paint or whitewash. If the room has a lot of free space and the furniture looks simple, then the ceiling is decorated in an antique style. Traces of time may appear on it: loose plaster, worn out paint, peeling whitewash.

The shabby antique-style ceilings are decorated with exquisite multi-tiered chandeliers. This technique is especially relevant for creating the interior of a bedroom, living room or dining room. A large antique chandelier is suitable for decorating high ceilings. However, for the Shabby Chic style this condition does not have to be met. In a room with a low ceiling, you can easily hang a large chandelier with many pendants and arms.

Decoupage of a wooden chest of drawers

Any draft version is suitable for work. It could be grandma's old chest of drawers or a new one from the store.

1. We clean the element from paint and varnish.
2. We paint from the inside.
3. We dilute the stain and cover the entire surface with it. After complete drying, abrasion will appear.
4. We prime the outer part.
5. To create a worn effect, apply black paint and rub it on top with a regular candle.
6. We paint the chest of drawers a light shade in several layers.
7. Using a palette knife we ​​treat the places where we planned to make abrasions.
8. We apply the desired pattern using special decoupage napkins and smooth out any unevenness.
9. After drying, they are sanded.
10. The interior of the drawers is covered with fabric.
11. The chest of drawers is varnished.

Beautiful room design in shabby chic style

Shabby chic in the bedroom interior

In the sitting area near the bed or sofa in the living room, you can place a table or floor lamp. You can also design it yourself.

1. The lampshade is removable.
2. The bases are primed and painted with black paint.
3. All protruding corners are treated with candle wax.
4. Next we paint with light paint.
5. Cut out the desired design from napkins and paste it onto the lampshade.
6. Varnished.
7. We rub the painted areas with sandpaper, creating a scuffed effect.
8. If desired, we pass a strip of lace along the bottom of the lampshade and decorate it with a ribbon.

Light room design in shabby chic style

Decorating the kitchen

The shabby chic kitchen set should be made of natural wood, decorated with decoupage or simply aged. A large wooden dining table is a must. Its coating can be easily aged with your own hands using sandpaper.

Along the walls you can place cabinets with glass doors, in which beautiful dishes should be displayed. To accentuate the style, the walls of the kitchen or dining room can be decorated with decorative plates.

From interior to wedding celebration

Creating a chic interior is both a difficult and very interesting task. Nowadays it is very fashionable to organize wedding celebrations in this theme. But here you definitely need an experienced professional who will create everything and play it correctly. Then the newlyweds will get married in a fabulous setting, and guests will remember their wedding for a long time. The image of the bride should resemble a beautiful fairy. Soft color shades, discreet patterns, ruffles, frills, lace. The veil can be attached to a dainty little hat. The groom traditionally wears a formal suit or tailcoat.