Shabby chic was an innovative idea when it was first introduced as a design concept, and there it is still held in high regard today. The technique implies the reformation of objects and furnishings so that they will show signs of wear and tear. Apart from this, shabby chic is also used as a method on new objects to give them an ‘antique’ look and feel.
Such items are heavily painted as a general rule. Layers of painting show through areas which are worn down by time. The shabby chic technique uses white or pastel colors very frequently. Later, the layers are bleached. For cotton and linen fabrics, these are stained with tea to achieve the effect. This adds a ‘dull’ feel to the coloration. Shabby chic is also classified as a ‘bleaching’ or ‘fading’ technique.
Pink, mint, soft aqua and green are other colors used for the purpose of Shabby chic. Distressing is usually done through sanding at the nooks.
The style has roots in England where the antique setting is hugely appreciated. The technique recycles old furniture, although the effects are not aimed at environmental conservation. Shabby chic is simply a style aiming to be creative with furniture and furnishings which gives off a unique antediluvian feeling amidst contemporary styling. The style, since its introduction has received much critical acclamation and has presented a whole new frontier to the world of interior decorating and can now commonly be seen in houses worldwide, especially the older ones.
Category: Shabby Chic