Shabby Chic Style
Shabby Chic is an eclectic style which is becoming increasing popular in the world of interior design. Shabby Chic style invokes romance and history with its mix of French design country style, vintage collectables and pastel colours. The key to understanding Shabby Chic style is recognising that it is all about history – the furniture is distressed and set alongside antique items, all of which seem to have a story to tell.
The term Shabby Chic has its origins from the UK in the 1980s, when it was coined by the World of Interiors magazine. The term was used to describe the faded grandeur of tired country homes, which were full of chintz and antique pieces. The distressed and worn look was beginning to become fashionable and an unassuming indicator of ‘good taste’ making deliberately distressed furniture became more desirable than new pieces. The style was a reaction to the consumerism of the 1980s with its bohemian ethic and simple elegance, Shabby Chic brought history and romance to interior design, which still makes it popular today.
Shabby Chic furniture is often painted white or in light pastel colours and best suits the style if it is distressed. The style often uses French Louis XV inspired pieces as well as furniture influenced by Shaker design and 18th Century Swedish design. The distressed look is often recreated on new furniture by painting several layers then sanding them off to show some of the wood underneath. The light, painted design of Shabby Chic furniture is perfect for opening up a room and making it airy. PineSolutions have a stunning collection of distressed furniture which ideally suits the Shabby Chic ethic. With the Belgravia Painted Furniture range you can have the confidence of modern construction but with the antique, distressed look of time-worn furniture.
It is quick and easy to bring a touch of Shabby Chic style into your home with just a few carefully selected pieces. Team the Belgravia bedside cabinet with a pile of old books and a beautiful retro gold alarm clock. Shabby Chic style is perfect if you are on a budget, so take a look at your local flea market for some one off finds, or at a boot sale for some bargains. Vintage and antique items will not only add charm and character to your home but also have a more positive impact on the environment by recycling old items. If you want to know more about our environmental policy at PineSolutions, please see our commitment to the environment page.
Textiles are an important aspect to Shabby Chic style and also a quick way to give your home a whole new look. Look for traditional chintz designs or vintage prints in soft pastel colours. Finish off the look with gold pieces for a touch of glamour and decadence, such as a gold chandelier.
The key to understanding Shabby Chic is to realise it's not about new pieces but preferring a ‘lived-in’ aesthetic. When it comes to furniture however, we understand that you want to invest in furniture which will be hard wearing and last, so at PineSolutions we have a collection Shabby Chic inspired ranges so you can achieve the distressed look without compromising on furniture quality or function. However you want to bring a touch of Shabby Chic style into your home, remember it is all about a unique collection of pieces which have meaning to you.