With shabby chic an owner can have a frilly lamp covered in beads, and a sturdy bookshelf with paint chipped away, yet somehow it all manages to tie in just perfectly creating the right amount of balance, and remaining cozy all at the same time. Sounds complicated, but it’s really not. If this style is just what you are going for then the best room to start in is your living room. This room is the most diverse in the house as it serves as a greeting space, family space, sometimes even a dinner space. So how do you tie in all the elements of shabby chic together with all the elements of your living room? Easy – just do what you want!
First and foremost, shabby chic does not mean girl up the room as much as possible. Painting the walls pink and dolling your couch up in ribbon may be what you’re wanting but don’t feel forced into it. A green entertainment center with paint chipped off, and an antique lamp work just as well in the space as does the frilly ruffles. Pastel colors are also a great addition to the space as they tend to be the most relaxing colors for a space that serves so many purposes. Paint your walls a calming and happy color to start and then piece in your furniture from there.
Rule number one for furniture shopping: Thrift stores and garage sales are not the enemy, and furniture does not have to be brand new. In fact, the more worn in the piece, the more cozy it will fit in your space. Many shabby chic pieces can be found at local thrift stores as the piece has come from a previous family and already has that worn in charm. But make sure the piece is in good shape before purchasing. Just because worn in is good does not mean that broken and dirty needs to be dragged into your house. If you’re handy and creative, pieces that are broken and considered garbage to others can become new prized possessions to display in your living room with just the right amount of fixing and painting. A mirror tossed to the side can get a new frame, paint, and proudly displayed above a couch purchased from the local thrift store for only a hundred bucks. The best part about shabby chic that most do not know is that it is eco-friendly. As many who take hold of this style use furniture from hand me downs. Furniture that would normally be tossed to the local dump now make their new home in your living room.
Rule number two for creating the perfect shabby chic living room: Make sure that whatever you do with your space makes you happy. As previously stated, shabby chic is what you make of it. Carefully chose whatever pieces you’d like in your space, and take it from there. Shabby chic is “shabby” in that many of the pieces are worn in and cozy, and “chic” in that they still all somehow look great together.
