Shabby Chic Style Interior Design

What is Shabby Chic?

Shabby chic style has its roots in the British countryside where homes feature age-worn items like faded fabrics, old paintings, and furniture with chipping paint. The goal of a shabby chic design is an elegant room that feels casual and inviting. An important feature is the recycling of old furniture, accessories, and fabrics. Besides using items that are showing some wear and tear, new items can also be used if they are distressed to appear more aged.

Shabby chic style interior design has picked up tidbits from other styles along with way. The French Chateau style and the simple Shaker style are two influences that fit well in this style of room.

Rachel Ashwell

During the 1980’s, The World of Interiors magazine created the term “shabby chic” to describe this unique style. The term has since been registered as a trademark by Rachel Ashwell, who has authored several books on shabby chic style and founded a company in 1989 by the same name. As evidenced in her shabby chic designs, Rachel combines influences from her English heritage and her casual California lifestyle.

Shabby Chic Basics

The wood furniture pieces in shabby chic style interior design have a rustic quality and feature many layers of paint which can be seen in wear spots on the surface. Newer pieces of furniture often replicate this aged look through distressing or sanding a painted top coat to expose areas of the wood or underlying paint colors. Flea market finds are a great fit in this style.

Upholstered furniture in shabby chic rooms is usually covered in white or very subtly colored fabrics. These furniture pieces are often done in a slipcover style of upholstery, so that the fabric covers can be easily removed for cleaning. Slipcovers make for a family friendly room and give the décor a tailored, yet casual, vibe.

Shabby chic fabrics are usually cotton or linen in white or soft pastel colors, and they look as if they have been faded by the sun. Existing fabrics can be given this time-worn appearance by bleaching lightly or using a tea-stain technique. When patterns are used, they are floral patterns with roses being very popular. These romantic prints are similar to what you might see in English country or cottage style interior design.

Here are some basic elements of shabby chic style that can be introduced to any décor:

• Comfy, overstuffed furniture upholstered with slipcovers
• Plenty of soft, fluffy pillows
• Flea market finds with distressed paint finishes
• Small chandeliers or sconces with drop crystals and simple groupings of candles
• Floral arrangements, especially using roses of all kinds
• Mix-and-match dishes and glassware
• Vintage paintings or prints with an aged quality
• Neutral or lighter tones with dark colors used for accent
• Cotton, poplin, and linen fabrics in sun-faded colors or subtle floral prints
• Colors like white, cream, and pastels

Shabby Chic Resources

Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic® - The official website for shabby chic style décor by Rachel Ashwell.

Simply Shabby Chic from Target - An affordable line of furniture, bedding, and bath items designed by Rachel Ashwell.

HGTV’s Shabby Chic Ideas - Over 35 room projects featuring shabby chic decorating schemes.