Friday 7 March 2014

More Chic than Shabby: the Ideal Shabby Chic Room



Shabby chic is a timeless trend that never seems to go out of fashion. We can’t resist a room that looks as if it has been thrown together yet somehow magically everything has landed in place. But how can you achieve this effect in your home? We have collected a list of ways that you can add a touch of shabby chic to a room:

Distressed Furniture
If you have been watching any home design programs within the last few months you will have undoubtedly come across the trend for upcycling furniture. One of the most popular techniques used when designing a shabby-chic room is to distress any wooden fixtures that you already have. Distressing a chair for example transforms it from an ordinary modern seat into an antique (looking) piece of art. Simply rub the chair down with sandpaper - only very gently! – then add scratches and holes at random to give the impression of woodworm. You can do this to tables, bookshelves, and cabinets as well as chairs.                 

Pretty Patterns
Heavily patterned curtains and cushions are a key component of a shabby chic room. They are a brilliant contrast against plain walls. Particularly green or pink patterns produce a feminine, shabby chic look. One of the most modern ways of achieving this style is to present one wall in heavily patterned wallpaper then pick one colour out of that wallpaper and paint the remaining walls that tone.

Throw It All Together
Frilly throws over the settee or bed will emphasise the shabby chic feel. For some people this will immediately conjure up images of their grandma’s house but it does not have to be old fashioned. A frill on the cushions, the mat, or on a throw is just a small feminine touch that adds to the theme. Choose light colours such as whites, cream tones, pale greens, dusky pinks, and light blues to provide fresh ambience in the room.

Bring Nature Indoors
A wooden floor will bring the traditional, feminine theme into the 21st Century. Wooden floor look great but they are also very practical. They gather much less dust than carpets and are easier to maintain. Put plenty of plants into the room so that they, together with the floor, add a sense of nature to the room. Leafy green plants will complement the pales pinks and greens of the furniture as well.

Shabby Chic Settee
The feature that will bring together the whole shabby chic theme is the settee which should have a rustic, homely look but still be very high quality. The only risk of a shabby chic theme is to accidentally take the shabby aspect too far and end up with nothing more than an untidy room. However choosing a sofa that looks top quality will prevent this from happening.  Tetrad sofas are handcrafted which is evident in the detail of their designs. Their loose covers fit perfectly into the shabby chic look because it appears as if the sofa has effortlessly been put together. Tetrad furniture is not just somewhere to sit; it provides a seat of total relaxation. Kings Interiors sell a large range of fabulous Tetrad furniture at reasonable prices; see for yourself by visiting the website: http://www.kingsinteriors.co.uk/brands/tetrad-upholstery