Imagine you’ve finally bought the bourgeois home of your dreams, but after moving in you realise that there’s no money left to renovate. The walls are worn, the furniture is faded and the whole place feels a bit like it’s stuck in the last century. What if I told you that this wasn’t necessarily a problem, but an opportunity?
There’s no need to hide that old, shabby chic feel – in fact, with a little creativity and a few well-chosen accessories, you can turn it into a stylish, chic home. It’s a style called Shabby Chic, which brings you the charm of shabby chic and helps you temporarily build up enough cash to finance a major renovation when you’re ready for a change of style. If you’re wondering how to get the most out of your old home without digging deep into your pockets, join us and explore the world of Shabby Chic!
1. What is Shabby Chic?
The Shabby Chic style is a trend in shabby chic interior design that creates a unique, nostalgic atmosphere through a harmonious combination of old and new elements. The style is characterised by pastel colours, a dominance of white and the use of worn, antique furniture and accessories. Simplicity and naturalness are at the core, with worn surfaces, subtle patterns and romantic details creating a cosy, welcoming environment.
2. What is worth checking and improving?
Before applying the Shabby Chic style, it is important to pay attention to the basic condition of the property. Energy efficiency, functional safety and the preservation of structural integrity are essential requirements. Check the heating system, insulation, electrical network and plumbing. If these are not in good order, it is worth spending on them first, even if you put off aesthetic renovation until later.
3. Refurbishment and usability of existing furniture
Shabby Chic style gives you the opportunity to give new life to existing old furniture. Start by cleaning your furniture thoroughly, then make minor repairs such as adjusting drawers that are in need of adjustment or fixing loose handles. Using antiquing and refinishing techniques, you can bring out the worn elegance of your furniture even more and recycle it to match your style.
4. Accentuate Shabby Chic style features
A shabby chic look with a worn, rustic look is key. You can use a variety of techniques, such as stripping plaster in places or scraping back a coat of paint, to consciously create this look. Clearly, it’s best to remove plaster where it’s already in poor condition, i.e. not to hide the defect but to highlight it as a mood element – strange, I know, but there you go! Patinating walls or scuffing furniture all contribute to giving your home an authentic, Shabby Chic feel.
5. Mixing new and old furniture
In the Shabby Chic style, mixing new and old furniture works great if you make sure that the new pieces harmonize with the existing ones. Choose minimalist, Scandinavian-style furniture that’s simple but functional, with materials and colours that match the style. If necessary, you can “age” new furniture by antiquing and refinishing to make it more in keeping with the Shabby Chic environment.
6. Combining Shabby Chic with other styles
The Shabby Chic style can be combined well with other interior design trends such as vintage, white bohemian or Scandinavian. Vintage antiques, natural elements of white bohemian style and minimalist furniture of Scandinavian style can all complement the basics of Shabby Chic. Harmony of colour, texture and form is important in these combinations to create a unique and harmonious home.
The Shabby Chic style is a way to make an old, even slightly shabby home feel homely and unique without the need for an immediate, expensive renovation. The style is both practical and aesthetic, with a conscious mix of worn furniture and accessories, old and new. By paying attention to the basic condition of the property and being creative with existing furniture and accessories, you can create an interior that is at once stylish, welcoming and homely. The Shabby Chic style not only provides an immediate solution, but can also be adapted and expanded over time as your resources and needs grow.