Rachel Ashwell Shabby

Shabby Chic Furniture and Décor – How to Integrate Shabby Chic Into a Home Decorating Idea

Shabby chic décor is a technique of decorating that balances well-designed and beautiful objects with old, worn out and sometimes tattered items. Top on this list is shabby chic furniture. Shabby chic decorating includes soft delicate colors with creamy white being predominate in many simply shabby chic schemes. Rachel Ashwell is credited for giving the style its name.

Shabby chic’s early beginnings included plenty of white painted objects which are still used today. Wooden furniture found at garage sales, flea markets, and even in the attic can be spray painted white and become shabby chic furniture. Since shabby chic decorating is also about distressed surfaces, add character to furniture by roughing it up a little--lightly sand the corners for a worn look.

Remember, if you want shabby chic furniture, don’t look for bright bold colors or matching sets. It would be more appropriate to mix and match upholstery patterns and add florals and stripes in pillows and other accessories. As an example, you might have visions of cuddling in your grandmother’s soft, comfortable slip-covered furniture.

Shabby chic has expanded to include vintage fabrics and all types of imperfect, once elegant accessories. A ruffled, rumpled elegance is characteristic of simply shabby chic. Antique collectibles are a nice addition to this decorating style. You might also want to include one of the many wonderful, ornate antique side tables as part of your shabby chic furniture collection.

In mixing patterns in the shabby chic decorating style keep the background color the same creamy white with at least one color recurring in every pattern. A tip for giving a harsh white fabric or lace a vintage-look is to stain it with tea. Use three or four tea bags in a pot of hot water testing it every 10 minutes until it has the desired aged look. Pretest a piece of fabric to get the right tint.

As you can see, shabby chic décor is an excellent choice if you are on a tight decorating budget. Combine creativity and time to browse secondhand stores, garage sales and flea markets, and you will have a comfortable, eclectic collection of shabby chic décor and shabby chic furniture.

About the Author

For ideas on keeping your home organized, download a free copy of the ebook "The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home". Click here for your free download.

Lynn Cressy is the owner of Lynn's Home Decor where you will find a variety of home decor including shabby chic home decor and furniture, wrought iron home decor and furniture as well as ebooks and home decorating ideas.

Where can I purchase a CD-Rom to print shabby roses or Rachel Ashwell roses for crafts?

You can purchase Rachel Ashwell rose decals on ebay at the link I have provided.

Dover Publications has a design book which includes shabby roses.

Shabby Chic Furniture by Antiqueroseshow

Thomas and Friends All Aboard Pillowcase $9.99 Thomas and Friends All Aboard Pillowcase. This brightly colored standard pillowcase is perfect for night time sleep adventures as Thomas calls your child "all aboard" for bedtime. The brilliant red stars on the blue background really highlight Thomas who is surrounded by his own big star. The train on the back of the pillow says "Ready, Set, Go." One Standard Pillowcase 20" x 30"....

Disney Tinkerbell Magic Standard Pillowcase $7.00 Disney Tinkerbell Magic Standard Pillowcase is a great way to turn your little girls room into a magical place. Where Disney's Tinkerbell in all of her beauty is nestled up close giving your sweet girl many nights of dreams of fairies and fantasies that only Tink can give. The Disney Tinkerbelle is made of vibrant lavender, green and blue along with a beautiful floral accents and background. St...

Taymor Chrome Bathtub Caddy with Candle Holder and Wine Glass Holder $20.00 Taymor Ultimate Wine and Candle Bath Caddy will make your evening bath very enjoyable. Sit back in your bathtub, light a candle and pour yourself a glass of wine for a relaxing bath. This chrome bath caddy holds you wine glass and has a holder for your tapered or votive candle. The bath caddy extends to 38" and adjusts to fit most tub sizes. Its vinyl grips protect the bathtub from scratches. ...

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic: Shabby Chic Treasures $8.86 These episodes highlight Rachel's favorite things and gives you clever suggestions about unusual and stylish ways to bring Shabby Chic ® into your home. Her ideas make any room a place of beauty with the simple yet thoughtful use of design which she enjoys sharing. From a single bloom to complete room decorating, Rachel shows you how to achieve timeless style, beauty and charm while keeping it si...

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic: Flowers, Petals & Gardens $8.84 ...

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic: Gifts, Sentiments & Romance $8.83 These episodes highlight Rachel's favorite things and gives you clever suggestions about unusual and stylish ways to bring Shabby Chic ® into your home. Her ideas make any room a place of beauty with the simple yet thoughtful use of design which she enjoys sharing. From a single bloom to complete room decorating, Rachel shows you how to achieve timeless style, beauty and charm while keeping it si...

Liz Claiborne Natalie Quilt $134.00 The Liz Claiborne Natalie quilt features floral prints, seersucker stripes and embroidery on soft 100% cotton. The warm blues and cream tones make for a relaxing feel. This quilt also features a reverse print. Buy the matching shams to complete the look. Full/Queen Size 86" x 86"....

Toilet Bowl Brush with Metal Storage Holder $29.99 Toilet Bowl Brush with Metal Storage Holder will help keep your bathroom organized and maintained. This chrome holder will make it easy to hide that unsightly toilet bowl brush that you always hate to see. No more storing it in a drawer, cabinet, and in another room. This makes access easy! Great addition to the Metal bathroom accessories available from Jollen....

Athena Pillowcases $49.99 Athena King Pillowcases completes the exquisite look of your bedroom. Its soft ivory color and brocade design makes this 350 thread count Sateen 100% Cotton sheet have the feel of elegance with a sophisticated look....

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Inspirations $21.50 Welcome to Rachel Ashwell's world: as beautiful as it is comfortable, as inspiring and spontaneous as it is practical and personal. In this book, Rachel shares her inspirations and her humour, celebrates the charm of the old and battered, and demonstrates time and again how interiors touched with Rachel's magic transcend fashionable trends, extending a calming, personal welcome to all. In this new...

Rachel Ashwell`s Shabby Chic Inspirations (Hardcover) $19.98 Description not available.

Shabby Chic $21.25 The founder of the trendsetting Shabby Chic stores shows how to create her inviting, easy style in home furnishings.

Shabby Chic $22.33 The founder of the trendsetting Shabby Chic stores shows how to create her inviting, easy style in home furnishings.

Shabby Chic Interiors (Hardcover) $21.25 Showcases the author`s signature decorating style with photographs and text describing her residences, as well as celebrity homes including the house that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe.

The Shabby Chic Home $21.25 Wonderful wide-plank floors, paned sash windows, an old brick fireplace, the charm of living with a home's small imperfection

Shabby Chic (Paperback) $15.17 A complete, illustrated guide to creating a unique style of home decorating that combines old-fashioned aesthetic appeal with modern practicality explains how to use fabric and paint to create effects, the art of flea-market shopping and more. Reprint....