Well the time has come to put down the white paint and pick up the skips! The time has come to move on from all the white walls and white floors, the times have changed so make room for the broom because you will need it!
The term ‘shabby chic’ has been thrown around a bit in the design world, it is only now that it has really taken a firm hold on the nation. With the help of shows such as “Kirstie’s fill your house for free” and “Brand New House For 5K” the nation has had a nudge in the right direction. The desired house look not so long ago was sheer white walls, wooden floors and designer furniture. However, because of this shift, the term ‘bin raiders’ might become a household term for each of the occupants!
To give the idea of what shabby chic is;
“Shabby chic is a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their appearance of age and signs of wear and tear or where new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique. At the same time, a soft, opulent, yet cottage-style decor, often with an affected feel is emphasised to differentiate it from genuine period decor”.
So that is basically it.
What I find so intriguing and great about shabby chic is that it brings back, for a lot of people, the nostalgia and memories of a once past life and history. The idea of finding something virtually being given away and putting in the effort and time to make it personal and great is just amazing. For me, the most treasured item I have ‘done up’ was my great grandmothers feature mirror. All it took was a sanding down and some spray paint. Now it takes pride of place for me to admire myself in whenever I walk past, knowing that she once looked in that mirror.
It is apparent that there are people who think that shabby chic is tacky and sometimes ‘dirty’. I know some people have issues about germs and having used things in their home, but if that is the case, how well do you know the factories? The factories your new furniture is made in could be full of many germs, think about the more deprived areas in the world, they are just some places your ‘clean’ furniture has been made in. Just remember that before you shrug off something second hand, remember that new things are sometimes not as fresh as you think.
So all that is left to say is give it a go! Embrace the world of shabby chic and invite it into your home, maybe throw a party to show it off? No one can deny and party.
Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.
Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you'd like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.