What is Chic Home Style?

It is all about using vintage pieces in a modern way. White is the main focus with contrasting dark woods and bringing color in through the accents and accessories. It includes big cushy comfortable furniture all slipcovered for easy clean up and easy to live with. Garage sale and flea market finds are blended with new furnishings. Wood furniture painted white, black or stained in a yummy dark chocolate, crystal chandeliers, new designer lighting, white linen, velvet, chenille and matelasse fabrics and candles. It is about repurposing vintage items that no longer function the way they were intended, but using everything you buy. It is about clean lines with a contemporary airy feel. It is clean open spaces, uncluttered and modern. It can be called shabby chic but

we call it "Upstyled Chic".

* Keep it simple and clean, not cluttered. Limit the lace and ruffles, little touches make a bigger impact, too much is overwhelming and gives it an "old Victorian" look.

* Colors
Whites, off whites, champagne and chocolate browns are Chic Home favorites. If you are decorating with mostly white add different textures and shades of white for interest.

* Painted Furniture
Use what you have or collect furniture with simple, clean lines at yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets. Don't be afraid to mix the old with the new. Buy what you love. Paint in white, black or finish in a deep, dark chocolate stain.You can use spray paint for smaller pieces or your favorite brand of low VOC paint. Chippy, shabby paint is okay for a vintage look, but today's chic furniture is freshly cleaned and painted and the old hardware is replaced with new hardware with modern lines. If you aren't the painting type, contact your nearest paint store and ask if they have names of painters that may be interested in painting a few pieces of furniture for you.

 

* Fabrics

Beautiful white linen, cotton velvets, damask, floral prints, matelasse and soft chenilles, all easy to clean.

* Slipcovers
Camouflage old furniture and cover up mismatched pieces with slipcovers. You can have them custom made or buy them ready made, stay away from the stretchy polyester versions.

* Architectural Details
Anything old and beautiful will have a place in this style of decorating. Vintage window frames, large ornate framed mirrors, anything that catches your eye. 

* Accessories
Bring color in through your accessories; a favorite painting, colored pottery and glass pieces can be your inspiration. Vintage silver and silverplate add an elegant touch. Candles add a wonderful glow to any room, pick your favorite scent for added pleasure. Accent pillows in graphic patterns, your favorite color or textures add that pop of color that gives your home a modern feel. Framed mirrors, a favorite throw and your favorite art are the finishing touches for every room.

 

 

 

Warning Please Read:
Keep in mind that there are some things to think about when shopping for vintage items:

Vintage chippy paint may be in or a look you are fond of but the reality is that most paints used before the 70's were oil based and contained lead. They should never be placed in a home with little children and pets. Children and pets tend to chew, suck and put things in their mouth. In the 70's there were many diagnosed cases of lead poisoning in children that had been exposed to lead base paint and some that had swallowed paint chips. Be sure you know what you are buying and it is best if you are in love with a piece to take it to a professional and have it sanded and sealed or stripped and repainted. If refinishing yourself be sure you do it the right way and wear safety equipment as required.Shabby Rose Chic strips and paints our vintage furnishings with No VOC, water based latex paints and all pieces are checked for lead.

Vintage lamps and chandeliers may be more affordable at a thrift shop or flea market, but if they have the original wiring, they are unsafe and a potential fire hazard. Be sure the vintage lighting you purchase has been rewired to code and current safety standards. Take the pieces you can't live without to a licensed electrician and have them rewired for you. It can be costly but not as costly as losing a home or loved ones to fire. At Shabby Rose Chic all of our lamps have been rewired and meet all current safety standards.

We value your safety... so should you!