Shabby Chic
Let's take a trip back in time to the 1980s when the shabby chic look first emerged. But it wasn't until the fabulous 90s that it truly took the interior world by storm and became the ultimate style of the decade. Fast forward over twenty years, and guess what? Shabby chic is still rocking the house, making interior enthusiasts everywhere swoon.
So, what's the secret sauce to achieve that dreamy shabby chic vibe? Get ready for florals, vintage goodies, and a palette of soft pinks and crisp whites. Beige and white steal the show when it comes to color in a shabby chic home, creating a serene and neutral canvas for all your fabulous accessories. And don't forget about those sweet pastel shades like pale greens, blues, pinks, and lavender – they're super popular too!
If you're looking to create that perfectly shabby chic atmosphere, think about incorporating floral patterns on wallpapers and soft furnishings. And guess what? Raw plaster walls and color washing work like magic in this scheme, giving your space that cozy, lived-in feel. As for furniture, distressed is the name of the game. You can easily create that worn-in look using chalk paints like Annie Sloan's or other brands designed just for this purpose. But fear not, if DIY distressing isn't your thing, there are plenty of fabulous finds waiting for you at places like Facebook Marketplace, car boot sales, and charity shops. Upcycled furniture with a rustic touch? Yes, please!
Now, let's spruce things up without breaking the bank. Bunting and wall art are fantastic ways to bring in the shabby chic aesthetic without splurging. And don't forget about open shelving as it's handy and lets you show off all your vintage homeware treasures! For that extra touch of charm, hang vintage artworks in rustic frames and lay down some ornate rugs.
Finally, bring a modern twist to your shabby chic haven by mixing in some contemporary homewares. A statement lampshade or a trendy clock next to your bed will add that perfect unexpected element.
So, let your shabby chic dreams come true, and embrace the beauty of combining old and new. Get ready to create a home that is stylish, cozy, and full of timeless charm. Happy decorating!
Important Elements: A mix of old and new items, feminine touches, and an overall romantic atmosphere.
Colours: Soft, pastel colours such as light pink, mint green, lavender and faded blues.
Furnishings: Distressed or antique furniture with a worn look, floral patterns, and vintage accessories.
Textures: Linen or cotton fabrics, lace, chipped paint, and weathered finishes.
Lighting: Soft, diffused lighting with the use of vintage chandeliers or lamps.
Kitsch Vintage
Throw caution to the wind and don't be afraid to mix prints and florals, spots and stripes or clash prints and colours for this vintage 50's inspired scheme. Create a nostalgic feel with ditsy prints in sorbet hues or be playful with pastel shades and retro floral fabrics. By opting for white or plain painted walls and floors you can allow the accessories to take centre stage.. Accessorise with vintage enamelware, miss-matched crockery and tableware. For soft furnishings choose classic designs like florals, stripes and polka dots in pretty pastel shades. To zone areas use a simple woven rug with rustic appeal.
Important Elements: White or pale backdrop, pastel shades
Colours: A mix of vintage sugary pastels such as powder blue, mint green blush pink and lemon yellow and retro florals
Furnishings; Retro or shabby chic style funiture, miss-matched crockery, 50's vintage accessories
Textures: Playful patterns ( Polka dots, stripes) Classic or ditsy florals, Vintage plates used as wall art
Lighting: Standard lamps with decorative shades or pendant lamps.
50's Diner and 50's Kitsch
For a 50's diner style use bar stools and decorate with pop culture influences. Glossy surfaces on kitchen cabenetry and tabletops use plastic, formica and vinyl on surfaces and floors or a chequerboard flooring would give you a more authentic look. Use colourful pendant lights to light up your area or decorate with a neon light in a quirky design. Add a sense of humour to your accessories with fun sayings or designs. Be bold with your colours on surfaces and accessories but keep to plain colours on walls and flooring to prevent the look from becoming too busy.
Important Elements: A sense of humour, boldness, and an embracing of pop culture influences.
Colours: Bold and vibrant colours like red, yellow, electric blue, and neon shades
Furnishings: Retro furniture pieces, pop art prints, statement accessories, and kitschy collectibles.
Textures: Glossy finishes, plastic or vinyl surfaces, and playful patterns (e.g., polka dots, stripes).
Lighting: Colourful pendant lights and quirky lamp designs.
Pretty Vintage
Pretty Vintage is very girly with floral bouquets and uplifting white. Classic rose prints are at the heart of this look with delicate pinks and nostalgic accessories make a romantic scheme. Think Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston prints, use blowsy florals on a feature wall or tongue-and-groove panelling to add interest in the bathroom. Wrought iron painted distessed white for shelves, tables, decorative hooks and hangers. Pretty crocheted rugs, table mats and napkins or decorated in lace or embroiderd in delicate designs. Add pretty fairy lights or candles to give a soft glow to your space. Furniture should be delicate and vintage in style with cushions and other soft furnishings in floral patterns or with dainty lace or embroidered detail. Keep the look graceful, feminine and romantic.
Important Elements: Graceful elegance, a feminine touch, and a romantic ambiance.
Colours: Soft pastels, especially light pink, lavender, baby blue, and mint green.
Furnishings: Delicate vintage furniture, floral patterns, lace or embroidered fabrics, and dainty accessories
Textures: Soft and smooth textiles, silk or satin, plush cushions, and ornate details.
Lighting: Antique crystal chandeliers, soft fairy lights, or candles.
Rural Vintage
Industial vintage meets shabby chic with a farmhouse charm. This style is rustic and earthy, cozy and warm with vintage furniture in natural materials with rough or distressed unpainted surfaces. Use woolen throws and cushions in natural fibres to soften and add warmth to the look. Colours are warm and muted with a hint of autumn. Barn Stars, dried floral arrangements and wall art with old country scenes add to the farmhouse-inspiration for this style. Up-cycle old industial metal draws, old wooden ladders, and implements or furnishings that had an industial or farm use like dairy churns used as vases for dried flowers add to the rural feel. Soft lighting such as candles in jars, lanterns or exposed filament bulbs should add a warm glow.
Important Elements: A cozy and warm atmosphere, farmhouse charm, and a connection to nature.
Colours: Earthy tones like warm browns, deep greens, rustic reds, and muted yellows.
Furnishings: Rustic, vintage, or handmade furniture, natural materials like wood and wicker, and farmhouse-inspired decor.
Textures: Rough or distressed surfaces, cozy textiles such as wool or burlap, and natural fibres.
Lighting: Warm, soft lighting with the use of lanterns or exposed filament bulbs.
Nostalgic Blues
Blue, the forever-favourite colour, is a total rockstar when it comes to room design! It can be a chill background or a bold statement. Whether you want vibrant blues or dreamy pastels, blue always gives your walls a fresh and crisp look.
Have you ever noticed how faded denim is always cool? Well, that same vibe is perfect for your home too! The soft and understated faded denim blue is one of the most liveable shades out there. Mix it with lighter and darker blues for a calming contrast. Keep it mellow with just one or two variations of blue for a serene look. Remember, if you're going for a relaxed palette, don't go overboard with contrasting elements. The goal is to keep things subdued!
If you're feeling nostalgic, try incorporating weathered or reclaimed wood furniture into your space. For your walls, pick vintage-inspired blues like powder blue or navy. Think soft and romantic vibes with pastels, whites, and vintage blues. Classic vintage-inspired furniture in darker woods, nautical or coastal accessories, and vintage posters or artwork.
Important Elements: A sense of nostalgia, seaside or beachy vibes, and serenity.
Colours: Shades of blue ranging from pale and muted to deep and rich blues.
Furnishings: Classic vintage-inspired furniture in darker woods, nautical or coastal accessories, and vintage posters or artwork.
Textures: Denim, textured wallpaper, distressed leather, and woven fabrics.
Lighting: Indirect lighting, vintage marine-style fixtures, or Tiffany-style lamps.
French Boho Chic
To create a French style bohemian home retreat you need to start with a plain backdrop of warm neutrals like ivory grey or beige. Mix generous armchairs with classic occasional chairs in bamboo or rattan in the living room. You can never have too many pillows when creating an indoor or outdoor boho oasis. Mix and match floral prints and jewel colours to add texture to the space. Poufs are also perfect for sitting floor level—either in fabric or leather. Moroccan tea tables are perfect for serving tea, treats or just stacking your boho décor books. Prop up gilt-framed mirrors against the wall for an informal feel. Light up your space with Moroccan metal or brass lanterns and pull the whole scheme together with a textured rug. Add a centrepiece or focal point and a hint of gold for added glamour.
Be creative with room space. Make a desk area with a painted table and a vintage chair, decorate the walls with monochrome prints and paintings.
To add detail plain bedroom, dress the bed with layers of lace, fringed throws and heaps of crisp, broderie Anglais-edged pillowcases. Blend white with white in a chateau-style bedroom by layering textures - for example, crunchy crocheted cotton over smooth bedlinen. Complete the look with a pair of vintage shutters and a selection of linen and velvet cushions. Apothecary jars are ideal for displaying gorgeous handmade French soaps. Collect vintage jars whenever you see them and turn into a display.
Colours: Warm neutrals like beige, ivory, and taupe, combined with vibrant accents like jewel tones.
Furnishings: A mix of vintage and bohemian-inspired furniture, intricate patterns, rich textures, and eclectic decor pieces
Textures: Velvet, fringes, macrame, embroidered fabrics, and intricate mosaic patterns.
Lighting: Soft, warm lighting with the use of Moroccan or Turkish lanterns, string lights, or candlelight.
French Country
Get ready to bring some charm and elegance into your home with French country décor! This style is all about embracing the beauty of rustic materials and everyday objects, while still keeping things modern and liveable. Forget about sticking to one specific style or period, because the best French country décor is all about mixing and matching in a way that looks curated over time.
One great way to achieve this look in your living space is by pairing floral wallpaper with an upholstered antique chair, a mid-century modern side table, a vintage hat box, and a simple arched mirror. By combining these different elements, you'll create a French country vibe that's both stylish and comfortable.
If you don't want to go all out with a room makeover, you can still add a touch of French country style by using architectural salvage. Take a stripped finish door, for example. It may seem unfinished, but it actually adds a modern look that perfectly complements the country atmosphere.
Start small if you're looking to add a little French country style without redecorating the whole room. A vintage or antique shelf is a great option for creating a vignette that can evolve over time. Think about incorporating objects like a vintage gold-framed painting, a vintage mirror and perfume bottle, or repurposed glass jugs and an olive wood cutting board to decorate a kitchen shelf. These small touches can make a big difference in transforming your space.
In a spacious bathroom, consider using a tall French armoire with glass-front doors for some French country-inspired storage. Fill it up with woven baskets and simple clear jars of white bath products to complete the country French style.
Don't forget about adding some greenery to your space! Whether you prefer French lavender and sunflowers or cacti and fiddle leaf fig trees, grouping plants in woven baskets on the floor will create a laid-back country-chic indoor garden that can work in any space. Plus, plants always add a refreshing touch to any room.
So go ahead and bring some French country magic into your home. It's all about mixing and matching, embracing natural materials, and creating a space that reflects your own personal style. Get ready to enjoy the elegance and ease of French country décor!
Important Elements: A charming countryside feel, refined simplicity, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Colors: Soft and muted hues like lavender, creamy whites, pale blues, and subtle yellows.
Furnishings: Elegant yet rustic furniture, floral motifs, toile or gingham fabrics, and natural materials.
Textures: Rough or distressed wooden surfaces, vintage linens, and woven textiles.
Lighting: Antique-inspired chandeliers, candle sconces, or wrought-iron fixtures.
French Elegance
French Interiors are like a dream come true, with their intricate details and luxurious taste. When you think of elegance and romance, think of the ornate details on furnishings, walls, and ceilings, and the cozy embrace of a romantic four-poster bed. But French interior design isn't just about being classy and refined - it's also about embracing your personal quirks and adding a touch of boldness to your space.
Now, when it comes to architecture, don't worry too much - you can find rosettes and stucco mouldings at your local DIY store. But here's a tip: make your ceiling interesting instead of leaving it plain white, and leave one wall completely bare for a unique touch. If you're lucky enough to have large windows and high ceilings, embrace them - they'll only add to the French elegant style you're going for.
For flooring, glossy ceramic granite, parquet, laminate, or light-shade polished stone are all perfect choices. Keep your color schemes simple and don't go too crazy with tassels, fringes, frills, and overly patterned fabrics. Opt for sofas and wooden armchairs with metal decor features, gracefully curved backs, and legs. Choose tables of exquisite shapes with thin rounded legs, and don't forget small rugs with plant-based patterns.
When it comes to decor, think bronze, silver, and crystal. Decorative ornaments, porcelain figurines, and paintings on old cotton fabric will add a touch of elegance to your space. Hang mirrors in large carved frames with gilding, and place them over special pedestals. Don't forget about flower vases, lacy handmade napkins, and hand-embroidered cushions adorned with beads and ribbons. For curtains and cushions, think brocade and velvet. Silk organza, linen, and chiffon can also bring a sense of transparency and lightness to your space.
And let's not forget about lighting! Crystal chandeliers, pendant lights, candlestick sconces, and floor lamps will all add to the elegance and charm of your French-inspired interior. So go all out and create a space that's both chic and inviting, with a touch of French magic.
Important Elements: Timeless beauty, opulence, attention to detail, and a touch of glamour.
Colours: Neutral and sophisticated colours such as cream, grey, black, and gold accents. Ivory, soft blue, silver, grey-green, emerald, lilac and other pastel shades
Furnishings: Ornate and luxurious furniture, antique pieces, velvet or silk fabrics, and refined accessories.
Textures: Luxurious textiles, damask or jacquard patterns, and high-quality materials.
Lighting: Crystal chandeliers, sconces, or elegant table lamps.