Shabby chic kitchen decor

Shabby chic … what is that? The clue’s in the name, as it so often is. We are talking style over fashion: old over new. It might be tatty but it’s got charm and class, especially after it has been decorated or painted in an irreverent manner. 

Shabby chic is also a great way to upcycle and reuse, so not only is it cheaper than buying brand new furniture, it also doesn’t cost the earth to achieve. 

Most of shabby chic styling is based around the furniture, the fabrics and the color schemes. There are other details, but these are the most crucial to get right for the desired look. 

Let’s take a peek at color

Neutral colors are the fall back line for shabby chic décor. The main thrust of the coloring should be beiges, creams, or very light pastel shades in, say, sea blue, teal green, browns, pinks, or terracotta. Not with the full resolution of those colors, but with a healthy dose of white added in. 

Spots of louder colors – say the full tone of teal green and a splash of pink - should be added in here and there, but less is more with this style. 

So, for example, in the kitchen, the walls might be whitewashed, or if there are stones or brickwork showing through, the paint could be sanded off in those places. This way a rustic look can be created without having to sand the entire room. Please remember that this effect can be overdone so don’t get carried away. 

Shabby chic fabrics tend to be cotton and linen, of more neutral shades plus high spots of color, so vintage floral patterns with irregular flowers, earth-toned linens (a great way to age linen is by staining it with tea), and definitely gingham. Again, not so much - here and there is fine. 

Antique or retro furniture can be picked up from thrift stores and antique fairs, sometimes for very little. Old style pie and meat safes are great functional additions to any kitchen, and so are jelly cupboards that are perfect for keeping homemade food.

These items can be painted, first with a primer in one color, say pink or gray, and then with acrylic eggshell paint in a feature color – as above, the full toned teal is a popular choice. When the paint has dried sandpaper lightly in a few places. This way the furniture takes on a distressed look, showing all the colors and the natural wood.

Appropriate flooring is another feature that should not be overlooked. Dark floors are regarded as being a bad thing when it comes to shabby chic-ness; they can ruin the overall effect. Tiling or stone flags throughout are fantastic, as are bare, treated wooden floorboards; however, if the floor needs completely redoing it might be best to look at wholesale flooring companies to learn more about how to find flooring at wholesale prices.

Rejuvenating a kitchen into shabby chic splendor is a creative, fulfilling experience and it doesn’t have to cost more than a bit of time, a tin or two of paint and some creative thought.

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