Rachel Ashwell’s latest book became available late in 2011. Once I found out, I immediately reserved a copy at a local Barnes and Noble bookstore. I bought it the next day, and thoroughly enjoyed perusing it with my favorite cup of coffee.
Looking at the various images in the book, I was impressed by the many interpretations of Shabby Chic by different people, including Rachel Ashwell, and how her own interpretation has changed over the years. And in my own home, my style is always evolving. But, it still holds true to some key elements of this decorating style, like antique rose oil paintings. I started collecting antique rose paintings many years ago. Here’s a picture of the painting that started it all.
I’ve been told that some of these amateur oil paintings are called “Sunday paintings” because women of leisure many years ago would spend Sunday afternoons painting, the subject of which was usually roses. What a romantic notion…
Some of these old rose paintings were also created by listed professional artists. You can find an abundance of these paintings on eBAY, and occasionally at antique stores. What I love about these paintings is the patina, the dark moody backgrounds, and the beautifully painted faded roses…the more the crackly paint, the better.
Gotta love the crackly paint on this one…
These two have the dark moody background that I find so attractive.
These paintings add a feminine touch to Shabby Chic, but in a quiet and understated way. I like them displayed on the wall unframed, usually because they add a more modern touch, plus some of the original frames they come in are too ornate for my taste. They also look great casually propped up against the wall. I would like to eventually change the frame of this one because it’s a bit much for me. Since it’s a painting on board instead of canvas, I’ll have to reframe it when my budget allows.
Hung on the wall, they look nice mixed in with various decorative elements like black and white photos and mirrors of various sizes.
This is one of my favorites, which hangs above my bed.
I don’t have enough room in my small home to display all of them, so I end up rotating them throughout the year. It’s like having a different bouquet of fresh roses each time.
xoxo
Antonette
My home represents a special place for me. It’s where my dreams are first given life, it’s a safe place to sort matters of the head and heart, where people close to me gather and share a meal. It’s also where I create…. And since this teeny tiny but very important part of the world is so dear to me, I surround myself with things that are beautiful, things that make me smile. That’s probably one of many reasons why I love decorating my home so much.
Ask my family or close friends and they’ll all agree that I am absolutely passionate about Shabby Chic decorating! I remember being in a home specialty store when I first came across Rachel Ashwell’s first book.
Flipping through the pages, I immediately felt drawn to her decorating style. There was something about it that was comforting, so homey, like a warm fuzzy blanket in a cold winter night. But it wasn’t just the comfort that appealed to me. Shabby Chic decorating also epitomized beauty with restraint, character, and history.…..I was instantly hooked!
I even had the opportunity to meet her during a book signing over a year ago.
I started writing this blog post with the intent of providing tips on how to achieve the Shabby Chic look. But, the more I wrote and mulled over which photos to include, I realized that my style isn’t strictly Shabby Chic….it’s also heavily influenced by other styles that I’ve come across in the numerous magazines and decorating blogs that I regularly visit. So, what I share with you in words and images is what sticks out in my mind as the most important elements of Shabby Chic mixed in with other elements that I’ve picked up along the way from magazines and blogs.
Choice of color is a key element. Shabby chic decorating is like being in a sea of white and neutral tones. Blue and green help to create a peaceful and serene atmosphere, like a beach house somewhere in Nantucket. Pink and shades of it like red or raspberry add pops of color but should be used sparingly; otherwise, the look becomes too sweet. I love how this raspberry colored planter that I bought from Anthropologie adds just a bit of color to an otherwise white background near my fireplace.
You’ll also notice that a lot of the pink from my living room comes from old faded rose paintings that I’ve hung on the wall. Most of these rose paintings were purchased from eBAY.
Ahhhhh….and let’s not forget the French white enamelware pitcher with pink stripe. It adds a subtle touch of pink on the other side of the living room. These colors should be spread out throughout the room because it keeps the eyes moving and the look balanced.
These fushia ballet flats from J.CREW add a pop of color in my bedroom and serve as a decorative element. Oh…….and I love wearing them as well!
I never thought I would say this, but I actually like having a pinch of black in my decorating scheme. I love the contrast it provides against an expanse of white and neutrals. And when used in small doses, it really punctuates a particular area. Like this old fan that I got a while ago. I’m even toying around with the idea of replacing the light blue lampshade in my living room or the green floral one in my bedroom with a black one.
I love how this little bit of black coming from this miniature portrait painting placed vertically between two small frames draws your eyes to the bedroom window.
The choice of furniture is also very important. The key is to buy furniture that doesn’t look mass-produced. In fact, most of the furniture in my home is from flea markets, antique stores, and yard sales. Finding each piece is so much fun, almost like a treasure hunt. You just never know what you’ll find on any given day! Shabby Chic decorating is about mixing old pieces, pieces with history and character with clean contemporary pieces. What appeals to me about antique/vintage pieces is the details and workmanship that is difficult to find in contemporary furniture/accessories…like the details in the frame surrounding the mirror from my living room. I guess the romantic in me also likes the idea that someone else owned it…that if this piece of furniture, accessory or what have you could speak, the stories it could tell about the lives of its previous owners!
The settee in my bedroom was purchased from a nearby antique store. I had it reupholstered in white linen to give it a more updated look. I love the splash of color that the red velvet pillow provides. The old desk with light blue/green chippy paint that has the black fan on top of it in my living room is a perfect example of the shabby side of Shabby Chic. It contrasts well next to the clean contemporary white slip-covered chair.
I adore this old farmhouse dining table that I purchased from a store in Pasadena.
What I particularly like about this look is that everything goes together wonderfully, but it doesn’t look so cookie cutter….in other words, it has loads of personality and charm. This decorating style is feminine, but it also has masculine elements that tone down the feminine. For example, the brown leather chair that I got from Crate and Barrel (it was a floor model and I got it for a steal!!) adds masculinity to balance off my largely feminine living room. I also love its clean modern lines.
And just like a great outfit, one cannot forget the jewelry! I consider this beautiful chandelier with aqua crystals hanging in the dining room as jewelry for my home. It’s definitely the chic part of Shabby Chic and adds elegance to my place. And, the color of the crystals reminds me of the ocean. A more affordable alternative could be to purchase a simple chandelier from Home Depot and then decorate it yourself with crystals purchased from a craft store or a jewelry supply store.
When some people think of Shabby Chic, they automatically think of flowers….and lots of it….EVERYWHERE imaginable like Grandma’s house, almost to the point of being nauseating. Although flowers play a pivotal role in creating this style, it must be used with some restraint. Otherwise, the look becomes too girly. Shabby Chic is feminine and romantic but this decorating style is also grown up. As you can all imagine from my first blog, this was a bit difficult for me initially since I absolutely LOVE flowers. But just like with a lot of things, moderation is key…….Okay, EXCEPT my bedroom. I have to admit that in my bedroom, the restraint that I just mentioned went out the window just a teensy bit.
I incorporate flowers into the decorating scheme by having fresh flowers in a vase.
Images of flowers are also scattered throughout my home through paintings, tole trays, and pillows, vintage hat boxes, but never concentrated in one area.
Like this old pitcher that I got from eBAY…. I love the roses on it!
Or this tray on my dresser where I put perfume, lotions, and jewelry.
The delicately painted roses on this French tole tray is so beautiful!
I’ll stop for now and continue in a future post to discuss some additional elements of Shabby Chic decorating. Stay tuned for Not Too Shabby Part II…..
xoxo
Antonette
Flowers……just the thought of them makes me swoon. Especially roses. The smell of roses, their simple elegance, their beauty. I look forward to every Friday because that’s when I get to buy flowers that I put in my living room.
There was a time that I used to collect anything and everything that had to do with roses. Here’s something from my collection that I adore. It’s an antique watercolor of a rose with a poem written underneath it about someone’s love for roses.
I was reading a book a few years back called “Choosing Happiness” by Alexandra Stoddard.
She had this great idea of having a flower budget. I absolutely loved the concept and made it a part of my own life. And I must say, it truly has added to my happiness quotient! I know that some people think it’s silly to spend money on something that will only last a week or so, but people easily spend that much money on a latte every day or going out to lunch….so, why not on something that brings you so much happiness? The beauty and yet impermanence of flowers is a reminder to me about the nature of life itself…that life is beautiful, life is fragile, life unfolds just like a flower, that it blooms and then eventually fades….and that’s why it’s important to enjoy what is before you at this moment.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and I thought I would do something special for a dear friend by making her a floral arrangement. Plus, it gave me an excuse to make a visit to a local floral supplier (Mayesh). I so love going there!! Seeing all the variety of flowers, all the different shapes and colors…….and oh, did I mention the wonderful scent? Pure heaven for a flower lover!
I’d like to share with you how I make a basic round floral arrangement using techniques that I learned from a floral arranging class. You will need the following materials: greens, fillers, flowers, vase, Floralife, scissors, floral tape.
First, using floral tape, tape the top of the vase creating a tic-tac-toe grid. Fill the vase with water containing Floralife. Place some lemon leaf in the center of the grid, which will be the highest point of the arrangement. Then, place some more lemon leaf diagonally into the outer parts of the grid.
Add fillers (I’m using pink wax flowers ) evenly, making sure to form a round-like shape with them.
Next, add the main flowers. I decided to use roses (of course!!) and burgundy mini carnations. The basic round mixed vase arrangement has a symmetry to it, so keep that in mind when placing the flowers into the vase, making certain that each side is balanced. To achieve the round look in this arrangement, the flowers should be placed at an angle. Finally, add any additional fillers or greenery wherever you think it is needed. I usually like to tie a pretty bow around the vase and add a vintage card.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
