Hey Ya’ll,
Hooray it’s May! Did you ever hear the expression April showers bring May flowers? Well, whoever said that must have been raised north of the Mason Dixon line because May is monsoon season in the southeast which means rain…and rain… and well, you get the picture. But all this rain sort of makes you feel clean and renewed. And along with spring cleaning I feel like spring = redecorating! Now, my style is traditional shabby chic all the way which means white slipcovers, salvage architecture pieces like vintage windows and corbels and lots of floral accents. But on my pitiful streamlined budget I usually like to redecorate by moving items around the house first in order to create some fresh vignettes. But c’mon now, you know that won’t satisfy all of my redecorating lust and since I’m always on the look out for pieces to flip and sell in my little shop- I hardly ever usually end up finding a new little treat for myself.
But to make sure my house has continuity I try to focus my wish list on a specific theme. Since summer weather starts in April here I usually start to add some beach flair into my shabby abode. But let’s forget about my wish list and while I’m serving up some virtual sweet tea and coca cola cake (my favorite!) you can think about what kind of chic you’re looking for. Not sure? Well, then follow me.
Shabby Chic may be the Chic (pronounced sheek for the newcomers out there) that started it all. But there are quite a few off-shoots to satisfy an array of decorating styles. And what they all have in common is casual sophistication paired with vintage accents.
So let’s began with the Chic that’s closest to shabby:
COTTAGE CHIC
Cottage Chic is defined by a more is more motto giving the illusion of a collection that has grown and evolved over the years. Popular in decorating small spaces where you want your collections to evoke a timeless homey quality- Cottage Chic employs all the same elements as Shabby Chic but with more colorful textiles (usually pink, cream and a complimentary color such as a robin’s egg blue or light green). It is believed to have derived from the quaint cottages styled in Britain and Ireland where humble homeowners wanted to give a style reminiscent of the grand estates.
Now if you’re thinking nope, less is more for me then there’s also a Chic for you. Doo doo de doo! (Or is it Dun dun da da?) There’s also…
SWEDISH Chic
Swedish Chic (or Modern Chic as it is sometimes called) is defined by minimalist lines and clean open spaces. Think Ikea meets a farmhouse in Germany. This style may have the distressed or shabby quality to some of it’s accents but the focus is really on a spartan palette of white mixed with quality natural woods. Swedish Chic can employ funky elements such as antlers or industrial accents, often mixed with geometric prints such as stripes. Popular textiles are cork and reclaimed pine.
Still haven’t quite found a chic that’s totally you yet? Well, if you are thinking about adding some of that original Shabby Chic but don’t know where you’d put it- how about heading outside to…
GARDEN Chic
Garden chic is all about using your outdoor space as an extension of your overall living space. If you’re like me and have a real honest to goodness cottage sized home (You mean the kitchen shouldn’t be the same size as the bathroom?) then you might be looking for some more square footage- and prettying up your patio or porch might just might give you that entertaining area you’ve been fantasizing of. (I also especially love giving discarded or broken furniture a second life this way.)
You mean you still haven’t found your chic niche? Well, if you’re looking for less frill and romance and more gender neutral styling then the next Chic might be the one for you!
AMERICANA Chic
Americana Chic is all about the ol’ red, white and blue and taking Shabby Chic to Main Street USA. This is also a great style for rooms that you want to transition from lacey and feminine to more husband/boyfriend/kid friendly. And if you aren’t ready to commit to these colors for everyday use then you can always get inspired to stock up on a few pieces for Independence, Memorial or President’s Day.
Now, I love to mix a little bit of this and that (and that over there) into my style but this next Chic is one I really love to incorporate into my own decor since I’m just a beach baby at heart (just don’t ask me to put on a bathing suit!).
BEACH Chic
Now Beach Chic may seem easy peasy- just set out a few sea shells and a couple of mermaid signs, right? Nope! It’s actually one of the hardest styles to get right because it can look way too cutesy very fast. To keep your theme looking coastal instead of kitschy try to think outside of the sea star box and incorporate nautical accents (boat knots, vintage model ships, real coral and sand in a hurricane glass) on top of a neutral color palette with only one or two pops of color.
Now if you’re all about uber sophistication a’la The Hamptons or London’s Hampstead then these next two Chic’s will knock your socks off!
EURO Chic and EQUESTRIAN Chic
I’m linking these two styles together because they both hearken back to the days of Country Estates.
Euro Chic and Equestrian Chic remind me of the black and white Hitchcock movies (Think Rebecca or North by Northwest) where the rich heir or heiress used to keep their secret uranium stashes hidden behind old cricket trophies. Highlighted by dark rich tones such as natural leather, suede and plaid layered tartans; these styles are perfect for dens, family rooms, libraries and those of you with actual vacation homes (I wish!). And one major upside is that these styles are often as popular with men as with women. (So tell your hubby his mancave can be masculine and classy!)
Last but not least is the simplest Chic of them all!
VINTAGE Chic
If you’re still not sure you want to commit to a certain style or are simply just beginning your vintage collection then Vintage Chic will be an easy style to keep your home feeling pulled together. Simply group like minded vintage items in small vignettes such as on mantles, side tables or on hutches and shelves. Groupings usually look most elegant in odd numbers (I stick with three) but the smaller the size the larger the grouping is the best rule of thumb.
Some of the cheapest and easiest collections to begin are old photographs, cameras, linens and china. Don’t be fooled by trendy antique malls that sell these items for a pretty penny- whether you’re a novice or a seasoned collector- your best bargains will come from thrift stores like Salvation Army or Goodwill and garage sales. (And don’t forget you can mix in some modern pieces for a quick decor fix!) Vintage Chic is like adding icing to a cake- a little goes a long way but some of us like alot!
So, whether you’re romantic and traditional or funky and minimal I hope you found your Chic! As for me, the rain has started again and I just have to finish the last few minutes of Sabrina (Can I come back as Audrey Hepburn in my next life- please!) before I snuggle off to bed…
Check back soon for my next post- which will cover a little thing called curb appeal.
Ya’ll come back now,
Rachel
Gable Cottage 