POLL: Should 'Shabby Chic' be recycled or binned?

8 years ago

Shabby Chic has been popular since the 1990's, often blending furnishings, accents and finishes which carry the impression of age and use to celebrate the beauty of everyday objects.

Do you think Shabby Chic still fashionable or has this trend had it's time?

Enlighten us in the comments below!

The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell · More Info

Recycled

Binned

Featured Answer

Jo DP

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Ban women (usually) who abuse every piece of cheap, inappropriate, furniture with Annie sloan chalk paint then rub it back in obvious places, or worse, disfigure beautiful dark wood furniture with white or cream paint & put a twee tired bit of lace on it & faux french signage.

Our 'antique' centres are now full of such atrocities for sale, at fantasy prices, or described on e-bay as 'french'.

Mix original distressed old painted furniture into a room & I definitely concur with distilling the sweetness with a bit of industrial. This is what I've done in my own home.

I have come to loathe the all-encompassing term Shabby chic & view it as an insult if my decor is described that way by well meaning visitors. In fact, I want to attack them. (sorry....but I feel much better now.)

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Comments (9)

PRO
V I Metal Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Shabby chic I regard as still very fashionable and people are actively looking for a next project or purchase and I highly admire the talents of designers and artists that execute shabby chic furniture very well and too a high standard. Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there who think they are good at shabby chic and this gives the impression and opinion that shabby chic furniture is short lived and not sustainable. I believe that vintage industrial furniture built from reclaimed cast iron products, steel, zinc and oak are products to last many life times and fit into and compliment many lifestyles and interior designs.
PRO
Aspire Curtains & Blinds
8 years ago
I think it depends. There are rooms where shabby chic still works really well, and when that's the case why ignore it as an option. I think that it's a great contrast to the somewhat clinical look which seems to be fashionable right now.
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Upcycling a vintage piece found in a car boot sale or local auction by adding a splash of colour, and replacing a few things. OR recycling a discarded piece of furniture and re-inventing it as something else entirely. A bit like these old doors turned into a headboard...
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A7 for rd66. Furniture is so bulky and I understand the sentimental value. Unless you want your home to be a museum it might be a case of choosing a few favourite pieces and then letting the rest go. It's hard because there is always a bit of your heritage in each piece but remember every antique piece of furniture carries a story - a bit of history. We all treasure that. You might be able to find a lovely home for some of your grandfather's pieces. For the pieces you don't like or have no value.... you know what I'm going to say.... Some people take photographs of the treasured items, or why not a video? It is a way of keeping the memory and then being able to let go of the piece, whether it's china, glass, furniture or ornaments.
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I love your teal walls and brick ... with regards to colours be aware that they are both warm and muted colours which is why the mustard chairs would look fab as they are in the same colour "family". For this reason wood items, natural medium-darker richer/warmer wood would look good. Older wood also tends to be richer in colour due to patina. If you really want white (not ideal), use a warm soft white otherwise it will clash and cheapen the look of the room. Same goes for greys, not the ideal choice for this colour family but if you really want them I would go for warm, rich mushroom versions. Greys are fashionable at the moment so there is a tendency to throw them everywhere whereas there are so many other options. I agree with those above that say stick with natural logs, freestanding bookcases better and you can put the TV in one and books above and below. The chair from 'Made' is gorgeous and not a patch on the more clinical Ikea one (I like other Ikea things just not this one) so if you can, I would wait and save up or find something else. I came across my vintage lime and raspberry chair on ebay and fell in love with it and although not dirt cheap (but still good value) it makes me smile everyday so worth every penny (makes my pink/magenta sofa zing). A deep or rusty orange would also look amazing in your room. Here's a random selection of good value examples ... I don't like the legs in these (3) for your room so would get some brown leather ribbon to make them a bit more earthy and wrap around the legs. Would look great and even cheaper than the Ikea ones! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bucket-chairs-in-orange-hessian-x3-/400964597979?hash=item5d5b5a38db or something a bit more unusual/retro ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960s-retro-original-chair-covered-in-orange-fabric-design-council-London-/301697474595?hash=item463e922023 More traditional/shabby look (although colours a bit pale) ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEL-48-PAIR-Vintage-French-Shabby-Chic-LOUIS-CARVER-Hall-Dining-Arm-Chairs-/181811678698?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a54d20dea Retro cocktail chair ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oyster-Retro-Occasional-Upholstered-Chair-Orange-Lime-Lola-/351151269668?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=620439252902&hash=item51c23f2724 Interesting but more classic/subdued ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Richmond-mustard-print-club-chair-armchair-accent-chair-home-furniture-sofa-/281730696757?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4198754635 Modern but interesting ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beautiful-Allermuir-Orange-Yellow-Designer-Chair-RP-560-/201395165075?hash=item2ee4165793 Traditional but interesting ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-Golden-Yellow-Button-Back-Chairs-/181790044031?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a5387ef7f I don't know your taste or what the rest of the room looks like but just showing that there are so many options ... especially if you are willing to be patient and curious, you never know where you'll find something. Creativity outweighs budget and gives you a home with more personality. Also if you find the right chair and then go for it with new fabric and a staple gun. Some designs easier to re-cover than others. As for hubby, he'll like it once it's done and if he's indifferent anyway, at least make one of you happy. Everything you talk about is adding a warm 'feminine' touch which makes a home (yes some men have it too before anyone jumps in), we all have something different to bring to a partnership. Enjoy and remember to post 'after' photos. (my chair from ebay below).
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PRO
Toks Aruoture
8 years ago
Perhaps upgraded. I love the idea of throwing in industrial chic for example to bring it up to date. Shabby chic is more of a lifestyle than a design style. People who love it tend to be relaxed & laid back just like the style and it'll be hard to pull them away from it :) The florals are what can make it seem dated and should be used in moderation or replaced with a trendy print like Liberty perhaps?
Karl Grant
8 years ago
I agree with the previous sentiments. Shabby chic shouldn't be 'binned' outright but seen as an option or opportunity.
I can't tear myself away from the idea that interiors work best when they are an equal reflection of the owners personality, the property and the heritage of the surrounding environment (there is definitely a Venn diagram in there!).
For example I'm not keen on a room of distressed dressers in a 1970s town house.
Throw a one off chic piece into a country cottage (twee lace, wicker hearts and all) and it can really work - especially when served up with a cup of earl grey in a traditional floral tea cup. Lol

Most trends appear to peak and trough and a good designer puts a twist on it (for example the comments around softening industrial looks) and I for one look forward to its next incarnation.
beverleypj
8 years ago
Completely agree with the comment above! Done well, it can be relaxed and stylish, but these days it's just a cop out for those who cannot be arsed. And the abuse of antiques must stop!
jazza6
8 years ago
I personally can't stand shabby chic... I think it looks awful. However that's only my personal opinion. if you love it then it's your home and your choice and shouldn't matter what others think.
Joanna Biddolph
8 years ago
There is a place for it. I have one bedroom that is, broadly speaking, described as shabby chic but it's because I've inherited my mother's 1950s Olympus bedroom furniture. It's extremely well made and extremely capacious. It's not my style; it was hers; it looks great in the room it is in.
Shelly Anne
8 years ago
Each to their own and all that but I just can't get my head around shabby anything. I never could get into the fashion for ripped jeans or scuffed trainers either. If something is worn or dated, I either repair it, sell it, or throw it. If I buy anything new, I really look after it and love it for as long as possible but once it becomes tired I can't bear to look at it. Maybe it's because we could rarely afford anything new when I was young so when we did have something shiny & perfect it meant a lot. Having said that, done well it can look really nice - I just wouldn't want it in my own home

POLL: Should 'Shabby Chic' be recycled or binned?

Jo DP

Comments (9)

V I Metal Ltd

Aspire Curtains & Blinds

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Toks Aruoture

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beverleypj

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