Dena Fishbein

Shabby Chic

Growing up, I've always been fond of vintage ---- not only vintage clothes but as well as vintage furniture painted in pastel colors especially in pinks, milk paint finishes and white wash. The soft and feminine feel those furniture give me is just magical. I even said to myself, "One day, I'm gonna MAKE my own furniture similar to that." Yes, you read that right; I said MAKE instead of HAVE or BUY. I think that makes me very different from the people around me even as a kid. I reckon that's just how artists like me most of the time.








(All photos are not mine.)

Anyway, it wasn't until I saw DIY Embellish this! back in 2003 (I'm not sure) when I was about 10 or 11  years old that I learned about Shabby Chic! Thanks to Ms. Dena Fishbein and Lifestyle Network and DIY Network, my queries were answered.


(click this)

I was so in love with this show! I love Arts and Crafts ever since I was born so it wasn't a surprise for my parents if they caught me watching shows like this then do crafts after. The interior of the set of the show or in short, Ms. Dena's incredible house also caught my eye. Every week, I was looking forward to know what else her house has to offer but nobody really knows what lies behind closed doors (or what the camera doesn't show) so I became hungry for it. I even dreamed up until now that one day, I'll be given the opportunity to have a tour around her house.

So what is Shabby Chic? Shabby Chic is antiques without the price tag. It's "secondhand stylishness". It's finding furniture at flea markets and fixing it up by giving it a character. It's peeling paint, milk-paint finishes, rust or worm holes! Nicks and scratches don't matter for they are character. The underlying quality is what matters.

(photo from here)


Shabby Chic is an Interior Design style wherein the furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their age and signs of wear and tear or new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique. At the same time, a soft, minimalistic, and feminine feel is emphasized to differentiate it from regular vintage decor; hence the "chic" in the name.
(photo from here)

Shabby Chic items are often heavily painted through the years, with many layers showing through obviously time-worn areas. Read more here.

(more amazing interior photos from Rachel Ashwell)

 When we talk about Shabby Chic, you'll often hear cottons, linens, pie safes, jelly cupboards, sanding, staining, flea markets, flowers, vintage and chintz. It's because these terms revolve in the shabby chic world.

 The fabrics tend to be cottons and linens.Whites and worn or bleached out pastels are favorite colors. Oftentimes, the fabric is stained with tea to give it the look of old fabric.

(visit Rachel Ashwell's gallery of details for more photos)
Pillows made of vintage barkcloth fabric, vintage linens, chenille bedspreads, vintage chandeliers, and anything with roses on it are popular decor items. It is a soft, relaxed, feminine romantic way of decorating that looks comfortable and inviting.







(All photos are not mine)

Shabby Chic style is very popular in the United States of America but it doesn't mean that you can't decorate your place in that style if you're in the opposite side of the world, the Philippines. With a little bit of creativity and research, you can definitely live in a relaxing shabby chic or cottage style house even if you're in the busy streets of Manila or Makati! =)

Click these awesome sites to learn more!

Also check-out Dena Fishbein's books and as well as Rachel Ashewell's. 
I don't have a copy of their books yet because I don't know if they're available in my country but I do hope I'll have a copy soon :)) They will be a big help in my career.




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RaeAbigael

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23 comments

  1. JANICE GJuly 12, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    so feminine! i want a drawer like that!

    the STYLE Fringe BLOG
    http://the-stylefringe.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. DortesjsJuly 12, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    The soft and feminine feel those furniture give me is just magical, ? me too love the vintage and shabby chic style. most of my home is kept in white love it tanks for the view

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnniJuly 12, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    I kind of love especially love aged woodwork. There's something magical about knowing that you've just put something your coffee down on something that has worn so many scratches and stains that gives it all the more character

    anni-dot-elle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chris EdJuly 12, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    hi, I love your blog! This post is so nice. I love vintage so much!
    I follow you now via gfc/186 and bloglovin/18, follow back if you want:)

    xx chris

    http://chris-ed.blogspot.de

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amanda July 12, 2012 at 3:43 PM

    I like such as furniture in the palace <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. Manases AndreaJuly 12, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    Lovely collection of pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  7. livewithstyle-ewaJuly 12, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    so pretty! AMAZING PICTURES..great post.XOXO Ewa

    ReplyDelete
  8. b!girlJuly 12, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    Nice post!
    Love shabby chic style, so romantic!
    B!girl
    Belletto!make-upandbeautyblog

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kate L.July 12, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Awesome post! Love vintage! Thanks for stopping by my blog:) I'm following you now!

    FASHION CAT
    www.myfashioncat.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 12, 2012 at 5:04 PM

    I have ALWAYS loved vintage furniture!! I absolutely love vintage houses and designs!

    you can check my new posts at:

    http://thesedaysfashion.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Shopping LadyJuly 12, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    This style is very cute! Amazing post!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anna and KlaudiaJuly 12, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    these photos are so cute :)

    http://anna-and-klaudia.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. KaśkaJuly 12, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    Yes, I'm dancer ;)
    and I follow your blog! I'm waiting for revenge!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. EileenJuly 12, 2012 at 7:18 PM

    Very interesting article, ans gorgeous photos . Thanks for visiting me! Hope you have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  15. LeonorJuly 12, 2012 at 11:39 PM

    gorgeous pictures:) would you like to follow each other on GFC and bloglovin?? let me know:)

    Leonor
    thesparklinglemon.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lucy- Does It BetterJuly 13, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    amazing pics! great stuff :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. KatJuly 13, 2012 at 6:49 AM

    ooh i love all the dressers!!! i love that theyre worn looking! so beautiful :)

    katslovefashion.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yuli ConversationsJuly 13, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    ahh i know what you mean! vintage will always be my favorite. I adore that kitchen- i want one just like that!
    would you like to follow each other?
    http://officialstinad.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Carla VerneJuly 13, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    I follow u and I wait for your turn ;)
    Great blog ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. tJuly 13, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    Nice post!

    http://initialed.bogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. JessJuly 13, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    ohhhhh I´m in love with the picures you found!! like the kitchen and the living room looks great, too!
    already pinned them :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RaeAbigaelJuly 14, 2012 at 3:29 PM

      @Nowak - aww thank you! I'm glad you like them :))

      Delete
  22. eva loukakiJuly 14, 2012 at 11:41 PM

    so sweet photos..thank you so much for your comment xxx

    ReplyDelete

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