A phrase you may have seen a lot recently in relation to bedroom furniture and bedding is Shabby Chic. The term refers to a decorative style, reminiscent of an old country house, where furniture is of a classic style but aged so it purposely doesn’t look new.
Achieving a Shabby Chic look in your children’s bedroom is a relatively simple way of creating a decorative style which is economical, feminine and original. Perhaps the greatest benefit of this style is that it purposely encourages you to use second-hand and reclaimed furniture pieces and to renovate them in a way which requires very few traditional craft skills.
You can also buy fabrics and furniture which are marketed as Shabby Chic although, ironically, some items can be rather expensive? You can, of course, save money buy driving a hard bargain, shopping around or simply by using white painted wooden furniture, second-hand furniture and vintage style bedding, fabrics and accessories.
Shabby Chic Bedding
The style is predominantly floral and traditional with vintage off-white, pastel pink and pale blue being the predominant colours. Patterned bedding works well when it is coordinated but mixing different styles can be even more effective – don’t be afraid to experiment with pattern, there are no hard and fast rules – all you need is confidence and good taste.
Shabby Chic Duvet Set – bright colours and bold pattern compliment each other in true chic style. Available in single, double and king sizes – complete with matching pillowcases from notonthehighstreet.com
V&A Vintage Style Floral Bedding – these bedding sets from the V&A bedding collection will work well with a Shabby Chic theme – opt for a traditional white and pink or bright yellow Chinese style printed fabric. See the full range at amazon
Duck Egg Floral Print & Pink Country-Style Shabby Chic Bedding – for a classic vintage look you can’t beat a combination of duck egg blue and floral prints. For a softer feminine style why not opt for a country style pink bedding with gingham trim and appliquéd quilting. See the full range of Shabby Chic bedding at amazon
Shabby Chic Furniture
Shabby Chic bedroom furniture can be best described as beds, wardrobes and cupboards in the classic French vintage style, often painted white, with ornate detailing. You can buy new furniture in this style, adapt existing furniture with satin or eggshell paint, or buy second-hand furniture and give it a make-over. The benefit of the Shabby Chic style is that you don’t need to be a master painter to get great results.
These pieces of Belgravia bedroom furniture are great examples. Both made from solid mdf and beech wood with fretwork detailing and painted white with a matt finish they will look great in any vintage inspired room. From Daisy West at amazon
The Provence Furniture Range is made from solid pine and painted white – reminiscent of the classic French style this range of quality, affordable bedroom furniture can form the basis of brand new Shabby Chic theme bedroom – perfect for a teenager or young adult. From Pine Solutions
Shabby Chic Accessories
Accessorising your child’s room is always a fun activity and you won’t be stuck for ideas with a whole range of vintage, floral, chic bedroom accessory ideas to choose from.
Add colour and pattern with lamp shades, a floral personalised name plaque together with fun ideas like this floral design fabric heart. Browse 100′s of Shabby Chic accessory ideas at notonthehighstreet.com
Useful Links
- ShabbyChic.com – Rachel Aswell’s website, the creator of the Shabby Chic phenomena
- Shabby Chic Books – Interior inspiration from amazon.co.uk
- Cath Kidson - Kid’s Floral bedding
- eBay – Shabby Chic Bedroom Furniture
- eBay – Shabby Chic Bedding
- eBay – Shabby Chic Decorative Items & Accessories
