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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Shabby Chic Revised

SHABBY CHIC. It's a household name among decorators. We know and love the look. We aspire to it. We never tire of it. WE LOVE IT!

When asked what is my decorating style I tire of saying, "Shabby Chic." Am I alone? I wish I could be more creative in my response.
While reading an article in the April issue of House Beautiful, I was enlightened! The article describes with eloquent detail, famous furniture collections and their designers. Here are a few:

Tailored, imaginative riffs on the past with a jolt of now.

Understated glamour.

A fresh breath of Zen.

Stately reproductions with archival detail.

Warm modernism with sexy curves.

Loose adaptations of English Country.

High-style pieces with all the social graces for a new generation.

Urbane glamour, nipped and tucked in all the right places.

A memoir in wood --sun-baked, generous and quintessentially Tuscan.

Neoclassical style with lean, modern manners.

Beautifully crafted, modern forms infused with the richest materials.

Impeccable, always surprising pieces from the arbiter of domestic perfection.

I'm longing for a descriptive phrase for shabby chic. Any ideas? Here are some of mine:

A feminine palette of pink charm.

Pink sophistication with dash of whimsy.

Fabulous and functional, yet dainty and sweet.

(Only one expression can describe this: Ahhhhh....)

Comfort at it's finest hour.

Cottage charm and refined sophistication.

Endearing details with roses for the final blush.

A romantic white palette with a touch of pink.

A bed of roses rooted in a pretty pink palette.

What is your best descriptive phrase for "Shabby Chic?"



19 comments:

COLLS GARDEN said...

Cindy, I just can't think of another one, I think you've got them covered. Just wanted to say thank you for the gorgeous pics.
Hugs, Coll :-}

Alison Gibbs said...

You already have the best ones listed.
Love all of those pics.
Alison

Lynn said...

Having drooled over the beautiful pictures, it make me think "romantic" or "feminine".

Great post :)

Cottage Way of Life said...

Don't those lounges on the beach look good right about now? ;) Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

-Sarah

Anonymous said...

ooooh, i LOVE those photos. i could sit here and drool and dream over them for hours... lol! debbie =) p.s. love your music.

Celestina Marie said...

Your pictures and words are lovely and so fitting. Perfect!
Celestina,
La Rea Rose

Cindy said...

I love yours! Very creative! I'm surprised of how many people have never heard of shabby chic before. I mentioned that word to some co-workers and they started laughing...they thought it was funny. I could not believe they never "shabby chic"!

Anonymous said...

I don't think I am really shabby chic because if you look at Rachel Ashwell's home, she has all white walls and she really is a minimalist and I am not a minimalist. I like portions of shabby chic but I really think I am more romantic cottage. Good phrases though.

Hugs,
LeAnn :)

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Cindy,

I'm with LeAnn, Romantic Country it is! The romance of living in a beautiful light palette of color - how's that?

Love this post and added you to my blog roll since I love, love, love your look here.

Happy Night!
xo~Tracie

CIELO said...

Beautiful.... and perfectly described!

Looking forward to seeing you at our "Dessert Carnival".... Hurry and send in your photograph! :)

Cielo

Unknown said...

Hi Cindy,

For some reason, my comment I left this afternoon didn't make it on...I love the Shabby Chic pictures...that chair back with the roses...delightful. Did these all come from the Shabby Chic books or from other sources too? Please let me know so I can run and look in my books....or get a new one!

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

Lu Lu's Fluffy Ruffles said...

I love this post.
I call my living room pug chic,
check out my blog and youll see why.
hugs,
Sandy

Ruey said...

oooh, it all looks so dreamy!
It's hard to put one name on such a wonderful combination of what you love, because it is truly a mixture of so many different and amazing choices.Why not keep the choices you make individual to you, and what you love? That is all that matters anyway and what makes YOU happy!YOU have done an AMAZING job at making things so welcoming and cozy....keep up the good work, Cindy!!!

xxxoooo Ruth

Gabriela said...

Oh my! What a lovely blog, Angie was right!

~ Gabriela ~

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

I like vintage chic better than shabby chic.... less "brandish"... lol

xx said...

Although I do not have shabby chic in my home, I absolute love the romance of it and enjoy bringing a touch of it to my art. Your photos are simple divine...LOVE them! I popped in from Angie's and glad I did :~)

Mrs. Thoughtskoto said...

Great post. Very feminine, simple and serene. Love it too!

Anita said...

Wow, excellent post! My favorite decorating style as well. Absolutely love the pics :-)

Leanne said...

So very inspiring, all of these lovely pictures!