Airy, as if straight from the pages of a fairy tale, the shabby chic style bathroom is created for true relaxation of the soul! Today there are an unusually diverse range of styles, but why does shabby chic stand out so much among its “competitors”? Maybe it's in its very essence.
What is the meaning of the phrase “shabby chic”? “Shabby” translates as “shabby” - this is a charming negligence, scratches, cracks left by time (real or artificial). “Chic” - implies the use of expensive chic, valuable, despite their age, items, exquisite combinations.
Bathroom design styles: Shabby chic finishes
Such luxurious furniture, of course, needs a special surroundings! Interestingly, other modern bathroom design styles differ from shabby chic already at the finishing stage. That is, most likely, you will recognize even an empty bathroom in the shabby chic style.
- As a rule, the decoration is quite simple, but “on your mind.” We immediately exclude extensive glossy surfaces - only matte ones! Effective artificial abrasions are possible.
- The colors are mostly pastel. Bright colors are also possible, but all of them must have a “powdery”, fading effect. It’s as if time has left its “merciless” mark on every molecule of paint...
- Delicate wallpaper with small flowers is also a good choice as a background for matching elegant furniture. If desired, decoupage masters can repeat the wallpaper motif on a cabinet door or bathtub.
- Shabby wood is also a frequent guest of shabby chic interiors.
- Often considered a feminine style, shabby chic. There is a lot of truth in this: the typical powdery color scheme makes the interior incredibly delicate. But we must refute this stereotype! The abundance of worn surfaces and cracks looks quite tough. In turn, antique objects reveal a true aesthete in the owner of the bathroom. So, a shabby chic bathroom can be masculine!
A little history
This is exactly what Rachel Ashwell (born 1959), a housewife from Santa Monica, bored with routine, was like. She followed her dream and created a whole world of angels, antique lace, shabby furniture upholstered in expensive fabrics, luxurious crystal chandeliers and sconces adorning the shabby and roughly finished walls.
She found all the elements of furniture, decor, and decoration at flea markets. Then at home she put things in order and introduced them into the interior. She called the new approach to home design “shabby chic.”
Rachel's talent did not appear out of nowhere. Since childhood, she has been surrounded by beautiful antiques. Her parents loved to collect them. Mom taught the girl how to choose objects and what to do with them later.
The whole family was involved in the restoration. Dad was a second-hand bookseller, Mom restored old dolls, and Rachel was interested in furniture. As she grew older, she began selling the fruits of her labor through antique stores. When she turned 24, she moved from the UK to the USA, chose the warm state of California to live, got married and... got bored. By this time she was known as a designer. The fate of an ordinary housewife did not suit her.
Despite the fact that her husband was against her activities (this soon led to divorce), Rachel did what she loved. She wanted to create an interior suitable for both families with small children and single people.
The main idea was to preserve a touch of antiquity while restoring items from the flea market. The designer complemented them as she saw fit - combining rough brushstrokes with delicate ornaments, gilding with surfaces worn from time to time.
Rachel believes that every piece of furniture should influence the owner’s subconscious and give rise to pleasant memories.
Incredible decor: shabby chic bathroom
- Similar bathroom design styles are honed through decor! So, there are real shabby chic motifs in it: sheet music, angels, flowers. You can combine them without fear!
- Enrich the atmosphere of your bathroom with exquisite textiles. Basically, airy, light materials are suitable: lace, tulle, high-quality chintz.
- Small, elegant jars with the above-mentioned motifs will add the appropriate aesthetics.
- Lettering is an easy and fun way to decorate your bathroom! It is enough to write some formal (or cheerful) message in calligraphic capitals on a clumsy tablet. The same method can be used to design simple signs.
- Elegant forged holders for towels and toilet paper will complete the idyllic picture you create at the junction of times and styles!
We hope our article “Shabby Chic Bathroom: Ideas, Photos and Tricks” will help you design the bathroom of your dreams!
New life for old things
Before decorating and diversifying a new interior, really old things must undergo restoration. There is no need to save doors hanging “on one nail,” torn off lids, falling off legs, missing handles, traces of peeling and crumbling paint, etc. All this must be inserted, screwed and nailed, sanded and cleaned, etc.
As for use, restored old items can begin a completely new life. So old doors or boards can become a headboard for a bed. A worn suitcase or a drawer from an outdated chest of drawers can be turned into charming coffee tables. An old garden bucket, cleaned to a shine, perfectly copes with the role of a flower pot, and a time-worn stepladder can easily take on the unusual “role” of a bookcase.
Shabby Chic in the bathroom interior Photo Gallery
Lace and textured textiles
One of the most striking signs of classic shabby chic is the presence of lace in the interior. But when decorating with such textiles, it is still worth observing the measure so that the apartment does not turn into a “kingdom of ruffles.”
It will be enough to place only a few delicate accents. And to say your “lace word” in the created interior, you can:
- hang tulle on the windows;
- choose bed linen or pillows with lace stitching;
- trim the textile lampshade with guipure braid;
- stick wicker strips, etc. on the ends of the drawers.
The “lace wall” looks very interesting in the setting, but its design will require maximum attention and accuracy so that everything turns out the way it’s really needed. Better yet, let it be the work of a master. You can make the bed headboard yourself or decorate a tulle throw on a pyramid of pillows to make it look completely “old-fashioned.”
Tip: The combination of lace with textured textile surfaces looks best in the interior. For example, fine weaving on the rough upholstery of a sofa. Or the finest lace web on a thick blanket, velvet pillows, etc.
Cozy bedroom for the modern lady
The most important thing is to choose a high, large bed with wrought iron details and all-white or floral-patterned bed linen. Experts suggest storing things in old shabby suitcases and wicker baskets, homemade boxes upholstered with openwork fabric.
The spacious room should be divided into several functional zones - relaxation and everyday life. The second may contain a work area, a cabinet for books and magazines, albums, a dressing table and a chest of drawers. Local light sources are used in each zone to create a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Bedroom on the attic floor
A hanging chair will help you relax well and take your mind off vain thoughts. A light screen or theater partition with drapery is suitable as a zoning element. Fountains, baskets with care and decorative cosmetics, figurines, and vases are often used for decoration. To create a festive look and a look for every day, a table and a mirror with a decorative, massive frame will come in very handy.
Covers for upholstered furniture and chairs
Slipcovers are a great way to “fit in” with your intended shabby chic look without changing the existing furnishings. Indeed, why change objects when it is enough to cover them “in the theme”? Shabby chic interior welcomes slipcovers. The main thing is to choose the right material and sew it well. And this is easy to do even for a novice seamstress, the cut is simple, and it’s easy to find a pattern on the Internet. All that remains is to take measurements.
Removable covers with “skirts,” for example, are an excellent option for shabby chic design of upholstered furniture and chairs. Let these be light elements (maybe with a beautiful lace trim), because such covers can always be removed and washed.
Tip: Covers are also a great opportunity to assemble chairs and armchairs of different shapes and sizes, poufs, sofas, couches, etc. into a single set. And no one will even guess that this is not a headset.
Decorating the kitchen
The shabby chic kitchen set should be made of natural wood, decorated with decoupage or simply aged. A large wooden dining table is a must. Its coating can be easily aged with your own hands using sandpaper.
Along the walls you can place cabinets with glass doors, in which beautiful dishes should be displayed. To accentuate the style, the walls of the kitchen or dining room can be decorated with decorative plates.
