Shabby Chic at its best………

I know the term Shabby Chic has been “done to death”but it very aptly describes a particular style of decorating which I find very soothing and easy to live with. While a lot of people feel it is a bit too shabby and worn, I love the patina which age and wear and tear tends to bring to furniture and in particular linens….pieces are not new and shiny, but feel used and loved and lived in.

Living and working where I do, I find we are bombarded by shiny, glossy glamour and while initially it feels very exciting and stimulating, it is not cosy and lived in….I sometimes feel like it tries a little too hard and it can also feel very brittle. Almost every apartment here has ceramic tiled floors or marble and while they’re cool and easy to maintain, I long for lovely worn old wooden floors stained or painted white, like the image above. I would love to see more wooden floors used in new developments here…the homes here could benefit from the warmth of wood instead of the acres of marble which is the current choice of flooring!

Buildings here are clad in sheets and sheets of glass which glitter and shine in the sun….even villas are sometimes clad in glass or stone and most are built in a very square style, with very little character.Weirdly though, this style has a certain charm and somehow seems to suit the region well….it does not change the fact that I still wish we had some lovely little ivy covered cottages here and there!

I discovered this Spanish blog a few days ago and I feel compelled to share it…it is full of the most gorgeous images and despite the fact that I do not understand a word, the images tell a story which goes way beyond mere words and they satisfy my cravings for the ivy-covered cottages. Exposed wooden beams, plump white sofas and mixed patterned fabrics, books and a piano!! What a fabulous room…I want to live there! The touch of black with the warm and rustic tones of the fabrics are just sublime…and then there are the candles!!! The touches of charcoal and black here are perfect and while not strictly shabby chic as we know it, it still has the same look, with time-worn and well loved pieces. Just some prettiness….I love the worn wooden wall… The cable-knit throw is exquisite and the mirror leaning against the wall is quite wonderful….even the carpet with its knobbly texture is perfect. All these spaces share the same feeling of serenity and calm, using neutral colour and texture to add layers and and depth to each room.