| Shabby chic kitchens are now one of the most | | | | truly ‘shabby’ you want your kitchen to look. If |
| sought-after kitchen styles, in the modern world; | | | | you are not sure how to go about the distressing |
| especially in country properties. However it is not by | | | | process simply dial up ‘How To Paint Shabby Chic |
| any means a new look since it originally evolved in the | | | | Furniture’ on the internet and you will find plenty of |
| mid-twentieth century, when it became a popular | | | | information and even videos on that cover the subject |
| method of creating an acceptable and charming way | | | | in depth. |
| of decorating as money was tight after the second | | | | To avoid an overly modern look you should always |
| world war. | | | | replace any current hardware on kitchen cabinets and |
| The essential element that conjures up the shabby | | | | door furniture with something more appropriate, such |
| chic look is a timeless elegance where furniture does | | | | as glass or vintage ceramic knobs; which will indeed |
| not have to match, just so long as all your pieces have | | | | look so much more authentic. You can often find just |
| an inviting, slightly worn look, and are closely related in | | | | what you need on Ebay or you could try scouting |
| colour or tone. True shabby chic in your kitchen should | | | | round some of the more reputable building reclamation |
| reflect the grace and beauty of a bygone era, when | | | | yards. Sometimes it is worth buying old cabinets or |
| life was simpler and altogether more natural. | | | | doors just to lay claim to stunning or unique door and |
| Shabby chic kitchen styles are characterised by a rural | | | | cupboard accessories. |
| style comfort coupled with old world whimsy. The | | | | If your current kitchen appliances don't look remotely |
| décor, which is normally based around white, | | | | right in your new kitchen, you can have them repainted |
| off-white or very pale unobtrusive colours such as | | | | to match everything else, as fortunately companies do |
| soft greens, pale blues, pale yellows or muted beiges, | | | | exist that will repaint appliances. Alternatively, if you |
| should look effortless and completely uncontrived. | | | | want to replace the appliances altogether, there are |
| Before setting about creating this well-loved style take | | | | also companies that sell retro style appliances. |
| a good look round your kitchen and consider the | | | | Don’t forget to give your kitchen a light and airy |
| existing style in terms of wall colours, cabinets, | | | | window treatment. Curtains, rather than blinds, are an |
| appliances, work surfaces and even cookware. Also | | | | excellent way to emphasise the shabby chic look |
| take note of the size and layout of the room to | | | | especially dainty floral prints, held in place with antique |
| determine if there is enough floor space to | | | | tie-backs. For a cleaner, unfussy look you could also |
| accommodate additional pieces or the necessary wall | | | | use cotton nets slung over pine poles or even pure |
| space for additional cabinets or shelves. If not, begin | | | | lace, draped across just half the window. |
| thinking about how you could change the current look | | | | Be aware that one of the joys of shabby chic style is |
| to achieve a more rustic feel. Newly painted walls and | | | | that it utilises less than perfect pieces, so do check out |
| certain paint effects on furniture, along with the right | | | | jumble sales, garage sales and even skips for |
| accent pieces will help change the whole look your | | | | discarded items. Someone else’s rubbish may just |
| kitchen. | | | | be the perfect display piece for your shabby chic |
| In the main most kitchen walls are best painted in plain | | | | kitchen. A tart-up with a pretty paint finish or some |
| or lightly toned white to maximise the amount of light, | | | | floral material can give new life to many a neglected |
| however for something a little more unusual you could | | | | treasure. |
| also try painting your walls in a pattern of wide pastel | | | | The right accessories will simply ‘make’ your |
| and white stripes. If however you prefer wallpaper, to | | | | shabby chic kitchen so these should be chosen and |
| make your kitchen appear more homely, it is best to | | | | placed very carefully to give the right effect. This |
| choose a muted floral pattern, especially roses or tiny | | | | stage of achieving the shabby chic look is rather like |
| bunches of daisies or forget-me-nots. | | | | planting a country garden, in as much as it should all |
| Do bear in mind though that endearing as old fashioned | | | | look entirely natural and as if it has just happened by |
| wallpaper can look it should not even be considered if | | | | chance. |
| your kitchen doesn’t have proper ventilation to stop | | | | However as any skilled gardener will tell you it takes |
| it getting overly steamed-up when cooking; otherwise | | | | quite a bit of forethought and planning to create just |
| you will soon be re-papering! | | | | the right uncontrived look. Exactly the same will apply |
| Concrete, grotesquely tiled or tacky linoleum floors are | | | | to your kitchen but, being careful not to over-clutter |
| a complete anathema to the shabby chic kitchen style | | | | working space or surfaces, you can easily develop the |
| so they will need to be replaced with something more | | | | shabby chic feel simply by applying a little imagination, |
| in keeping with your new soft and natural look. This of | | | | time and effort and the best of all it won’t cost you |
| course can be a major and expensive undertaking, so | | | | a fortune. |
| if you don't want to completely replace your kitchen | | | | Some really great additions to your kitchen can include |
| floor you can simply add lots kitchen mats or rugs in | | | | distressed corner shelves for old battered recipe |
| muted pink, blue, green, or floral designs; just be sure to | | | | books, Victorian chamber pots for plants, early spice |
| choose colors that complement your walls and existing | | | | racks, embroidered hand-towels and homespun linen |
| flooring. | | | | on wrought iron hooks, well-worn oven gloves, |
| Plain wooden floorboards can be given a new lease | | | | 1950’s tin canister sets and cookie cutters, |
| of life by being sanded and varnished to prevent | | | | granny’s wash board, sepia framed photos, Imperial |
| splinters in bare feet! They can also be stained in a | | | | kitchen scales, a rose patterned china tea service, |
| ‘natural’ wood colour but be careful that you | | | | vintage wooden boxes and serving bowls, old baking |
| don’t go too dark and make you kitchen feel grim | | | | trays, copper pans, fish kettles and of course lots and |
| and gloomy. Very pale wood may be stenciled in an | | | | lots of fresh flowers. |
| interesting design before varnishing, but do ensure that | | | | Finally do remember that the true shabby chic look is |
| the design ties in with your existing colour scheme. A | | | | only achieved by being understated, so you don't need |
| clever floor design could be used to emphasise a | | | | to have every single item in your kitchen distressed, |
| special feature such as an old couch, a favourite | | | | miss-matched or floral. Sometimes less is definitely |
| rocking horse or a freestanding butcher’s block. | | | | more and it is also vital that your own personality |
| Kitchen furniture and cabinets can be decorated in a | | | | comes into play to make your dream kitchen |
| number of exciting paint finishes, which is then | | | | particularly special and unique to you. |
| distressed in varying degrees depending on just how | | | | |