Shabby Chic Kitchen Decorating

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Learn How To Create A Shabby Chic Kitchen

Here are some steps to follow in order to transform your kitchen / dining area into a soft, relaxed, and stylish Shabby Chic room.

The Shabby Chic decorating style originated in European country homes that were expensive to maintain. It emerged from the need to keep decorating costs to a minimum.

The term "shabby chic" was made popular by Rachel Ashwell's 1996 book, "Shabby Chic," and it refers to a distressed, vintage look. This type of home decor can be described as original yet traditional; plain yet decorative; relaxed yet stylish; scruffy yet orderly.

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Shabby Chic Kitchen Decor 

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Step 1: Walls 

Paint the walls of your Shabby Chic kitchen or dining room pale green, light blue, pink, cream, pale yellow, or any pastel color. You may also try painting your walls in a pattern of wide pastel stripes. If you prefer wallpaper, choose a muted floral pattern or something with stripes. Pink or red roses always say Shabby Chic. Another alternative is to cover the walls with bead board or paneling. Remember to paint your bead board or paneling a pale color. Finish your kitchen by painting the trim and doors a nice clean white.

Step 2: Flooring 

Replacing your flooring can be a major undertaking, so if you don't want to completely replace your kitchen floor, simply add a few kitchen mats or throw rugs in muted pink, green, or yellow florals. Pink roses are always a great choice for the Shabby Chic look. Just choose colors that complement your walls and existing flooring.

If you do want to replace the floor, ceramic tile looks great in a Shabby Chic Kitchen. Or you might want to consider linoleum. Again, look for muted pastel colors that complement your walls.

Step 3: Cabinets 

The easiest way to make your kitchen cabinets fit into your Shabby Chic decor is to repaint them and then distress the finish. Here's an article that explains how to paint Shabby Chic furniture. Don't forget to replace the hardware on the cabinets. Glass knobs look great on Shabby Chic cabinets.

Step 4: Appliances 

If your current appliances don't look right in your Shabby Chic kitchen, you can have them repainted. Just check your yellow pages for a local company that repaints appliances.

If you want to replace the appliances, there are companies like Big Chill that sell retro style appliances.

Step 5: Dining Set 

If you already have an old, worn, wood dining set, you're good to go. You can either leave it as it is, or repaint it and distress it as described in the article referenced above. Otherwise, you can purchase an unfinished set and paint it in the Shabby Chic style, or you can purchase one that's already finished in the distressed style.

Another alternative is to simply cover your existing dining table with a tablecloth. Choose something in a rose or other floral pattern with a homspun look or feel. If it looks too new, you can age your tablecloth by dying it in tea. Fabrics that have been aged, mended, or faded with time will add to the appeal of your Shabby hcic dining set.

Step 6: Other Furnishings and Accessories 

A wrought iron chandelier with a distressed finish will look great centered over your dining room table. For your kitchen, look for floral motif and ornate white wood serving trays and tray tables, distressed spice racks, ornate corner shelves for plants or decorations, antique-look plant stands and cutlery holders, napkin holders, and wine holders. Use wrought iron hooks to display embroidered hand towels and old fashioned oven mitts, and finish your kitchen with light airy window treatments.

Three Cats Home Decor has a great selection of Shabby Chic Kitchen Accessories.

Shabby Chic Decorating Ideas 

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Shabby Chic Kitchen on Amazon 

Vintage Style Canister Set ~ Kitchen Storage Canisters ~ Decorative Containers ~ Shabby Chic Pink Enamel

Vintage Style Canister Set ~ Kitchen Storage Canisters ~ Decorative Containers ~ Shabby Chic Pink Enamel

Amazon Price: $23.95 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

Simply Shabby Chic™ 4-Arm Chandelier Lamp

Simply Shabby Chic™ 4-Arm Chandelier Lamp

Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

Classic Shabby Chic® TV Stand - Sour Crème

Classic Shabby Chic® TV Stand - Sour Crème

Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

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