Shabby Chic Thread?

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ViksB wrote: »

I am struggling to get hold of a wicker shopping basket.
Ideally I want a large one with a flat bottom, which is nice and sturdy, but no "real" shops seem to sell them and any on line ones seem to be very expensive.

Hi ViksB,

There are some ideas on this earlier thread on good places to pick up wicker baskets:

Traditional wicker shopping basket

Don't forget Ebay...I got a lovely one for holding tealights, matches and yankee candle tarts this week for just a couple of pounds.

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boysmum3

I'm having a real 'I love my house' day today!!!:D
And its all thanks to this thread - it has rekindled my enthusiasm for homemaking and I'm surprised at how just a few cheap additions has made a huge difference!!
I 'set' the table for our lunchtime sandwich and used a teapot and milk jug...it felt almost like we were out for lunch!!!!! Have decided all my pretty things are to be used not just to look at while they collect dust!!

I bought my F&B paint (dimity) to paint the wall mounted plate rack/shelf unit I won on ebay this week for £11.85...(OH rolled his eyes when he realised the paint cost more!!!) plan to prime tonight when DS3 in bed - then paint Tuesday when mil has him for couple of hours...(he is 2 and loves to paint:eek: so I am limited to those moments he is not present!)Have scanned the house for things that need painting....and am frantically scouring ebay for a 3ft glass fronted dresser!!!!

The remnant of oilcloth from LA I got the other weekend has gone on my kitchen table.. I made bunting on Thursday night which is now hung on my dining room fireplace...like I say not a lot has changed but makes a difference!

I plan to go to the car boot in the morning - I have a shopping list of wants so fingers crossed I can find something - and then get some pics on flickr....you all have been so generous in sharing pictures of your home so I want to do same - it will also be a good way of keeping a check on the progress of our home.

I'm now off to read Country Living while I feed the baby.....:D

maypole

boysmum3 wrote: »

I'm having a real 'I love my house' day today!!!:D
And its all thanks to this thread - it has rekindled my enthusiasm for homemaking and I'm surprised at how just a few cheap additions has made a huge difference!!
I 'set' the table for our lunchtime sandwich and used a teapot and milk jug...it felt almost like we were out for lunch!!!!! Have decided all my pretty things are to be used not just to look at while they collect dust!!

I bought my F&B paint (dimity) to paint the wall mounted plate rack/shelf unit I won on ebay this week for £11.85...(OH rolled his eyes when he realised the paint cost more!!!) plan to prime tonight when DS3 in bed - then paint Tuesday when mil has him for couple of hours...(he is 2 and loves to paint:eek: so I am limited to those moments he is not present!)Have scanned the house for things that need painting....and am frantically scouring ebay for a 3ft glass fronted dresser!!!!

The remnant of oilcloth from LA I got the other weekend has gone on my kitchen table.. I made bunting on Thursday night which is now hung on my dining room fireplace...like I say not a lot has changed but makes a difference!

I plan to go to the car boot in the morning - I have a shopping list of wants so fingers crossed I can find something - and then get some pics on flickr....you all have been so generous in sharing pictures of your home so I want to do same - it will also be a good way of keeping a check on the progress of our home.

I'm now off to read Country Living while I feed the baby.....:D

Oh I have to agree about setting the table, we don't always do it and mainly when we have company, but I love using the milk jug etc and none of my things really match because they are either junk shop finds, things my boys made when they were at school or little hand made things I have treated myself to, when I have been away. BUT I think it makes the table more interesting to look at. I have always promised myself a full "good" dinner service, but then I wonder why, when the things I have, look just as nice.

Also, if you are getting company and you don't have much to feed them, always set the table and it will make them feel welcome regardless.

Also, if my husband rolled his eyes any further back when I mention F&B paint, they would fall into the back of his head:rolleyes:

mary43

You're right about setting the table..........does make a difference -bit pointless at the moment with the kids we've got. They'd only sneak upstairs with the 'nicer' bowls full of cereal and I'd find them under the bed ...........lol
I do try and make a point when I'm having lunch of having soup in a really pretty bowl I got from a second hand shop.........almost makes the soup taste better ............and more often than not, on Sundays when we have a roast dinner the veg gets served individually ..........makes the whole table look more inviting.
Since we got the old pine dresser the other week and re-arranged the settee in the kitchen its taken on a whole new look and with the pictures on the wall that had been waiting their turn for a while it all adds to a new look. Now my curtains are looking a bit drab..........................lol Must scour the charity shops next week and I think the school boot fair should be on sometime in March.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

right the time has come to show you my kitchen the before:eek: and after:D

ok it is not shabby chic.... but it is CLEAN and painted... and DE- CLUTTERED:D

i am now looking out of a dresser type wall unit so i can put on the opp wall to the units.... it also looks as though the dumb waiter ( once i get round to painting it ) will have to go on the opp wall too, so i have room to put my deep fat fryer.... veggies etc...

right deep breath....( show the world how dirt..messy... and drab.. my kitchen was )

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p241/biker81/006-4-1.jpg

and here are some photos of my kitchen now....the bits i managed to salvage from work are the laura ashley chloe rug on the floor ok... slightly too wide but i can live with that.... the 2 hand towels with perfect colours to match the kitchen.. used to cover the microwave and breadmaker... and an old pillow case to cover the unsightly old brown cooker hood.as i say not shabby chic.. but i feel so proud of what i have done, plus by painting the cupboard doors it does make the kitchen a lot brighter and bigger...





ok i still havent got a lampshade....lol..... but i am sure i will find one in a bootsale or charity shop one day.. plus hopeing to change the work surface... when a cheap one in a sale at b&q comes up.. plus there is still some more bits to do...net for the window etc.. but at least i started, and can see a diff

right ok i am going to press the submit reply button now...:cool:

Mollymop5

cooltrikerchick thats a great tranformation.Your kitchen looks much cheerier and bright now.Well done.You must be so pleased with yourself

elaine373

Help, all i have thought of since reading this thread is what i can get to add to my shabby chic collection! I only started a few days ago . I dragged the children around Au naturel this afternoon (see below)and bought a few more items. One thing is for sure, I will have a very mismatched shabby chic kitchen in the end but thats me , i guess. Totally loving this thread.:T

elaine373

COOLTRIKERCHICK , your kitchen looks great. I really need to declutter mine before i buy any more bits. Well done, i am inspired.
I love your kettle. Would love one like that. I can see a few shabby chic items in your kitchen. Looks great.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Mollymop5 wrote: »

cooltrikerchick thats a great tranformation.Your kitchen looks much cheerier and bright now.Well done.You must be so pleased with yourself

ooo thank you to be honest the pictures dont do it justice.. it is sooo bright now... will buy some daffs to go in the window, i was going to buy new edging for the end of the work surface, but not going to bother until we buy a new top.....

trying to do the house on a VERY stricked small budget.... not much more that the cost of the paint and brushed to be honest, as we need to save for a new roof and new windows etc....

this thread has really motorvaited me to get off my butt and do something...even though it is not shabby chic....

boysmum3

CTC...you have been busy!!
It looks lovely. i think what you say about this thread motivating you is the key part ...wheter it is or isn't shabby chic is not important - this thread is encouraging us to take pride in our homes ...anyway shabby chic can be interpreted different ways for different people ....