Shabby Chic Thread?

icandream

maypole wrote: »

Don't just assume that Cornforth white will work for your decor even though it seems to be a popular colour here. It has to work with your colour scheme.

This is a good point: the hall is north-east facing, so not full of light except in the mornings. Maybe I'll have to get a few sample pots (gulp, but guess the expense would be worth it in the longterm). Thanks for that.

"I need to be hand held through all my decorating:o"
Tee hee: Maypole: so do I!!!!!!!!!! That's why I'm exposing how pathetic I am and asking for help.

Muppet: Dimity looks a lovely warm colour (and your kitchen is smashing). I'll get a sample pot of that for my hall.

fallen_angel_shelley

i'm trying to find web sites with instructions for distressing wood, i bought some shelves for my kitchen, any body know any good ones? i have never tried this befor so any tips would aslo be helpful.

icandream

Okay, let's see if I've done this right (thanks Kisto, again!)
This is my depressing hall understairs cupboard situation (if anybody recognises me from it, please shout!)




Do you think any of your fab ideas would work on these, vintagepleasure? Or has your heart just sunk as well :rotfl:
I'm sorry about the size: I can't seem to make them smaller.
I feel so depressed seeing these. Please help!

NEgirl

icandream - i think it would look great done with a few of the ideas that vintage pleasure suggested, kind of like a mix of a few - chalkboard a couple of the sections, corkboard (notice board) a couple of others and then leave a couple free for the kids paintings etc......i think it would make a great feature wall!

maypole

icandream wrote: »

This is a good point: the hall is north-east facing, so not full of light except in the mornings. Maybe I'll have to get a few sample pots (gulp, but guess the expense would be worth it in the longterm). Thanks for that.

"I need to be hand held through all my decorating:o"
Tee hee: Maypole: so do I!!!!!!!!!! That's why I'm exposing how pathetic I am and asking for help.

Muppet: Dimity looks a lovely warm colour (and your kitchen is smashing). I'll get a sample pot of that for my hall.

Why don't you google Vintage Pleasure and you can see her home, she has pictures on flickr. Lots of ideas.

fallen_angel_shelley

vintagepleasure- i have just been looking at your blog, what a lovely home you have. your pic of the tea rooms at the 'mad garden centre' are they in cheshire by any chance?

sandieb

Muppet81 wrote: »

Sandieb - I think you were doing your unit doors when I was doing mine. I seem to remember seeing your posts. They look really good. Well done!

Hi Muppet - yes I remember now - you posted originally on another thread? You said it took you a long time but, as the picture shows, it was well worth it and you achieved an excellent result - well done you too!

vintagepleasure

icandream wrote: »

Do you think any of your fab ideas would work on these, vintagepleasure? Or has your heart just sunk as well :rotfl:
I'm sorry about the size: I can't seem to make them smaller.
I feel so depressed seeing these. Please help!

My heart hasn't sunk at all.You could make that all look great.I love the handles!
I think it would work well with any of my suggestions but personally I would probably go for a mix of chalkboard and 'kids art gallery' like NE Girl said.It would work well with the panelled look too.
To be honest you would be suprised what a good sand and paint would do to lift the whole area.I would definitely recommend Dimity oil based eggshell, that's what I have on all my woodwork including my stair panelling.It a lovely soft colour which you need on such a large expanse of woodwork.
Your hall looks like it has a lot of action going on so you could even deliberately rub back the edges to give it a really aged shabby chic look.That way any further wear and tear will just add to the look and won't drive you mad.
I was thinking you could even make it a bit like a old fashioned shop fitting and stencil the name of the contents on the each door in a soft grey.You know like 'SHOES' 'COATS' 'MISC' or something like that?
I would love to get my hands on them really you could do so much.
I'll still have another think and look through a few of my books.
Here's a link to the patchwork wall I was talking about http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintage_pleasure/419115442/ that would so well in your panels. There's a photo from a friend of mine here http://www.flickr.com/photos/47702473@N00/263230442/ it's a similar idea but on a cupbaord door.It might give you some ideas and whilst you are there have a look around her photos she is so talented!

Edited ;I've just decided that I'm going to do this to the back of the panelling under my stairs.I'm going to paint the bottom row of panels as chalkboard and then patchwork paper the rest.So excited I just have to find the time!

vintagepleasure

fallen_angel_shelley wrote: »

vintagepleasure- i have just been looking at your blog, what a lovely home you have. your pic of the tea rooms at the 'mad garden centre' are they in cheshire by any chance?

They are indeed!

fallen_angel_shelley

vintagepleasure wrote: »

They are indeed!

isn't it a great place, full of great stuff but a bit expensive. i live not to far from there, south manchester.