Shabby Chic Thread?

bibbly

Vintage what a lovely post, you are so right.

BigMummaF don't be despondent. I moved just over a year ago from a really big house (6 bedrooms etc) into a much smaller house because my dh and I separated. My house now isn't tiny, but in comparison it is, but I love it more than I loved my big house! I have made it mine, and some people might not like it, but I DO! I agree with what vintage said, about keeping and displaying things you like and getting shot of stuff that you're keeping for no reason.

Also, I bet if you put some photos on here of bits of your house that you don't like, there would be some FABULOUS ideas. Someone a while back was in despair over an area on the stairs that she hated (can't remember exactly) and people had lots of lovely ideas for transforming the area.

So remember we don't all live in huge "Country Homes" houses, far from it! It's just great to get ideas and have a chat about things we like and most of all make some "cyber" friends from this thread!

Bibbly
x

wizzkid_3

Bigmummaf, do you have room for a freestanding towel rail
in your bathroom? That way you have something that looks nice and you don't have to worry about heavy towels pulling it off the wall.

lindens

Vitage - that is a lovely post and I agree with everything you have said ( which you put so nicely too,you have a way with words)
A home is whats on the inside, it doesnt matter if you own it or not or what it looks like outside or how big. My kitchen is tiny with hardly any units or workspace and I was in dispair, as we want to move next year adding more units was not on really. Then I started reading this fab post, and everyone's point of view and own projects got me thinking "outside the box", and off ebay I was lucky to win a shabby chic small dresser and a butchers block/trolley. My whole kitchen is now transformed! And I would never have thought of it if it was for everyone's indirect) help off here.

Bigmummaf - can you put some hooks on the back of your door for the heavy towels and just hang small pretty things off the plank. As others have said, don't dispair of your plank, make it into a feature,.

rose_sparky

I've just been cleaning my bathroom and on looking around realised how many items I am using that are not of their original manufacturers intent!

There's the small cut glass jug that houses our toothpaste and tooth brushes, a cut glass decanter (I decant cheapo bubble bath into this), both of these are charity shop finds.

There's a blue sequinned beach wrap (aka curtain voile!) which is wrapped around a white wooden curtain pole and the curtain pole finials are blue floral candle holders.

Oyster shells are tea-light holders as are the odd small crystal glasses I've picked up for pence.

maypole

I agree, small can be lovely. Years ago, a friend of a friend had to move to a tiny house, it had an old fashioned range and I think they mostly lived in the room/kitchen where the range was, but she made a little curtain for under the sink area and had open shelves and out of neccessity it became shabby chic, so just because it is small doesn't mean it can't be stylish.

When I was first married in 1971:eek: we had a tiny flat in London, it actually had a bath in the kitchen and the kitchen was just the size of a cupboard! I don't think I like the 70s style!!

vintagepleasure

sweetpea03 wrote: »

I think I will be happy when I've collected just something of each design vp! I don't think I have room for a huge collection! I have the Little Book of Collectable Pyrex by Susan Hibbard but most of the info is coming from a lovely member of flickr who used to work at Pyrex before they closed down(you may know who I mean) He has been brilliant & posts up scans of the old Pyrex ads & catalogue brochures I don't think I would have been able to identify quite a few pieces if it he hadn't so kindly shared the info
Not all the pyrex is to my taste by the way! Someone on flickr described some of their pyrex as "!!!!!!" I had to laugh at that!

I think that most British Pyrex is !!!!!!!! But the stuff I do like I love! I think the American versions are so much more attractive.I just wish the shipping wasn't so expensive.

Myrtle

Hello everyone
Another newbie to this thread. I've in the middle of a (slightly overwhelming but getting better) building project to knock two very mini terraced houses together. So lots of decorating to do and plenty of inspiration gleaned from here. My house is an odd mixture of styles from "Victorian hovel" in the kitchen & living room to "disco space ship" in the kids playroom. Their bedroom is shaping up nicely though. I've been planning a patchwork wall in there for a while since seeing one in Country Living a few years back. (Thanks for all the tips on where to get samples:D)
I'll try and post some pictures when I get time.

Anyway my reason for posting today is that I've been to town now the kids are back and seen lots of lovely bargains in TK Maxx (Sheffield) .
Le Creuset Stoneware in fabulous spring colours: pale yellow, pink, lilac.
Enamel household caddys - pink and pale green (£13)
I was good though and resisted :A

rose_sparky

Patchwork wall? WOW, that sounds interesting, can you explain more please - looking forward to photos!

daisy_steiner_2

I found some lovely gingham material in my local charity shop for 50p this morning, it is in the wash now as it smelt a bit fusty, but when it is dry I plan to make some draught excluders. Doing my bit to cut down the gas bills and make the house look pretty.

Bibbitybob

Bit late as I was out all night, but thought I'd drop in with the bits I bought from the car boot yesterday morning...

Fat quarters -



Patchwork style double quilt cover - £1! My kitty cat has taken a shine to this...



Single quilt cover - £1



Pillow cases - 50p pair



Most of these are going to be chopped up so I can use the fabric in my work, so bargainous.