When Linda and Claes Leyon purchased their home in a French village, they traded a not-so-special cement box for a spectacular view. They warmed up the space by haunting local flea markets for one-of-a-kind finds. The resulting mix of modern lines with rustic antiques and sparkly chandeliers creates a perfect juxtaposition.
• 1 We love the arrangement of four comfy armchairs, rather than a sofa in the living room. In such a spare room, the chandelier really shines!
• 2 The dining room has a little bit more going on, but the dining table for 12 really stands out against the gray walls. Note that the furniture is painted the same color as the wall, which helps the space to feel serene and uncluttered.
• 3 A clock collection!
• 4 You can get a sense of how spare the home is from this photograph. We love the linen drapes in the background.
• 5 The bedroom is another mix of old and new. The bed and bedding are antique while the bedside table was custom-made and the lamp is from IKEA.
We've posted less than half the photos here, so if you like the space, check out the full sköna hem article.
(Images: Clive Tompsett)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
While I like some of the antiques - the rooms just seem too cold and austere for me...
...and I'd probably enjoy the grouping of 4 chairs in front of the fireplace more if they were in a circle rather than rows like a couple of armies facing one another across a battlefield.
In fairness, shabby chic was about not-so-good antiques, or reproductions painted white. A truly great piece of furniture always looks great, no matter what century it's from.
Is it just me who finds that there are barely any true antiques in those pictures?
nothing wrong with shabby chic whattttsover!
SICK
I'm sorry, but I just do not agree with the title of this thread! IMO, shabby chic is merely painting old flea market/garage sale or trash findings white to make them appear chic.
The beauy of antiques is to be able to appreciate and value a timeless item that has a character and past of it's own.
Many times I just sit back and wonder, "If that old clock or cabinet could speak, what kind of stories would it tell me?"
Shabby chic, IMHO, is nothing more than cheap items that do look...rather...shabby. I cringe at the mere thought of someone taking something beautiful and historical and removing it's value by slapping a coat of paint on it.
This personal opinion and comment is in no way attempting to minimize or downplay the feelings and personal style of those who adore the shabby chic look, it is merely an opinion based on my life of collecting all sorts of beautiful old pieces which have given my many homes over the years such tremendous character and style.
To each his/her own I guess!!
i thought the title said 'a love of antiques DOESN'T HAVE TO resut in shabby chic' - in that they WERE NOT going for shabby chic, ergo it isn't what they ended up with.
Call me design challenged, but I love the look of this place. Shabby Chic (now defunct, by the way) always made me feel as if I were suffocating in mounds of marshmallow cream or shaken up among pastel candy sprinkles...with all that pastel green, pink and blue about. The point is, I think, that we like what we like and because we personally dislike something doesn't mean that the person who likes it is wrong. The whole idea is to take the bits you like and leave the others behind.
French Country Furniture Direct have some good examples of the use of antiques whilst avoiding the whole Shabby Chic look.