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An Updated Shabby Chic?

081709_skona1.jpgIs Shabby Chic totally going off its meds and getting a makeover? Hard to say for sure, but we'd be pretty curious to see what that would look like. Our hope is that it'll ease into the humorous side of the décor spectrum, like vintage oil paintings of dogs in ornate gilt frames over comfortable sofas. It could be like Jane Austen meets Tim Burton!...

 
 

While that day may never come, here's a few photos from Sköna Hem featuring a home that does its best to show us how the Swedes do shabby chic...(funny enough, they call the style, "Very British").

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(Images: Sköna Hem)

Comments (15)

...and yet more lush white interiors! i love this trend of using all white- so fresh and inviting, definitely not boring or sterile-looking.
lovely post. :)

posted by Style Odyssey on August 17th 2009 at 8:57am
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Very nice.

posted by visualingual on August 17th 2009 at 9:03am
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Love shabby chic, though I think the white-on-white thing can be overdone. Seriously love that blue and white ceramic fireplace!

posted by mirandabee on August 17th 2009 at 9:08am
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I love the cleaner look. We are seeing a trend towards lighter wood and fabrics. See the salvage finish pieces at French Country Furniture Direct. This look is achieved by shot blasting the wood to create a heavily distressed and also light antique finish.

posted by Siberian on August 17th 2009 at 11:08am
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There are some pieces I like (like the kitchen) slightly over done.... like the sofa.... but for the most part... I have hoping shabby chic...never rears it's head again.... a little shabby goes a long way.... one can still mix a weather beaten table with other pieces...but all the white... is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo early 90's.....

Let's revisit in 2020. Love to hear your comments.....

posted by gottahaveit555 on August 17th 2009 at 11:50am
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I still think beat up furniture looks better when it's darker.

posted by ec05 on August 17th 2009 at 12:10pm
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I think Shabby Chic is best when done with a lighter hand. One or two pieces mixed with other styles can be great.

Although I like the mostly white/cream interior & furnishings (it reminds of summer and a good tall glass of sunny lemonade), I wouldn't be comfortable enough to relax, put my feet up and enjoy...what if I muck up a white something or other, I KNOW I will...it's white all over! I need something more...practical?

http://www.donkeehouse.com

posted by bitdot on August 17th 2009 at 12:31pm
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LOVE the first pic, when I redo my apartment I'm keeping Tim Burton and Jane Austen in mind, great post!

posted by RalphEMole on August 17th 2009 at 1:44pm
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White furniture can make it so easy to change the look of a room without great expense. There is nothing more practical than a white slipcover.

posted by claire87 on August 17th 2009 at 1:52pm
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Just wondering: why is a white slipcover more practical than any other color slipcover?

posted by mirandabee on August 17th 2009 at 2:12pm
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Shabby Chic has closed its doors, hasn't it? As for these images, serenely beautiful, all of them. How practical all that white is for daily living, only one who has tried it can say. It looks fabulous, but in my house...well, all those slipcovers would be in the wash/at the cleaners every day.

posted by 39520expat on August 17th 2009 at 2:40pm
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The inner child in me really loves all white rooms and if done right its so romantic. I do agree with the comment above that some dark wood is nice.

This woman's blog really shows how you can live with white and recreating dingy thrift store finds-
http://www.inthefunlane.com/

The ceramic fireplace is a piece of art, glad they did not paint it white, LOL.

posted by LoriSF on August 17th 2009 at 3:29pm
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Mirandabee... because you can bleach it! And change your accessories any way you want. For example in my living room, if I decided to switch to grey and orange accents instead of red and blue, my white couch doesn't have to do a thing. But if I had a colored cover...

posted by marie516 on August 17th 2009 at 3:39pm
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OK, I'm beginning to see your logic now. Thanks.

posted by mirandabee on August 17th 2009 at 3:53pm
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well done in a tasteful way. maybe not for everyone, but lovely indeed.

posted by mellow yellow design on August 17th 2009 at 4:36pm
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