apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think with Shabby Chic the MOST important thing is not too go into the cutesy cutesy zone. I went into this Shabby Chic store in Chicago and as cute as a lot of the items were their main decorating scheme was pale creams and pastel pinks and it just looked like a nightmare in my opinion.

I really find it interesting when people do shabby chic with a pop of color on the walls. I love the toned down teal someone posted. Also I saw this beautiful feature in Domino where someone did one wall in a very deep midnight blue. Also a light grey could be a nice contrast to the frill.

I think something you have to keep in mind with shabby chic is to remain modern, don't go for the cliches or its going to look froo froo. NO PINK! NO PASTEL!

Good luck!

Pale grey that has a hint of blue in it.

Any color that hydrangeas come in.

Sage greens, pale blues, dove greys.

I don't think pink is completely off limits but it should be mauve instead of candy pink.

Deeper colors I think would work well are greyish purples and as mentioned above, a toned-down teal.

If most of your furniture is white or cream, you can really do any color you want. Do you have any colored accessories that you like, that maybe you could pull a color from?

Beyond that, soft beige/linen shade might work, but watch it... in the wrong light it can look drab.

And for the record, I have no problem with frou-frou.

It might be helpful to check out the AT post on the set design in the latest film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, and look at the colors on the walls of Longbourne. (Then, of course, do what you want! It's your house, and you can throw any visitors who make disparaging comments out the [tastefully decorated] window!)

I love a darker olive green and cream. It can be paired with other earthy tones, like woods, stone, and gold goes well (think the shades in a dark forest). The cream items then stand out against the muted background.

I am also in favor of French blues, and light grays that have a brown tinge to them so it doesn't seem too modern.

color match something to the legs of that gorgeous table. It looks dove gray in the picture.

bright bold colors.

Well, do you want a very simple, neutral shabby chic style like the photograph above, or something with more of a twist? My bedroom is slowly evolving into something that approaches shabby chic, but with a palate of brown, green and orange accents. But I rent, so I'm not sure I'd use those colors on the walls, even if I could paint. Still, I sort of love the idea of painting an accent wall the color of that green cabinent in the picture, or a soft, muted brown.

salmon or coral would look great, I think. I also love SC stuff with a creamy background. tough call.

Pale pastel colors with grey tones to them - nothing too bright or jarring.

Ellen Kinnon's Gustav Grey.

Next question?

The thing to remember is, it's only paint - you can do it over! I agree that a lot of vintage movies are good for color stories. I would buy paint that flows color-wise from one room to the next - put the sample swatches next to each other and see if they go together well for each room that you can see from the one you're doing. If you have a fabric or item or magazine pic that you really like the color of, bring it to the store with you.
good luck!

ROMANCE ask for it at the paint counter. Hav it mixed and paint all the walls that. Then paint the trim a bright white. LOVELY!