designing a home for pets and kidsdesigning a home for pets and kids


About Me

designing a home for pets and kids

I have four kids and three dogs that make keeping my home nice very challenging. I have worked hard over the years to find flooring, wall finishes, furniture, and decor that can hold up well to the things that my kids and dogs can put everything though. If you have kids and/or pets that make keeping your home looking nice difficult, visit my blog. There, you will find some tips to decorating your home in a way that makes it look very nice, but durable enough to remain in great condition while your kids and pets live their lives in it.

Must-Have Accessories For A Shabby Chic Home

Shabby chic is a vintage style that's supposed to feel pretty and comfortable. The target ambiance is that of a cozy visit with your grandmother. While some enthusiasts look for vintage accessories, most designers use new accessories to create a more cohesive look.

A popular design approach is to create a style with several accessories grouped together. Below are the foundation accessories you need for your personal shabby chic look.

Foundation Furniture

The foundation of your shabby chic style is a small item of furniture, such as an end table, a shelf, a sideboard, or a similar item. The furniture will serve as the stage for your look, so it'll drive the style. You could choose a delicate white item with pretty detailing for a romantic ambiance. Conversely, a distressed painted item will feel more eclectic.

Distressed Wooden Frame

For your look, you want a distressed wooden frame for the background. The frame can be a gate, windowpane, door, or oversized picture frame. The distressed finish is paramount to the shabby chic style. It's what gives items their timeworn appeal. You can make your own distressed finish by gently sanding away at corners and edges.

Cozy Lamp

Next, you want to anchor the look with a focal point. A lamp is ideal because it's a larger accessory and one that can put out light. Shabby chic lamps are often white or pastel with a lot of ornamentation. Indeed, you can find a fancy lampshade with tassels and crystal beads if you so desire.

Ornate Candlesticks

Candlesticks are a mainstay of a shabby chic look. You can look either for white or crystal candlesticks. Either way, look for ones with a lot of ornamentation in their base and column. With white candlesticks, a distressed finish is ideal. You'll probably put white or cream candles in the holder.

Vintage-Looking Picture Frames

Picture frames are very popular in the shabby chic style. They're also where you can best show off your unique taste. The frames should look vintage, but you can choose from a host of colors and finishes, including metallic ones. As with other elements, they're typically ornate. You can display your own pictures or look for vintage images for an artistic effect.

Old World Cases

While you can add as many accessories as you want to your look, consider a selection of old-world boxes or cases. Boxes can create a feeling of treasured mementos, while cases create a traveling vibe. The boxes or cases should feature a natural finish and old-world details in the hardware.

Use the above accessories to create your own unique shabby chic style. Look around in shops near you to find home accessories that go with your look.