El estilo shabby chic es una tendencia de decoración que se caracteriza por combinar elementos antiguos y desgastados con otros más modernos y elegantes. El estilo shabby chic busca crear ambientes acogedores, románticos y femeninos, con un toque de nostalgia y encanto.

El estilo shabby chic tiene sus orígenes en los años 80, cuando la diseñadora británica Rachel Ashwell comenzó a recuperar y restaurar muebles y objetos antiguos que encontraba en mercadillos y tiendas de segunda mano. Ashwell creó el término shabby chic, que significa "shabby chic", para definir su forma de decorar, que mezclaba lo antiguo y lo nuevo con armonía y gracia.

El estilo shabby chic está inspirado en las casas de campo inglesas y francesas, donde el paso del tiempo y la historia se deja notar en los muebles y complementos. El estilo shabby chic también incorpora elementos de estilo vintage, estilo rústico y estilo provenzal, creando un ambiente cálido y acogedor.

En este artículo te contamos más detalles sobre las características, colores, materiales, muebles y objetos que definen el estilo shabby chic, así como algunos consejos y ejemplos para aplicarlo en tu hogar.

Las características del estilo shabby chic.

El estilo shabby chic se basa en una serie de principios y características que le aportan personalidad y encanto. Entre las principales características del estilo shabby chic se encuentran:

• The mix of old and modern: the shabby chic style combines antique or aged-looking furniture and objects with more modern and elegant ones. This mix creates an interesting contrast and a sense of balance.
• The harmony of colors: the shabby chic style uses light and soft colors, such as white, beige, pink, blue or green. These colors transmit luminosity, tranquility and freshness. Pastel tones or more intense colors can also be used, as long as they are combined with white.
• The delicacy of fabrics: the shabby chic style uses natural and delicate fabrics, such as cotton, linen or silk. These fabrics provide texture, softness and comfort. Floral, striped or checked prints can be used, as well as lace, embroidery or ruffles.
• The beauty of the details: the shabby chic style takes care of the decorative details that make the difference. For example, vases, candlesticks, frames, mirrors or clocks. These objects can be placed on furniture or walls, creating points of interest and contrast.
• The presence of flowers: the shabby chic style incorporates natural or artificial flowers, such as roses, peonies, lavenders or daisies. These flowers add color, aroma and life to the environment. They can be used in bouquets, centerpieces or garlands.

The colors of the shabby chic style

Color is a fundamental element in the shabby chic style, since it determines the atmosphere and the feeling that you want to convey. The predominant color in the shabby chic style is white, which provides luminosity, spaciousness and purity. White can be used on walls as well as on furniture and objects.

In addition to white, the shabby chic style uses other light and soft colors, such as beige, pink, blue or green. These colors complement white and create a calm and fresh atmosphere. Pastel tones or more intense colors can also be used, as long as they are combined with white.

Some color combinations that work well in the shabby chic style are:

• White and pink: it is a romantic and feminine combination, which evokes sweetness and tenderness. It can be used in bedrooms, living rooms or bathrooms.
• White and blue: it is a fresh and relaxing combination, reminiscent of the sky and the sea. It can be used in kitchens, dining rooms or terraces.
• White and green: it is a natural and vital combination, which reflects vegetation and nature. It can be used in living rooms, bedrooms or gardens.
• White and beige: it is a neutral and elegant combination, which provides warmth and sophistication. It can be used in living rooms, bedrooms or bathrooms.

The materials of the shabby chic style

Material is another important element in the shabby chic style as it influences the texture, feel and look of furniture and objects. The most used material in the shabby chic style is wood, which provides solidity, warmth and naturalness. The wood can be painted white or light colors, and can be distressed or stripped to give it a more rustic touch.

In addition to wood, the shabby chic style uses other natural and delicate materials, such as cotton, linen or silk. These materials are used for fabrics, which cover furniture, windows or beds. These materials provide softness, comfort and elegance.

Other materials such as wrought iron, wicker, glass or porcelain can also be used. These materials are used for decorative objects, such as lamps, tables, chairs or vases. These materials provide lightness, shine and personality.

Shabby chic style furniture

Furniture is the protagonist of the shabby chic style, since it determines the character and functionality of each space. The most characteristic furniture of the shabby chic style is antique or aged-looking furniture, which has history and personality. This furniture can be painted white or light colors, and can be distressed or stripped to give it a more rustic touch.

Among the most typical furniture of the shabby chic style are:

• Tables: are essential pieces of furniture that are used for eating, working or decorating. Shabby chic style tables are usually made of solid wood, with turned or curved legs. They can be painted white or light colors, and can be decorated with a fabric tablecloth or a flower centerpiece.
• Chairs: are complementary pieces of furniture that are used both for sitting and for decoration. Shabby chic style chairs are usually made of wood or wrought iron, with high or low backs. They can be painted white or light colors, and can be covered with cushions or fabric covers.
• Cómodas: son muebles versátiles que sirven tanto para almacenamiento como para exposición. Las cómodas de estilo shabby chic suelen estar fabricadas en madera, con grandes cajones y originales tiradores. Se pueden pintar de blanco o de colores claros, y sobre ellos se pueden colocar objetos decorativos como marcos, espejos o jarrones.
• Armarios: son muebles imprescindibles que sirven tanto para almacenamiento como para separación. Los armarios de estilo shabby chic suelen ser de madera, con puertas batientes o correderas. Se pueden pintar de blanco o de colores claros y decorar con cortinas, guirnaldas o pancartas.