I've been waiting to get my paws on this book, it finally arrived this morning. It's such a treat. I've already turned the pages a million times, it will be a long time before it's put away on a book shelf.
I've got several of the Shabby Chic books now, and they give me so much food for thought. It would be easy to just go out and buy things to recreate the looks you see on the pages, but it's not really about that to me.
Years ago, when I lived at home (by which I mean with my parents, the house that I grew up in. Silly really, the house I share with my husband and daughter is definitely my home, and where my heart is, and yet I still refer to my parents house as 'home'! Do you do that too?), where was I? Ah yes, my old bedroom. It was in the loft of the house, and I painted it white, added a floral border from Laura Ashley, made my dad install a small chandelier, hung some sheer white fabric at the window, and saved up for some frothy white Janet Reger bedlinen. Back then there was no name for it, it was just my pretty, white bedroom in a traditional style. Now it would be labelled Shabby Chic.
But to me the true shabby chic style comes with time. I make it no secret that the look inspires me, and I strive to give our home a soft, elegant, floral, vintage, look. However, I feel as if I'm just setting the groundwork. The house won't be completely right until one vital ingredient is added - time. You can't buy the patina and homely feeling that time provides. And I really do think that is what is at the heart of the beauty of the shabby chic style. I have no problem getting out the paint and sandpaper and distressing chairs and shelves, because I want the look in an instant, but when it comes to arm chairs, sofas and cushions, bedlinen and soft furnishings, I'm more than happy to use them and let them age in their own time and way. It isn't about creating a 'perfect' home, it's about creating a warm and welcoming home, a home that has been loved and lived in.
Some of my favourite posessions are cushions from Laura Ashley that I realised to my horror, must be about 15 years old now. If not older. They are still beautiful and have lasted well, but they're a little bit faded and moth eaten in places. It adds to their charm.
It's a bit like shoes. (Bear with me! You'll see where I'm going with this!) My current favourite shoes are these.
Oh how I love them. They are so pretty and flowery, and I feel so tall in them. But, Monday - Friday, when I'm walking my little girl to school, pottering around the house or walking to the shops, you are far more likely to find me in these.
My trusty customised plimsolls. They've seen better days, are dirty, a bit holey, the soles are getting thin, but they're comfy old friends that I just love to wear. You can't fake that look, it is something that happens with genuine wear and tear.They're also a little piece of heaven to my poor little chipped toenailed feet that get wedged into high heels at weekends.
I love that with time, our home is going to evolve into what I hope will be a cosy and beautiful place to be and come back to. The shabby chic books remind me of that, and give me inspiration for what I think is a timeless look.In between reading my book and scaring the husband with phrases like 'ooh, I'd like a chandelier like that in the living room/dining room/kitchen/etc', I will be trying to find time to work on the little craft project that came with a magazine I bought on Friday.
I'd heard of 'Mollie Makes' on Twitter, but hadn't see it in the shops until last week. It's a wonderful crafty magazine, and is packed with some fabulous ideas.P.S don't ask me why I rambled on about shoes halfway through the post, I can't explain it, it's just the way my mind works!