Yes, shabby chic is still in style today. Though the trend is much less popular than it was in the early 2000s, shabby chic is a timeless look that has withstood the test of time. This style is characterized by having more of an antique, vintage look with comfort, softness and lived-in comfort.
Popular elements of this style include distressed furniture, layering of textured fabrics, faded and faded colors, muted tones, and vintage décor. Many people like this style because it adds character and style to any room without sacrificing on comfort.
The shabby chic look is also becoming increasingly popular among people who are looking for low-key designs that still have a stylish edge. With the latest trends in home décor, shabby chic looks are still a timeless way to give your home a unique and unique look that can be enjoyed for years.
What is Rachel Ashwell doing now?
Rachel Ashwell is a successful British-born, Los Angeles-based designer and founder of the successful lifestyle and decor brand, Shabby Chic. She is credited with launching the “shabby chic” style, which blends elements of vintage, modern, and cottage-style décor.
Since launching the brand in 1989, Ashwell has gone on to have a highly successful career as an interior designer and entrepreneur.
Today, Ashwell continues her design and entrepreneurial pursuits. She is the CEO and Creative Director of Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic, which operates both online and in 40 physical retail stores. In addition, Ashwell has several product lines that feature her designs, such as bedding, furniture, lighting, and more.
She has also recently released a new line called VirtuGLAM, which offers vintage-inspired luxury homeware.
In addition to her design and retail endeavors, Ashwell is also an accomplished author. She has released two books, The Shabby Chic Home and Welcome to the Shabby Chic Life. She is also the host of a podcast, Just Keep Growing, which covers topics related to lifestyle, design, sustainability, and more.
Recently, she has also moved into television both as a producer and a designer, with her new show “Lifetime Design”.
Finally, Ashwell is an advocate for both sustainability and wildlife conservation. She is the founder of The Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Foundation, which provides funding for charitable organizations working to protect wildlife, habitats, and communities.
She is also the face of the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Eco-Friendly Living Campaign, which promotes sustainable habits and environmental initiatives.
What is modern shabby chic?
Modern shabby chic is an interior design style that combines elements of both traditional and modern design. It uses distressed and slightly worn pieces of furniture, vintage décor, and a muted color palette to create a soft and inviting atmosphere.
The emphasis is on neutral colors such as whites, creams, and grays, with copper and soft blues, pinks, and greens used as accent shades. Furniture pieces are often distressed and pieces like decorative plates and teacups are used to add a sense of nostalgia and homeyness.
Variations of the style, such as rustic shabby chic, or modern Industrial shabby chic, can also incorporate industrial elements like metal piping and screws, juxtaposed against the whitewashed and rustic elements, to achieve an eclectic feel.
How would you describe shabby chic?
Shabby chic style is an eclectic mix of old and new, designed to create a warm, welcoming, comfortable space. It is often achieved by combining different furniture styles and decorating with vintage and distressed pieces, creating a vintage-inspired room.
Furniture is often painted white or light pastels, to create a soft and inviting feel. Distressed woods, distressed paints, and even natural elements like weathered metals, rustic stone, and chipped pottery are all part of the shabby chic aesthetic.
Color is a key element to the style – rather than bold, bright hues, shabby chic is inviting and utilizes muted pastels, with accents of shades of green and blue. Flowers, floral wallpaper, and botanical artwork are all perfect for achieving the look.
Accessories like vintage clocks, old toys, distressed frames, or bird cages will complete the look, as well as vintage-inspired fabrics such as linens, lace, and cottons.
What are the elements of shabby chic style?
The elements of shabby chic style typically include a mix of colors, fabrics, and textures, often with a vintage element. Typically, shabby chic furniture has a distressed or worn look, often with whitewashed or chipped paint.
The colors used in shabby chic decor tend to be softer and lighter in tone, such as whites, creams, blues, and grays. Upholstery is usually a neutral tone and often features floral patterns. Wall decor is often made up of vintage pieces with a feminine flair.
Furniture is often made of woods, such as oak or mahogany, but is usually painted in a light, weathered finish. Accessory pieces tend to be both functional and decorative, such as old porcelain dishes and candelabras.
Finally, one of the most popular elements of a shabby chic style is the use of vintage fabrics. These soft, delicate fabrics often include lace, velvet, and silk, in whites and pastels.
What’s the difference between farmhouse and shabby chic?
The main difference between farmhouse and shabby chic is the overall look and feel of the decor. Farmhouse usually incorporates rustic charm and traditional elements, such as vintage furniture, worn fabrics, distressed wood, and antique objects, in order to evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort.
By contrast, shabby chic emphasizes subtle pastels, romantic florals, and distressed furniture and decor, resulting in a more delicate and curved aesthetic. Both styles are intended to be inviting and comfortable, but they do so in different ways.
Farmhouse seeks to bring in a nostalgic, home-style feel while shabby chic exudes a refined, gentler vibe.
Can you mix shabby chic with farmhouse?
Yes, absolutely! Mixing shabby chic and farmhouse styles is a great way to create a unique look in your home. The two styles share many similar elements, such as a focus on natural materials, vintage accessories, and a homey feel.
To mix the two styles together, think about ways to blend the two aesthetics. Combine vintage finds with natural textures and neutral colors to give your home a cozy and inviting feeling. Hang up framed prints with distressed frames for a rustic look.
Use natural wicker baskets to store items and keep clutter concealed. Utilize wooden furniture and worn fabrics to layer in different rustic elements. Incorporate accents like galvanized tin, patterns with neutral hues, more natural elements, and warm lighting.
By mixing the two styles together you can create a unique and inviting atmosphere in your home.
How old is Rachel Ashwell?
Rachel Ashwell is 51 years old. Born in London, England in 1969, she is a designer and entrepreneur. She began her career as a fashion and lifestyle designer in her early twenties, selling her first finished design in 1995.
Since then, she has established several successful companies, most notably Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture and her eponymous lifestyle brand. She has also authored a number of books, including the bestselling Shabby Chic Interiors.
Rachel continues to be an influential figure in the design world, offering high-end products for modern home decor.
When was shabby chic popular?
The term “shabby chic” was first popularized in the 1980s by British designer and businesswoman Rachel Ashwell. As a style, shabby chic is defined by soft, colorful fabrics and furniture upholstered with distressed fabrics, vintage accents, and vintage-inspired accessories.
During the 1980s, shabby chic designs were mostly seen in country cottages and beach houses. This cozy aesthetic was popular among designers and homemakers alike, which made it a mainstay through the 1990s.
In the 2000s, shabby chic saw a resurgence in popularity and was adapted to upholstered furniture pieces, drapery and wall coverings, and even light fixtures. In more recent years, the trend has evolved with many designers further personalizing shabby chic with mixes of modern and traditional elements like updated colors, geometric lines, and more expressive details.
What year did shabby chic start?
The shabby chic style of design and home décor became popular in the late 1980s. Though the exact origin of the term “shabby chic” is up for debate, it was popularized by British designer Rachel Ashwell in the late 1980s when she opened her store in Santa Monica, California called “Shabby Chic”.
Through her store, the emphasis was on vintage furniture and textiles that had been treated in a rustic manner, giving them an aged and distressed look. Ashwell continued to promote and develop the style throughout the 1990s, eventually garnering an international following by the early 2000s.
Is shabby chic French?
No, the term “shabby chic” is not a French phrase. This decorating style originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1980s, becoming popular among British and American homeowners alike throughout the 1990s.
The style is characterized by vintage, slightly worn-looking items that are often decorative or luxurious in nature, like antique furniture, romantic fabrics, and distressed accessories. While it may have certain similarities to the French furniture style of Louis XV, shabby chic is not French in origin.
Is shabby chic the same as farmhouse?
No, shabby chic and farmhouse styles are not the same. Shabby chic is a style that usually features vintage, distressed furniture and decor with a feminine, romantic flair. It incorporates pastel colors, florals, and other delicate fabrics.
On the other hand, farmhouse style is made up primarily of antique and reclaimed materials and a few modern pieces. It’s very rustic, with neutral tones and natural textures. Farmhouse is often asymmetrical, with old furniture and fixtures, while shabby chic often has a more symmetrical and polished appearance.
Although there can be a lot of crossover between the two when it comes to fabric and furniture, they are still very distinct styles.
Did Simply Shabby Chic go out of business?
Yes, it is true that Simply Shabby Chic went out of business in April 2017. Launched in 2004, Simply Shabby Chic was a furniture and home decor company founded by popular designer Rachel Ashwell. The company started as an ecommerce site, then in 2007 began selling in brick and mortar boutiques, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target stores.
However, due to a change in strategy by parent company Retail Brand Alliance and a period of economic downturn, Rachel decided to close her stores and retire the collection. With this change, she was able to focus on the Shabby Chic lifestyle, offering bedding collections in collaboration with Welspun, crafting a lifestyle brand and licensing both furniture and home decor to other companies.
Despite the closure of the stores, Rachel Ashwell continues to spread her Shabby Chic living philosophy through her printed and digital publications, airings of her television specials, continued e-commerce and events across the US.
Where did the term shabby chic come from?
The term “shabby chic” was popularized in the late 1980s to describe a style of interior design that blended vintage items with traditional designs. The style was created by the British decorator Rachel Ashwell, who initially used it to describe her signature style of furniture and home decor, characterized by faded and worn décor with a softened, vintage look.
The term caught on and has since become one of the more popular interior design styles.
The style is meant to evoke a feeling of old and new, combining vintage features with modern convenience and comfort. She emphasizes the importance of mixing simple and luxurious pieces together, which gives the home a unique, eclectic look.
Shabby chic items don’t have to look worn or overly distressed; they should simply show some age, yet remain in good condition.
The term also captures the essence of the style—it suggests comfort, romance, and a beautiful atmosphere. Rachel Ashwell’s signature style combines classic furnishings, worn fabrics, and distressed pieces with a fresh, modern twist to create inviting, one-of-a-kind spaces.