If you’re tired of giving your mum flowers or a bottle of perfume, then why not treat her to a shabby chic gift.

Whatever the style of your mum’s home, a shabby chic piece will look great. This is the beauty of shabby chic furnishings- it has the ability to fit in with just about any style of decor.
There are many different pieces of shabby chic furnishings available, so you really will be spoilt for choice.

For the kitchen, why not treat your mum to a stunning wall clock, or, if she has lots of bits and bobs lying around, a kitchen tidy is a great idea.

Shabby chic style photo frames look fantastic in any room, and you can make this gift even more special by placing a photo of you and your mum in it- for the perfect personalised present.
Make Mother’s day even more unique with a shabby chic present.

The shabby chic look has managed to stand the test of time, even against constant updates to modern interior design. So, what exactly is it that makes shabby chic the decor of choice for so many people?

First and foremost, one of the great things about the style is that it allows you to create a completely unique look. Many homes today are kitted out with very similar styles of furniture from large chain stores. Whilst some people are content with their home looking near identical to their neighbours, there are others who want to set their homes apart from the masses- and shabby chic furnishings can help to achieve this.

Shabby chic is also popular as you can mix and match a wide range of items to create a very ‘lived in’ look. This plays a huge part in making a house really feel like a home.

So, if you want to set yourself apart from the rest of your street, create your own look with shabby chic furniture.

This is the reason why shabby chic items and knick-knacks can be perfect wedding gifts; the bride and groom are just starting out life together and most likely, are sharing a new house as well. Don’t just give functional gifts; give tasteful and thoughtful gifts that can really add to the style of their new matrimonial home.

Here’s a couple of the best shabby chic wedding gifts you can go for:

• Wooden antiqued-style photo frame – A standing picture frame can be the perfect gift for a couple in love, especially if they may have baby photos to display at some point in the future! Choose a unique or vintage style to make your gift truly original.
• French reproduction wall clock – This vintage-styled wall clock can be perfect for use in the kitchen or hallway, adding a classic period look to any home. The recipients of this gift will be thrilled with the thought that’s gone into choosing it.

Nowadays, there are endless ways in which you can decorate your home, and DIY and homeware stores are full to the brim with countless different styles.

Shabby chic and contemporary looks are two styles that sit at completely different ends of the spectrum, and both are popular today. However, those who want to express their individuality commonly opt for shabby chic.

Unlike contemporary furnishings, which are usually bought in huge bulk from manufacturers, shabby chic furnishings are much less common. With shabby chic pieces, you can create a completely bespoke look for your home.

Another great thing about shabby chic items is that you can mix and match different pieces as much as you like. In fact, doing this can make it look even more attractive. Contemporary furnishings often need to be matched, otherwise it can create a messy look.

If you really want to add an extra personal touch to your home, shabby chic furnishings really are the way forward.

If you’re not one who feels as though they have to conform to the latest trends and follow the crowd in order to fit in, then you’re in luck, as there are many great shabby chic furnishings that you can choose from in order to really make your home stand out.

The fantastic thing about shabby chic is that it can fit in easily with practically any existing decor in your home, and there are items available for just about every room in the home.

From photo frames to clothes rails to kitchen utensils to mirrors, the options are endless, and you can embrace the shabby chic look with as much or as little vigour as you like.

Really make your house feel like a home and invest in some great shabby chic furniture- you’ll be amazed at just how fabulous it looks!

The great news is that there are some extremely affordable storage accessories out there that can really complement a shabby chic home. Even if your home isn’t styled in a vintage way, these items can add a quirky and unique look, whilst helping you to keep your belongings in order.

Carved French furniture looks amazing when combined with shabby chic pieces- French wooden wall shelves look great in any room and can hold an endless range of items.

Tired of misplacing all that important mail? Then really go for chic and bag yourself a vintage style letter rack- the perfect addition to any hallway.

If you’re short on space on your bathroom, towel racks are great for holding all your clean towels, and can even be used for holding clean and ironed clothes in the bedroom.

Shabby chic and vintage storage is functional AND beautiful- making it the perfect addition to any home.

Updating the look of your kitchen doesn’t have to mean following the crowd down to the local DIY superstore- quirky, old fashioned furnishings are the order of the day!

There are so many fantastic items of shabby chic furniture and accessories available today, that you’re sure to find some that appeal to your fun side and will match the decor of your kitchen.

If you have a few odd bits and bobs lying around the kitchen, that never seem to have a permanent home, invest in a Lace Red Kitchen Wall Mounted Tidy- the chic way of keeping your odds and sods safe!

Round wall clocks are the perfect addition to any kitchen, and will ensure that you never overcook any of those scrumptious meals!

Serve your meals up with a beautiful 18 piece Rustic Dinner Set- which features 6 dinner plates, 6 side plates and six bowls.

The shabby chic look is perfect for any kitchen, and is extremely affordable to create.

Home accessories

With so many home accessories available we thought we would just mention a few of the better ways you can add that shabby chic look to your home without spending a fortune.

Replacement furniture knobs

Changing the knobs on your furniture can really make a difference to how your furniture looks. Adding ceramic knobs or glass or metal knobs can really spruce up that old dresser and tie the piece in with your other furniture items.

Vintage and reclaimed coat hooks

Instead of hanging your coat in a wardrobe or at the end of the staircase, why not buy a vintage styled set of coat hooks or even a reclaimed wood coat hook to tie your hallway design in with the rest of your house? Small design statements can have a big impact on your overall design.

Outdoor design and ornaments

Bring the inside of your home to the outdoors with a range of garden design elements that keep the flow of your design through your living and outdoor space. Adding French reproduction garden chairs or even aged ceramic garden tables can achieve the look you want in a really cost effective way.

French bedroom furniture is often white or pale pastel shades. In some cases the wood veneer is highly polished, while in others the finish is rougher to create what is known as the shabby chic look. For the latter, edges may be sanded and layers of paint exposed to give an aged, rustic look.

Essentially, it is all about warmth and that rural feel. The furniture should create a relaxed atmosphere and should also be stout and durable. You will be able to get not just beds, but dressing tables, night stands, cupboards and wardrobes in this style.

Where once such furniture would have cost a fortune to import, nowadays you can get exactly what you are looking for online. Retailers know their market and are producing magnificent pieces of rural French furniture at quite affordable prices. If you get French furniture for your bedroom, you will be assured of a comfortable, great looking haven from the world outside each night when you go to bed.

Distressed finish
Another feature of shabby chic furniture is the finish. Furniture will look aged, so distressing is common. This doesn’t mean peeling paint. It is more likely that edges will be sanded down to give an irregular finish.

Where to get it
The good news is that you don’t need wait for your current furniture to age and you don’t need to go hunting round antique shops either. Shabby chic items are now being produced to meet the growing demand. A range of designs are available and each item will be artificially aged using different techniques to give it the right look. Take a look online and you are sure to be able to find something that catches your eye.