Monday 28 October 2013

Get 'Old School' with Shabby Chic Decor!


http://2.lushome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/vintage-style-garden-decorations-backyard-ideas-1.jpg
Although I am 20-something, I often get remarks like, "Oh dear, You have a granny's soul" or "Sweetie, you were just born in the wrong era, this new century is just not your cup of tea!"
And I proudly claim that its true, when it comes to home decor and interior, I am an OLD soul still ravishing olden styles and designs. One of my favorite is Shabby chic style of interior décor that revolves around furniture and furnishings that look aged and time-tested, without actually being in poor condition or broken. It is possible to create the look with entirely new furniture, and this requires a steady hand and great finesse to get the look exactly right – in the Goldilocks zone, as it were, 'just right!' It is not necessary to have every piece of furniture and every accessory and soft furnishing be shabby chic – in fact, that can create an overwhelming aura of just 'shabby,' and very little 'chic!'

http://ruffledmedia.ruffled.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/upLoads/cedarwood-vintage-wedding/stephanie_matt_w_014.jpg

Highlight the Room

Choose one or two pieces to carry off the shabby chic theme, keeping everything else beautifully modern or neutral. A large old-fashioned sideboard, with a collection of vintage ornaments or old sepia photographs on top can create a wonderfully old-fashioned air in an otherwise up-to-date room.

http://www.sweetpeaandwillow.com/images/500-Marine-3-Drawer-Bombe-Chest.jpg


http://www.themodernhome.co.uk/comersus/store/Blog_Pics/shabby-chic-console-table.jpg



Small Touches Nodding to History

If you love your brand new furniture, you do not have to make any of it look old or 'tatty'. You can add that wonderful nostalgia purely with small touches. A retro telephone, black and white photographs that hearken from the desired era, or even authentic vintage cushion covers and curtains can infuse enough old style into a room to create the perfect shabby chic living room.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMTEbOB0dyHHtnOgj2aoEg1S0mbCxYVO_wBuQLluZrVRT7mfpwKOdQPdy_riiOXU_5TBuE_vRTb39VPrp49hqH0Y055MkAYgmdg4GtMaAFkS-yjO84ov6nET5fV3OvQ07x46_XUbUNc0x/s1600/19901876515.jpg




http://www.country-touches.co.uk/ekmps/shops/countrytouches/images/shabby-chic-country-style-patchwork-cushion-cover-%5B3%5D-159-p.jpg



Make Your Own!

If you have scoured car boot sales, auctions, charity shops and second hand furniture shops looking for the iconic shabby chic look, but had no luck, do not give up your shabby chic dream just yet. You can create the look fairly easily, with the investment of an hour or two and some paint and sandpaper. 


http://theordinarymadeextraordinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/IMG_8220.jpg


Source a sturdy piece of furniture, in the style that you like. Sand it down lightly to remove the polished finish, then paint it in the bottom colour. Do not worry about making the paint even, gaps and streaks are fine. Once that has dried apply the top colour to the furniture item and allow that to dry. Take the sandpaper and gently 'distress' the edges and corners, removing the top coat to allow the bottom coat to show through in patches. When this is done properly (and it is only practise that will teach you the best methods!) the piece of furniture looks like a wonderfully sturdy, old heirloom that has stood the test of time. And ofcourse, accessories always look ravishing matched with smart furniture!

http://img0.etsystatic.com/001/0/6656284/il_570xN.388052472_etd8.jpg


Fabrics Can Play Their Part Too




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Many people adore the vintage and retro styles of curtains and fabric coverings, and they are now widely available. You should be easily able to source curtains that strike a nostalgic chord as being exactly like those your grandparents had! Vintage, old-style curtains, an abundance of lace or crochet – especially antimacassars – can add just enough of that old-school charm to infuse your living room which that shabby chic air that is so popular at present.  


http://cassiefairy.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/orange-tweed-mill-blanket-knitted-wool-throw-tartan-grey-sofa-retro-dralon-cushion-60s-70s.jpg?w=820



Study your current living room, and plan out what changes you would need to make in order to add a hint of past glory to the room. Once you have a plan of action, begin to make changes in order to achieve that dream, and before you know it you will have the shabby chic living room of your dreams!

Share your thoughts and comments would LOVE to know your views!

xoxo
Eva

Wednesday 23 October 2013

BLOG HOP!

A warm hello from me. Sorry I have been MIA, was travelling and had a blast last week. Now there is hardly anytime for Halloween, but I am so EXCITED to be co-hosting with MOMMY IS COOCOO!
read on ;)


Are you looking to grow your circles on Google+?  Do you want better SEO and increased website exposure? Then this is the place to be!
Welcome to the mommy is coocoo Google+ Link Party HOP!
(Or, as I like to think of it mommy gets around.)
Pin It
If you want to GROW with us on Google+:

Thursday 10 October 2013

Marvelous Monday Linky Party!


Hello all your wonderful people! Happy Thursday & a very happy October (whatever is left of it!). I am loving the chill that has started here. Getting cosy with my cup of coffee. I have a surprise for you, 


*DRUM ROLL*

Welcome to the ‘Marvelous Monday’ Link party hosted by Home Décor by Eva! I am so very glad to have you all. May I add that this is my very first linky party! So I am super excited!
Please do show all the encouragement you can and share it along on facebook, google+ and twitter, because I hope for your efforts to make this a huge success!
Counting on you lot ;)

Never linked up to a party before? Don’t you worry! All new comers are most welcome along with the regular party crowd!
  1. Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that.
  2. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
  3. Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!



Feel free to tweet, post on facebook and google+ so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Monday evening to see which posts have been featured this week!

New found LOVE: Cushions and Pillows!

Hello everyone! Hope you're having an amazing morning, just like me. Yes, I have again found a new love to entertain you with while my Halloween decor is in its final stages. I hope to be done by Monday hopefully.

Anyways, I have mustered up the courage to try my hand at sewing. I have loved some DIY's and pinned them to look into later. And that 'later' just came. I am in LOVE with these unique and beautiful cushions. Also, I could really use some to brighten up my home. Have a look and give me your thoughts. Also any advice, tips etc would much be appreciated.

*Drum roll please*

SEWING FOR DUMMIES BEGINS...NOW :)

I hope I can accomplish any of these wonderful ideas!

These look fairly easy and simple. Though, I am in doubt about washing and laundry. Will the fabric paint come off or smug over? Will just have to do more research (please don't roll your eyes at this point, encourage a beginner if you're a pro!) *pretty please*





Love these candy stripes! Looks so chic and funky. Lovely idea.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jQ5qjDYvZ-o/UaJ2A7EP9sI/AAAAAAAAIjA/rWO8ufNJ5wQ/DSC_01881_thumb1.jpg%3Fimgmax%3D800


Round cushion look great with textured fabrics, such as these white beauties, love the ruffled look.

http://www.11magnolialane.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/painted-chair-close.png 


 If you have colored upholstery and furniture then black and white combinations just do the trick! My favorite is the polka dots!

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8358081ff69e2017d3cfbe6cd970c-800wi 
 


Chevron works beautifully to give a classy look to the room.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5471960780_b51052c8b7.jpg 
 

I especially want to try this, again after researching the washing instructions. I love tree, flower, plant stenciled patterns. This coral one is done brilliantly!
Had I come across this earlier, I could include it my my Hogwart's Feast themed Halloween decor by stenciling the 'Whomping Willow' on my lounge cushions. Oh well, maybe next year ;)


Ahh, this heart painted cushion on a vintage distressed chair just takes my breath away. *Heart fluttering*

http://media.molliemakes.com/wp-content/uploads/oldfiles/inline_images/painted_heart_cushion.jpg 


These cuties were just adorable! I so wish I could have started on this earlier this month, would have incorporated so many of these in my Halloween Decor!


 And yes 'bows, flowers and hearts' are my weakness. By now I am not shy to disclose the 'romantic' I am at heart! These look divine!
http://www.thesimplethings.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/flower-and-bow-cushion-DIY2.jpg



 Hope you enjoyed my cushion ideas, do drop in your thoughts, tips and advice. It would be highly appreciated by a new comer!

Much love,

Eva