Shabby Chic Bathroom Designs
Shabby chic bathroom designs can add a comfortable, lived-in look, welcoming guests and family members alike into an attractive, relaxing space. The informal nature of shabby chic gives you lots of options, plus the ability to mix and match pieces and decor for a style that's both elegant and laid back.
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Shabby chic design is generally defined as featuring a mix of furniture pieces and decor that are either naturally weathered or distressed antiques or which have been artificially or hand-weathered or distressed. The look achieved by this combination of "well-loved and well-used" pieces and decorations is one of casual opulence — shabby chic designs help create a welcoming, comfortable space with a soft, informal air.
One of the most popular ways to incorporate shabby chic designs is through the use of antique or hand-distressed furniture pieces. In shabby chic bathrooms, these may take the form of seating like chairs or benches, storage furniture like linen cabinets or under-sink cabinets, or entire sink, cabinet and countertop combinations. Shabby chic designs in bathrooms may sometimes feature the ornate and romantic designs of the Victorian era, with sinks sometimes perched on former dressing tables or chests of drawers for an informal, repurposed look. Much or all of the furniture in a shabby chic bathroom will feature distressing, either from weathering over time, hand-distressing, or techniques like glazing or crackle painting that can bestow an antique appearance on any piece of furniture.
To further the shabby chic effect in a bathroom space, furniture pieces are often mix-and-matches, as opposed to comprising a full set. Chairs, tables, cabinets and other pieces may follow a similar style or era of design, but each piece may be distinct in individual style, color and finish, adding to the "informally assembled" feel of the space. Furniture in shabby chic bathrooms is generally a mix of wood and metal, and it usually represents more traditional or historical design eras as opposed to more modern or contemporary styles.
When choosing accessories for a shabby chic bathroom space, vintage style can be a great place to start. Artwork, lighting fixtures, mirrors and decorative items for windowsills or shelving can be a menagerie of vintage styles, "similar but not the same" in their derivation. Movie or advertising posters from the 1930s and 1940s can combine with vintage clocks and ornate mirror frames, creating a diverse and visually interesting space that's lively, elegant and welcoming.
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