Romance is eternally young & forever new.
 What is your Shabby Chic Style? Are you a: Romantic? Casual ? Dramatic? Classic? Romantic Whether you live in the East Coast or the West Coast of the country, in this high-tech hurry world, a romantic cottage style home can become a magical escape and create a serene sense of harmony that can warm up any heart. Romance is the zest of life, it conjures pleasant images of sunshine, flowers, imagination, candlelight, music and soft whispers. In a world rapidly changing and evolving, a romantic style home is a comforting pause in a fast moving world. The rough edges of the world outside your door softens and fades when you come home to romance, soothing and calming your spirit. Instead of evoking another era (as in other styles) this relaxing, calming, elegant cottage style aims at the most universal target of all: your heart. Fortunately Romance is easy to master and affordable to accomplice. It can be mixed with different periods, it can borrow details and accent pieces from different countries, and can be mixed with antiques & reproductions pieces, it can be Victorian or vintage or plain contemporary. To achieve a romantic style cottage or just romantic chic, it is important to think of skirted tables -for your living room and bedroom- covered with layers of pretty linens topped with silk and velvet runners, lace curtains velvet or satin accent pillows.. Other easy changes include grouping black & white family photograph in decorative silver or crystal frames, hanging botanical or other floral prints, replacing overhead lighting fixtures with evocative chandeliers, hanging lots of mirrors framed in gilded metal, brass, gold painted wood or creamy whites. Also, adding lots of real plants placed in very decorative pots and arranged in small groups, adding silver or crystal candlesticks, candelabras and wall sconces everywhere.  |  Walls. Need to be painted with soft, muted colors: seashell pink, apple green, creamy white, pastel blue and light yellow. For inspiration think of hue from a Monet painting. Furniture, painted or distressed takes on another spirit when topped with candelabras, crystal picture frames and surrounded by French Aubusson style rug. The style of the furniture can be French or Italian or Spanish, it really does not matter, when painted in white or distressed, it just takes on another style. A French country style dining room table can be mixed with an Italian secretary which can be transformed by adding a gilded architectural detail on top, holding beautiful Austrian crystal or Dutch botanic prints inside the door glass panels . In living room and dining room it is easy to invite romance by slipcovering dark pieces with creamy cottons and by replacing heavy curtains with sheer, lacy ones. Old chairs can be made fresh and new with skirted and flirty slipcovers in botanical prints or just plain white. Beautiful Objects as accent pieces. Beauty is forever preserved in objects that have escaped the ravages of times as well as in those that proudly present their years. Classical motifs recall the enduring qualities of beauty and art unaffected by the passage of time. These objects can be shaped as cherubs, figurines & lovebirds. Their gentle curves, sensuous shapes, shy innocence of cherubs and the ardor of lovebirds, symbolize the joy of young love and evoke beauty that is forever young. These objects help create the right romantic feeling in any room. Candlesticks, candelabras and sconces: evoke memories of romantic dinners, quiet conversations, dancing for two, and sweet goodnights. To create a romantic style home, it is a must to add as many as you can collect of such objects. They can be shaped as cherubs, angels or just plain candlesticks, they all evoke the feeling of love at first sight and when lit they uplift and inspire any heart . Urns and vases on pedestals filled with fresh or silk flowers make a relaxed accent in any room. Also, you may want to consider collecting any object made of cut crystal, old silver, alabaster, brass, and bronze. All of these elements meld harmoniously into settings enriched by vintage finds and sentimental family treasures, warming up rooms made by new and old heirlooms. Windows. As we learned flowing , lightweight fabrics should top the list of romantic essentials. But the most dramatic use of these fabrics is at the windows. Choose curtains and valances that include generous gathers, rounded, scrolled, or looped curves in curtains can soften any room in your house. Lace panels or sheer panels crowned with a swagged and tied valances can set the stage for nostalgic, romantic feelings. Rugs . Needlepoint rugs or soft Aubusson style rugs are best to frame any vintage piece and set the romantic style tone in any room. Outdoor. A romantic feeling can be achieved outside, by adding touches such as a garden sculpture in a form of fairy or an angel, a decorative bird bath and a fountain. But Romance can also be as simple and effective as hanging a wrought iron candle chandelier from a tree or porch beam, lighting rustic garden torches, or lining up your surrounding area with lots of lanterns . Floral cloth over wrought iron patio table, floral cushions and pillows and lots of pretty pots with flowers help complete the appealing scene. This pretty style is easy to achieve and is waiting for you to create. Enjoy, -Cristina- |
