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I am moving into a new house and trying to use the furniture that I own to “work” into this dining room. The chandelier in the room is a beautiful crystal one. I have painted the walls (there is a chair rail oak stain) cranberry color on bottom & a softer yellow shade on top. I have a large, white painted, antique dish cupboard that will also be in that room. The decoratating question is… my table & chair set is country looking, medium oak wood, not formal looking at all. Do I need to get rid of the chandelier since it really isn’t the country style or is there a way to decorate the room with assessories to tie everything together? Floors= hardwood, Windows= no window coverings yet.
I would also like to get a large area rug for under the table, do I follow country or more of a formal look or neither?
Great article and beautiful pictures.
I love to look at a home done up in cottage/shabby chic style but I would find it hard to live in one. I attended a party in a home that was beautifully done but after awhile I realized that it felt much more like a store than a home; every surface contained a perfectly staged accessory and every detail was on note but there was just too much! It felt like the homeowner wasn’t able to resist ANY object fit in with her decor. I really expected to find price tags on each item.
It was an amazing home; from the front gate to corner of the backyard, around every corner there was a beautiful vignette, but I found it hard to imagine how anyone would actually live in the home. The home was a small three bedroom rambler that started out a simple rectangle. The owners had installed 7 sets of french doors so nearly every room opened out into the garden, which was also beautifully done.
I like the texture of the distressed finishes found in shabby chic/cottage decor; it gives a depth and interest, but the overall look is too busy for me. It is lovely to visit and admire so have me over for a cup of tea anytime!
This is fun; I’m looking forward to the next style conversation!
Kathy
Kathy -
Thanks for sharing your experience. I also have a friend who loves the whole shabby chic look and she’s done a great job. I get what you’re saying about everything being just “so perfect”. Wonder if it’s the same house?
I think that sense of perfection is what happens when your style is so very set and almost themed. Everything you purchase fits the color/theme/style so perfectly that there’s no sense of surprise or whimsy. Sometimes a little “outside the box” is a good thing!
Next up is ‘modern & contemporary’ so I’ll look forward to your thoughts.
Terrie
The house I visited is in Lynnwood; very unexpected to find a little jewel box of a home and garden on a very unassuming street surrounded by basic 1950′s ramblers.