The New Shabby Chic: A Little Less Shabby, A Lot More Chic

Do you remember shabby chic? I do. I don’t think I ever got fully into the craze, but there was definitely a time when tousled lacy curtains, distressed painted wood and tiny floral prints were positively everywhere. The good news, if you loved the relaxed, worn-in look of shabby chic but not the tryhard tweeness of it all, is that lately I’ve been starting to see some interiors that present a fresh twist on the look: the same comfortable elegance, but a little less shabby and a lot more chic.

Case in point: This interior from Home Journal , the perfect exemplar of the new shabby chic. Worn woods and natural textures give it a comfortable feel, but the addition of a few dark colors (and the absence of cutesy florals) add a touch of sophistication.

This bathroom from Sköna hem , via Desire to Inspire , gets a boost from black accents: black mirror, black countertop, classic black and white tile.

From Planete Deco , a mix of antiques and soft, worn textures that create a welcoming effect while just skirting the edge of cute.

This space, from Traditional Home , has been a favorite for a long time. Its traditional style melded with shabby chic, and maybe also a bit of modern minimalism, for a look that’s timeless and fresh.

There’s something a little messy (or shabby, you could say) about the bedroom of this Australian home . The quilt, the floor boards, the dried herbs, add just a touch of loving imperfection, which is neatly balanced by the room’s modern art and minimal aspect.

Shabby chic meets restrained modern minimalism in the bathroom of a south London home .

Shabby eclectic? I think it’s the soft colors and comfortable textures in this space from My Scandinavian Home that bring me back to shabby chic, but the minimal, eclectic furnishings take it a step beyond that.

The bathroom of this Los Angeles home is the perfect mix of sweet and sophisticated.

Textures and soft colors abound, but interesting prints and art choices give this bedroom an unmistakably stylish air. From the book Living with Pattern: Color, Texture, and Print at Home , via SF Girl by Bay .