36 Gorgeous shabby chic interior spaces

Shabby Chic style is a beautiful look and can be incorporated into any home for a fun and whimsy design aesthetic. The basic principle of shabby chic style is a look that is unstructured and lacking in formal rules; a timeless aesthetic which can add an effortless elegance to your home. With salvaged furnishings, handicrafts and vintage textiles that are available not only in flea markets, but also in retail shops (typically as reproductions), you don’t have to search high and low for that perfect piece. You may even have a diamond in the rough right under your nose, a derelict piece of furniture just waiting to be whitewashed and restored. That’s the beauty of shabby chic style, it’s budget-friendly and easy to acquire. Here are some suggestions of ways you can achieve the look.

Select seating you can sink into such as bean bag chairs, use a well-worn table, antique frames for art (ornate frames and framed mirrors), give a once formal seating a shabby chic makeover, light up a room with a chandelier, set the table with linen napkins, create an airy, beachy ambiance in the bedroom, infuse shabby chic style into your outdoor spaces, make use of well-worn storage options (they don’t need to be confined to just the bedroom, add them to an entrance hall, feminine home office or dining room as elegant storage options), use fine china to add whimsical sophistication when entertaining such as serving tea in vintage tea cups.

Photos: Undicilandia

House of seventeen balconies infused with eclectic charm

The house of seventeen balconies is a transformation of a property that was in dark and labyrinthine origins in the heart of Madrid, Spain. Studio Arroyo Architects undertook this project to reform in into a radical conversion of space into a typical nineteenth-century distribution, with a clear differentiation between service and noble areas. These latter areas were grouped around a central patio with an infinity of small dwellings and endless corridors that filled this part of darkness and mazes. The reform put an end to excessive compartmentalization to create continuity around the courtyard a circulation and vision to achieve spacious surfaces that are flooded with natural light.

Instead of passing through various corridors, the entire house became interconnected through large spaces. The original architectural elements that characterized public areas were respected, such as moldings, woodwork, cast iron radiators and pine flooring. Efforts were made to minimize the materials used in the reform. In areas where wood was no used, cement was put in its place, which also covered sinks and showers. As for walls and ceilings, they were painted white to create the perfect canvas to highlight the extraordinary works of art and furniture. Style combines antique pieces mixed with contemporary, responding to the character of the owners, who are lovers of art, reading and collecting of object acquired on different trips.

Gorgeous dwelling on the Bay of Biscay

A fresh and simple concept, this stunning vacation home spotted on Nuevo Estilo is situated near the Bay of Biscay, Spain was designed by studio Rebuelta Architects in conjunction with interior designer Maria Llado. To create a comfortable environment, a mix of antique and vintage furnishings were infused into the home, designs were repeated to show continuity, a soft color palette with bold punches of color throughout. Textiles provide a valuable design feature with their intense colors such as the rugs. An interesting and eclectic collection of artwork of the owners is displayed, mostly of contemporary photography. Some of the furnishings have been customized, full of vitality, a reflection of the encounter between color and warmth that brings a bright and optimistic character to this house that displays exquisite detail.

Rustic mountain cabin retreat in Big Sky

This stunning vacation cabin for a family of five was designed by Dan Joseph Architects in Headwaters Camp, Big Sky, Montana. The goal in creating Headwaters Camp was to create a warm, charming and relaxing home for the family to come home to after spending the day doing activities in the mountains. Interior design firm, Carole Sisson Designs, wanted to give the home a camp-like feel, infusing texture and warmth into the space by using scrubbed painted finishes as well as rawhide and leather accents. Incorporating recycled pieces into the design from local antique stores created a lived-in feel, as if the home had existed for 100 years. The intention was also to create low-impact, energy efficient living without compromising beauty or comfort. The 1,900 square foot cabin is nestled on a sprawling 22 acres with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Upon entrance to the cabin, it is apparent that a welcoming retreat waits, with a cozy, intimate atmosphere of a cherished family camp. Reclaimed materials are integrated throughout the design to maintain the rustic feel, from old railroad as coat racks to Montana and Wyoming snow fences. The open kitchen, living area and small dining nook provides ample space for entertaining, even allowing room for a pool table and a small home office beneath the staircase. The master bedroom retreat has been designed like a small cabin with its high, steep-pitched ceiling and barnwood walls. The master bath boasts a shower with a river rock drain and a large boulder that is nestled within. A beautiful handmade antler staircase leads up to a loft area with two twin beds for the boys and an antique gate leads to the daughter’s bedroom. A wall of small windows features a comfortable sitting area beneath, for the children to read or play.

The cozy living area features ceiling beams made from standing dead trees found in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, reclaimed fir flooring, as well as a LEED-certified fireplace with airtight glass doors, local moss rock called Willow Creek and a fully insulated chimney.

Hand-forged steel straps around the ceiling beams add another Western material to the mix, while hand-peeled logs frame the vaulted ceiling.

The floors in the kitchen are iron slate. A recycled antique faded green hutch adds a splash of color to the kitchen. The picture window above the sink frames one of the family’s favorite ski runs on nearby Pioneer Mountain.

Custom built-in drawers add efficiency to the master bedroom, while old barnwood walls and a steeply pitched ceiling give the room a cabin-like feel. The door on the far wall leads to a small creek that flows through the property.

The rustic master bathroom sink was converted from a large antique wooden Indonesian bread bowl, complying with the family’s wishes to keep new materials to a minimum. The barn door seen in the mirror is constructed from reclaimed wood and metal.

This barn houses the family’s five horses. The roof is made of metal reclaimed from nearby ranches in Montana and Wyoming.

The setting around the house includes old-growth forest, streams and a horse pasture. There are also outdoor trails for mountain biking, horse riding, snowshoeing, skiing and fishing.

A large part of the construction is this man-made pond, part of a system of four ponds on the property. With a 20-foot depth, it is used as a geothermal mass to heat the home in the winter, using very little energy.

Photos: Audrey Hall

Beautiful transformation of a California bungalow

This once dark and dilapidated bungalow in Mill Valley, California was given a full transformation by San Francisco-based designer Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living. The entire re-design took six months and was done on a tight budget forcing creativity without spending a lot of money. The residence evolved into an open and airy floorplan with a warm and contemporary feel. Her clients are personal friends, one of which is an artist and the other once owned a furniture store, where some of the furnishings brought into the home came from. The goal was to transform an old-fashioned bungalow into a more modernized space. The space was brightened up with a fresh coat of white paint, overhead beams made from reclaimed wood were added to retain some of the rustic charm, and some of the spaces were re-purposed and rearranged to make the home more functional and free-flowing.

The home is less than 1,500 square feet, but utilizing mostly a palette of light neutrals helped to create a more spacious feel. The neutral palette helped the colors of the homeowner’s artwork to stand out. Since the homeowner’s do not like a lot of color, the best solution was to add a lot of textures into the home, such as animal hides and faux fur. Texture was also used in the master bathroom floor and shower by applying tile that looks like horsehair. Uber-modern pieces were mixed with antiques and vintage, collected from various places and the homeowner’s furniture store.

The oak flooring is a custom finish in a matte medium gray-brown, which complements the home’s furnishings and the reclaimed wood of the ceiling beams.

The small kitchen feels open and airy thanks to the removal of the wall at right; a large post shows where the wall once was.

A play space was designed in the main living area with a kid-sized table and chairs. The fireplace surround are rough cut ceramic tiles for texture.

The master bedroom closet is made from custom distressed wood and the handles are leather.

The master bathroom vanity is crafted from new oak that was stripped with metal brushes to give it texture and depth similar to authentic reclaimed wood.

This family area is in a separate building, formerly an unfinished studio, behind the main property.

Overgrown trees from the backyard were pruned to bring the outdoors into this office.

A linen corkboard is used above the custom built-in desk for posting favorite artwork and photos.

This where artistic magic happens, and is the one space where authentic reclaimed flooring is used.

This boy’s bedroom mixes vintage, modern, playful and stylish themes; the surf board is used as a growth chart.

The bed was original to the home but used to be in dark wood tones, it was given a fresh coat of white paint to contemporize the space.

Charming old mansion transformed on Isle of Rhé

Today we present to you this incredibly charming 17th century dwelling, discovered on Nuevo Estilo, nestled in the heart of a beautiful village on the Isle of Rhé (Île de Ré in french), on the French Atlantic coast opposite the town of La Rochelle. The island is a haven of style and serenity, the facade of the house has remained intact to preserve the aesthetics of the neighborhood. The garden and the swimming pool, new construction, provide an orderly atmosphere of peacefulness presided over by a group of basalt columns, brought from Sumatra. The home was formerly a convent, then a barracks and then a family mansion. The owners are a couple of French and Belgian descent, “we wanted to maintain the facade as the testimony of the past, but for the interior, we prefer a more modern and refined character”.

The first part of the transformation was to tear down walls to create wide open spaces and new perspective to the outside, looking for transparency and brightness. Only load-bearing walls were preserved. The old doors and tiny windows were replaced by large windows and glass doors made to order. In this way, the new distribution consists of ground floor, here are the kitchen, lounge and two dining rooms; first floor, which houses an office and the master bedroom; and a second floor, three rooms for guests.

The main door of the house opens a gallery present with the kitchen, practical and very rational, that ends in a glass enclosure. The hall also leads to a hallway, which shows part of the art collection of the owners. A sober and soft color palette allows the parts to stand out even more, while the touches of purple, orange or mustard of some plug-ins provide the necessary contrast. The Belgian blue stonet, Carrara marble and wood, oak and pine are the materials covering the floors. As for the furniture, several Christian Liaigre and Axel Verdoordt furniture coexist alongside antiques in a fabulous compilation of exquisite warmth and simplicity.

At the entrance, a life-sized anthropomorphic figure welcomes.

The wall is adorned with stumps of petrified wood, comprising a sculptural air composition.

The ceiling beams are original to the home, the owners decided to preserve them, and then paint them white for bringing clarity and a sense of height which contributes to increase the brightness.

The canvas reproduces an image of the daughter of the owner, painted by himself.

At the entrance to the dining room, a sculpture by Luciano Beaumont.

Fireplaces are a hallmark of old French houses; its presence in each room fills the atmosphere with a romantic touch.

In the garden are two Nemo chairs, designed by Fabio Novembre for Driade signature. Based on the features of classical theater masks, its structure of polyethylene monobloc makes them perfect to place inside or outside the house.

With Farrow & Ball paint, recycled cabinet doors stand out on the original pine floors.

The bathroom was transformed, originally a bedroom and the chimney was preserved.

In this space, completely covered with pine boards, lacquer finish has chosen to further enhance the luminosity.

One of the bathrooms is equipped with a bathtub comprised of zinc, found at a flea market in Brussels.

Tropical Javanese Joglo villa in Bali

Spotted on Bali Properties, this classic coastal villa has been tastefully designed and decorated for the tropics in Jimbaran, Bali. This beautiful 6,888 square foot (640 square meters) property features three-bedrooms and three bathrooms, nestled on 3287 square meters of land, amid landscaped gardens of tropical flowers and palms, complete with an 18 meters swimming pool. It is centered on an antique Javanese joglo found in the main dining/living area, and decorated with objects d’art from all over Indonesia. The master bedroom is another Javanese joglo designed as an adult sanctuary and furnished with antiques and other curios. It has its own terrace with direct garden access. The en-suite bathroom has an old fashioned claw-foot bathtub and an oversize monsoon shower. Two additional bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms are beautifully furnished. Each features a mezzanine loft that can be used to accommodate additional guests.