by Kat Monroe

Created on: June 30, 2007   Last Updated: July 01, 2007

"Shabby Chic" or Cottage Style got its start in Britain. It was coined a phrase in an American Interior design journal by Rachel Ashwell when she helped America achieve that well aged, used vintage look in our homes over the last many years.
You too can have that dream cottage look in just 10 easy steps. So move over Rachel Ashwell because these ideas will keep you from the poor house so you can achieve that painted cottage house feel!

1. Free furniture is a gift. My daddy always said never look a gift horse in the mouth. Take whatever, whenever, and wherever. I have found many useful items waiting by the trash cans waiting to be taken away or trashed. All you need is a waxed crayon, a can of white, pastel pink, green or blue paint, and sandpaper. Wipe the crayon back and forth lightly in miscellaneous spots. Then paint the whole item (table, chair, frame, etc.) and let dry. Some of the areas with the crayon will still show the original color underneath. Take the sand paper and rough up some the other areas for the well used look. You can even beat it up with a chain after it is dry. Voila!

2. Paint is your best friend. Don't pack up your paint yet! Continue to paint all your walls off white or in the pastels above. This will make your Chic look even Chic'er. You can smear on some other layers of white to give it the painted over paint look. Remember that aged looking is better.

3. Ring around the Rosy, a pocket full of Posies! Shabby is Floral. Light pallets of flowers work best. You can put your flowers into anything. Try floral pictures, floral pillows, table clothes, flowers (real, fake or dried) in vases, flowered tea cups, I think you get the point. My favorite shabby flower is the hydrangea or the lilac.

4. Sea shells are the new shabby. Whether you are going with a beach look or not, sea shells by the sea shore are in. They look great in jars, on tables, on books and used as a craft to dress up picture frames or lamps. Another fun idea is tumbled sea glass. You can get any color glass to go with any color scheme.

5. "I'm a little teapot, short and stout!" Yes, yes, yes, there's no doubt, anything tea pots and tea cups is Chic! Stick with your color scheme and throw in many floral patterns. Tea items and accessories look great while accompanying these items listed below:
A book on teas with a pastel floral cup and saucer placed on top. Add a cute little antique spoon and maybe a cute sugar bowl with some decorated sugar cubes in it.
6. Think Vintage. I have

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