This post describes how I created a Shabby Chic bedroom on a budget. The main theme of my blog is “escape to a simpler place and time“. Shabby chic decor fits very naturally with this sentiment. I love antiques and collectables and these also fit well with this style. As our home in central Bulgaria was initially our holiday home we didn’t want to spend a lot of money.This style was perfect as it lends itself to thrifted and secondhand items. I have also saved money by making some of the things myself. Our small homestead affords me the ability to try my hand at various crafts. This includes the ornamental gourds which I grew in our garden and then dried them and painted them gold. The end result is a beautiful shabby chic bedroom that is now our guest room.
The term ‘Shabby Chic’ means literally something that is worn and old (or made to look that way) but is simultaneously stylish and classy.
Shabby Chic bedroom
Our shabby chic bedroom was the first room that we decorated when we bought our house in central Bulgaria. Because we wanted to visit twice a year for a holiday, and to undertake some home improvements at the same time, we decided that it was important that we had a comfortable bedroom. The kitchen wasn’t too much of a priority – as eating out is so affordable, and after all, we were on holiday! And we spent most of our spare time either visiting places or sitting in the garden – so a living room wasn’t crucial either. But we decided that a comfortable bedroom, bathroom, and somewhere to be able to make a cup of tea, were essentials.
The walls in our shabby chic bedroom
As this was our second home, and we didn’t want to spend a lot of money, we used only paint to brighten the floors and the walls. Pastels or muted tones are usually associated with this aesthetic. We used a soft yellow for the walls and painted the floor grey.
I then added a painted skirting in white. We didn’t have much money and couldn’t find the period ones we were looking for at an affordable price. We simply measured the height that we wanted and then used masking tape to get a straight line. Although I was pleased with how they turned out, with hindsight I think that they would have looked better in a mat paint.
I then added some interest to the walls with a floral border. This was much less expensive than using wallpaper. Traditional style floral designs are often associated with a Shabby Chic style.
I have always found that Laura Ashley is a good source for vintage style wallpaper and fabrics. Though pricey, a good trick here is to use just a wallpaper border and then to purchase a small amount of matching fabric. You can then use this to make things like a cushion cover; tie backs for cheaper plain curtains; maybe even a curtain pelmet, and any other small items. This then ties the room together with a vintage feel, without breaking the budget.
The curtains were the most expensive aspect of the look at over 400 BGL (£200) for the two pairs. They are, however, fully lined and very heavy quality fabric We decided, after staying here one Christmas, that this was necessary to protect us from the Bulgarian winter! For custom ‘made to measure’ curtains and pelmets like this in England, I think that you could easily times this amount by 4 or 5.
Furniture for a shabby chic bedroom
Old or painted furniture goes best with this scheme. I purchased the dresser in an antique shop in England and had it transported over. The bedframe was in the property when we bought the house and we just purchased a new mattress. Most Bulgarian homes come with at least some furniture. The chair is a family heirloom.
The side tables were just cheap finds. I painted them in grey chalk paint and then distressed them. I then added some decoupage roses cut from some wrapping paper. To give them an authentic and worn appearance, I then gave the whole peice a white colour wash. The lamps came from a vintage reproduction shop popular here in Bulgaria ‘ English Home’.
We added the wood stove (the most common form of heating here) for winter evenings. I have never enjoyed sleeping anywhere so much as this room on a cold winter’s evening when the fire is lit. My Shabby Chic bedroom is actually my favourite room in the house in the winter months.
Accessories for our shabby chic bedroom
Shabby chic is a style where you can really have some fun with accessories. I have been collecting antiques and thrifted items for many years now. This room provides the perfect foil for them.
Cherubs are often seen in shabby chic interiors. One of my cherubs is an antique, but the rest are pound store items. You can ‘age’ them by chalk painting them and then maybe adding some decorations. In my case I have used some bracelets from some Christmas crackers as ‘crowns’. The smaller one is holding a paper flower I had lying around.
Other accessories can also be chalk painted to give an aged appearance. I used chalk paint on my mirror, candlesticks and an ugly alarm box on the wall I wanted to disguise.
Candles are a ‘must’ but you don’t have to purchase expensive holders. I keep a collection of odd earrings for decorating. I made some tea light holders from shot glasses and just hung a sparkly earring on the side. For another holder I just wrapped some lace around a plain glass.
A chandelier is also popular with this look. But again, this doesn’t need to be expensive. Mine is made from plastic, but you would never know once it’s on the ceiling. It holds candles.
Another idea is to stack old books to display small items. I hung a piece of old costume jewellery from mine. A shabby chic bedroom is an ideal location for any old lace mats that you never know what to do with! Also pieces of china that you never use. Try and think of other uses for them such as candle holders or for holding jewellery, even flowers.
Flowers are synonymous with Shabby Chic. I used good quality fake flowers along side some real ones. I also dried some flowers from my garden. The gourds are also from my garden, dried and painted. Finally, I added some paper flowers made from newspaper stained with coffee to make it look old. Pinterst is a great place for ideas like this.
The prints on the walls are all inexpensive reproductions but we found some old frames to put them in. You can chalk paint these also to age them.
One last word in accessorising, although florals are widely used in shabby chic interiors, they can become overwhelming. Don’t be afraid of using strong plain colours with this scheme, I have gone for rich Burgundy. Jus try and choose colours that would have been popular a century ago, instead of lime green or acid pink, if you want to keep the vintage look.
Rugs For a shabby chic bedroom
We have painted floor boards with a large second hand cosy rug in the bedroom. Rugs go better with the shabby chic style than a fitted carpet, and of course are cheaper. If you like, you can decoupage the painted floor boards the same way that I did the night stands, and then add varnish for protection.
When we first came over I wondered why most people here don’t have carpets. Having now become accustomed to rugs, I would never go back! They become so dirty, but , unlike carpets, we can remove them for cleaning. We actually take them to our local car wash! This is so much more hygienic – especially for anyone with allergies or pets. No need to purchase a new rug if you are going for the Shabby Chic look, a second hand one looks better. Our rug came from Turkey. for anyone living in Bulgaria and wishing to possess a second hand Turkish rug – here is a link.
Peter says
I like this style and Susan writes very well. Bulgaria sounds great.
pleasantplacesbulgaria says
Thank you Peter!