I look for the cosy factor in everything," says Berna Ramey, interior designer and owner of Cottage Chic boutique at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence. Beauty, function and comfort can be achieved in the Shabby Chic look. It's all about romantic elegance and easy living — everything is stylish yet very comfortable. I've created a welcome home look.
Berna works with over 300 different brands from America, Europe and Australia and also sources products from auctions. Time-worn objects and flea market buys are a big part of the Cottage Chic theme and the best part is you can have everything customised to suit your day-to-day life. "Shopping for my clients is like going on a scavenger hunt," says Berna. Her golden rule is that every piece of furniture or object has to be distinctive, especially if the room has modern twist. "It has to shine,"she says.
To create an eclectic harmony in the living room setting, she used accessories from the Cottage Chic collection. The desk and chair are vintage pieces and the sofa is from the Rachel Ashwell collection — the original Shabby Chic interior line by a US-based interior designer — who is also the founder of the Shabby Chic concept since 1989.
Berna recommends that you define your style and choose a look that suits your lifestyle. She explains there are different levels of the Shabby Chic look and there are options without florals too. "Fresh colours and fancy textures are in this season, the textile industry is launching some great luxurious fabrics," she says.
It's not necessary that you deck out your entire home with one theme. Many of Cottage Chic's clients choose one room in their home, it could be a bedroom, ladies majlis or a crafts room.
"You can easily overdo this look so you have to play it really safe. Your living space has to be functional — it's not a stage. I would suffocate with a heavy print all over the walls. If there's a pattern that you like, break it with stripes and solids, add panels to the walls — to add definition, it's important to add variety."
One of the trickiest things about the Shabby Chic theme is finding accessories that fit in with the overall concept. Avoid clutter by making sure the room has a sequence and that every piece of furniture is functional. As for the price factor, every detail counts in this look so you can splurge with some fabulous vintage pieces or go for reproduction furniture from China - the price is lower but the manufacturing quality is poor.
You can also take inspiration from other brands such as Laura Ashley and Pierre Frey's upholstery and furniture range.
Trend Predictions
Colour: To get this look use pastel and pale hues, lots of whites, off-white, pinks and blues
Texture: Look for luxurious, comfortable and machine washable fabrics . Cotton, lace chenille and fine linens work well
Style: Shabby Chic romantic elegance styled with comfort
Accessories: Everything is about mixing and matching the old with the new. Vintage French crystal chandeliers, reproduction wall sconces and wall frames complete the theme
Window treatments: Plantation shutters by Couture
Wall treatments: Check out the Lustrous collection at Wall Quest lnc
Flooring: The room has wood parquet floors and a needlepoint Belgian rug, a staple in French decor
