Shabby chic

Shabby chic is a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their age and signs of wear and tear or new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique.<sup>[1][wikipedia]

For me shabby chic is all about the idea of being vintage. I often think that I was born in the wrong era, always fantasizing about living life in the times where elegant corset gowns were worn and days where Facebook stalking didn't exist, instead you had 'gentleman callers' paying you visits in hopes of getting to know you. The Victorian era is one of my favorite, I can't get enough of movies and books about that epoch. Something about the pastels and soft feminine designs connected to that time is just so appealing to me. Maybe it's the hopeless romantic hiding in me that attracts me to that particular time and also the simplicity of life; where days were spent outside enjoying the fresh air, not cooped inside the house, wasting time texting, web surfing, and updating statuses. Like all fantasies, they only last for that minute or second you have to enjoy them, then you are sucked back into reality which is much harder to ignore. So in my own way of living in my fantasy, I've decided to surround myself with all things vintage. As a self-proclaimed thrift store connoisseur, finding greatest value in things in the most unlikely places, I set out on a  mission to collect as much Victorian-esque items I can find. The plan was to turn my bedroom, my place of solace, into my very own fantasy! Here's what I came up with...</sup>

 I wanted to create a collage of all things I considered 'shabby chic'

 I've had this old tarnished candelabra for years, and now it found its perfect place in my room again.

 I spent two days going to resale shops (mostly Value World) to find old frames I could repaint. Not sure who the little boy is, but it came in one of the frames I bought.

 Everyone loves to see before and after shots....so BEFORE...

 ..and AFTER!!!

 I consider this to  be the centerpiece of my room.

 No chic room is complete without one of Ms. Hepburn's classics.

I think I came pretty close to my initial sketches of how I wanted it all to turn out.

 My very own fantasy world, I decided to keep my bed area and desk to myself, it really is a personal space for me and this is all I'm willing to share for now (plus they're not looking as neat as I wish them to be ;0P ).

There's nothing wrong living in a fantasy world, just as long as you can walk out of it at will.

Peace, love & chic-ness!!