Thursday, May 27, 2010

It's Aint' Over Until the Shabby Old House Sings

I was innocently sitting watching HGTV one day and little did I know that my world was about to change in a very big way. There was a series that came on every day and the hostess was the most interesting lady. Her style, " Shabby Chic," captured what I knew was lurking in my soul, and yet until then I had never let myself express it in my own personal decorating style. Did I dare bring to my nest, roses and ruffles and lace and "WHITE," where baseball gloves and fishing lures and footballs reigned free.
So I became her student of Shabby Chic style, tuning in each day and coming away with ideas of what my beautiful home would one day look like. However, the problem was that we had just built a home and decorated it and I couldn't for all practical reasons change my decor without having my head lopped off by my most wonderful husband. But the Shabby Chic passion seemed to be an incurable one. What was I to do? I found myself finding little shops and antique booths that would scratch my itch for just a bit but it wasn't enough. The passion persisted. I soon rented space in an antique mall and started the hunt for wonderful old furniture that I could transform. I found such satisfaction in seeing the end result and soon I opened a shop which lead to buying trips in our RV which I of course turned into a rolling Shabby Chic haven. Then one day on a buying trip through a sweet old town in Alabama I found her, our sweet Shabby Old House. What if we bought her and made her a Bed and Breakfast. And so started the beginning of our retirement plan. As you can see from the previous post, The Shabby Old House has seen many changes over the course of time, and I owe it all to that fateful day watching a TV show on HGTV and a style called Shabby Chic and now, due to Ms. Ashwell's inspiration,
I will never own a bed without roses and down covering it.


Before my table would have all been surrounded with matchy matchy chairs and dishes had I not discovered the beauty of mismatched items.
And God forbid that my windows be covered with anything but lace having seen the beauty of morning's light through it's beautiful design.


I don't miss details like I use to.



Give me lots of lace and roses and put it all over the house even the throne room.


Find me a beautiful piece of old furniture and I will find a purpose or repurpose for it.


Old mirrors, old lamps and old wicker..my joy.


Mirrors with age and chipped old washing bowls don't bother me now. There is such beauty in their imperfection.



Rose dishes are beautiful anywhere you want to place them.



And holidays aren't holidays unless they are dripping with lace.


And by all means thrill me lots of architectural details.


And who can have enough chandeliers dripping with sparkling crystals.


The old sofa awaits my paint brush of creamy white paint to bring out the details of the carved birds on the wood trim. I may have passed her up in her horrible kelly green cloth had Rachel not caused me to see beyond the ugly to the possibility.



And what can be said about beautiful hard wood floors except cover them with beautiful hooked rugs.


Pocket doors and old hardware.. In fact I look for old doors and hardware now to create things for the shop.


A room comes together and all from great flea market finds. Once my rooms were put together from the showroom floors and most likely my neighbor had the same look.


Old buffets and sideboards painted and distressed just so.


Slipper chairs now come dressed for dinner.

What discoveries I have found of other kindred spirits and their wonderful finds.
I have made so many new friends because of this passion.

I have never had a chandelier in the bathroom before or lace shower curtains.

I became a collector of rose dishes and drank more tea just because!


My holidays are not only filled with special memories and people but beauty!

Old green cabinets became PINK and distressed to see the green.

I began to cover my chairs with "White." ( ruffles are in the making)

Walls were painted to make the creamy white furniture pop.

The ceiling tins were painted with a slight bit of PINK.

And somehow I just don't mind this old kitchen now. She is shabby and old however fresh paint and roses make her blush with new found charm.

Again with the PINK!

Remember how the old bath was yellow and blue before?

Glass knobs and rose dishes...who knew how pretty this old green kitchen could be.

There is still much to do but I imagine there always will be.
But I look forward to finding just the right fabric and lace. The thrill of the hunt keeps me going.
I know it is out there. I found the valances in an antique mall so I must be patient,
for that is the secret to Shabby Chic living.
Beauty is out there.
We just have to go find it!
And it won't be over until the Shabby Old House Sings!

18 comments:

Rebecca Nelson said...

Ok girly....I'm swooning! I am! LOVE IT ALL! Your decor is 2die4 and I'm begging my hubby to put in hardwood floors like yours. YES! LOVE IT ALL!

xoRebecca

Jane said...

This is so YOU!!! I cannot believe the transformation this lovely home has experienced. Although I am not a fan of "pink" and "roses", as you well know, this look is PERFECT for your Eufala home. Now...let's get those recipes together for your B&B...especially the "HEART-SHAPED PANCAKES" you once shared. ;-p

Glad to see you back, my dear friend...
Big hugs,
Jane

Carolyn said...

Hi Becky,
I am happy to see you back! I think the Shabby Old House already sings!!!
It looks so beautiful.

Carolyn

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

You are living your dream! Your home looks wonderful and I'm swooning too!

Blessings,
Sandi

Rose Garden Romantic said...

I have been in love with shabby chic since I discovered Rachel's first book and when the show started, I was in heaven!!! Your home is so beautiful and charming! I love everything!!
Michelle

June said...

Becky you have transformed her into the beauty we always knew she was. Everything you have done is absolutely amazing girl.
hugs

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

It is gorgeous gorgeous !! that is my dream style home ~
Are you really going to do a B&B ?
That would be so cool !
xoxo
Lori

Sharon~heartsongs said...

It is beautiful!! I love your home. Even in pictures it has such a relaxing, peaceful feeling. Thank you for sharing this.

rose marie said...

Hi, I just found your blog, and your house is beautiful! It is a blessing though they restore a hard time! inside the house and your choice of furniture is spectacular. I love watching their perseverance. God bless Marie Rose

Lottie said...

Your home is absolutely beautiful! I love what you have done with it! We just bought a 1907 home in Talladega and are looking forward to making it a home. I am so glad to have found your blog!

parledge said...

I've missed you and The Shabby Old House. I can hear it singing chorsus of Masdion On The Hilltop! I sat on the Shabby Old Houses' porch and heard her say, "better days are coming." I can't wait to spend the night in the B & B!

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Shabby Chic rules Becky, don't ever let go of it.... your home is so lovely. I spotted a cute hanging display of your china cups on the wall... gosh is that thing ever adorable.

Hugs*

Mami ღ Sofia said...

extremely beautiful. i think in the beginning there is a tea room?
how lovely was that with all the tea cups : )))


bbbbbbbbeautiful

;)

you deserve that house darling xoxo

Miss Gracie's House said...

And boy does she sing! I loved this tour and the post before too...she is an absolute beauty! Hope you are doing well...Rene

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

You have a beautiful cottage! And the window is verry beautiful with all the detail. Thanks for stopping by this week. Have a great weekend...Julian

A Shabby Moment in Time said...

Thanks for the tour of your gorgeous home! You've given me a lot of ideas and inspiration...I especially LOVE your kitchen... so cozy and FULL of charm. Truly a place to linger a spell. I am new to blogging but absolutely adore it. Whenever I'm out driving, I've always looked at the homes I pass and wonder about the inside, the decor, and the people who live there. Now...with blogging, it's like an invitation into the most beautiful spaces on earth. Thanks for letting me visit! Come check out my new blog when you have a moment...ashabbymomentintime.blogspot.com Let me know what you think! Blessings, Karen

Wendy said...

Your home is beautiful! The color choices for the walls are stunning. Thank you for the wonderful tour.
Wendy

Różana Pracownia Wandy said...

Watching your blog gives me a lot of joy - is attractive and exciting