Today, many little girls have grown up with Barbie and Disney princesses as their role models. Because of that, many little girls want a bedroom that’s “princess themed,” so that they can feel like princesses, in their own rooms. However, instead of going with a specific princess design, you can go “shabby chic” with furniture so that the princess theme you get is uncluttered, clean and pristine. If you’re an adult and you want to go “shabby chic” with a princess theme, too, you can do this, too, for a calm and serene place that you want to come home to.
“Shabby chic” is a type of interior design that’s both comfortable and functional. Usually, shabby chic furniture is white, and sometimes it’s gently used or a quality antique, at least in looks. Oftentimes, it’s painted white so that it looks functional and clean as well as fashionable. However, it doesn’t just have to be this look. You can use romantic, country or Victorian styling for a quaint perspective on shabby chic, using vintage lace, vintage furniture, and other elements to give an aura of comfort and gentility. As a furniture line, shabby chic is authentic and truly quality wooden white furniture that comes in a variety of stylish designs and at very affordable prices. Mostly, with shabby chic you want clean lines in an uncluttered look in the room. What shabby chic dresser, bed or other furniture elements are going to need to go into the room before you begin to focus on the “princess” decor? By focusing on the furniture first, you can then create a princess theme around it so that the space will be opened and will be very comfortable for your little one to sleep and play in.
Many shabby chic rooms have as their central focus of vintage, old-fashioned, ornate mirrors. These types of large mirrors can be very feminine, can make a small room look larger and give it more depth. If your daughter is small, make sure you anchor a large merchant wall for safety, then create a fantasy world by giving her a dress up corner fit for a princess. Some wall hooks by the mirror can display your daughter’s favorite costumes, and you can put small wooden bins by the mirror to hold costume jewelry, crowns, feather boas and other accessories fit for a princess.
Many shabby chic rooms use large old-fashioned and ornate mirrors that look “vintage” as their centerpieces. Large mirrors can make room look very feminine and make a small room with larger or give it more depth. If you have a very young daughter, make sure you anchor the mirror to the ball for safety and then give her a dress-up corner that will let her be a fairy princess whenever she wants to. You can also add hooks to the wall by the mirror so that your daughter can hang up her princess dresses for display. Several small wooden bins placed by the mirror can hold costume jewelry, crowns, feather boas, or other glittery, princess-type clothing, for the ultimate in pretend dress-up.
With shabby chic, the bed is the first consideration. A large embellished headboard is going to be perfect for a shabby chic bed, and the bed and dresser should go together nicely. Oftentimes, the bed may have a canopy, which is perfect for the shabby chic room. The canopy can give a feeling of luxurious royalty, softness — just perfect for a little princess. If the bed doesn’t have a canopy already, one can easily be made by using chandelier hooks and tulle material. Complete your princess’ fantasy with rhinestones, sequins or glitter.
Importantly, the dresser and nightstand, too, are a focus in a “shabby chic” room. Furniture pieces often have glass pulls on the handles and are carved very ornately to make them more feminine. Using a bookcase can work well in this “streamlined” uncluttered look because items can be stored easily out of reach. It’ll make your child more organized and can help her keep it from getting messy. She can store her books, dolls, awards, family pictures, and more on the shelves or on top of her dresser. If a woman is the one using the shabby chic room, a secretary desk can provide the perfect focal point for a “princess” look that traditional desks just can’t provide. Secretary desks have skinny legs, mineral designs, and narrow benches that go well with “shabby chic” streamlined, uncluttered look.
Catholic shabby chic design, the nightstand and Dresser are important focal points in the bedroom. Usually, these furniture pieces may have glass pulls for the handles and/or may have decorative carving, as well for a feminine look. Use a bookcase to make the room looked uncluttered and streamlined as shabby chic is wont to do, because it can also help your child with organization. Have your daughter store or books, awards, toys, dolls, pictures, and so on on bookshelves or on top of the dresser. If you as a woman want a shabby chic princess themed bedroom or home office, a secretary desk can give you a grown-up look that’s still of shabby chic band. Secretary desks’ have spindle legs, minimal design, and narrow benches, to give them the streamlined look that’s so much a part of and so important with shabby chic.
Before you begin, make sure you put a fresh coat of paint up so that the walls are fresh and clean when you design your child’s bedroom. What color of paint should you choose? That depends on your preferences. Many “princess themed” rooms look good with soft purple or pink, although just about any pastel color will do, such as soft yellow; off-white, too, is another option. If you do paint the walls white, you can add a colorful border for accents. You can make murals on the walls themselves, or you can add a border with lots of color. You can also do wall hangings that are star or butterfly themed, and you can also use peel and stick decals for a more personal option. To make it a little girl’s dream, a large banner depicting princesses, fairytale castles, and other fairytale themes can be hung up over the bed; for really personal option, put your daughter’s name on it.
Shabby chic carpeting can be light-colored, or you can go with hardwood floors. You can also use area rugs with a floral design for accent by the bed or shabby chic dresser. Lighting is important, too, and teardrop chains or glass beating on a chandelier, desk lamp or floor lamp can provide the perfect ambiance. You can also hang fairy lights on the wall for more detail.
Shabby chic can mean that you take someone else’s old items they no longer need and use them for your own purposes, thus giving them new life. You can take a new piece of furniture in shabby chic design, then add to it with other items defined in yard sales, attics, estate sales, or flea markets. Older items can be well used, of course, but they still should have been handled with care, so purchase carefully when you decide on this course of action. Trying to use damaged items or those with missing pieces might not be salvageable and may end up costing you more money than they’re worth. Shabby chic is usually based around the color white, of course, but you can also add some dark colored pieces. Cream-colored furniture, too, goes well with your shabby chic princess’ bedroom.
Written by: L. Barnhardts works in fashion and interior design plus knows all about shopping saddles for sale and owns a web design company.
