Home Decorating Ideas – Shabby Chic or Simple Urban Decor..Which Would You Choose?

If you think about it, we all have a style of living that we enjoy and find both comforting and relaxing. When I’ve been away from home all day, as I’m driving back I can almost feel the atmosphere that I’ll be stepping into, and that’s a great feeling. At the end of the day what decor lifestyle beckons you? For this discussion we’ll compare two similar yet very contrasting decorating styles.

These two styles take different approaches to a vintage look. First is Shabby Chic, which most everyone is familiar with. Shabby Chic is similar to cottage style decor and is known for white, distressed painted furniture, soft floral colors in pale shades of pink, blue and green, vintage accessories and comfortable, slip-covered furniture.

You’ll probably find fresh cut flowers, antique lace tablecloths, scented candles and crystals hanging from the antique chandelier. Shabby Chic decor includes a mix and match of fabrics such as stripes, florals and checks, tea stained fabrics and flea market finds. All in all, you will be comfortable and at home with Shabby Chic if you enjoy a soft, floral, feminine style of decor.

Perhaps you enjoy some vintage decor but are looking for a more refined look with a contemporary flair. Your lifestyle decor choice might be Simple Urban.

Simple Urban decor is a combination of vintage and contemporary with natural fabrics, medium to dark toned woods, rich neutral colors and decor accents of iron and glass. And, the result is an uncluttered and spacious look. Antique pieces with clean lines (no Victorian here) and flea market finds are integrated into the decor as a counterpoint to the sleek urban style. Unique accent pieces, vintage or new, take the spotlight in this decorating style.

You’ll find a color palette comprised of shades of tan, gold, cream, brown and black, with bold accent colors to give drama and excitement to the area. As you decorate your space, you might find some great upholstery at a flea market or consignment shop, or purchase new. It doesn’t matter as long as you maintain the overall clean look and love the piece. The same applies to lighting, as you may install some track lighting in one area and find a great antique lamp for another.

What other design elements are found in Simple Urban decor? You’ll find wood or tile floors with area rugs, with the rugs comprised of a natural weave such as sisal, or you could take a different path and create a bold look with a very colorful rug. Case goods, whether they are new, vintage or flea market finds, will be a medium to dark wood tone. There may also be metal or glass accents. Creating a unique look with unmatched pieces will enhance your Simple Urban decor, so use your creativity to find some great end tables, bookcases, dining sets and the like. Window treatments can be a simple as a window shade for privacy with fabric side panels hung on iron rods. You may opt for wood blinds, shutters, verticals, or nothing at all to cover the windows. Use fabric sparingly, as you don’t want a treatment that is over dressed.

The final touches are what pulls everything together in your Simple Urban home. Accessories can be big, bold and colorful, vintage, reproduction or contemporary. As with your other selections, if you find a piece that you love, then use it. Be mindful of how much you put into your space and always avoid the cluttered, messy look. Each piece should have a presence of it’s own.

So where do you fall in these contrasting styles? If you love the soft, whitewashed, floral vintage look, Shabby Chic is right up your alley. For those who prefer a subtle vintage decor with contemporary flair, Simple Urban may reflect your taste. Whatever you choose, enjoy decorating your home and creating your unique abode.

What style of decor would be nice for an open apartment?

Question by daisy: What style of decor would be nice for an open apartment?
What do you have, modern, Colonial, etc?

I have an eccletic taste, including Oriental to Victorian to old fashined comfort and even patriotic themes over my C W bookcases.. Somehow it does oddly tie together…well, it is me.

Best answer:

Answer by Meganrox1
for an open floor plan apartment i would recommend a more modern style for furniture and large pieces. sometimes being able to see EVERYTHING when you walk into a home is not such a good thing if everything is bulky and awkward. the smooth clean lines of modern furniture and such might help keep things light and… well… open. Also, modern style furniture can act as functional furniture as well as a clean slate to accentuate with more personal pieces that speak to you. Feel free to bring on that eclectic taste ;)

What do you think? Answer below!

What would be a reasonable cost for having an appraisal of my house’s contents?

I inherited a fairly large (2500 sq ft) Victorian house filled with my mother’s collections of antiques, artwork, china, glassware (cut, pressed, Carnival and Depression) and other low-end collectibles. I wanted to have it appraised for insurance purposes, but mainly curiosity. I contacted a few estate appraisers, but they charge an average of about $2000 for a written appraisal and $500 for a verbal. I assume for insurance, I would need a written one. This seems a little pricey. Is this the going rate for appraisals?

What name would best fit a character/person with these traits?

(female)

eccentric, creative, a little strange, interests include the paranormal, history (especially Victorian culture/history), creative writing, reading. Passionate, but quiet and soft tempered. Likes old things.

Physical traits: large, somewhat almond shaped, eyes, pale skin, dark brown hair (worn either straight or wildly curly). Likes to incorporate vintage.antique clothing and jewelry.

The only idea I have is “viola.” Feel free to give your opinion on that name, and/or suggest another. Looking for uncommon/unique names, maybe old fashioned, long forgotten names, that fit well with the above description.

Would you come……..?

If I invited all those who read this to a tea party would you come. With the terms being.

Must love tea
Enjoy the company of others
Must love food
Come in tea appropriate garb (Victorian, Steam punk, Mad hatterish, goth if done elegantly)

It’s been a fantasy of mine to have a beautiful tea party, with tea sandwiches, delicate pates with crostinis, mini biscuits with asst jams, cookies galore, petit fours, a gorgeous arrangement of teas with the appropriate tea pots that paired beautifully with at least 3-4 edible items served, and miss matched antique tea cups with saucers. All at a super long table in a small clearing in the woods, or garden, or scenic park.

I don’t know too many people, and the few I know that live close by, don’t know anything about teas or even care. I know they would sit through a tea party, but it wouldn’t be the same.
I live in Tampa fl
and if I got enough yes’s than it would be a few months out before i would actually throw the tea party.
I’m aware that I’m asking a bunch of strangers to join me and other strangers to drink tea with me. I don’t know….I guess I just wanted to get to know people that have the same interest as me, and just have a good time doing something nice. I know this is a stupid idea, I guess I was just trying to be hopeful.

Would you pay $900 for this set?

Would you pay $900 for this dining room set?

http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php?t=149863 (scroll down to see the furniture).

I am supposed to be buying this dining room set from a lady on Craigslist. I went to look at it yesterday and really like the style of the furniture. It’s a 15-year old set and it’s a Drexel Heritage collection. There are eight chairs (2 arm and 6 side), a buffet and china cabinet with hutch. The table also has two leafs. Overall, it is in good condition. There is a scratch on the left side of the table (on the top) that will need to be buffed out and repaired, but it’s not too bad. The chair cushions are like cordouroy or something so I am going to buy some fabric that I like and recover them. Other than a couple of minor knicks (normal wear and tear) on the buffet everything looks good.

Do you think this is worth $900? I know you can’t get quality furniture anywhere for that price, but I want to make sure I am doing the right thing. I need other opinions. In my living room I have chocolate brown leather with claw feet and hands (the wood is mahogany). The end tables and coffee tables are also a mahogany with marble tops. I like Victorian style furniture.

Is this furniture too old-fashioned for a 31 year old. I like stylish furniture but I like an antique/old look. I am not into contemporary.

Would you pay $900 for this set? Do you like it?

Would you pay $900 for this dining room set?

http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread…. (scroll down to see the furniture).

I am supposed to be buying this dining room set from a lady on Craigslist. I went to look at it yesterday and really like the style of the furniture. It’s a 15-year old set and it’s a Drexel Heritage collection. There are eight chairs (2 arm and 6 side), a buffet and china cabinet with hutch. The table also has two leafs. Overall, it is in good condition. There is a scratch on the left side of the table (on the top) that will need to be buffed out and repaired, but it’s not too bad. The chair cushions are like cordouroy or something so I am going to buy some fabric that I like and recover them. Other than a couple of minor knicks (normal wear and tear) on the buffet everything looks good.

Do you think this is worth $900? I know you can’t get quality furniture anywhere for that price, but I want to make sure I am doing the right thing. I need other opinions. In my living room I have chocolate brown leather with claw feet and hands (the wood is mahogany). The end tables and coffee tables are also a mahogany with marble tops. I like Victorian style furniture.

Is this furniture too old-fashioned for a 31 year old. I like stylish furniture but I like an antique/old look. I am not into contemporary.

I have my parents estate to liquidate. What would be the best way to proceed?

I inherited a 110-year old house filled with Victorian furniture, china, pressed, cut and Depression glass, framed art and just about everything else imaginable in the way of antiques and collectibles. I have already contacted antique dealers, estate liquidators and auctioneers. Only one auctioneer was willing to take a few things. This was 6 months ago. he just called me today and said to come and get the stuff, it wasn’t selling. All the other people I contacted also indicated that they were overwhelmed right now with estates they couldn’t liquidate. I tried Craig’s List and having lawn sales without much action. Has the interest in antiques evaporated? I can’t do Ebay since you need a credit card to start an account there, you have to pay to place items on to sell, added to the fact that and I’m not shipping sofas across the country! I’d like to start clearing out the house without giving it away. I know how much my parents had invested in it and I need the money! Any suggestions?

What zodiac sign would love the scenery of anything old fashioned?

Like old victorian houses, nature, palm trees, antiques, beaches, farm life, likes taverns and likes water
and for extra points what other sign would like the scenery of a forest in a thunderstorm with a mysterious castles with lanterns on a halloween night, with chiming grandfather clocks, sort of like the Harry Potter scene.

How would you describe your decorating style in your home?

Is it bold, colorful and modern; country inspired; cottage style; french; swedish clean; a little of this and a little of that; no real style; antique; victorian; comfortable; Pottery Barn; or what? What are the most used colors in your home?

We have gone through stages, and now our 127 year old farmhouse is quite eclectic, with mixed styles of dark wood antiques, upholstered chairs in sages and tans and prints; sort of a cleaned up farmhouse chic I guess, and very comfortable. There is not much white in the house, but the mouldings and kitchen cabinets are painted a cream color. We like it.

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