On their own, shabby and chic sound like opposing design concepts. But couple them together, and you’re given a term that has come to represent one of the most beloved and recognizable design styles today.

First coined in the 1980s by designer Rachel Ashwell, shabby chic has since become synonymous with spaces that are light, feminine and filled with natural textures. And more than two decades after its initial rise, shabby chic continues to remain one of the most sought-after styles.

There’s no question why: with the pages of magazines filled with homes so immaculate you’d be afraid to lift a finger, shabby chic goes the other way. It embraces imperfection, welcomes the charm of worn vintage pieces and prides itself on creating an atmosphere that’s simultaneously casual and put together. “Furniture and accessories of this style appear aged and have a sense of history about them, with visible signs of wear,” says designer Dominic De Freitas. “If new items are incorporated into a space, they

are often distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique. The overall feel is soft and opulent, yet with a cottage-style decor that’s warm and approachable.”

To achieve this look at Empire’s own Shabby Chic model home in Thorold, Ontario, Dominic and his team incorporated items found at local flea markets — like the antique tin ceiling tiles in the kitchen, or the weathered windows in one of the bedrooms — and repurposed them as decorative elements. And while it can sometimes be difficult to create less-structured spaces that feel more purposeful than messy, done well, shabby chic style gives the home a look of effortless elegance, a trifecta that’s comfortable, breathable and dressy all at once. “The distressed woods and weathered materials of shabby chic decorating can make it easy to give off a vibe that’s more shabby than chic,” says Dominic. “To keep it modern and fresh-looking, balance time-worn pieces and natural materials with furniture forms that possess clean lines.” After all, the magic lies — as ever — in the mix.

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Cozy, cool and comfortable, shabby chic has proven it’s more than just a passing trend — but one of the most coveted design styles.

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ELEMENTS OF THE LOOK

1. A SOFT PALETTE

A palette of creamy white and pastel tones means shabby chic leans toward the feminine side of decorating. “Choose a colour palette based on pure and slightly off whites, as well as ecrus with accents in bleached-out pastel colours like soft moss green, dusty rose and cornflower blue,” says Dominic.

2. WEATHERED FURNITURE & PRETTY PATINAS

Timeworn accents are a staple of shabby chic style, so be sure to incorporate a few rough-hewn pieces into your design. “Create a vignette that tells a story by grouping similar items together. A story can be created based on the type of material the objects are made from, or their intended purpose or colour palette.”

3. BREEZY MATERIALS

Fabrics like cotton and linen are the heroes of a shabby chic home. “Pieces that you plan on keeping for a long time and will get the most use are worth splurging on.”

STRIKE A BALANCE. WEATHERED WALL ART CREATES CONTRAST IN THIS OTHERWISE POLISHED KITCHEN.

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MAKE A STATEMENT. A CHUNKY, HAND-BRAIDED COFFEE TABLE ANCHORS THE LIVING ROOM.

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GET THE LOOK:

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1. Carlisle Upholstered Grand Sofa 90.5” by Pottery Barn, from $2,239, potterybarn.ca. 2. Ellis Mirror by Structube, $179, structube.com.

3. Costa Coffee Table by Serena & Lily, approx. $1,159, serenaandlily.com. 4. Lucca Pillow in Blush Pink by Article, $119/set of 2,

article.com. 5. Giant Knit Blanket by Chunky Wool Studio for Etsy, from $71, etsy.com. 6. Sisal Linen 8’x10’ Rug by Crate & Barrel,

$599, crateandbarrel.com. 7. Ohlone 3-Light Flush Mount by Ophelia & Co. for Wayfair, $257, wayfair.ca. 8. Boho Stripe Pillow in

White by Tonic Living, from $47, tonicliving.ca.

PIECES INSPIRED BY THE SHABBY CHIC LIVING ROOM.

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