How to Get The Simply Shabby Chic Look

Simply Shabby Chic is a line for Target designed by Rachel Ashwell. While it can be tempting to go out & buy every piece in the collection this can leave things looking a little bit like you just tore a page out of the catalog & said that you'd take everything. Plus, even though it's at Target, it can get expensive.

This is part of the "Design for All" gimmick & everything is perfectly coordinated. Here is how to get the exact same look as Simply Shabby Chic with things that you already have around the house.

Instructions

1. Use subtle colors. Most of the pieces in Simply Shabby Chic are white. This means that you can use your old bedding, or take off the duvet cover. It gives everything a crisp, fresh look. Subtle pinks, golds & blues are also used in the line. The designer tends to keep a monochromatic color palette so choose just one color to work with.

2. Layer bedding. Things can seem a little blah when it's monochromatic. It can even look like you just threw what you already had together without really decorating. Don't forget the dust ruffle. You can use a more tailored dust ruffle that will still hide anything that you have under the bed.

3. Every Simply Shabby Chic piece has something special about it. This can be something like a crochet trim, ribbon detailing or scallops. Balloon shades are back as window coverings. Use a plain fabric so it's not too reminiscent of the 80's.

4. Paint your furniture white. Almost every single piece in the Simply Shabby Chic collection is white. Use a subtle cream tone so things don't look too modern. Add details like bead board or wood scrolls to give it a new look. This way all of your furniture will match even if you bought it at tag sells. Look for an old vanity that can be used as a desk. You may even be able to modify the vanity to have a vessel sink on top which could save you hundreds of dollars on a bathroom remodel.

5. Make storage fashionable. Cover boxes with a coordinating fabric. Use wicker baskets whenever possible. This works especially well if you find a dresser with a broken drawer or no drawer at all. This masks the flaws & no one will know that it wasn't designed that way. Simply Shabby Chic is about making everything in your room look good, even though it's practical.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep accessories to a minimum. The shabby chic style used to be about tons of knick knacks & figurines. The simply shabby chic look is well... simple. It focuses more on functional items instead of clutter.