Update your garden with shabby chic decorating ideas.
Also known as cottage style, the shabby chic decorating theme focuses on reusing items and creating a lived-in look. The style uses a large number of vintage or antique items, in combination with newer items, to create a cohesive look. As you're placing the items outside, you won't have to worry about minor chips or other damage that harms the value of the piece. Shabby chic garden ideas let you create an inviting space for your family and friends.
Use White
White is a classic color associated with shabby chic decorating because of the cleanliness of the lines. Look for pieces in different sizes, shapes and styles, as well as items from different eras. Use ceramic or glass pieces to display your favorite cut flowers. Find teacups, glasses, vases and other types of glass pieces and display along a windowsill or the railing of your deck. Grow small herbs to make the pieces functional or leave as-is. Decorate seating with old white shawls or white lace, but bring these inside when the forecast calls for rain.
Add Vintage Elements
Shabby chic decorating is well known for using vintage elements. Fill an old wicker basket with potting soil and your favorite plants. Use an old wooden chair underneath your favorite tree or in a less shady area of your yard, depending on the plants. Set the basket in the chair and use the chair as a decorative element. Use old pedestal sinks filled with potting soil to grow your favorite plants and use other vintage elements around the garden. Look for vintage cherubs, which are popular with shabby chic enthusiasts. Place a few cherubs around your garden and let the little angels watch over your crops.
Make Room for Metal
One of the classic ways of using shabby chic decorating in your garden is by bringing in metal pieces, including wrought iron and cast iron. Hang a cast iron bell from your deck or home or flip the bell upside down and use it to hold flowers. Cottage Home Decorating suggests using a wrought iron bed frame to hold additional flowers or using it as the centerpiece of your garden. Paint the metal white or leave as-is, especially if it's chipped or dinged, which gives it more character. Fill in the center of the bed with flowers of different colors. Use planters made from cast iron around the garden and finish off with an antique bird feeder.
