What do we think of shabby chic? Is it out? Was it ever in? When I think of it, I think of white paint on an antique piece.  But people are doing some interesting things with furniture in some other colors and I kind of like it, but then I’m like “Do I really like it? I dunno.”  And is there a difference between shabby and distressed?

At the shop, we spend hours and hours on a single project to bring it back to life. We fill gaps and smooth it out and lacquer it so it looks like a new piece of furniture.  We always have to be careful not to scrape or knock into these pieces or we’ll have touch up to do. Then I look at a distressed piece at the same price I have to charge and I feel like a schmuck.

It seems like shabby chic isn’t a style that suits NYC too well. I see it more in the suburbs or country homes.  New Yorkers tend to go for a more streamlined look….Industrial or Mid Century.  We like that reclaimed salvage look here but not too frou frou.  And definitely not white!  AmIright?  YouknowwhatI’msayin!

Anyway, these distressed pieces are pretty cool.  Maybe it’s just the name “shabby chic” that’s out of style.  The kids these days are calling it “distressed” now.  Or are they two different things?  I don’t know.  I’m just a confused old lady who hasn’t gotten her fill of coffee yet this morning.

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