Monday, December 3, 2007

SHABBY or CHIC?


My son Fred and I were walking back from an estate sale filled with great Mid-Century Modern finds and shabby chic “treasures” when I had stopped to take a photograph of some flowers in the front yard of a small bungalow not far from Fred’s Blue Bungalow.

After snapping a few shots, I looked up and noticed Fred staring at the sky. When I asked him what he was looking at, he pointed to the green corbel (below).
“If that was in my living room everyone would think it was great,” said Fred. “But if it was on the outside of my house it would indicate that my house needed painting.
Why are things on the inside of your house that look shabby considered shabby chic (a good thing) … but if the same thing is outside people think it’s just shabby (a bad thing)?”
I’m sorry to say, I don’t have an answer. But you’ve got to admit, it’s a good question!

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***
Are you a shabby chic fan? Do you love Pink? If you answered yes to either question, visit Peta (www.peta-prettyinpink.blogspot.com) from Perth, Australia. The fact, that my last two Blog Du Jours are both Australian, is purely coincidental! Shabby folks MUST see her October 07 post. Go now!

20 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

That is a good question :-)....I do love chippy, old painted pieces of furniture or archetecture. But I too would want the outside paint on my house nice....

Penny

Anonymous said...

I lean shabby. I love the corbel and the distressed headboard.



Lisa
http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mag/your_work/

Anonymous said...

hi there, I just love that green corbel. How shabby & full of character is that!! mandii

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

Isn't that funny? I've also noticed that shabby things in a home that are treated like cute furniture are accepted like cute furniture, but the same exact thing in the wrong setting (scary garage sale, crummy thrift store, the side of the road) is just junk (to *most* people). I've got one of my cutest dressers off the side of the road for that reason.
~Angela :-)

blah said...

Dear Barbara - Isn't peta's blog great - glad you found it :-)

Alison Gibbs said...

Barbara thanks for your kind words on my blog.
Fred is right the green corbel looks fabulous.
Alison

Paris Rags Romance said...

Thanks for the adorable Pink Blog! I love the corbel , dont like green much but, i wouldnt be able to paint over it.I love old shabby elements but i think inside the home they give character,some pieces like the green corbel are considered art i think back then they went all out decorating the outside of the home as well as the inside,i'm sure this corbel always had a fresh coat of paint in its day.Just think of all the chippy worn architectual pieces we have as a precious diamond ring. But, the outside of the home is the shiny sterling silver ring box that holds a treasure. Loved your post! I love chippy but , it would drive me crazy to have chippy paint on the outside of my house what would the neigbors think :)Not everyone gets chippy,it's all about sentiment and history. Have a good day i'll stop rambling ha!

PAT said...

I haven't stopped by here in awhile, Barbara. I need to catch up with your Mystery Project.

I'll be visiting Peta's blog, definitely!

I love the green corbel. Even though our home is along the lines of traditional, not shabby chic, we love things like this corbel and would use it here.
We also love architecture. We were exploring an old building in our town, with it's owner, last week. We love doing things like that. This old building is indeed shabby. Lots of people would not be able to see the beauty there, in it's peeling paint and warped old floors. We were in heaven, though!! When we visit the shops on historic Main Street St Charles, we are looking at the architecture, rather than the merchandise! We're just plain ol' crazy about old buildings and hope to see them preserved!!

Pat

Barbara said...

Yes, an interesting question.

Free Art Printables said...

Your son totally cracks me up. How true it is..he must have gained his wisdom from his mother....

Peta said...

Thanks Barbara for mentioning my blog! I have read yours for a while, and love it!
As for the corbel, I love it's faded, time worn elegance. I notice the front door is quite battered too!

Barbara said...

Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog. I am honoured that you are even printing out my story to read in bed. That is encouraging.
I have just b een checking out Dan Meyers photos. The still life and interiors are magnificent.

nbeltane said...

i love petas blog and have been a member of her yahoo group for ages now..

yes i would have to agree with you that things seen outside look old and worn and not loved, but its people like all of us who have the imagination to turn that little peice of junk into something special that makes a house a magical home.

Nicole
Perth australia

Gail McCormack said...

I was only thinking the same thing the other day, it's OK to have chippy and shabby inside but not outside, the reason I was thinking this is because our window frames and some of our weatherboards are looking very shabby indeed, maybe I could pretend they are meant to be! you know start a new trend, save painting them wouldn't it. Love your blog Barbara, I've just found you!

Cathy said...

Hi Barbara, Very good question on the shabby chic corbel. Get's you thinking.

I adore Peta's blog. Isn't it wonderful. Those australian ladies are quite talented.

four shabby chicks said...

Hi -- I've been checking your blog for quite awhile, can't wait to see the new book. Thanks for sending me to Peta's pink blog, I loved it.

I love shabby too -- keep on posting!

Yvonne at the "four shabby chicks"

Catherine said...

That is an excellent question!! I love shabby chic! I love peeling chipped paint inside!! But outside, hmmm, I would probably think it needed painted..:) It just goes to show the word "shabby" has a lot of diffrent meanings to people..I mention I love shabby chic, or my decor is shabby chic, I get some of the strangest looks and responses...and then their are those who have the same fondness for shabby chic..and they totally understand! It was a beautiful corbel, and I loved the headboard!
Great post!...Makes one think!
Cat

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Peta is one of my favorite Aussie girls...she is such a sweetie!

I will head over there right now..thanks Barbara.
XO lidy

shabbyfufu said...

Hi Barbara! First....Happy Channukah to you and your family! I love your knitted bagel...what a hoot that is! As you know, my house if full of the chippy furniture. I just finished a table yesterday that I "chippied up" and gave my painting techniques today on my Blog (take a peek). Peta...I have seen her PINK blog before~what a fun gal she is!! Talk soon......XOXO~Janet

Mélanie said...

Can't it be shabby chic ?
I love your pictures . The green corbel is stunning