Chic Home
Decorating with White ~ Shabby to Chic
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Upstyle Chic® Vintage Home
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Shabby Chic Home Decorating
Upstyle Chic® Home - Vintage Products
New products for Vintage Chic Home
We had a chance to add a few new items to our Upstyle Chic® Home boutique this weekend, take a peek ...
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Chic French Manicure
2 inexpensive steps to a chic French manicure ...
I was definitely a product of the 80's, big hair, acrylic nails and tanning beds. Some things are better left unsaid, but the acrylic nail addiction ended about 10 years ago. I always loved the French manicure look though. It is much better to keep your nails natural by taking care of them. After the acrylics I learned to do my own with nail polish but the whole chipping thing drove ... << MORE >>
Chic Home - Chic Car Slipcovers
I have been thinking about slip covering our seats in our SUV and what do know I opened up this month's House Beautiful and there is this gorgeous pic of just that...
Carolyn Espley - Miller has done just that and they look fabulous and she has a gorgeous chic white California beach cottage that is anything but shabby... ...
Chic Home Pâtisserie
When I am angry, stressed or need to take a break, my go to place is the kitchen. Crazy I know but I am sure you all have different ways of coping. I love to bake, which doesn't help my waistline but it helps me think through my problems and get rid of the stress. So began my mission to create the perfect oatmeal cookie. Oatmeal is my absolute favorite! I started with this obsession a couple of months ago and after 8 or was it 12 baking sessions and 192 or was it 288 cookies later, I have finally achieved my ultimate oatmeal indulgence and my first very own recipe!!!!!
My preference is soft in the middle with a crunchy little edge and I always bake a few longer so I can have crunchy ones to dunk in my coffee for breakfast.
What's your favorite cookie?
Facebook and a New Number
I have been busy filling our new website with new products, I will post when it is up. I am excited to announce that we will be adding a wonderful line of hand made, made in America, slipcovered furniture and hope to be taking you on a field trip via the blog, to see how it's made.
Went to the market and what did I see? Although the Shabby Chic Brand® line is nice it was a little disappointing, it is the same as it was, the new case goods are not made here and very dated as far as style. Supposed to be moderate in price, didn't find that to be true. Great for the hard core RA Shabby Chic fan and collector though because you are buying the name.
Our political opinion is if you like something in that line, find a vintage piece along the same lines, buy it and paint it or have it done for you. Buy from small businesses that redo vintage pieces (like Chic Home ). Small family owned businesses are taking a big hit and this country was made on small businesses that grew up to be big businesses unfortunately those big businesses have turned greedy and sent our jobs elsewhere, not very patriotic!
It is better for the economy and the environment to reuse, repurpose and recycle.
Chic Home has now got a facebook page, new to the facebook thing so we are not sure what you're supposed to do with it though, any help from those of you that have the hang of it, comments would be appreciated.
The boutique also has a new phone number: contact us
We would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our customers and friends, for your business and support, it is sincerely appreciated !
from all of us at Chic Home
Postcards from Chic Home
Just Breathe
I think blogs are like life in general; sometimes there is lots to talk about and sometimes it's okay to be quiet. I use my quiet time to think, plan, design or just to listen.
Another Doctor's trip gave us another day to spend at the beach with our granddaughter. She loves the waves and Mr. CH is teaching her to body surf. I am only able to sit and watch for now but even that is a luxury that I will be forever grateful for. It was her first time being buried in the sand. We do love our ocean!
Christmas In July
We are clearing out our silicone dipped light strands and chandelier bulbs, we have limited quantities at wholesale prices!!
What Goes Around, Comes Around
It is true what they say you know...
I found this on the web the other day but can't remember where...
this is a Jonathan Adler project, now come on I know there are some of you out there that remember these!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
You are loved,
Cheap is not Chic
Today let's talk about the word cheap....
The object of design and decorating your own home should be to accomplish a high end CHIC look within your budget rather than a shabby or chic look for cheap. Cheap should never be a mantra in decorating because cheap always looks cheap. I have had years of experience in this with my business and through trial and error in my own home. For example; 100% polyester never looks like satin or silk, not in drapes or on pillows, it cannot stand up to daily use, it can melt in your dryer, it spots and stains easily and not even dry cleaning can remove them, it is made from chemicals and smells like chemicals for the most part. But most of the big box stores sell drapes, bedding and accent pillows made from it because it is cheap and they think that is what we all want the look minus the quality because it is cheaper. In fact before buying fabric accessories I suggest smelling them, I know it sounds weird and you wouldn't want anybody catching you doing it, but I have been asked by many people when I am out buying what I am smelling for, I explain chemicals. I have also been told by 75% of them that they thought fabric was supposed to smell like that. Really good fabric smells really good!
TIP: Before buying clothing, furniture, bedding, accessories or toys for anyone especially children smell first, if it smells like chemicals, gasoline or weird in any way don't purchase it.
I know cheap is in every big box store out there and it is tempting. In the early days of a store that shall remain nameless ("W") I tried buying clothes from there for hubby and the children and for a while I thought it was great but at the end of the year I figured out I had actually had to buy 3 times as many clothes as I had in the past. The jeans along with most of the things they sold couldn't hold up to the hubby or the kids and they were name brand but made for the store, cheaper fabric, cheaper labor. I actually looked around my home while I was getting rid of the clutter and realized nothing survived any of the big box stores. Case in point, I purchased some sheets from Target about 5 years ago, from a line I am sure you are familiar with and within one year the elastic was gone on the fitted sheet and there were already thread bare spots and a few holes but a Laura Ashley set the same age looks just like the day it came out of the package, same amount of use and laundering but not purchased at a big box store.
The things I couldn't live without and still possess are the quality purchases I have made over the years and the family pieces that were handed down. A sofa that was expensive in it's day is still solid, it just gets recovered and new cushions every once in a while. We used three cheap versions before that, each lasting only a couple of years before they looked horrible and were uncomfortable to sit in.To think of the money I spent on things that just wound up in the trash or at a yard sale for a $1. Shame on me...
Lately I have noticed at the yard sales and estates sales I have gone to, that most of what is being sold are all of those pieces that were purchased at big box and discount outlets and that the people running the sales are trying to get more for them than they originally sold for because they are 20 years old. 20 year old "W" is just 20 year old "W". I know this because I have actually found price tags from the stores still on the objects with a higher price sticker or quote. Really?!
You actually do get what you pay for so for those of you that are just starting out or starting over, save where you can but don't sacrifice quality even if it takes a little longer to save for.
This will be the last time you will hear that word on this blog because cheap is really not chic at all and never has been!
I need to get back to work now, I have a little down time between projects so I am putting together two pillow slipcovers for my series and and an ottoman slipcover that I will share with you in a few days.
We just added this Upstyle Chic™ Black Ornate Framed Mirror in the boutique....
