Way too long ago a reader asked me for suggestions to create a “Victorian Shabby Chic” style. I’m ashamed that I’m just getting to it now – but better late than never?
Here’s what she writes:
“…we are just starting major renovations on an old Victorian house (built in 1891). One of my challenges is that I don’t want the house to be overly Victorian. We are retaining as many of the historical elements as we can (trim, doors, wood floors, etc.) but are making a lot of changes to make the house more suitable for today (adding bathrooms, making a master suite, etc.). The style I am going for is “shabby chic country Victorian”, which is I think is a totally made up term that my friend and I came up with. I was wondering if you have any thoughts or images that may fit this “style”.
Well, here are a few pics I pulled from my collection that I thought might just fit the bill…
via Vogue Living
The stool with the aged patina adds a “shabby” element to keep the space from being too “perfect” Victorian.
Gotta love the floor!
Two images above via Lonny Mag
via House to Home
via Boligtorvet
Here’ another example of a “shabby” piece of furniture that will keep a space from looking too fluffy. I really like the look of a filing cabinet or locker mixed in with victorian furnishings.
via House Doctor
Mixing and matching throws and pillows on your seating will make the space cozier and “shabbier”
A modern chandelier like the one above is Victorian in shape, but the color and finish keeps the fixture from being too chintzy.
Victorian homes often feature gorgeous original wood architectural elements. If the wood is dark, a great way to brighten the space is to add a mirror with a bit of edge, like the one above
Use contrasting colors (like white chairs and a black table), to keep the space awake
four images above via Domino
via Country Living
via Living Etc
Do you have any tips for a “victorian shabby chic” look?
There was actually an elderly woman standing in the doorway of this cottage and Chris chatted with her for a few minutes about the area.
the babies were soooooo cute.
Me and my sweetie.
Hanging out with a local.
The drive up to the lakes was windy and often involved yielding to the herds of sheep and cows.
A typical Asturias style dwelling.
Where the Picos are located
I really like this mirror. 
One always needs plenty of space for books
Adore this work space
And below, I worked a little photoshop magic to illustrate what I mean by creating upholstered panels.
Here’s a great tutorial from
Two sweet workspaces. 
Plenty of space for books – I have to have my books.
an archivist’s dream!
DREAMY home office. fireplace, desk with plenty of surface area looking out a window…
I do some light sewing, but I get really behind because I don’t have a dedicated sewing desk. I have to get it out of it’s box every time I use it and it just isn’t working…
Okay so I know the two above are super matchy-matchy but they are from Pottery Barn. I love the big linen pinboard (shhh…those are easy to make yourself and much cheaper!) The organization ideas in these office setups are great.
The amazing cathedral is the main attraction of Santiago de Compostela.
I hadn’t ever seen a cathedral so covered in moss and lichen, it made the building even more interesting and steeped in history.
The other side of the cathedral.
The interior of the Cathedral. The interior wasn’t any different than most Roman Catholic interiors of the time. What’s really cool is the censer – see it hanging from the rope? It’s now only brought out for high days – but one of it’s original uses was to help mask the smell from hundreds of unwashed pilgrims. It’s the largest of it’s kind in the world.
An entrance to a charming garden cafe where we enjoyed a cafe con leche after touring the cathedral.
This map shows Santiago de Compostela on the coast, and the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James)
Can you imagine living in that house at the bottom right?
Isn’t it stunning?
You can tell how off the beaten path this is just by looking at the “Vehicle Exit” sign.
Looking at pictures from this beach always makes me think of Maxfield Parrish’s “Ecstasy”
