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One minute you love the modern look the next you love the vintage vibe. Changing our minds every now and again has become second nature to many people. This can prove to be a bit of a strain on the bank balance, especially if you change your mind about your home interior a lot.

However all hope of having some money saved up is not lost... Instead of revamping the whole room, just adding a few little accessories can change the look of the room entirely... without you breaking the bank.

If you own a vintage look mirror, you'll know they are one of the most looked at items in your household... If you think about it, you look in the mirror whilst you're brushing your teeth, doing your hair, getting dressed, even throughout the day to check your hair is still behaving. Mirrors in general are a fantastic invention that help us look at our best, that many of us couldn't live without. However vintage look mirrors are not used to just make ourselves look good, they can also help your room look good too.

If you've ever placed a stunning mirror on the wall, you will know the difference it really makes to the room. One of the differences is that it will bring in extra light and create a sense of space and freedom in the room.

It's not only the reflective glass that makes the room look different, the frame around the mirror can really make an impact too. Frames, like all furniture can come in all kinds of styles, so finding one to suit your room shouldn't be too hard. If you love the vintage look then Papa Theo have a range of stunning vintage look mirrors with distressed frames that will capture everyone’s attention as they walk in the room.

One of the many design features of Papa Theo's vintage look mirrors includes there oversized wooden frames that have been hand-painted to look distressed and antique. They are also available in natural limed, antique white or gold finishes, to give them the "shabby chic" look.

To see a variety of vintage look mirrors have at look through the Papa Theo website.

Hand carved furnishings have a lovely vintage look about them. Many are distressed by professionally trained workmen so you can be sure of the quality and durability too.

If you've just moved into a new house, or if your looking to improve the look of your current home interior choosing the right furnishings is essential.

The furnishings you choose could make or break the design of a room... So when furniture shopping, how do you know what to buy and what to sear clear of?

Firstly you need to consider the look you're going for in the room, or if you want you the whole house to keep the same style through out, what style of home you want. Do you want a minimalist home, a vintage home or a home that makes a bold statement?

It's important to decided what look you want to achieve so you know what type of furnishing will suit that style. For example if you want a minimalist look, buying a floral sofa isn't going to achieve this look. The same if you want to make a bold statement... the colour white just won't cut it!

It's also important to point out that just because furniture looks new, fresh and modern that you should buy it... hand carved furnishings with a vintage vibe may suit your style more.

If you want to get your moneys worth when buying furnishings keep these factors in mind:

The size

There is not point in buying an item of furniture (hand carved, or machine made) that isn't going to fit in the room you want it too. Make sure you measure the space you have before you head out to the shops or look online. If you have a larger room to furnish, consider big furnishings, as smaller ones could look lost in big spaces. Also if you have a small room, look out for space saving furniture like corner cabinets and smaller beds, as big furnishings in a small room will make it seem cluttered and smaller than what it actually is.

The price

Stick to your budget! There is plenty of quality furniture out there that is priced for your budget, big or small... you just need to look around and compare.

The style

As we mentioned before, ensure the style of furniture you buy, matches with the aesthetics of your home. If your home has a country look, get furniture that looks hand carved and distressed. If you have a modern looking home, get furniture that has metal accents.

Stick to these few rules and you shouldn't go far wrong when you re-style your home.

Distressed kitchens are fast becoming more desired than modern ones, mainly because that shabby chic style has come back into trend.

The kitchen in many modern house is considered to be the heart of the home. However even though it is at the heart of a modern home, it doesn't necessarily mean it has to look modern.

Some people are just not a fan of polished chrome and sanded granite, which is not a crime. If this is the case chances are you'll prefer a more distressed, homely feel. Below are some tips that will really give your kitchen that all-important shabby chic look.

How to overcome new appliances? There's no doubt about it, if you have a new washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher etc, in the kitchen they will have that modern look about them. But don't panic, you don't have to paint or replace them to get the distressed look in your kitchen. These 'necessity items' can be over looked, by placing other main aspects in your kitchen that do have the much loved distressed look.

Investing in an distressed dining room table could do the trick.

In any room there is usually a focus point, in the living room it's usually the roaring fireplace, but in the kitchen it's usually the kitchen table. Large or small, the kitchen table is where the guests will congregate, where the food is served and where families can all sit around and catch up on their daily doings. A classic example of a shabby chic look kitchen table would be one made of oak or pine that has been distressed to look antique.

Shabby Chic Artwork.

It's not only the living room that can showcase you shabby chic artwork, the kitchen can too. Shabby chic artwork that relates to cooking or dining in some way is usually a good option to go for in the kitchen. If you have coloured kitchen cabinets, try matching the artwork accordingly, to really bring the room together.

A distressed conversation piece?

When your guests walk into the kitchen it's always nice to have a distressed conversation piece to start the evening off. By this we means something that has that 'wow factor' that makes your guests question where you got it from or how you found it. When choosing your piece, ensure it complements the room and that it doesn't look like a 'shark in a fish bowel'.To see a range of good distressed conversation pieces have a look on the 'accessories page' of our website.

If you do prefer the more modern kitchen, try experimenting a little, by mixing distressed accessories and furniture with your modern pieces to get a contemporary feel with an edge... You'll be surprised how well distressed items work in a modern home!

Shabby chic is a trend that has been around for generations, and it has recently come back into trend.

Trends are usually associated with music and fashion, however it's not only fashion and music that have their trends... interior design does too. Sometimes you may find trends come and go and the years later came back again (so hang onto those 80s dungarees). A classic example is the Shabby Chic trend.

Years ago many homes had vintage furniture which had that distressed look about them, that had been passed down through the family... this type of furniture was know to have a Shabby Chic feel. As we mentioned previously that shabby chic look is back, and is taking the nation by storm... Just have a look in high street stores, if their not selling shabby chic furniture (or products), they are using it in their display windows.

Like many shop owners (setting up their vintage display windows), to get that shabby chic look, people invest in furniture that has been distressed, rather than the modern look furniture. Some say shabby chic look furniture complements the home well and can really add character where its needed the most. It's not to say you should throw away all you new furniture (as lets face it furniture can be expensive), to get that shabby chic look for your home, you can also mix some retro looking items with modern ones to bring a more contemporary feel.

If you're after a French vibe, shabby chic look furniture is very much like French style furniture and it can turn your home into an old French house in minutes.

Now-a-days there seem to be far too many modern and new things around us that shine and look brand new. So it's not surprising a bit of shabby chic furniture feels like a breath of fresh air.

How to get the 'wow' factor!

If you've ever walked into a well designed, well presented tidy home, you would have got that wow factor. This wow factor is what so many crave to give people when they walk into their own homes, especially if they're serious about interior design. Shabby chic look furniture stands out and makes a statement and can also give someone that wow factor if presented right. Many modern hotels also wish to achieve that wow factor too, as lest face it the more wow, the higher star rating their likely to get from their customers.

If you a business looking for shabby chic look furniture or if you are an individual looking to spice up you home, have a look through our website to find some fantastic shabby chic look furniture and accessories.

The phrase 'vintage look' is often mentioned when describing furnishings that have been made in the Shabby Chic style. A lot of people strive to achieve that Shabby Chic style throughout their home... however to get the right look you need good quality pieces that look as if they've stood the test of time.

To achieve this look you need a keen eye, so you don't over do it, and distressed look furniture and accessories to really set a room off.

What to look out for?

If you want that shabby chic feel for your home, you need to look out for pieces of furniture that have an antique look about them, but that also have a soft feminine charm about them too.

Vintage look accessories?

When it come to accessories, dress around your room... vintage look products such as Papa Theo's Bamboo Ladder are great for a 'Shabby Chic' inspired bathroom as a towel holder, but are equally as useful in their own right.

Adding light?

Add light to show off your 'Shabby Chic' room, with vintage look lamp stands, as they add a touch of elegance to any side table.

Why choose Shabby Chic?

If you've ever walked into a home that has been inspired by Shabby Chic, you'll know it creates a beautiful feel in the house. It's also ideal for creating the aged feel in a cottage or country home. This timeless style is simple to do and will look fantastic.

How not to go over the top?

With handmade pieces from Papa Theo that have been distressed using a range of techniques, you'll find no trouble creating an overall elegance throughout the home with out going over the top.

Can that Shabby Chic look be achieved in any room?

The simple answer is yes... Papa Theo stock a range of vintage look furniture that can be placed in any room; For example for the bedroom we stock vintage look cabinets and chests, for the bathroom we stock a Bamboo ladder (which is perfect for hanging those wet towels on), for the kitchen we stock hand carved mirrors... we even stock vintage look pillars and stands (which can be used inside or out).

If you really want that shabby chic feel for your home take a look at Papa Theo's vintage look range today!

Hand carved fireplaces can turn a dull, cold, boring room into something spectacular!Have you ever walked into a room with a roaring fireplace and felt that pleasant atmosphere from the cosy glow it gives off? In the winter especially that warm cosy glow can turn a cold living room into something a little more inviting. However in the summer months (although they do seem far away at the moment) you can also use your fireplace as a decorative feature.

Most hand carved fireplaces have some form of mantel attached to them... this is the perfect place to display decorative items. You can even make the decorative items seasonal if you like, for example you can place Halloween related items on there in October, Christmas ornaments in December and so on). Placing seasonal decorations on the mantel is a great way to turn your fireplace into a dramatic feature for those special occasions.

Make them stand out!

It's important to not to clutter your fireplace mantel with unnecessary clutter! If you're unsure as to what to place on your fireplace here are a few ideas:

For all year round – Place family photographs on the mantel... you can also complement the fireplace with a large mirror directly above it or alternatively you can place an eye-catching piece of artwork, as both of these can be very effective and really make your fireplace stand out (all year round).

Seasonal – As mentioned previously you can place seasonal items on your fireplace mantel, however you can also make the artwork above the fireplace seasonal as well. For winter months place artwork or pictures with a more wintry feel. Use blues, whites and darker colours to really give your home a seasonal look. You can complement your art work by also placing similar colours around other areas of you home (i.e have blue and white tones for throws to drape over the sofa).

It's also very popular for people to decorate their fireplace mantel with birthday cards and banners... what a great excuse to gather around the fireplace.

Another popular tradition is to hang family stocking on hand carved fireplaces on Christmas Eve (so be good this year).

Papa Theo stock a wide range of hand carved fireplaces (that will soon up on the Papa Theo website), but for now why not give us a call!

If you've been thinking of a way to add that special Shabby Chic flair to your home, but you just can't think of a way to do it... try adding interior architectural mouldings to your home. Adding a Shabby Chic look pillar or stand to an area in your home can give it a reflection of beauty and elegance. It will also make the room stand out, taking it from a regular room, to a room of beauty... which is one way to impress family and friends.

Inside or out?

Papa Theo's Shabby Chic pillars and stands can be used for the interior or exterior of your home. There is a choice of full and half size pillars and stands... so, if you place them inside, you don't over power a room with a giant stand. However if you're placing them outside against a wall, the bigger pillars will really make an impact on your garden design.

The larger pillars and stands are usually placed against a wall however the smaller ones can be turned into table legs or feature stands for plants or flowers.

A bit of history

The pillars and stands that are often seen on the outside of buildings are usually helping the building keep it's structure intact against wind or earthquakes... as stone pillars are designed to resist lateral forces. You'll also find pillars or stands supporting beams or arches on which the upper parts of walls or ceilings rest. These type of pillars and stands are usually referred to as 'columns'... and they can also be used as a decorative element (as we mentioned previously)... in this case they are not usually needed for structural purposes.

Back in the day

Iron Age civilisations of the Near East and Mediterranean all made some use of columns (pillars or stands). Early columns were constructed of stone, this made them very heavy (which enabled them to withstand strong winds). However Papa Theo's Pillars and stands are made from solid mango wood and are hand-painted to look distressed and antique and available in natural limed, antique white or gold finishes, to give them the "Shabby Chic" look.

Pillars and stands make a great addition to any home, so why not have a look a Papa Theo's Shabby Chic range today!

Back in the day, if a piece of furniture or picture frame was distressed it basically meant it had been around for generations... most of the paint would have been worn off or nicked by being moved too many times. It's strange to think that, that same look is very sought-after now-a-days. 

One of the main reasons this distressed look is so sought-after is because it adds character and style to a home, complementing many different types of décor... you can't quite say that modern furniture does the same. 

Distressed look furniture is usually sold under the name 'shabby chic'... as let's face it owning a piece of shabby chic look furniture sounds much better than owning a distressed piece of furniture. Many stores selling 'shabby chic look' furniture sell new furniture that has gone through the distressing process, as this keeps the cost of the furniture much lower than selling real antiques... lets face it, we could all do with saving a bit of money.

Distressing furniture is a skilled technique of designing the furniture in such a way that it looks charmingly worn out. 

To distress a piece of furniture is relatively simple. First you must determine what you would like the finished piece to look like. To get that 'two coloured look' you will need to add two layers of paint to the furniture. Usually a brighter colour for the base coat works well as it peeks through the top coat. 

To achieve that 'rubbed-off' look', you can use sandpaper to rub off the paint to reveal the under layer of wood... this will make a new piece of furniture look like it's been around for years. 

If you wish to mute or age the colours you've painted the furniture with you can, by adding wood stain to it afterwards. However you can just paint clear polyurethane over the finished project... if you do this, remember to use a water-based polyurethane as this won't yellow over time. 

To see a range of professionally distressed furniture, have a look at the Papa Theo website www.papatheo.co.uk

Papa Theo's exclusively designed lampstands are hand-painted to look distressed and antique to give them a vintage feel. They are also available in natural limed, antique white or gold finishes, to give them the "shabby chic" look. These beautiful, elegant, sophisticated and affordable reproductions will make a great addition to any home.

Having good lighting in a home is important, as it can make or break the ambience of a room... so it pays to get it right.

Re-decorate with light!

If you want to update or improve a room without getting out a paint brush... try adding some light. Good lighting can make a room feel fresh and like new again.

Different types of lighting

All rooms need some form of light, whether it's natural light, background light, ambient light or work light.

Before adding light to a room, you need to see where light is going to be needed the most (next to a working desk, or next to the sofa for reading etc). Light can also be used as decoration... so if you have any fixtures or fittings that need lighting up, you need to consider where you are going to source the light from. If the light you're sourcing it from is a lamp, be careful not to have wires on show or in the way.

Different types of lighting can create different atmospheres within a room, for example:

1. Down lighting is used to create a soft glow to add ambience to a room. This type of lighting is usually used in a reception or dining room, to create a romantic atmosphere.

2. Spot lights can be used to make a feature of a key aspect in a room. A good use of spot lighting is in the corners of a room, where you wouldn't normally have light.

3. If you want to have different levels of light, this is where vintage look lampstands come in. This type of indirect lighting is an interesting way of adding atmosphere to a room.

4. If your not a fan of having the main lights on of an evening in the front room, then each seating area in the room will need to have it's own light, so people can read at their pleasure without having to turn on the main lights.

If you crave that vintage look for you home, try scattering vintage look lampstands, candlesticks or sconces around your living room, kitchen and bedrooms... you'll be surprised how much it will change a room.

The shabby chic style has been around for many years, our mothers and even our grand mothers will be familiar with the classy, vintage look, the shabby chic style upholds.

Many 'new' interior design styles ideas get inspiration from 'trends' of the past, but it's not only interior design styles that get inspiration from the past... many new fashion styles do as well. A classic example of this is when the 'vintage' style swept the nation this year. This 'new' style has seen those 'old' checked shirts come back into fashion for the second time.

It's very common for 'old styles' to come back into fashion years later, so next time you look in your wardrobe... don't throw away those 'old jeans' just yet.

If your not familiar with the phrase 'shabby chic', it is usually referred to, in interior design, as furniture and furnishings that have signs of wear and tear, or new items that have been distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique.

Shabby chic has a soft, minimalistic and feminine feel, which emphasises it's difference from regular vintage décor... you could say this is why shabby chic has “chic” in the name.

Items that are considered shabby chic are the ones that have been heavily painted, with many layers showing through due to wear over the years. This look has become ever so popular, and now new items and being painted and then 'sanded' down to get the same distressed look.

The usual colours you'll find in a shabby chic style room is white and soft pastel. The soft pastel colours are handy if someone was to have white walls, as they could then complement the room by incorporating shabby chic look furniture with a bit of colour.

One place to go if you're looking for a shabby chic style piece of furniture is Papa Theo. All Papa Theo's products are exclusively designed and manufactured for Papa Theo and hand-painted to look distressed and antique and available in natural limed, antique white or gold finishes, to give them the "shabby chic" look you all love. These beautiful, elegant, sophisticated and affordable reproductions will make a great addition to any home.

Have a look online at Papa Theo's shabby chic furniture range today www.papatheo.co.uk