19 Shabby Chic Crafts for Vintage Style Decor

Give one useful object a pale floral finish before building a larger collection. Make four decorated plant pots, then compare 19 applications for boxes, frames, textiles and small accessories. For whole rooms in the same style, see shabby chic bathrooms.

What Is Shabby Chic and How Can You Use It?

Shabby chic combines softened color, aged looking surfaces and romantic texture. Create that effect on undamaged objects with stable joints and smooth working edges.

Choose one leading color and a repeated detail, leaving plain space around them. A little lace can connect objects without covering every surface.

Make the Floral Pots Shown in the Making Steps

Choose Your Supplies and Prepare the Pots

Prepare four undamaged terracotta pots, pale paint, brushes, floral paper, decoupage medium, lace and ribbon. Clean and dry the pots, keeping removable plant inserts separate.

Paint the Base and Add Gentle Worn Edges

Paint the exterior in thin coats with pink, sage or cream rims. Leave drainage clear. After the right drying stage, selectively reveal terracotta at raised edges if a worn effect is wanted.

Apply the Floral Paper

Cut small floral motifs and trial their positions dry. For a layered napkin, separate the printed layer, brush medium onto its contact area and smooth gently. Apply any protective coat as required.

Use smaller pieces on curves to reduce wrinkles. Trial paper and medium on an offcut before repeating the treatment.

Add Lace, Ribbon, and Removable Plants

Measure and attach lace with adhesive suited to both textile and coated pot. Put bulky joins at the rear and leave the rim accessible.

Remove inner pots for watering, drain before returning and empty accumulated runoff. Protect furniture below and keep paper and trim dry.

Apply These Techniques to the 19 Ideas Below

Keep the Napkin Finish Outside the Watering Routine

Keep the napkin finish outside the watering routine. Aniko’s napkin decoupage planter at Place of My Taste paints the pot white so the thin napkin print shows clearly and uses only the printed layer. Keep the plant in a plastic pot inside, because water passing through terracotta will spoil the paper.

For the four pot set above, allow US$10 to 20 for paint, paper and medium portions, with the outer and inner pots and brushes owned. Plan separate drying stages before adding lace. Match one repeated flower color across the pots, then vary the rim color so the collection relates without making every pot identical.

1. Give Wooden Crates a Soft, Worn Finish

Pink and cream crates carry floral motifs across softly worn edges. On an undamaged new or safely prepared crate, paint the pale base, dry it and lightly reveal a few raised edges with fine abrasive paper. Keep the inside smooth and finish before adding floral paper. Retain the handholds and fix any working stack as a supported shelving unit.

2. Add Lace Bands to Flower Pots

Narrow lace bands frame pale floral pots. Decorate the outside before placing trim and trial one motif first. Keep plant inserts removable so watering stays separate from paper and textiles.

3. Turn an Ornate Frame Into Floral Wall Art

Raised flowers sit inside an ornate frame. Choose frame depth before arranging blossoms and fit a solid backing. Give the tallest flowers room rather than pressing them beneath shallow glazing.

4. Cover Nesting Storage Boxes With Related Florals

Related pink florals connect nesting boxes of different sizes. Trial one lid in paper or fabric before covering the set. Allow material thickness where lid and base overlap so each box still closes.

5. Fill a Divided Window Frame With Floral Panels

Floral panels alternate with mirrored panes in a divided window frame. Measure the openings before cutting inserts. Repeat a smaller motif where a full bouquet would crowd the individual panes.

6. Hang Floral Fabric Strips as a Wall Textile

Fabric and lace strips hang vertically from one rod. Combine washable fabrics at varied lengths and make the hanging connection removable. Keep the lower fringe clear of furniture catches.

7. Decorate Clear Bottles With Florals and Lace

Three bottles share floral lower panels and lace trim while upper glass stays clear. Clean and dry them before testing one curved surface. Keep decoration outside the interior if a removable water vessel is needed.

8. Refresh a Small Jewelry Chest With Pale Color

A pale jewelry chest gains floral panels and lined divisions. Confirm drawers, lid and hardware work before refinishing. Account for lining thickness and keep hinges, screw holes and closing edges clear.

9. Make a Ribbon Display Board Inside a Frame

Crossed ribbons hold notes on a framed fabric board. Cover a firm fitted backing, tension ribbons evenly and secure intersections. Test replaceable cards before placing personal keepsakes beneath them.

10. Group Jar Organizers on a Tray

A tray groups jars of tools and flowers. Give each container one job and trial stability with the contents. Keep carrying points accessible and empty water filled jars before moving the group.

11. Hang a Floral Wall Cabinet With a Drawer

Floral backing connects open bottle shelves with a drawer below. Check lifting room above the tallest bottle before fitting panels. Mount through structural points for the case and full contents.

12. Paint a Floral Serving Tray as a Display Piece

A handled tray stands upright as floral artwork. Keep a clear interval between the two flower groups. For working serving use, choose a finish and undamaged handles, leaving raised decoration off contact surfaces.

13. Fit a Floral Replacement Lampshade

A floral bell shaped shade repeats the pink roses on the lamp base, with a narrow scalloped edge below. Measure the existing shade’s fitter, height and widest diameter before selecting a finished replacement with that trim already fitted. Check that it sits level, keeps the lamp’s required clearance and accepts the lamp’s stated bulb type and maximum wattage.

14. Frame Distressed Boards Without Adding Lettering

Faded boards contrast with an ornate frame and upper flower cluster. Fit a backing that carries their combined weight independently of decorative corners. Keep the flowers clear of the wall hanger.

15. Fit a Pincushion Into a Floral Teacup

A fitted fabric cushion turns a teacup into a pin holder. Use undamaged china and enough cushion depth for the pins. Keep floral trim around the working area and store it apart from cups used for drinks.

16. Add a Removable Floral Lining to a Basket

A removable floral lining folds over a basket rim. Template the interior and handles before cutting, then use fabric with matching care needs. Leave the solid woven structure accessible for inspection and cleaning.

17. Repeat Floral Details on Furniture Knobs

Floral knob faces repeat across drawers and loose samples. Use shallow paint or thin motifs that remain comfortable to grip. Choose the drawer fixings for the working knobs and keep raised petals from snagging sleeves.

18. Wrap Hangers in Coordinating Floral Fabric

Floral fabric wraps coordinate several hangers. Start with smooth undamaged hangers suited to the garments, then overlap narrow strips neatly. Put joins underneath and test dye transfer before hanging pale clothes.

19. Keep an Open Interior in a Floral Keepsake Box

A lined keepsake box retains one broad open interior. Use it for photos or letters without forcing fixed divisions. A removable tray can separate smaller items if it still clears the closed lid.

Build a Small Collection That Still Works

Repeat one detail across a few objects and keep their working parts easy to use. Clean for the materials and check attachments when moving the pieces.