Shabby Chic?

I'm very late to the Shabby Chic party.  During its heyday in the 90s, Rachel Ashwell's style failed to move me.  Looking at her rooms, I thought, "Where's the color?  The pattern? The funk?".  It just seemed so sedate and...well...girly.  Not my taste at all. 

Or so I thought.

Fast forward to the present, and I'm seeing shabby chic sneak its way into my home.  It started in the bedroom, where I was looking for the perfect wall color.  I fell in love (unexpectedly) with Benjamin Moore's "Boudoir" - the perfect vintage pink.  I wasn't even entertaining pink as an option; it looked beige on the card.  But when I put it on my walls...magic.  I loved it.

So, off went the earth toned bedspread and on went the white puffy comforter, lace at the windows, and white paint on the trim.  Burgundy - the color I can't live without - had to stay.  Fortunately, my burgundy velvet curtains and accessories fit in perfectly, and gave the room that shot of rich color that I need.

While the downstairs living area is still dressed in earth tones, I revel in my fresh new bedroom.  Now my earthy bohemian side and my romantic girly side both have places to live.

Even Mikko gives it a thumbs up...

Below is some inspiration from Rachell Ashwell's website.
What do you think?  Yay or nay?

Vignettes

I love intimate spaces.  One of the (many) benefits of having a small cottage is that little decorative vignettes don't seem out of place.  When I lived in a large home, I had to decorate in bold strokes - huge artwork, overscaled furniture, etc.  Now that I'm living cozier, I can revisit my love of "downscaled" decorating.  And, truthfully, it doesn't feel like decorating per se, but rather a visual extension of my true self.  And isn't that the the best part of having a home - creating a haven that reflects the soul?

Below are little pockets of my home that make me smile...

Mikko wanted in on the photo shoot!

my bed ~ I love to create wild color combos with pillows

My nightstand ~ the gorgeous stained glass lamp was made by my talented mother!  Visit her website here

One of my bathroom shelves ~ I found the tray at a consignment shop

...these bottles sit on the shelf above the previous photo ~ more thrift shop finds

In my bedroom hangs a gorgeous piece of art generously given to me by my blogger friend, Angela of Pennystamper

In the bedroom again ~ books, art, and perfume...my idea of heaven

An adorable little hand towel I found which is draped over a flea-market-find mirror (bedroom)

In the bathroom, to the right of the sink.  My mom made the stained glass night light!