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Recreate this look with these similar products: Sofa | Rug | Mirror | Throw Pillow

There's no question why shabby chic design is so appealing to many. When done right, this style strikes the perfect balance between feeling relaxed and looking pulled together. It puts forth an artistic-yet-elegant vibe, plus gives the designer plenty of freedom to bring their own spin to the table.

However, if you've never pulled a room like this together before, it can be a little intimidating. Sometimes it's difficult to create less-structured spaces that feel more purposeful than messy.

That's where we come in. We've compiled the secrets you need to know to hack the shabby chic aesthetic. Read these tips to learn how to add the necessary structure to your design without sacrificing an ounce of that bohemian feel. Keep them in mind and you'll be able to pull off this type of look every single time.

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Start with a neutral background

Successful interior design projects are all about the give and take. While every element plays an important part in pulling the room together as a whole, some must take a more subdued role to let others shine. Since many shabby chic pieces are bold and colorful, the background for these spaces should remain neutral to balance them out.

For the record, when we say "background," we're talking about the structural elements of the room - features such as walls and floors that aren't part of your personal belongings. Consider painting the walls in lighter neutral shades like white or tan and sticking to simple wooden flooring.

Keep in mind that a neutral background doesn't have to be boring. Feel free to center your design around architectural elements like a fireplace or built-in shelving. Or consider adding an extra layer of visual interest to the walls through textured paint work.

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Focus on distressed or vintage furniture

Most of the time, the "shabby" part of "shabby chic" refers to items that feature a weathered or antique aesthetic. Furniture is a great way to infuse this detail into any room.

As for how to achieve this look, you have plenty of options to choose from. You could browse around for designers that make ready-made pieces with this style or buy an unfinished model and look up a tutorial online on how to re-create it at home. However, those who don't mind their furniture having a bit of history could also look into vintage options. Check out thrift stores or yard sales to see what unique pieces you can find.

One thing to note here is the furniture you choose should only look distressed. If you're purchasing some new-to-you pieces to complete your design, make sure they are well put together, have all their necessary parts and feel sturdy. You can always alter how a piece looks, but there's no point putting your time and money in to something that won't be functional for very long.

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Mix and match accessories

Now for the fun part. Accessories are where you can truly drive home the room's bohemian feel. This style of design is all about layering a variety of different accessories - throw rugs, blankets, pillows, wall art and décor items - to create a cozy and casual space.

In this case, mixing and matching is key. Select items that feature various prints, patterns and textures. For those who prefer a more cohesive look, try to limit your color scheme to two or three different hues repeated throughout the space. However, if your style is more eclectic, you can absolutely set your own limit.

When dealing with less-structured styles, it's important to focus on ensuring that the room doesn't end up looking cluttered. A good rule of thumb to prevent this is to change your perspective. If you're ever unsure whether or not a particular item fits well in your design, simply take a few steps back. Doing this will allow you to see the space as a whole and determine whether the item ultimately adds or detracts from your vision.

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Add in natural elements

Spaces that feature a shabby chic design typically have a bright, light and airy feel to them. One of the easiest ways to drive home that feeling is to bring in some elements from the outdoors. If you have a green thumb, consider incorporating plants or, if you do well with lots of natural light, think about foregoing curtains in favor of simple window treatments that let in plenty of sun.

You could also think about incorporating a variety of natural materials throughout your design. You could use woods in your furniture, try out a bamboo rug or play around with a variety of clay or stone accessories like vases or coasters.

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When done correctly, shabby chic designs are tantalizing. They can appear so effortlessly stylish. It's not until you're behind the scenes you realize how tricky striking that balance really is. If you ever find yourself stuck in a similar situation, we can help. We've compiled the best tips on how to pull off shabby chic spaces without breaking a sweat. Read them over and you'll be an expert on these interiors before you know it.

What do you think of shabby chic spaces? Which styles do you want to see next in our Defining a Style series? Let us know in the comments below.

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Defining a Style Series: What is Shabby Chic Design?

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We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. Recreate this look with these similar products: Sofa | Rug | Mirror | Throw Pillow There's no question why shabby chic design is so appealing to many.

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North Found & Co. deals in found objects and, in a sense, Hadley Wiggins-Marin is one of them.

Before the North Fork "found her," she had no history with the area and, despite growing up in New York City, had always summered on (gasp!) Martha's Vineyard. But 10 years ago, while casually house-hunting in Sag Harbor with her Italian then-boyfriend, now her husband, an astute realtor redirected them to the North Fork. The couple toured five homes in one day, closed on one three weeks later, then showed up at their 1920s New Suffolk farmhouse on a motorcycle with no furniture.

"We had never even spent a night on the North Fork, but knew it was right," Wiggins-Marin said. "It's a barefoot, open-land, cook-at-home, no-frills community filled with fascinating and talented people who largely keep to themselves."

Yes, home might be where the heart is, but you still need to fill the house.

This sentiment drove the couple to create North Found & Co. - a two-pronged North Fork business featuring interior design services and a vintage general store filled with objects, furnishings, clothing and accessories, all located on a beautiful rural stretch in Peconic. Both businesses cater to locals and the growing second-home community, bringing Wiggins-Marin's vision into each home.

"The store has been a wonderful way to introduce North Found aesthetically, even though the store environment is decidedly more rustic and country than much of my design work, which is actually 90 percent of the business," she said. "I find the layered antique aesthetic satisfying though I equally enjoy stripping things down, placing that perfect, patinated piece in a clean, open environment."

A love for design runs deep for Wiggins-Marin, who began her career in design and advertising at Ralph Lauren (where her husband, Daniele, still works as a menswear designer). She also works as an interior designer in New York City when she's not designing North Fork interiors, and cites her parents' influence on North Found's treasure-hunt aesthetic.

"I grew up with a country pantry that was merchandised to photo-shoot perfection for no other reason than our family's enjoyment," she says. "These aesthetic sensitivities run through our blood and bring us so much joy. There are no rules about what comes into the store - the only common thread is that everything is something I love and would use in my own home or a client's project. I love mixing styles and genres - each piece has to stand up on its own, with its own design integrity. You can mix almost anything so long as it has great design and craftsmanship."

That love for craftsmanship is what has inspired the couple to move this year into an 1880s farmhouse in Cutchogue and rent out their 1920s home. "We're always paying attention to what's happened to the historic homes on the North Fork - devastated when we see them come down and thrilled when we see someone take the hard route and embark on a restoration," she said. "We took on the Cutchogue farmhouse restoration for the love of the house and desire to protect and preserve its history."

Wiggins-Marin's design sense and sourcing capabilities extend beyond North Fork borders, too, putting a unique twist on the typical farmhouse chic aesthetic. "North Found is stocked with some local finds, but the majority of our goods come from our travels across the U.S. and Europe," she said, noting that she joins her husband when he travels back to Italy and makes annual trips around the region to source treasures. "My husband also serves as an informal North Found consultant, contributing the odd item to the store. And I mean that literally, as he loves oddities and bizarre, rare finds."

Even though customers might have to Google some items at the store to understand what the heck they are (most recently, for example, a French medical irrigator tool made from brass), others can just appreciate them for the material, shape or patina.

"We have a lovely optometrist who comes in looking for eye- and spectacle-related items," she said. "We usually have something for him as I also love that category as well."

Overall, you never know what you're going to find at North Found, and that's the beauty of it. "I think the discovery is part of the fun and what sets us apart. We're not the reliable store where you know you can always find X or Y. We are more the place you find the thing you didn't know you wanted but now won't ever give up."

There's also a wonderful synergy in having an antique store and complementary design business, and indeed many design clients started as store customers and vice versa.

"Having my own antique store allows me to purchase goods that I may or may not use in an ongoing client project," Wiggins-Marin said. "Plus I can source goods for my clients at a huge savings - a designer's back stock that we open to the public. And if you get to it first, it's yours."

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Hadley Wiggins-Marin is most at home among the eclectic vintage objects at North Found & Co. | Northforker

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North Found & Co. deals in found objects and, in a sense, Hadley Wiggins-Marin is one of them. Before the North Fork "found her," she had no history with the area and, despite growing up in New York City, had always summered on (gasp!) Martha's Vineyard.

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Modern Industrial Interior Design: Definition & Home Decor

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Baring it all takes a lot of courage, and modern industrial interior design is about exposing all that lies beneath to achieve the raw, edgy style. What other styles are...

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Niki DeMar’s 70s-Inspired Apartment Makeover | OMG We're Coming Over

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Articles about traditional homes surprisingly modern interiors on Dwell.com

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Articles about traditional homes surprisingly modern interiors. Dwell is a platform for anyone to write about design and architecture.

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The Marvelous Style of Tuscan Home Interior

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Interior Design – A Fresh Take On Traditional Style

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elements of visual design rhythm - Google Search