Shabby.. or Chic??

The thing I absolutely love about Rachel Ashwell's brilliant term "Shabby Chic" is that it is the perfect, genius, oxymoron. When you walk into her San Francisco store, the left entrance is adorned with the "Chic"- gracefully crisp, bright white decor- the kind of elegance that is almost unliveable. On the right side of the store, we are welcomed with the "Shabby" aspect of the term; the sit back, relax and put your feet up on the coffee table amidst flawlessly beat up armoires, severely distressed buffets, and barnwood picture frames that look like they are hundreds of years old.. you get the idea. On the second floor, the perfect medium is presented. Her bedroom, family room, and kitchen area displays contain tattered wood sistered with elegantly crisp, shiny white paint. It is very apparent in my own home that this is also my happy medium. As I look around at my own place, I notice my taste is so broad when it comes to this style. From salvaged wood chests and beat up frames to a crisp white coffee table and buffet, to a country shabby style pitcher full of roses and a bright white candelabra coupled with a french provincial style white lamp along with sea foam green untouched vintage bedroom furniture... I guess I would happen to fall under the "upstairs shopper" category at the San Francisco Shabby Chic store. Who knew!?