Creating Granny Chic Decorating on a Budget in Your Home
One of the first principals of “granny chic” is to reinvent something old and put a new and modern twist on it. For the biggest impact I say start with some furniture. If you have any old pieces you can reinvent this will really save you some money. If not, try checking out your local Salvation Army furniture store, the flea market, and any other used furniture sources in your city. If you are lucky enough to still have a grandmother, try asking her if you can raid her attic for unused furniture. If you have a piece of furniture that can be painted, this will make a huge impact. Go for bright retro inspired colors. If you have a nice piece of wood furniture and cannot paint it, try recovering the seat in something fun and funky. Choose unusual fabric you would not expect to find on a traditional chair. Pleather, vinyl, fake fur, and even fleece are all good ideas. Be sure to leave some of the original piece there. After all you are trying to combine the old and the new into something contemporary.
“Granny chic” is well known for reintroducing wallpaper. Reproduction wallpaper and newly design “granny chic” pieces can cost quite a bit of money. Take a lesson from past generations and try using stencils on the wall. Start with a fresh and fun base coat color all over the entire wall. Use stencils to recreate a vintage and “granny chic” inspired pattern. Circles and simple fruit patterns like two cherries are easy to find. Remember to keep it simple, clean, and modern. Do a solid stencil of these patterns to create this new look. For a more low key look try stenciling in a color one shade lighter or one shade darker than the base coat on your walls. For more refined look paint the walls in a flat paint and stencil in the same color, but use high gloss paint. Again make sure you do your stencils in one solid color. Leave off any details! This will really give the feel of wallpaper. Traditional stencils with multiple colors can be every time consuming and come across as country. “Granny chic” is not country.
“Granny chic” also reintroduces the use of needlepoint pillows and wall hangings. These can be very pricey. Most yarn and arts and craft stores will have a huge selection of needlepoint patterns you can create yourself. This is time consuming, but can be fun if you do this with a group of friends. If you have never tried to needlepoint before, look for some of the beginner kits. They come with instructions. Needlepoint is easy to do and can be accomplished by anyone of almost any age above about seven years old. Colorful family trees are a great “granny chic” inspired piece of art for your wall. Incorporating your family is a great way to create an instant “granny chic” look.
To finish off the look search online sales at sources like www.craiglsist.com and www.ebay.com. You can find great “granny chic” home dÃ?©cor items that other people are trying to get rid of. Best of all they will be the real deal.
