Aged just right, romantic, retro: choosing shabby kitchen cabinets is an art

Shabby is the style for those who love romantic, lived-in interior design

For those who like to decorate their home with a romanticism that can be defined as suspended, timelessly classic, set in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, shabby is the right style. It is an interior design that is not easy to recreate, because it must be characterised by elements that are able to give an aura of classic and lived-in, but without being old or dated or, worse still, careless. And exactly this is the concept that must also underlie the choice of shabby kitchen cabinets.

The characteristics of shabby kitchen cabinets that make the atmosphere unique

The shabby style is gathering more and more admirers, who wish to take up this method of furnishing inspired by English homes in their homes and which, through natural materials, pastel colours and, as mentioned, a balanced sense of ageing, leads to a serene and elegant ambience. Shabby kitchens are rooms that invite you to spend time in them, in a soothing, nostalgic, classical yet refined atmosphere. There are similarities with country styles in the use of wood and the search for an extreme sense of cosiness, particularly with the French style, which is characterised by a lighter palette than other country interior designs.

The main material is wood, deliberately rough and aged

Shabby kitchen cabinetstherefore has to be essentially made of wood, worked to appear rough. They must be carefully finished, both in terms of details and the aged and worn effect mentioned: achieving this is an art, for example through pickling, which creates a deliberate romantic wear and tear that is never overlooked.

In the centre is, as often happens in kitchens that wink at a country feeling, the large table, where the family gathers: needless to say, made of wood, like the kitchen top itself Important is also the sink, if possible in ceramic, of important dimensions. Appliances are often freestanding.

Marble, terracotta, stoneware, natural fabrics: besides wood, what materials to use for shabby kitchen cabinets

Wood is the great protagonist of the furniture but in a shabby kitchen it is combined with other materials, strictly natural, starting with fabrics, such as linen and cotton, for curtains and tablecloths. These, carefully chosen and often with floral or checked patterns, become fundamental in the final effect. Floor and wall coverings are in terracotta or stoneware, there is also the presence of marble.

The colour palette in a shabby kitchen

A shabby kitchen is therefore a room that combines rustic features with an innate elegance and an overall refined softness: its uniqueness lies in its unique atmosphere, deliberately retro and antiqued without being antique. The colours are shades of white, combined, to give a touch of colour, with taupe and grey. A room built on shabby kitchen cabinets is bright and made even more airy and open by light-coloured walls, to which tastefully decorated tiles can add an extra touch.

When choosing your shabby kitchen cabinets, the finishes, usually opaque, and decorations are very important, with great attention to detail: the doors of the cupboards are paneled, i.e. framed by frames that make them very characteristic, the edgings are sinuous, the handles, in metals such as bronze or iron, gracefully accentuate the retro effect. It is easy to see how the philosophy of this interior design does not espouse the minimalist philosophy that tends towards extreme cleanliness of form! Another difference is the choice to leave the cooking utensils, the ceramic plates, with their romantic taste, the copper pots and pans, and the jars visible on the shelves, making them part of the decor.

Shabby kitchen cabinets in a more modern style

What if you love modern lines but want to give your kitchen a shabby touch? It is feasible, while never forgetting that the retro feel is one of the characteristic figures. You can use more minimalist features, reduce decorations, combine pickled wood with steel or metal, integrate modern appliances and discreet LED lights without over-emphasising them.

Il Piccolo, second generation family-run carpentry shop, opens its showroom in Lugano. With over 50 years of experience, Il Piccolo brings with it a wealth of technical and design knowledge of the highest level, thanks to the many interiors designed and furnished all over the world. In addition, Il Piccolo represents the most prestigious brands of furniture worldwide. Il Piccolo designs, manufactures and sells the best of interior design made in Italy, following the customer from design to implementation, delivery and installation of the work, integrating the process with a precise and professional service. CONTACT US