What Is the Difference Between Shabby Chic & Antique?

Shabby Chic

• Most pieces of furniture that are labeled "shabby chic" are in average or poor condition, but it's their condition that makes them endearing and fashionable. A shabby chic table, for example, could have scratches and old stains, while a shabby chic brass lamp can be tarnished. The appeal of this style of furniture is that it's not in mint condition. Shabby chic items are suitable for virtually any room, but it's important that the entire room is decorated in this style. If not, the shabby chic item will stand out in a negative way.

Distressed

• A second kind of shabby chic furniture is created artificially, often through a process called distressing. Whereas some shabby chic items are original and have been damaged slightly through the years, a distressed item is new or in ideal condition and aged artificially. The process of distressing an item takes many forms. Typically, you can sand some of the edges to fade them, drop hard objects to create dents and stain light objects with brown stain.

Antique

• If an item is considered an antique, it is a historical item that is often in ideal condition. Although different types of furniture are referred to as "antiques" at yard sales and flea markets, a true antique has a level of collectibility to it, usually because it's rare. A table from 1970 is not usually called an antique, because it might not be rare enough yet. A table from 1870, however, is rare enough to be considered an antique.

Antique Repair

• If you buy an item deemed antique, you likely will treat it significantly differently than a shabby chic item. Whereas you might intentionally worsen the condition of a shabby chic-style item to enhance its appeal, you wouldn't do this type of damage to an antique because the antique is of considerable value. Antique repair businesses take damaged items and repair them so that they resemble how they looked when they were built.