When travelling through the middle of Florida, one of my favorite shopping stops is Arcadia, a small town whose main street is filled with quaint antique shops that offer something for every collector. You can see my previous post about shopping Arcadia by clicking here.
On my most recent visit I stopped in another of my favorite stores, “The Vintage Garden ” a shabby chic lover’s dream! This is one of the most beautifully merchandised shops I’ve seen and it really captures the romance of the vintage shabby chic style aesthetic. Â Even if you never decorated this way, it’s hard not to start envisioning a home makeover after visiting this charming gem of a store. It’s full of authentic vintage fashion and home decor all artfully displayed, which offers all sorts of inspiration for decorating ideas.
So here is some shabby chic eye candy that may inspire you to add a touch of feminine vintage romance to your home.
From the main entrance room of the store you travel down a hallway off of which are rooms each with their own distinct personalities and themes.
Love the distressed wood table and chairs mixed with the  flower covered wrought iron chairs. I envision ladies sipping tea in a garden wearing pretty vintage sundresses and wide brimmed hats!
A lovely idea for displaying a vintage slip collection either in your bedroom, or, if you’re really fortunate, your large dressing room! Also, notice the distressed picture frame in the background. A wire was attached so that a collection of vintage heels could be hung across. A piece of lace fabric is tacked at the top and drapes down behind the shoes. Â This is a fantastic way to display those damaged or extra small vintage shoes that no one can fit into anymore. Â They can often be found inexpensively at flea markets and many are just too pretty to discard. Working them into your decor gives them a new life, so they can still be admired!
Inspiration here for a shabby chic look for your boudoir. Â Vintage hats, linens, fabric boxes, flower print lampshades are used as accents to create a soft, feminine ambiance. Â The tufted pink chair is TDF! And the wire dress form wrapped in tulle with a large silk rose pinned to it would be a fabulous focal point in a shabby chic bedroom.
Rescue an old mirror that came from an antique dresser by painting it and propping on a narrow table or shelf. Â Accessorize accordingly! Â And the vintage rose print wallpaper complements the ornate carved frame perfectly.
Antique shadow box table is a great way to display a vintage jewelry collection or any other small collectibles. You can make your own with salvaged vintage wooden boxes or old dresser drawers. Paint and distress for a shabby chic look. Â Attach some interesting legs (again salvaged) Â or even attach boxes or drawers to an old end table, Â then set a piece of glass on the top. Voila! Fabulous shadow box display.
Now here’s an easy idea if you collect vintage aprons. Â They’re so cute, they need to be out in the open, not in a drawer! Â So string up a clothesline against a wall in your kitchen and use old clothespins to hang your favorite aprons for all to admire!
A vintage birdbath filled with glass stones would be an eyecatching focal point in a foyer, on a porch or in a sunroom. Â Use for displaying plants or even place candles in glass candleholders of varying heights.
A vintage wicker planter box would be a great accent in a shabby chic bedroom or bath. This one is filled with branches of silk flowers, a framed vintage photo and flower adorned straw hat. Would be fun to change out according to season or holidays.
No shabby chic boudoir is complete without some kind of vanity table to display your bottles and baubles.  Old tufted satin glove box used as an organizer really adds a charming vintage touch and  gives a lovely item from the past a new use.
Cute way to display a collection of old postcards and greeting cards. Â Gluing bits of lace and broken pieces of vintage jewelry adds a nice, feminine touch.
Well, I hope my photos of The Vintage Garden got you psyched to try some shabby chic decorating.  Unfortunately they don’t have an ecommerce site. But  if you’re ever anywhere near central Florida, I strongly suggest you make a trip to this shop.I guarantee you won’t leave there without something fabulously shabby and chic!
Have a glamorous day!
Thanks!
I love It all!