British Stately Shabby

The big brother of Shabby Chic is British Stately Shabby, whether it's country house, Baroque, Rococo, Victorian or Edwardian. Nobody does expensive quite so casually as the English, offhand about centuries old antiques and carefully cultivating the appearance of not trying too hard to appear 'Nouveau' by matching anything or making it look brand new. 
There's nothing better than whiling away time poking through old stately homes or nosing around manor houses for inspiration, eccentricity, over the top bonkers and gorgeous decay. Our National Trust is a rich heritage of decor jewels and goes from castles to cottages. Going to mix it up a little with a sprinkling of grand and humble and a few stylish homes that combine both. 

Velvet box of 'ladies trinkets'. Trinket is rather a lost word these days - shame!

This Decoupage isn't fake Victorian, it's the real thing. From 1859.

Recreation of an 1865 dinner table setting and floral arrangement designed by the actress Dame Ellen Terry. Lavish!

Fans, parasols and pearls, none of which would look out of place in today's Shabby Chic boudoir.

Pietra Dura marble inlay detail on a window seat.

Bed in a shrine. Note the china bedwarmer.

Ship chandelier, created in the 1930's.

Delft tile bathroom with incredible hardware. Lion head faucet. Doesn't look dated in the least.

1700's brocade shoes and fan. Footwear then, art now.

Door plate set with semi precious stones. It may be 1832 but Anthropology would sell copies in a heartbeat.

More genuine Victorian Decoupage, set into a screen. Recreating the look is not new, but it's great to have such a definitive reference to go by.

A generously filled plant stand from 1810. I love how it is indoors, not relegated to the garden.

Sure, we've all faux painted 'antiqued roses' onto furniture. This is the real deal; tambourines from 1795.

Headboard of James II, 1688.

Would not look out of place in this house, Lordship Park, which has retained all of its grandeur and presented it freshly.

  
Lordship Park chair...Stately and Shabby! 

Lastly, I love this Stately home entrance in The Manor, Oxfordshire, which has everything - beautiful hanging lamp, family hats, incredible plaster work, Doric columns, lions guarding the steps, ormolu for days and A BEAR.