This style epitomizes convenience, easy living, simplicity of design and maintenance-free living. Think: Slipcovered furniture that can be washed and distressed finishes that will withstand repeated use.

The tone-on-tone colour scheme has a stress-reducing effect and the romantic nature of the style appeals to our sense of passion.

The look is all about the simplest of colour schemes - white-on-white - and mismatched treasures, sensual textures, minimal pattern, twinkling crystal and painted wood finishes. It says, "simple, yet elegant."

Lighting plays a paramount role and a hanging crystal chandelier, particularly, is the statement piece of shabby-chic decor. Visit a favourite antique store, flea market, estate sale, architectural recycling centre or lighting store and look for a multi-level piece that's dripping in crystal.

With shabby-chic styling, a chandelier can look right at home in the bathroom, bedroom, dining room, foyer or the living room. If you find a chandelier you love, but detest the brash finish, simply spray paint the metal surface in white or ecru.

Purchase white cotton slipcovers for your coloured or patterned upholstered furniture and paint all the walls and dark wooden case-goods (armoires and coffee tables) in a white or cream.

The absence of any real colour demands that you create visual excitement by using a variety of textures. Look for opportunities to add romantic textures such as antique lace (perhaps on pillows, bedding or window treatments), fringed detailing (upholstery trims and pillow fringes), sisal flooring, rattan, cut-glass accessories, rough painted woods and wrought iron.

The shabby-chic philosophy is that "less is more." Part with furnishings that are no longer useful or attractive, and then refurbish remaining pieces by slip covering sofas and chairs, and painting dark, dreary wood finishes an uplifting white. Accessorize the room with an elegant framed mirror, romantic oil paintings, white candles and, of course, twinkling crystal chandeliers.

An important aspect of the shabby-chic mystique is learning to love imperfection. Don't fret about less-than-perfect finishes or mismatched lamps and china.

Every shabby-chic space is uniquely personal. The essence of this style is derived from combining timeworn objects and an aura of romance, with the appeal of comfortable surroundings.

Remember: the three goals of shabby chic are beauty; function and comfort, where every item within retains an elegant, yet gently used appeal.

Feng Shui

With your back positioned against the doorway and looking into a room, the far left corner is known as a room’s wealth area. To attract and enhance your ‘wealth’ energies try adding rectangular shapes and a touch of the colour purple, green, red.

This is also the area of the room to add crystal, indoor fountain, framed money, three gold coins wrapped in red paper (you can tuck these wrapped coins behind a book or under a vase), flowers or an aquarium.

Clutter Therapy

Let's start with the truth: getting organized is going to take some effort and a fair amount of time. To organize the average household you will need to spend a few hours a week for the next year to year and a half before you are 100% organized.

Start your organizational makeovers in the spaces where you spend the most time: the bathroom, kitchen or home office (this is the room that will likely take the biggest effort to get organized). Sort all of your stuff into like piles. For example, in the bathroom make piles of hair products, cosmetics, first aid supplies, etc. Go through the piles and purge all the stuff that you haven't used over the last year and any outdated products. Take a look at all the good stuff you have left and make sure that it belongs in this room - stacks of old magazines, clothing (other than a bathrobe), or a tool box don't belong in the bathroom. The idea is to find homes or storage spaces for items in the location where they are most often used. Once you have analyzed your stuff, go to the store and buy storage containers that are attractive (might as well make it look good) and that will give you the appropriate amount of storage space needed for all the stuff you are keeping.

Scentsational Notes

What we smell triggers very emotional responses from our brains.  When we open the door to a new car, walk into a home with fresh bread baking in the oven or slip into a tub filled with lavender scented bubbles our bodies instantly respond to the scents around us. Scents can relax us, stimulate us, remind us of people or places, act as aphrodesiacics and even heal.

Just think about the smell of chocolate chip cookies, straight from the oven…pleasant odors evoke the emotion of happiness and satisfaction! Scents of lavender relax us, mint energizes us, rosemary will stimulate our memory and cinnamon turns us on.

In your home, aromatherapy is as simple as spraying your favorite perfume onto throw cushions or lighting your favorite scented candles at the end of a tough day.

Cheryll Gillespie is a nationally syndicated Design and Décor columnist.