Welcome to Rachel Ashwell's world: as beautiful as it is comfortable, as inspiring and spontaneous as it is practical and personal. In this book, Rachel shares her inspirations and her humour, celebrates the charm of the old and battered, and demonstrates time and again how interiors touched with Rachel's magic transcend fashionable trends, extending a calming, personal welcome to all. In this new book, Rachel takes us to homes in the US - from a shabby shack on Malibu's oceanfront to a ranch on the wide, open spaces of Texas and to the wooded hills of the Catskills - and in the UK - from a houseboat and a city townhouse to a centuries-old manor house deep in the country, and Rachel's own London apartment. All the houses, regardless of their size or location, embody Rachel's ethos and share the same qualities: a respect for beautiful objects from the past, an extravagant sense of comfort, an eye for the unexpected and that signature touch of bling. All are inviting, artistic, soulful, inspired and inspiring, beautiful, gentle, considered and, in their own way, perfectly imperfect.
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About the Author
Rachel Ashwell founded the iconic brand known as Shabby Chic in 1989. Her vision and love of vintage style and flea-market finds have hit a chord with her customers who have found her comfortable, relaxed approach to design both reassuring and achievable. She has educated and inspired people through a series of books, including Rachel Ashwell: Shabby Chic Interiors, and through her television series, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic On Style.
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More About the Author
Rachel Ashwell founded the iconic brand known as Shabby Chic in 1989, opening Shabby Chic furniture and home décor stores, as well as Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture stores. Her vision and love of vintage style and flea-market finds have struck a chord with customers, who have found her comfortable, relaxed approach to design both reassuring and achievable. She has educated and inspired people through a series of books, including Shabby Chic, Shabby Chic Home, Shabby Chic: The Gift of Giving, Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things, and Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide, as well as through her television series, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic On Style, which was shown on E! and the Style Network.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Shabby Fan
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been waiting (not so patiently) for Rachel's newest (and 7th book) and was thrilled to find it arrive on my doorstep today. The book is very pretty and filled with many pastel-hued, romantic photos that have come to symbolize "Shabby Chic". While I do agree with other reviewers that the book occasionally veers a bit off track (I could live without the brown leather couches, twiggy furniture, and what is it with that room with the horrible stripes in those horrid 70's colors?), I still feel it is essentially a very lovely book. I fear that Rachel feels the pressure to constantly change up her look a bit and offer something new. I don't really think she does. Personally, I know I will always love her pastel floral fabrics, vintage china and white slip-covered furniture the most. I don't need anything new or different. I don't need (or really want) her to be just like other, perhaps more ordinary, designers. Rachel's original vision was always perfect in my eyes and I hope she doesn't feel that her design style must "evolve" in order to be successful. That is why my favorite parts of the book are the one's showcasing Rachel's own homes, her new B&B (The Prairie), her beautiful office space, and Sharon Osborne's home - they are all the most true to her original design aesthetic. For on these pages, there are enough tulle prom dresses, gilt mirrors, faded florals and millinery flowers to please any Shabby Chic devotee!
28 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been a fan of Rachel Ashwell and her shabby chic look for years. I own every book she has authored. This book is a huge disappointment in that she has veered even further away from her original look. Her new look is very confusing as if she wants to accomodate every other look out there, wrap it all up together and present it to us with a "tah-dah"!
A more appropriate title for her new look could be labeled "Bohemian Gypsy meets Wandering Peasant". I am so sorry. I wanted to love this book. I eagerly looked forward to its release. I love the front cover, but unfortunately the cover is much prettier than what's inside, with a few exceptions.
I did truly drool over the pictures of Sharon Osbourne's home. Maybe Sharon should put out the next decorating book instead? Sorry, Rachel. I still love you!
A more appropriate title for her new look could be labeled "Bohemian Gypsy meets Wandering Peasant". I am so sorry. I wanted to love this book. I eagerly looked forward to its release. I love the front cover, but unfortunately the cover is much prettier than what's inside, with a few exceptions.
I did truly drool over the pictures of Sharon Osbourne's home. Maybe Sharon should put out the next decorating book instead? Sorry, Rachel. I still love you!
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Cindy
Format:Hardcover
I LOVED Rachel's newest book!!!!!! I just received it on Monday and already, I have read it from cover to cover! I admire her way of constantly reinventing herself while still staying true to her foundation of beauty/comfort/and function. I respect Rachel's ability to find gratitude in life's most simple moments and to turn what already exists into thoughtful artwork. It was such a treat to see how the Shabby Chic style can find a place into the homes of so many different types of people all around the world. Really really enjoyed this book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Book or sales circular?
In this book, Ms. Ashwell forgoes listing where one may purchase the items she sells in the back of the book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. Worth
4.0 out of 5 stars
I LOVE the way she writes....BUT:(
OMG, the Salvation Army would not accept the ripped down to the wood frame chairs, cushions with the stuffing coming out, and broken UNATTRACTIVE 'designs'? Read more
Published 4 months ago by Farm Chick
3.0 out of 5 stars
Shabby Chic Inspirations
Bought this book because of the other reviews. Although this book does have some great ideas I was a little dissapointed that it didn't have more of what I was looking for. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Shellblossom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Was not disappointed!
I had just about given up on buying a decorating book without seeing the inside first when I bought this book. Read more
Published 8 months ago by luvs2decorate
3.0 out of 5 stars
so-so
Let me just say that I own and love most R.A. books, and my house is furnished very much in the shabby chic style. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Newmie the cat
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's Still Shabby Chic BUT
Yes, it's still Rachel Ashwell and it's still Shabby Chic. I actually read most of the reviews here before going to preview the book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by FitnessDVDQueen
4.0 out of 5 stars
MIXED FEELINGS ...
I have mixed feelings about this book and debated whether to give it three or four stars. I decided to give it four because the good outweighs the bad. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Vintage Chic
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun to read!
This book is a pleasure to read and admire the lovely photos in it! I thoroughly enjoyed it and will use it to reference all of my ideas! Great coffee table book! Read more
Published 11 months ago by L. Kulczycki
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of money
I was thinking about purchasing this book ,but eventually I saw it at Target store and read through it while waiting for Customer Service rep to arrive. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars
inspiring
Opening this book is so inspiring and enjoying each page and all the beautiful collection of shabby chic. I can't put it down. Love it!!
Published 12 months ago by Ms Joan
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