Customer Reviews

Shabby Chic Interiors: My Rooms, Treasures, and Trinkets

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For those who were saddened by the closing of Shabby Chic stores and look to Rachel Ashwell's blog for inspiration, Shabby Chic Interiors will thoroughly satisfy. Ashwell's friendly tone, along with Amy Neunsinger's delicious photography, take the reader through exactly what is promised: her rooms, treasures, and trinkets. She manages to make a barn beautifully charming, and her collection of vintage prom dresses is nothing short of gorgeous. In short, if you enjoyed The Shabby Chic Home (or any of her other books, as well), then you will love Shabby Chic Interiors.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion but, I think those who say they are a fan of Rachel's and then completely pan this book because it didn't meet their expectation of what they thought she "should have" put in her book have completely missed the mark. The book is subtitled "My Rooms, Treasures, and Trinkets." Her rooms - not what she would suggest for us - just what she's done. Things she loves, ways she's transformed her homes. Would I do everything she's done? No. Would I do some of them? Absolutely! She does say that her style has evolved and there are definitely more splashes of color in her style. I did enjoy seeing it all and I appreciated that she opened up and showed her vulnerability during what has been a tough time for her. I enjoyed this book much more than the last. It was far more real than celebrity parties.

I just finished Rachel Ashwell's latest book, Shabby Chic Interiors: My Rooms, Treasures, and Trinkets. I thought the book was very inspiring. Amy Neunsinger's photography was fantastic and I think it's great that Rachel is evolving her look with more saturated colors and some leather pieces thrown in for good measure. It feels just as feminine and chic but maybe a little more mature and sophisticated. Without a doubt, I love that she gets rid of all the modern "fancy-smancy" additions by replacing them with the old, well-worn look we love her for. I was very happy with this new book and will happily add it to my RASC collection! It's a definite keeper that you will refer to often for helpful tips and great suggestions on ways in which to beautify your home with simple everyday items that we all have access to. Keep up the good work. I can't wait to see your new store in NY.

Like many other reviewers, I have loved Rachel Ashwell's shabby chic style and loved the photos in all her other books, as well as the dialogue. This book is a HUGE disappointment for me. I still appreciate the photos, but....please....is this just supposed to be a book for everyone? Are we supposed to take inspiration from someone who has money and space to burn and feels free to tell us about it? I'm sorry....I can't afford to have several homes--a beach house off the coast of Greece, etc., and I DEFINITELY don't have space to burn. I have always been so inspired by her other books and was able to adapt the ideas to my own home and style. This book is a JOKE if you are looking for pure inspiration. Frankly, I was offended by all the hoopla about her multiple homes, etc. Do other style mavens tell us about their personal lives in this detail? No. They offer suggestions for ALL of us. For me, this amounts to a fan magazine for those who are in love with Rachel Ashwell and not her shabby chic style. An aside: Why does she sell her wares in Target stores and then write her book from the perspective of the super-rich? Ridiculous. Stick to shabby chic advice and photos and forget the glimpse into your own personal kingdom.

I have all of Rachel's books, but unfortunately, I believe she missed the mark with this one. Was it hastily put together? I have almost all shabby elements in my home and I am quite the Ashwell devotee. I have purchased many things from her boutiques and her Target line and she has inspired most of the decor in my home. The European tradition with beautiful muted colors is not represented here. This book looks more like a hodge podge. I have given this book to my friends, since I do not refer to this book myself, for guidance or inspiration, as I do with all of her other books, and they all say the same thing. I do not like this book as much as the others.

SHaBBy Chic Interiors has lovely pictures/vignettes - BUT NO NEW INSPIRATION... A bit disappointed...

I am a HUGE fan and read and reviewed previous books. With that said imo, both Rachel and the ideas in the book look really worn out. We've all aged since her 1st book and she tells of her harrowing past year but I found the book a bit depressing. I don't agree w/ STYLE being, leaving a price tag on a hanging lamp, or a stained sampler or a chandelier not hanging but resting on a Church pew. She inspired me to buy an 1886 farmhouse and make it a beautiful home that reflects ME. I grew up and then lived in over the top contemporary homes and decorating a vintage farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains was beyond my comfort zone but it really turned out to be a showplace using her advice and ideas. I have seen bathrooms in gas stations that had more design appeal than in this book. I still gave it 3 stars because I enjoed reading it and seeing her style evolve and it looks GREAT on my tattered vintage end table. Oh, I just found 2 beautiful????? wing chairs at a thrift store that I asked a friend to help me upholster...OMG...when my friend saw the chairs w/ fabric just thrown over the chairs, it wasn't quite the inspiration I was looking for. If you are new to Rachel's philosophy I highly recommend you purchase her old books because they were chock full of fresh and exciting ideas.

This book should allow potential buyers to see some of its chapters and especially its not too inspiring photos. Do not let the cover fool you as it did me. As a fan of most shabby chic elements in home decor, this is a true disappointment due to its rushed and thrown together look. Some of the dedications and family memories by the author are sweet...but what happened to all the photos? I must say that all of the CHIC was taken out; sadly leaving us with only SHABBY, BORING AND DEPRESSING IMAGES. I know this look has been around for two decades, but past books and images seemed more romantic and timeless with a bit of a euro feel...now it is starting to look very junky and you can't wait to run out of the rooms...her kid's shoes, scary white cross, prom dresses, the so called celebrity rooms...Munroe's former bedroom (yuck!)Sorry to be so harsh...but the decorating ball was really dropped on this book project.

I have loved Shabby Chic for years, and was very excited when I saw this new book coming out. Once I started looking at it, however, I have to say I was very disappointed. I understand how a persons taste and style can change and evolve, but from what I now see in Rachel Ashwell's home, her taste has turned to junk. What happened to the beautiful floral fabrics and antique mismatched china? The beautiful crystal prisms hanging off candle holders and lights? Those were the types of things that drew me into Shabby Chic to begin with and what I still love about that look. From what I see now, and how she's decorating, it looks like Shabby Junk, and I see nothing chic about it. Most of her furnishings look a tad bit like garage sale rejects. The style and elegance that used to go hand in hand with the name Rachel Ashwell, has sadly, been replaced with tacky furnishings that I wouldn't give a nickle for. There is nothing in this book that resembles the Shabby Chic look and style from the past. Don't bother with this book if that's what you're looking for.

I've been a Shabby Chic fan since the beginning and I happily often had the opportunity to go to Rachel Ashwell's Santa Monica store. Even when it was closed, the window was still interesting to look at.
Anyway, I was so much curious of this book that I couldn't wait to read it and I read it too quickly !

I would say it is a little different from the other ones, more eclectic, more "industrial style" but still Shabby and Chic, more Bohemian too, more "artistic". It is also more nostalgic than the first ones, probably because of the circumstances while this book has been written.
The more "junk" and hodgepodge sides come certainly from the fact her kids are adults now, still students and she obviously is influenced by their tastes, something quite normal after all.
Our period is also different from the 80's, Rachel can't forever stick to the same stuff again and again.
But it remains her style, still coherent. Her explanations are very clear, it is very easy to understand how her creation process works, which are her motivations, what kind of trend has an influence on her.
But at the end, it is Shabby Chic - Rachel Ashwell.

In this book, I loved her homes, in L.A. and Malibu but was a little less interested in Marylin Monroe's home and her other friends' houses which are not exactly of the same style, a little less defined and messier.
And it is true that the rooms on the pictures didn't look quite finished, I don't know why, less details, more naked truth maybe.
Anyway, actually I was more interested in what she was saying in her book, than the photos themselves. Because I like to understand what there is behind people's minds, rather than what they want to show.

If you are a Shabby Chic fan and want to spend a few hours in Rachel Ashwell's world, that is the book for you, a must in that case. If you just like beauty, that is still a book for you.
But if you are researching for something completely mad, new, very modern or "bizarre bazaar", I am afraid it is not that kind enough. Just pass your way, and come back when you search for something more cozy, comfy and chic.

My only problem with this book : I had not enough to read. I need to know more. I need another whole book like this. The least I can say : I've not been bored while reading it !