Customer Reviews

Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Firstly, let me say how much I love Rachel Ashwell's previous Shabby Chic books...she is so talented and a real inspiration for people like me who love the casual, beach, Caribbean, French and English styles all mixed up to create the fabulous Shabby Chic.

However, this book was slightly disappointing. I honestly think Ms. Ashwell should stick to books about her amazing decorating, and treasure hunting guides. I, like so many others was trying to get a glimpse into Pamela Anderson's house, as I hear she has a very shabby chic residence, and that would have been a nice touch for the book.

We the fans read these books to glean ideas and to be creative with them, and I am not too sure if I would use some of these ideas in the "sumptuous settings" version. They are okay, but I think Ms. Ashwell's strengths lie in her Decorating and putting together of homes and restaraunts. The pictures of Madres, Jennifer Lopez' restaurant are lovely - what a great job was done there.

Please hurry and do your next book Ms. Ashwell, but please, please keep the theme along the lines of the first three books!! We love them!

I am glad Rachel has done a book about entertaining. As is her special talent, she showcases great new ideas for vintage items. However, I would love to see her do a book about entertaining in general and not for celebrities. I would give this book more stars if so many pages had not been devoted to Jennifer Lopez's restaurant - and I couldn't figure out why J-Lo had a tight budget. (I'm also wondering how the 'accidents' that happen in restaurants are going to keep those vintage china pieces in tact.) Next time I'm hoping for birthday parties for women, men, boys and girls. I would love to see Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving, or just theme parties for no reason. The photography, as usual, is gorgeous.

I was in great anticipation of this book because I found her previous ones (with the exception of the Gift Giving one which I have not read) to be beautiful, inspiring and filled with great, new to me, information. I wasn't expecting another book like the first ones and had I, I think I would have been disappointed. What I was expecting, however, was just another beautiful book filled with wonderful images to give my brain a creative spark. And it did just that.

It's not really a how to, it doesn't lay things out easily, and it's not really for home ideas and living. But it is beautiful, thoughtful, unique and true to Shabby Chic. So if you're in the need of some more inspiration and love her books, this would be a great match. If you're looking to learn more about shabby chic for home and how to do all that, her other books are much, much better.

and very dissapointed with the latest book. I was hoping for HOUSEY pictures. I want what she is known for...... decor & pictures of beautiful rooms with beautiful one of a kind treasures. I would love to have seen homes or rooms she has done for clients. Or from her new home. This book just felt like a dissapointing waste of time. I can't believe anyone would be interested in seeing what Pamala Anderson did for her SONS birthday party. What I really would have liked to have seen is what she does for childrens room, master bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms, kitchens, This was dissapoiting.

I was really excited when I heard that Rachel Ashwell was releasing a new book, however, this book is not what I expected at all. Rachel spends too much time on areas that I feel have no practical use for the average reader - such as Jennifer Lopez's restaurant. How many readers just happen to have a brand new restaurant that they need decorated in the Shabby Chic style? Each chapter is solely made up of just one function, instead of showing several different examples. She showed us how to decorate for one birthday party - a little boy's birthday. How about showing us some ideas for little girls, teens and adults? She completely skipped over any type of holiday gathering too. I thought she would have included several ideas for decorating the table for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas but there was nothing mentioned about it. As a devoted Ashwell fan, I must say that I was really disappointed with this book.

Hello like alot of people we love Shabby and we love Rachel's style. I did like her first 2 books better. More shabby decorated rooms is what I need. I have a suggestion and that would be to have her Shabby chic decorating show recorded on DVD's and put together like a box set. This would be on my christmas list and alot of my friends.

Maybe "Elegant Shabby Chic" would have been a better name for the book. The photos are gorgeous. The events the author created are lavish affairs for Hollywood socialites. The reader can find inspiration from these and depending on the budget, create your own event.
Each chapter covers a separate affair or decorating challenge. There's Jennifer Lopez' restaurant and Pamela Anderson's son's birthday party. Paper parasols, vintage/flowery hats, a mixture of china teacups, and lots of old-fashioned flowers.
I picked this up, originally thinking it was a decorating book. As a party planning book, it's can be an inspiration.

As usual Rachels books never fail to delight the eye with the sumptuous photography, attention to detail and her style of putting together the simplest objects to create visual feasts. A book to devour over and over with a lovely cup of tea !

The book is one of my favorites from Rachel Ashwell. It is not so much as a "how-to" book as it is a design inspiration book. I love looking at the beautiful pictures over and over again. This book has helped me think of more creative ways to throw a bridal or baby shower, birthday party, and just everyday celebrations.

I am a Rachel Ashwell fanatic,as far as her bedding and other home decor.Her first 2 "DECORATING" books were fabulous,and inspired me,and continue to inspire me.Then along came the gift giving book,that could as easily have been condensed into a magazine article,that was a big dissapointment,but it was what it was.I was sooooo hoping for more of Rachels decorating in some stars homes,and I agree,I would have loved to have seen Pamela Andersons home.Ihave caught glimpses on interviews and things and it is obvious she has done her home in totally Shabby chic decor.Now that would have made it worth buying.I want ideas from homes that are decorated in Shabby Chic materials,I don't care how you dye a carnation,(and to the first reviewer,you are right,geezzz for a boys birthday!!come on!!!Oh well I am sure Tommy Lee gave him a real boys birthday party!!!ANyhoo....come on Rachel ...PLEASE get back to your roots that made us all love you in the first place,I need inspiration,and your old books have been worn out!Thanks for listening to my rambling! Renee'