Shabby Chic Interiors by Rachel Ashwell

Rachel Ashwell has been a leading figure in the shabby chic movement for the last twenty years since the day she founded her company Shabby Chic in 1989. Shabby Chic Interiors - My Rooms, Treasures and Trinkets explores Rachel's journey from her first interest in vintage to her defined yet relaxed style that she has arrived at today.

TIME-WORN ELEGANCE

Amy Neunsinger's evocative photographs bring this time-worn elegance to life. Soft pastels, pale woods and quirky objets d'art encourage the reader to incorporate this style into their homes. More so than ever before, homeowners are seeking real comfort but are not willing to pay over the odds for it. Shabby chic is the answer with its recycling of much loved furniture, textiles and ornaments, all of which have a history to tell.

HOME FOR ALL REASONS

It's always interesting to see how a designer lives and Rachel invites the reader into her home, a nest that she creates every time she moves. The one thing that strikes you is that there is no clutter and yes, she really does live like this. This is the key to pulling off shabby chic. The style is about choosing a few good pieces and letting them have centre stage and this is evident in the book. Rachel believes that living a clutter free life frees the mind and her home office is a testament to this. The memo board and desk are busy spaces but the room can change according to Rachel's projects. Voile curtains, pale walls and lots of natural light make this the perfect canvas to use as a starting point for working.

Rachel's style is subtle, not overly flowery but measured and very calming. The book also looks at some celebrity homes in Hollywood and New York, a house that Marilyn Monroe once lived in and an apartment in NY where Betsey Johnson, the fashion designer, lived, as well as some recent projects.

STYLE RENAISSANCE

Shabby chic is enjoying a renaissance in these strapped for cash times and Rachel's book, Shabby Chic Interiors, couldn't be more timely. Remember her mantra, 'Beauty, comfort, function.'

Publication details:
Cico Books
Photography by Amy Neunsinger
£25
ISBN 1906525749
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To read our interview with Rachel Ashwell, click here.