Shabby Chic with Rachel Ashwell

A picture with my decorating/lifestyle idol, Rachel Ashwell

Yesterday, I drove down to the Vero Beach Book Center, with my mum, for a book signing with Rachel Ashwell. For those of you that don't know, Rachel Ashwell is the founder of Shabby Chic, an interior design and lifestyle revolving around flea markets and English cottage living. Best known for over stuffed, white denim slip covered sofas and pale pastel accessories, Rachel has produced six books, a television series and affordable version of her line, Simply Shabby Chic at Target. More recently in the news, her company was forced to shut the doors of all the stores and file bankruptcy, much to the dismay of fans everywhere. Lucky for us, Rachel has recently re-opened two of the stores (with a third planned for London) in Santa Monica, CA and New York city under the name of Shabby Chic Couture. According to Rachel, the new stores will focus more on the art of Shabby Chic and less on the commercial. In other words, back to the roots of what made Shabby Chic what it is. The one of a kind, flea market find or a table, hand crafted by artisans. And, yes, there will still be those wonderful sofa's.
The book signing was very informal and relaxed. Rachel talked about her latest book "Shabby Chic Interiors" and the collapse and rebuilding of her company and brand. She took questions from the eager, enthusiastic audience, made up of fans and fellow antique/flea market aficionados. Rachel took time afterwards to talk to all of her guests and posed for pictures willingly. I think tea and biscuits were the only thing missing from the afternoon, which was truly an enjoyable affair.
I have been a devoted fan of Shabby Chic since my aunt took me into the old New York shop location and I sat on a beautiful, over stuffed sofa. Having grown up in a family where flea marketing was a weekend ritual, I could appreciate a design based on making somebody else's discarded items your new treasures. Of course, when I was growing up, I didn't dare say that most of our things came from flea markets. The 80's were all about new, shiny, plastic goods and we were still over two decades away from the reclaim, reuse and recycle movement going mainstream. Shabby Chic, in my eyes, would later be the marriage of yuppie meets hippie, less is more style of today.
Years ago, as a newlywed, Shabby Chic was about the only design that fit my budget. But, by then, I was hooked. The English side of my upbringing craved the dusty treasures full of story and history. I later loved that all of my furniture had a storied past, painstakingly collected and restored. Every ding, knick or mark my things have acquired over the years, from moves or at the little hands of my son, have only increased their beauty. My bed, with all of the feathers, pillows, blankets and duvets has earned the nickname "The Marshmallow" and is a favorite spot for the family to cuddle and watch movies. My home life feels a little more elegant and richer, eating on floral printed china, using cut crystal glassware and having chandeliers twinkling everyday and not just on special occasions. Little touches that make my house a home, and inviting enough for even the sternest guest to feel comfortable falling asleep on my couch. Rachel's "Shabby" ideal melded seamlessly with my flea market upbringing and only further encouraged my creativity.
As the Shabby Chic brand continues it's rebirth and growth, changing ever so subtly as it has matured over the past twenty years, I look forward to continuing my own Shabby Chic quests. Working for Rachel's company would be a dream come true, as I can't imagine a job I am better suited for and more devoted to. Through the good and the bad, the ups and the downs; there is no place like home. Thank you, Rachel Ashwell for your continued inspiration.

For more information and links to Rachel's Blog: www.shabbychic.com