Interview With RACHEL ASHWELL {2011} Part 1
October 09, 2011
Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic blog
Color me humbled.
Then throw in a few mixed feelings.
While honored to be invited to
interview Rachel
(a creative hero for so many of us)
I felt suddenly anxious...do I ask the
easy, safe questions about ruffles or go for it
and inquire about the substance stuff I truly
long to hear about?
Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Inspirations
Of course, I went for it!
And since Rachel is beautiful inside
AND out, she took valuable
time to share her earned wisdom with us.
SCORE!
(I had to divvy up the discussion
because I wanted to be sure you
didn't miss any of the gold...this is part one.)
Today (Oct. 10) is
THE day Rachel's new book
Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Inspirations
hits the stands so I can finally dish
about all the shabby chic glorious lovely
within its pages.
Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Inspirations
I adore this book.
12 unique homes are highlighted,
all of which embody:
authenticity,
the beauty of imperfection,
vintage,
handmade,
and Rachel's love of shabby chic.
Rachel's blog
MR: What I appreciate most about your work
is not a particular floral print or slipcover but your
generosity of spirit and humility as a designer.
The vulnerability revealed in your books
and design is brave and different.
How important are these qualities to you?
RA: From the day I opened my first store,
21 years ago, I have always prided myself
with being authentic to my aesthetics and unrelated to trend.
with being authentic to my aesthetics and unrelated to trend.
I do consider myself an artist foremost, therefore my
work is a true manifestation of my heart and soul,
with my life being my inspiration.
work is a true manifestation of my heart and soul,
with my life being my inspiration.
So all I can do, is be honest
with the words I speak.
Rachel's blog
with the words I speak.
Rachel's blog
To be bravado if my spirit is soft and vulnerable
would make all that I do untrue.
And while I know people enjoy my aesthetics,
I also believe I have sustained my audience
is felt behind my frills and flowers.
lighting - Shabby Chic Couture
MR: You recently blogged about a cup breaking
in your home and your hesitancy to throw it away.
in your home and your hesitancy to throw it away.
You said “my lesson was to let it find
its voice and transform into something else.”
What have you learned about honoring brokenness,
beauty in imperfection, and living with flawed objects?
beauty in imperfection, and living with flawed objects?
RA: It is no accident that I have had a career centered
around embracing the "beauty of imperfection."
around embracing the "beauty of imperfection."
From a very young age, I would observe
my mother's process of restoring antique dolls.
While a fashionable and lucrative profession some
40 years ago, most of her peers would restore
to the point of perfection.
My mum had boxes and boxes of frayed ribbon,
crinkled velvets, boxes of dye, all as part of her process
restoring the dolls' clothes to enhance its character of age, rather than eradicate the evidence.
And in doing so , I learnt how to know when to stop
the restoration process and to embrace the cracks,
creaks and brokenesses.
creaks and brokenesses.
I often find metaphors and parallels with life
and my design work.
And knowing nothing is really perfect,
except perfectly imperfect, is much less
intimidating whether it be a person,
a room or a treasure.
Perfection to me is too intimidating
to get close to.
dining accesssories - Shabby Chic Couture
Inspired by the humility and splendor
of Shabby Chic's creator through
the years has soooo enriched my love of
home and nesting.
As Rachel continues to bloom,
so too does my admiration for her.
More of the interview will be shared
in the days ahead, and I highly recommend
you get your paws on
this second!
Do you own Rachel's books?
Peace to you right where you are.
33 comments
Michelle, I loved this interview and will be back for the next!! I have 3 of Rachel's books and loved reading about her process of design. She is meant to do what she is doing most definitely. I can not imagine how it feels to have created a style or design aesthetic that will continue on for the years to come and that others will write about. Pretty amazing when you think about it. Ms. Ashwell is a pretty amazing lady indeed,Kathysue
ReplyDeleteMichele, A very beautiful post. She sure has had an influence on so many. Her designs are beautiful and you know when you see them, they just are a creation oh her. She is amazing.
ReplyDeleteMichele, you did a great job with the interview. I also have a passion for imperfect items, which is probably what drew me to Rachel's first book years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for part one. What an insight into Rachel's design process, in part due to your intelligent questions. I look forward to part 2 and her book.
ReplyDeleteBest...Victoria
Oh my god! You interviewed Rachel Ashwell!!?! That's so awesome! I loved your questions, and her answers! I have already been scouting around for the book, won't be here for another week. I was enchanted with the story about her mom, enhancing the dolls she was restoring, and still knowing when to stop and let their original worn imperfection shine through...
ReplyDeleteand I love how Rachel is sensitive and contemplative (is that a word?)...
can't wait for the rest of the interview...
Cindy
Thank you for sharing about this book I have got to get my hands on it it sounds wonderful. Thank you so much sharing and for linking up to our party Show and Share this week! Come on back this Wednesday to link up your current projects.
ReplyDeleteA mommy's life...with a touch of YELLOW
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com
This quote " I learnt how to know when to stop
ReplyDeletethe restoration process and to embrace the cracks,
creeks and brokenesses."
Sums up perfectly 'Shabby chic'.
This is the first time I hear about Rachel and I'm so glad I came here today. She seems to be a very nice person and also so talented!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely week, Michele.
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Lucky you Michele to get to interview Rachel I have all her books and will definitely get this one too. Rachel has been such an influence on me over the years and I don't like frills but love all the shabby perfect imperfections. I can't wait to read the next installment!
ReplyDeleteStarting my day here with you and Ms. Ashwell! (How cool is that!)
ReplyDeleteTalk about someone who is authentic and staying true to who she is!
I have visited her store in LA and she has has phenomenal eye. She does not like stuff and her rooms are very calming & always fresh . Good for the heart and soul. Very Scandinavian lovely and very YOU, Michele!
Can't stand perfection either. I will frame her motto "Perfection to me is too intimidating
to get close to." I want to go as far as saying that perfection is boring!
Very fun interview! And what great questions!
lovelovelove
Mon
Rachel has been such an influence and continues to be for me. i have shabby chic linen shams on our bed in the most beautiful muted floral, and i'm pretty sure i'll wear them out before i tire of them.
ReplyDeleteso timeless!
can't wait to share more of the interview!
Hi Michele, I loved reading this. I love the notion of 'beauty in imperfection' at home, in life. Look forward to reading the rest of the interview, well done sweetie x
ReplyDeletei gotta get my paws on this new book! loved reading your interview...she is the reason i started my shop and fell in love with shabby chic style...sigh...
ReplyDelete:)
Love her,
ReplyDeletelove you,
love this
fabulous
interview and
can't wait for
the rest!!
xx Suzanne
How fabulous for you to interview Rachel! WOW! That is so exciting - and the interview was GREAT!! Can not wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteHave a pretty day!
Kristin
Thank you Michelle! For your lovely comment, and for telling me about this blog post. You are right - loved it! How lucky to get to interview Rachel. And yes, the new book is fantastic, so much inspiration.
ReplyDeletelove your header photo. I bought new ballet shoes in my size, my thinking was to wear them around the house to scuff them up and give them a worn air. Could not do it. I may walk around in ridiculous heels, but I cannot walk in pointe shoes - those things are evil!
have a wonderful week. so happy to have found your blog.
sadie x
Wow, Michele, how exciting...was the interview face to face... her philosophy is, I think, particularly valid today, with all aspects of the media pushing for perfection..Rachel was (and is) ahead of her time. Looking forward to more..Robx
ReplyDeleteYou interviewed Rachel Ashwell!!! WOW. And dude I love her style. I will not find the book in India just right now but I will hover around in landmark. This is coming home with me.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent! (As usual. :-P )
ReplyDeleteBeautiful interview with a beautiful person. It's lovely how her mother's work ingrained the "imperfectly perfect" concept in her and how she continues to be true to this.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I had had good parents who could've shown me the beautiful things about life, but that doesn't matter now as I have eventually found this path thanks to lovelies like you who help me discover even more lovely!
Hugs hugs,
Meera xx
Thank you michele for asking such thoughtful questions, and hearing my answers. rachel ashwell
ReplyDeletei so honor your honesty, rachel. thanks for all the lovely you continue to bring to us.
ReplyDeletemichele
you got a shout out from Rachel on FB!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Ashwell/169544096452382
Wow, you do a fantastic interview my gorgeous lady. And Rachel's answers are just as glorious as the images you shared.
ReplyDeleteBravo, hun, honestly this was fabulous. You were SO right to go for it but I never had any doubt anyway ;)
Can't wait for Part II and the shout out on FB was well deserved!
Big stupid sloppy kisses baby xxx
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting Michele!!! :D Rachel is definitely an inspiration for me... when I met her, I was shaking - I was so excited!! I have her books and refer to them often and just ordered her new one ;) Great interview! Thanks for linking up and sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring interview... I'd loved your thought provoking questions and her perfectly lovely replies. You did a great job, and I can't wait to hear more... Thank You!
ReplyDeleteLove Rachel and what a fabulous interview. Awesome photos as well. Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.
ReplyDeleteI have read Rachel's books and my favorite thing ever was the quote you showed here on humility. I printed and hung it in my kitchen for a long time. Lovely post. Thank you for linking up with Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteSherry
Such a lovely interview. You are so fortunate! I adore Rachel Ashwell - as an artist and a truly beautiful spirit. Too, I love her shabby chic style and the beauty she finds and creates, but it is the infusion of "Rachel" that makes it so captivating; if that makes sense. Her blog is such a refreshing read too. I never miss a post. I'm hoping to travel to her ranch someday for a stay. Thanks for sharing with Air Your Laundry Friday.
ReplyDeletexo,
Jami
What a wonderful interview! I think we have all been touched and influenced by Rachel Ashwell's designs. She has created a lifestyle of sorts and invited all of us to experience and stretch our own imaginations. I have all of her books and look forward to her newest. I adore shabby imperfections and love her quote. Your interview is fabulous and I look forward to part II. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience you had! I love all Rachel's. Thanks for sharing with us and of course I'm looking forward for the next :)
ReplyDeleteThese were deliciously rich, scrumptious interview questions. Yeah, the answers were classic Rachel, so uber cool. But I was so impressed with what you chose to ask. The broken teacup and her philosophy about embracing our cracks and imperfections transcend design. This is really a beautiful approach to living life....
ReplyDeletegreat interview Michele.
Leslie (Gwen Moss)
Your comments add to the beauty...thanks in advance for your kindness.