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.
