2011 Interior Designer Interview: RACHEL ASHWELL

Such an honor to interview Rachel Ashwell and ask about
her current inspirations.

beauty
Rachel’s blog

Hello Lovely: What three things are inspiring you at the moment?

RA: My life has always been my biggest inspiration. From toddlers with sticky fingers, to empty nests.

summersday
  1. My latest life inspiration is a B and B I recently bought, refurbished and reopened under the name The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell just outside of Austin Texas.
prairiestore

46 acres of open space with six lovely vintage structures, each having their own character and giving me an opportunity to express a different view of my aesthetic.

artists

Additionally, the nature of country living, many new designs for Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture, from prints to products inspired by the timelessness of Praire living.

prairiestoredetails

2. Also inspired by my own need to avoid anything mediocre
in my design world.

stockings

I am my own judge of perfectly imperfect, and the only criteria of introducing a new product into my stores, is if it is magical. ‘Nothing’ is so much better than blah.

seeingisbelieving

3. On a more parallel line of inspiration I am very inspired by the world of
M a r i e  A n t o i n e t t e from an aesthetic sense.

I am blending the palette, the decadence and abundance of the fabrics and finishes and layering into a more humble execution (like our oppulent Petticoat bedding and
tablecloth collection–a direct inspiration for the abundance of cascading frills–but
toned down with smokey colors and somewhat rumpled fabrics).

magic

Hello Lovely: Ahhhh. So thankful Rachel shared with us so graciously. Feeling beyond inspired by the way she weaves meaning and depth through so many chic projects and designs. (And since I AM a stream of consciousness girl, I will admit here and now the brain is swimming,
the heart racing with thoughts of petticoats and the prairie, CAKE, vintage prom dresses, seeing the words ‘couture’ and ‘saviour’ sandwiched, tutus leaping from canvas, and this idea:

let’s make our dreams come true.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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18 Comments

  1. November 2, 2011 / 4:46 am

    Delightful post, I love Rachel's work so much. Thank you Michelle, you did a fabulous job on the interview.

  2. November 2, 2011 / 11:01 am

    I ordered her latest book and can't wait to receive it since I have her thers too.

  3. November 2, 2011 / 12:33 pm

    Dropping by to wish you a beautiful day. Off to take a nap… gosh… I'm so tired today! 🙂

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

  4. November 2, 2011 / 1:50 pm

    I'm sooo in…

    From now on, nothing comes in my house that isn't crazy good or magical, even if it is just a rock…

    Cindy

  5. November 2, 2011 / 1:53 pm

    A brilliant and creative lady. If you like her work or not she has left an impact on decor and design. Great interview.

  6. November 2, 2011 / 4:09 pm

    wow Michele – FABULOUS interview! really great job. I so <3 Rachel. And I'm really with you on looking for ways to bring more softness into my surroundings. I can't deal with clutter, but I do truly adore the romance of a layer of ruffles. Thanks for sharing this very inspiring interview!!

  7. November 2, 2011 / 9:17 pm

    Michelle this is a wonderful interview into the mind of Rachel Ashwell. I love to read how other designer process. She is one of a kind and has set the mark high for those with her same design aesthetics. Great interview, thank you so much for sharing,
    Kathysue

  8. November 3, 2011 / 12:11 am

    I so want to be Rachel Ashwell when I grow up. I am loving all this and what a sweet thing to take time out to share all of this with you and then with us. 🙂
    Thank you lovely ladies.
    xoxo

  9. November 3, 2011 / 12:13 am

    I bet you have an amazing gift for interviewing as well – couple that with your amazing writing and you have got something really special! I love this post! Rachel is a true inspiration and I'm off to get her new book – thanks to you!

    lol,
    Desiree

  10. November 3, 2011 / 11:09 am

    I am in

    I agree that mediocrity is a contagious disease

    I agree that nothing is better than blah

    And I agree that writing a post is hard work ;P

    Oh and I'm a thorough catcher in the rye type stream of consciousness girl. Hell yeah, so where was I?

  11. November 3, 2011 / 1:50 pm

    Oh my goodness, what prettiness 🙂

  12. November 3, 2011 / 8:23 pm

    i BELIEVE nothing is better than BLAH too, but it's still hard to live up to that, yes?

  13. November 4, 2011 / 3:39 am

    What can I say? She is a genius. I really took my time to go through her images/rooms – and she gets it! Simple but heartfelt, authentic and edible (?). I don't know how to describe her rooms – you just want them to be part of you. So, maybe soulful? Now that is art!

    That holiday room is Splendid!

    Warm hugs to you!

    Mon

  14. November 4, 2011 / 4:29 pm

    Having always drooled over Rachels lovely shabby goodies I thoroughly enjoyed your post full of delicious images and snippets of "now" from Rachel. Thank you!

  15. arsyad
    December 8, 2023 / 10:25 pm

    sangat menginspirasi sekali

    • Michele
      Author
      December 9, 2023 / 6:36 am

      She is truly inspiring.

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing