Ever since I shared that incredible shabby chic style English cottage the other day, I have been dreaming about a shabby chic studio for my own home. So far we have upgraded the flooring, and I am just now ready to begin addressing the decor. Romantic Lovely Shabby Chic Design Inspirations is a collection of pretty ideas for this romantic style.
Romantic Lovely Shabby Chic Design Inspirations
We just cannot discuss a lick of shabby chic decorating without yielding to the queen! Her style and creative genius are now legendary, and Rachel Ashwell stays true to her longtime aesthetic in spite of a changing marketplace.
Rachel’s most recent beautiful book MY FLORAL AFFAIR is a dreamy look at creative work with blooms and beautifully whimsical spaces. (If you use this particular provided link, you’ll see your copy will be autographed by Rachel!). It has been my pleasure to interview Rachel several times and discover her depth and soulfulness.
While Rachel Ashwell’s story may be one about rags to slipcovers to riches to mega-riches and then simply back to riches, it’s also the tale of a winning formula serving her well through life’s seasons: cozy + comfortable + vintage + pretty.
Some stuff you may not know about the designer’s start…
Ashwell worked as a stylist in Hollywood and then found herself a single mom who favored slipcovers to protect and enhance the furniture in her home. She had simple covers made for her furniture (no fussy hands-off policy in her domain!) that could be thrown in the wash. When friends kept asking about the covers and the flea-market finds she dragged home, she realized there was a need for what she could provide.
When folks around town noticed and wanted a similar, undone, unfussy white look for their homes, a shabby chic business was born. But when FAMOUS folks wanted the shabby chic look for their homes, an empire bloomed. Along the way, Oprah endorsed her soft sheets and the planet followed (cha-ching!) as store openings popped up across North America.
When the housing market crashed, so did the business, and store closings in January 2009 brought dark days. Yet Ashwell emerged from the ashes with new perspective and vision and even ventured into the B&B arena with The Prairie. She continues to evolve and win new admirers of a style to which she remains loyal, and I’m so grateful she keeps subtly refreshing and tenderly refining her signature lovely with those of us who see beauty in imperfection.
Enjoy pretty shabby chic interior design moments and a sprinkling of home decor and furniture suggestions I hope you’ll enjoy exploring, pinning, and savoring. Affiliate links follow and when used for purchases, may earn me a small commission.
Most Images via Shabby Chic
1. Sweetly Romantic Rosebuds.
2. Rustic Country Stools & Tables.
3. Tufted & Pretty Headboards.
4. French Inspired Chandy Goodness.
5. Painted Dining Tables.
6. Vintage Style Fabrics.
Wouldn’t this gorgeous blue print be amazing on dining chairs with the above table!?!
Damask Fabric 14 Inspiring Decorating Ideas for a Shabby Chic Dream Room
7. Weathered Finishes.
8. Feminine Fabulous Mirrors.
Before we continue on with our shabby chic blissful journey, treat yourself to this peaceful gorgeous video showcasing some of Rachel Ashwell’s Simply Shabby Chic creations and a gorgeous uplifting song by Kakou:
9. Cloud White Living.
10. Chair Slips
11. Shabby Chic Farm Tables.
12. Chic Linens.
13. Pretty Pastels.
Were you aware Shabby Chic has a line of chalk and clay paints?
14. Fresh Flowers.
Don’t forget about Rachel Ashwell’s new book MY FLORAL AFFAIR with photography by Amy Neunsinger…you can snag an autographed copy!
Are you a fan of Rachel’s fleamarket style and relaxed rustic approach to timeless design?
Visit THIS STORY for more shabby chic style goodness!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I have loved and admired Rachel Ashwell long before anyone in our area even knew who she was. Then her style was “discovered” 😉 by ordinary people in our town, and people would see my own home and say “Oh it’s like Shabby Chic!” But they often wouldn’t even know who Rachel was when I mentioned her name, or that she was the one who started ‘the look’.
I have some of her Simple Shabby Chic lovely curtains and a duvet set that Target carries, though I really lucked out and got them new, still in the packages at thrift stores for even less. 🙂
What I love about her style is that you can honestly look at it, study it a wee bit and then find comparable items at thrift stores and garage sales (even curb finds) and then make them pretty true-to-her-style with a little DIY. It’s fun to look at photos of her rooms and say “I have something that looks like that….and that…and that too!” and then create her look.
Her look is one that is easily copied, makes sense for busy households, and even if you get only a few of her pieces, you can create the shabby chic look on a small budget.
Yes! Shabby Chic by Rachel is a lovely place to be 🙂
Author
I totally agree. Love how you have added to the beauty here and for your analysis. Since her whole design aesthetic grew out of a desire to create accessible, comfortable, and non-fussy interiors for HERSELF – there was a purity about the style from the start. Her love of vintage and skill at incorporating it into the mix was so revolutionary and influenced me greatly back in the day. She is criticized for staying the same which I think is ridiculous – once you get it right, it’s not always necessary to keep re-inventing. Her values shine through all she does. xox
Was lucky to walk into one of her stores in a beach town. It was a lovely respite from the glaring sun. I had not yet found Shabby Chic and was enchanted with the softness and the girly-ness of it. I didn’t want to leave the store, much to the dismay of my husband and son! It was such a treat to relate to the almost fairytale feeling of what rooms could look like, as if the decorating muse had given permission to live in this way. It was a stark contrast to the traditional, old Europe feeling of so many homes. Refreshing. I have one room in my house that is sort of Shabby Chic. It’s an extra bedroom that is my office…I don’t need an office, really. But it is my girl place in the house and I love to spend time there just being me. Thanks, Michele, for giving attention to this style. I have always loved it for it’s purity, honesty and simplicity. All of us should have a Shabby Chic She Shed. Say that fast ten times!
Author
Yes, the femininity of the style speaks to me as well. And I find it fascinating that Rachel’s personal style is rather Tom Boyish and non-ruffly. It is all that romance, yes? Love your description of this style’s strong points, and I agree. Tell my husband to get to work on my Shabby Chic She Shed. I’m serious. I’m designing it in my head right now. 🙂
I remember watching one of her shows back in the early 2000s and she painted a gorgeous chandelier. I had the same one that I bought at an estate sale. It almost broke my heart to see her paint over the gorgeous pale colours, turning it all white. I still have that chandelier. It has moved five houses, gone from the smaller guest room to main guest room, and still has the beautiful colours as it was designed.
I loved the look even though it wasn’t my style. It was a bit too rustic, too thrown together, and overall too white. I watched her shows and bought her books. There was something about her rooms that drew me even though I would not follow suit.
I might not be explaining myself clearly here. I guess a second cup of coffee might chase away the fog after a restless night.
Author
Obviously you have an incredible eye! I am sure I too have broken plenty of hearts over the years with my paintbrush dripping in white! Your chandelier sounds dreamy. I think you have articulated things well even before additional caffeinating. Rachel decorates soulfully – she has such restraint and thoughtfully considers whether to modify a vintage piece or let it be. And she is so sensible about renovation – you don’t see her going in a place and having this huge demo day. Instead, she decides whether the flow is one she can live with and then leaves the place better than when she came.
Rachel always stays true to her style and I admire that about her! I’m sure that she’ll weather any storm because her brand is so strong. I do love that studio of hers!
Author
So much design integrity – yes! And so much to admire about her spirituality as well and how it shines through the work. Peace to you, kindred spirit.