Valuable flea market finds . . . A peeling, antique vanity in a muted sea green . . . An elegant, cracked chandelier . . . An enormous, slipcovered sofa with deep, plush cushions . . . Comfort, the beauty of imperfections, the allure of time-worn objects, and the appeal of simple, practical living: these are the cornerstones of Shabby Chic style. Like the cozy familiarity of a well-worn pair of faded jeans, the dilapidated elegance of an Italian villa, or the worn grandeur of faded velvets and mismatched floral china handed down from your grandmother's attic, the Shabby Chic style is a revived appreciation for what is used, well-loved, and worn. It is a respect for natural evolution and a regard for what is easy and sensible. The hundreds of lavish photographs in this book invite you inside the unique world of Shabby Chic. Rachel Ashwell, founder of the Shabby Chic home decor stores, provides her invaluable and much-sought-after advice on how to re-create Shabby Chic style in your own home. With engaging text and easy-to-follow instructions, Rachel details the Shabby Chic basics in a way that will put even the most apprehensive or novice decorators at ease. From flowers to fabrics to lighting, Rachel illuminates all of the elements essential to this unpretentious yet truly exquisite style. A behind-the-scenes look at a flea market lets readers in on Rachel's personal secrets of how to cull hidden treasures from flea market trash—an old trunk, its paint peeling around the edges, can be given new life as a coffee table, while a chipped white iron salvage piece becomes the perfect frame for a vintage mirror. This book tells you not only how to restore these pieces but how to find the perfect place for them in your home. Gorgeous color photographs and accompanying text reveal how this relaxed look works with a variety of different styles, from Victorian to Mediterranean to contemporary.

In "The Shabby Chic Home", Rachel Ashwell brings readers into her own living space to show every design-focused and frugal homemaker how they can create beautiful, inviting, cost-effective improvements to their homes. With easy-to-follow instructions and detailed before-and-after photos, Rachel reveals the secrets of any effective and affordable design update: how to assess what needs to be replaced, make structural changes, and keep costs down while adding Shabby Chic touches. Rachel's journey to "The Shabby Chic Home" began when she first saw the house destined to be her future home - and found herself dismayed by its gloomy interiors and overgrown garden. But after a closer look, she saw a world of opportunity waiting beneath the weeds and shadows. With her fabulous eye for design, Rachel transformed it into her bright, cosy, dream house, one that had all the hallmarks of a Shabby Chic home: a practical amount of space, a relaxed atmosphere, and a comfortable beauty, all achieved without breaking the bank. Now, the secrets of making your own living space into the home you've always wanted are at your fingertips in "Shabby Chic Home".

Welcome to Rachel Ashwell's world: as beautiful as it is comfortable, as inspiring and spontaneous as it is practical and personal. In this book, Rachel shares her inspirations and her humour, celebrates the charm of the old and battered, and demonstrates time and again how interiors touched with Rachel's magic transcend fashionable trends, extending a calming, personal welcome to all. In this new book, Rachel takes us to homes in the US - from a shabby shack on Malibu's oceanfront to a ranch on the wide, open spaces of Texas and to the wooded hills of the Catskills - and in the UK - from a houseboat and a city townhouse to a centuries-old manor house deep in the country, and Rachel's own London apartment. All the houses, regardless of their size or location, embody Rachel's ethos and share the same qualities: a respect for beautiful objects from the past, an extravagant sense of comfort, an eye for the unexpected and that signature touch of bling. All are inviting, artistic, soulful, inspired and inspiring, beautiful, gentle, considered and, in their own way, perfectly imperfect.

Rachel Ashwell created Shabby Chic: a peaceful, practical way of living that embraces a respect for the things in our lives we hold dear and keeps them at the heart of our homes. Romantic florals reclining against pure white linen, ruffles of muslin skirting a bed base against bleached floorboards, the deep comfort of a simple nest of fluffy towels - This is Rachel Ashwell's signature style that for the past 20 years has been a major influence in our modern lives. "Shabby Chic Interiors - My Rooms, Treasures and Trinkets", an eclectic book of quirky inspiration, falls into chapters according to location, and begins with Rachel's breathtaking Los Angeles residence. Next, we wander into a photographer's minimalist mountain-top home in the Hollywood hills before heading to the coast and a beautiful Malibu beach cottage. A truly bohemian hideout in southern California is next on the journey, followed by a peek at celebrity homes, including the house that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe. With rooms combining flea-market finds and objects of pure functionality - an elegant French mirror reflecting a painting, a bejewelled metallic candle holder sitting by a cluster of willow-patterned china, a single faded velvet pillow lounging under the twinkle of a vintage chandelier - this book celebrates all that is wonderfully Shabby Chic.

Rachel Ashwell uses her signature style to make any event a special occasion. This beautiful, accessible book proves that entertaining need not be expensive. Making every day into an elegant extravaganza is a matter of inspiration and imagination, and shopping is a great way to get inspired. Travel with her to unique locations like a Chinese grocery store, local antique mall, a flower market, or a flea market to search for the perfect accents that will give your event unexpected charm without breaking the bank. Use the treasures you find to jazz up average items – sometimes it's as easy as adding a little paint, ribbons, or flowers. Decorate the chairs, create a themed meal, or custom design menus and place cards. When it comes to setting a scene, Rachel is an expert and with her easy how–to advice, you can be too. She has practical ideas for any occasion – baby showers to weddings, birthday parties to bar mitzvahs, even old–fashioned family dinners.

Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell's signature style, combining romantic florals, relaxed comfort and sheer prettiness, is perfectly encapsulted in this beautiful collection. This elegant Mini Address Book will inspire you to stay in touch with friends. Also available in this range is a Large Address Book (ISBN: 9781907030833).

Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell's signature style, combining romantic florals, relaxed comfort and sheer prettiness, is perfectly encapsulated in this beautiful new stationery collection. This gorgeous Writing Set contains 30 sheets of paper, lightly patterned on the writing side&fully patterned on the reverse, with 30 coloured envelopes. Other items in the Shabby Chic Interiors stationery range include the Tinned Notecards, Large Address Book, Slipcase Notebooks and Mini Notebook, all published by CICO Books.