Shabby Chic

by Rachel Ashwell

Book Overview

"Shabby Chic is as unpretentious as its author, including thoughts about what works and what doesn't, tips on how to shop at a flea market, inspirational photographic illustrations and plenty of encouragement." --Los Angeles Daily News

Rachel Ashwell's bestselling guide to home furnishings, flower arrangements, flea-market finds, tag-sale treasures, and more continues to bring American home decorating back to basics with its remarkably...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060982047
• ISBN13: 9780060982041
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Harper Design
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.4" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

Grandma's comfort & Young Chic

I own 2 books that Rachel wrote including this one. I can't say how many times,I have used it for idea's for my 2 homes. It gives you so many beautiful pictures/idea's especially for my summer home. I even taped Rachel when she was on a tv show ,giving her charming ideas for her home and some TV stars. All the ideas were just as beautiful in a small apartment as in a stars home. A big thank-you for Rachel's idea's and for Target for giving us all a chance to pretend we to can live like a star. Great marketing!

Romantic style is always in fashion.

Although I have to admit that "shabby chic" is not really my style at all, I love this book. The photographs feature interiors that look casually elegant and very romantic. While, I would not decorate an entire room in this style, this book inspires you to take a single element and incorporate it into a room. For example, a chandelier dripping with crystals or a vintage mirror with an aged patina could easily and seamlessly fit in with any decor. This is the type of inspiration you will get from this book.

Chic is never out of date

Contrary to what one reviewer wrote, while the book is a few years old it is still very much useful in 2001. Maybe one has to have lived in France, rural London or even in Greece to fully appreciate the authors wisdom. And page 141 has the ONLY non-fitting slip cover that could be described as "loose fitting and shabby".Fact is the 7 Chapters are well written and well photographed. The topics of each Chapter are: Diverse Styles; Rooms; Hidden Treasures & Inspirations; Fabrics; Seating; Lights & Lighting; and Flowers. Have used the crisp and very neat fitting slipcover ideas she has on page 23 and 27 as well as the setting idea on page 27 where two same covered, sofa's are used in the viewing/screening room of a clients home.Now... I am the only woman/female in this family. So with a husband, sons, male cats and dogs I love to save money as well as have furniture that men like and which looks good as well. Ms Ashwells book wins on all counts. Showing what works and what doesn't and why. She isn't just a woman who pays others to do what she says, she does it herself. The flea market piece and photos reminded me of the awesome Pasadena flea market that is so awesome!It is also nice that she shows a variety of living styles from country garden homes, to zen simplicity, to more a seaside or Mediterranean mode. She offers wonderful information on choosing the right fabric for the piece of furniture and home environment. And information that even I did not know about picking paint. Appreciated the section on furniture restortaion and the photographs that remind me of my favorite haunts in SF and Oakland.The book is one that you will actually pull off the shelf and read often. In my opinion it is worth the price.

A book that inspired me

I found this book extremely thrilling when I first read it. I had to run to Shabby Chic, and absolutely fell in love. That was 3 years ago. I still read this book periodically. It is so used it is falling apart. I derived great ideas from this book, added to my own taste, I now love my home. It is very practical with four children and Beautiful! My daughters love their rooms and join me in searching out fabulous items at the flea markets and goodwill stores. Shabby Chic is an inspiration, a quality and guide book. If you don't like the information in this book, you just don't get it. Hats off to Rachel!

A wonderful primer on an accessible style.

Shabby Chic has become a way of life thanks to the very innovative Rachel Ashwell, who now has shared the secrets to this wonderful style. Her book serves as a primer for those who may have admired this decorating style that blends comfortable old things to a great effect. The chatty, down-to-earth tone of the book fits this warm and cozy approach to home decor perfectly and will make you want to get out there and rummage through flea markets looking for old furniture with 'good bones", broken but fix-uppable chandeliers, tattered lamp shades and lovable odds and ends. The book is more than just pretty pictures -- it gives very concrete advice for creating rooms that have that nice lived in look and ways to save money while doing it. I highly recommend "Shabby Chic" and I look forward to Rachel Ashwell's new book that I heard will be coming out soon!