Rachel's Shabby Chic Couture

As promised, more from my recent visit to Rachel Ashwell's New York shop Shabby Chic Couture which opened last Fall. On entering, one feels surrounded by a peaceful calm. Most of the furniture, sofas and chairs, are dressed in white or pale natural linen upholstery or slipcovers, illuminated by fabulous overhead chandeliers and wall sconces. While my DH relaxed in a comfy chair, Jasmin and I wandered through the shop and, after getting permission from the very nice staff, took photos of all the beautiful things we would have liked to bring back to North Carolina!

I really fell for this amazingly pretty ruffled linen table cover. Rachel finds vintage linens and dyes them in pale, washed shades ~ still a lot of shabby chic white, her original look, but now some gentle colors added making a lovely mix.

Very pretty china and of course I had to buy a few of these washed linen napkins with embroidered silver crowns ~ knew they would fit in a corner of the rapidly bulging suitcase!

Plenty of plush pillows and lamp shades displayed.

Another exquisite dyed linen cloth ~ besides being used as a table cover I could see it across a pretty bed. Perfect white mugs with crowns.

The wall of Shabby Chic Couture linens wasn't exactly shabby either! These are gorgeous sets of sheets, duvet covers, bed skirts etc., much more high end (and higher priced) than the Simply Shabby Chic line found at Target ~ although they too are fabulous and I use them on my beds. I liked how Rachel has these packaged in pretty matching fabric bags rather than plastic.

It hardly seems possible that Rachel Ashwell, a London gal, came into our lives and homes via Southern California, with her original Shabby Chic style, 20 years ago! Those of us who shared her love of practical slip covered sofas, vintage lighting fixtures and painted flea market finds, embraced her vintage style through her books and television series. We have used her products and ideas in our own homes, mixing in those items of comfort, practicality and prettiness. Personally, I love her respect for old and imperfect items with a history..........and the romantic, comfortable way of making a room easy on the eye and very welcoming.

Loose white and washable slip covers, paintings of English roses, vintage crystal chandeliers, rumpled yet beautiful beds, painted flea market finds, the comfy cottage and farmhouse feeling, and a touch of French..................I feel these are the things that Rachel Ashwell brought to us here in the USA.

And the surprise? Opening soon in London, Rachel's hometown, her first British shop located at 202 Kensington Park Road in the Notting Hill district. Good luck Rachel ~ we are so glad you are back and sharing your beautiful finds and designs for our homes.

Rachel's newest book Shabby Chic Interiors ~ My Rooms, Treasures and Trinkets is a must to add to your decorating library. I guarantee you will love it! You can visit Rachel on her blog here.

Not So Shabby

HAPPY BOXING DAY. This is my favorite day of the year ~ and if I can't be home in England having real Boxing Day fun, I'll do the best I can here and share some more NYC fun.

Shabby Chic Couture - 117 Mercer Street, New York

Many of you, like me, were thrilled to learn that Rachel Ashwell is back. Rachel brought the 'shabby chic' look to decorating some 20 years ago. Following difficult times with her brand a year or so ago, she closed all her retail shops (her 'Simply Shabby Chic' linens have continued to be available at Target ~ I use them on all my beds and love them). Rachel has now opened two new shops in the USA, one in Santa Monica, CA the other in New York City. Although many of us have her beautiful books to get us through decorating dilemmas, and can cozy up in a favorite reading nook, turning the pages and dreaming, actually visiting the new shop was at the top of my list for the NYC visit last week. Despite my adoration of all things French, my English roots still require some roses, shabby slipcovers, faded chintz, royal crowns and pretty lampshades thrown into the mix!

Rachel's Christmas decorations in this breathtakingly beautiful shop were quite simple but lovely.

More of the shop next time with a glimpse of what I brought home ~ and a surprise.