Rachel Ashwell

Valuable flea market finds... A peeling, antique vanity in muted sea green... An elegant, cracked chandelier... An enormous, slipcovered sofa with deep, cushions... Comfort, the beauty of imperfections, the allure of time-worn objects, and the appeal of simple practical living: these are the cornerstones of what has come to be known as the Shabby Chic style. Like the cozy familiarity of a well-worn pair of faded jeans, the dilapidated elegance...

The author shares her inspirations and her humor, celebrates the charm of the old and battered, and demonstrates time and again how interiors touched with her magic transcend fashionable trends, extending a calming, personal welcome to all.