English Life

One of my first purchases as I have frequented the English fleamarket world was this little box of horse shoes. And while life has thrown out the usual frustrations and hurdles, luck has graced my daily life.

Proof of luck being on my side is how I stumbled on this white "everything" flat. (Not such a common find in the grey wet world of London). My bedroom view looks out onto an English garden square surrounded by the backs of many houses.



I can't help but believe at night Peter pan and Wendy are flying past my window. My imagination is very alive.





Portobello antique market is literally on my doorstep. I am fed with inspiration everyday as soon as I open my door.



Still so very affordable I am able to pick up vintage pitchers and cups that I scatter through my temporary nest. Toothbrushes, flowers or gravy for Sunday dinner is well housed.

But I have also gone further afield from my doorstep.

My favourite so far is at a racetrack called kempton park. Funny because sometimes I forget where I am and realize I could just as easily be in Marburger, Texas or Brimfield, Mass.

Treasures and tales of discovery are the same the world over.
Even with the freezing cold rain and snow the "shows go on".



While I have continued to be quite busy getting the London Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture store running I have stolen a few weekends to go to my beloved English countryside.



Cotswolds.com
This beautiful town doesn't particularly embrace my "beauty of imperfection" value.

But its perfection is pretty close to perfect. Local honey coloured limestone is yummy. Gorgeous homes, landscapes, grazing animals make distinguishing a postcard and reality quite tricky. I connect better with wilder and more rugged surroundings, but somehow the Cotswolds is an exception. Worth going to if you ever pop to England.

Amongst all my travels and excitements of events, wherever I am, I have a little artists corner of a painting I love, and a space to create new...........for now this is occupied with a painting my friend Laurence gave me. (similar ones are available at my shops.)

SLEEPING (the anchor of our days)

These past few months I have found myself in lovely comfy hotels and homes, and not so lovely and comfy.

My lessons over the years have served me well to create a world that incorporates all senses. Encourage drifting into a peaceful sleep, wherever I may be.



I try to make the beginning and end of my day a secure anchor of what goes on in between. Satisfying the qualities of sight, touch, sense and sound helps create the perfect space to both drift away and return to life.

And creating a sense of peace and tranquility.




TOUCH.......
Thread count is of little interest to me. The hand of crisp, freshly laundered and crinkled sheets are my prerequisites for luxury and comfort. (I have many a time arrived at a less than lovely home or hotel with my private stash of bed linens.





SEE.......
While the saying goes "our eyes are the windows to our souls" I also do believe we feed our souls through our eyes and other senses. While design is subjective whatever causes the "ahhh" in us is what is beauty.



Beauty for a guest bed never needs to be compromised.



SENSES.......
Nothing compares the natural fragrances and freshness of the outside.
I am always making the inside, outside wherever possible.



The touch of the ocean breeze.
The seeing of the oceans foreverness.
The sound of the surf.
The sense of the ocean air and fresh everything.



SOUND.......
Peace is my life's biggest challenge. So much noise everywhere
And sleep and noise don't share space well.
The Pachabel suite SOFTLY played is my put to sleep music when the outside won't stay outside.



Much of what is here is from my Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic world or Simply Shabby Chic at Target.