Thursday, January 1, 2009

Wonky, Broken, Unplanned But Beautiful

When I was a little girl my mum used to buy and sell antique dolls.

MumsCard

I very much appreciated her doll restoration process but really wasn't that interested in the pretty doll world. However, I did always ask her to put aside the cracked or broken ones.

babydoll

For many years I wondered if my attraction to the wonky was due to a low self esteem issue. But in the end it was the seed of what would become my comfort zone of loving imperfection.

That is the core of Shabby Chic and my general philosophy of life. Perfection is too daunting.

unmadebed

waterlily

pure-white

I recently moved into my new home which I am loving. I finally got it right!
But somethings don't work so well.
Somethings are a little broken.
Somethings a little wonky.
Somethings I placed in a hurry and have just left them there, and now they just belong, by mistake.

But in the end, they are all beautiful. And I accept them, just the way they are, and now wouldn't want them any other way.

bluesconce

candleandcup

drippyfaucet

curtain

ceilingchandelier

precious

And so with the new year ahead, I will continue to embrace everything imperfect and continue to understand that perspective makes all the difference in whether something is junk or a treasure, and that alone can make life quite a fine place to be. There is always beauty, somewhere, somehow.

Please click to view Palace Embroidery Duvet, Waterlily Collection or White Whisper Collections. Thank You.

51 comments:

  1. Love all of the imperfect things! ~Mandy

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  2. I'm going to try to do better at embracing the imperfect. It just takes a gentle mind-shift, really.
    I used to live right behind your shop on Montana Avenue--how I miss being able to pop into your beautiful store--although I'm totally grateful for your inspiring posts!

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  3. Perfection is way overrated anyway! Smiles...

    Happy New Year, Rachel!
    Judy

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  4. Thank you for making everything that is not perfect PERFECT.. I would love to make you something with your broken dish as I love to create little bird bowls with broken dishes & treasures... Happy new year..xooxo Laura DellaPorta

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  5. How boring would life be if everything (and everyone) was perfect? It's the imperfections that make life, and us, interesting.

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  6. I love imperfections too! In fact, I am a mosaic artist. I never mind when a plate breaks. I just make something beautiful out of the broken chards! You can see my mosaics at my blog www.lavenderhillstudio.blogspot.com or my website at www.lavenderhillstudio.com

    Happy New Year!
    Penny

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  7. As my mother would say- "Perfection lacks character."

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  8. Happy New Year Rachel. I enjoy reading your blog and following your life journey. You have had one hell of a ride and I have embraced your style of imperfection.
    Sandy (Australia) xo

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  9. Happy New Year to you, and thank you for a good tour on your blog. I loved it, and I was touched by the beauty of the imperfect and precious things.

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  10. Thats why I love my home, its perfect in every way for me, but so imperfect for many others. The thought of having something distressed or from a flea market that is imperfect is perfect for me.

    And at home, I have a favorite saying,
    We may not have it all together, But together we have it all.

    Thanks for being you. You are an inspiration to more then you know.
    Happy New Year,
    Kristy

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  11. Thank you for showing us your beautiful imperfect style. Loving the flaws and less than perfect takes so much pressure off trying to make the perfect home. I love how you can love something that happens by chance. Love,love,love your blog!

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  12. You have such a magical way on how you show beauty through simple imperfect items...I highly admire that. Happy New Year!

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  13. I love wonky things too. Beauty in the cracks and all. So glad to have someone stand behind my love for rumpled beds also. One of my main complaint about American decor mags is that the beds are always SO perfect and not very comfy looking. Here is to a comfy - if slightly wonky and rumpled- New yEar!

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  14. What a wonderful gift to love the imperfect. It's funny... I'm the opposite with beds. I love having them made. I have to make mine before I go to bed.. I have to get into a neat bed! Happy New Years!
    xox,
    Linnea

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  15. I love the little cup with no handle, that would be lovely with a rose or two in it.

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  16. Loved your "mums" business card, and your "school of entrepeneurship". It's strange when we lose a parent, all the little stuff we seem to treasure so much more. The only good thing I've found with low self esteem issues that it keeps me working hard and motivated. Who knows, maybe in the end, it is the drive we needed? Take care, Sue

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  17. There is nothing wrong with imperfect things. We are imperfect and that's Ok too.

    When I see something I love and it's got a chip to it, it just means there is a story behind it and with us. So, broken and imperfect is perfect for me.

    And a far as an unmade bed, that's a normal thing in my home. I've never been one to have things all tidy.

    Ciao

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  18. Happy New Year!

    I love imperfection, because I have spent too much time (wasted) trying to achieve the unachievable (perfection.)

    I look forward to adding more of your designs to our home this year!

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  19. Rachel,

    Thank you for showing all the beauty in imperfect things. I love your blog and your pictures so much! You always give me imspiration to look at all things in a different way. For this I thank you. I do have a favor....I have all your books and love two of the sayings that I'm sure you found in your fabulous adventures. How I wish I could follow you around one day! :) One is "The Divine Ladder" and the other one is "The Golden Tommorow". Would there be any chance of posting these on your blog?

    Sally

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  20. Wonky, Broken, but Beautiful.

    Oh, Miss Rachael, if only we could learn that wonky, broken people are beautiful too.

    When did a facial wrinkle (caused by smiles or worry frowns) become unacceptable.

    Does a child being held and loved really care that the holder is wrinkled (or plump for that matter), when all they need is the holding.

    Let's make aging naturally "Shabby Chic" too.

    PS.....I'm doing my part! (smile)

    Good Wishes for the New Year.

    Helen

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  21. Love it all! I'm a artist too. And I have long ago since decided that imperfections add character in my work! save me the heartache of having to do a do-over!

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  22. I have been a huge fan of your style and life philosophy from day one...just found your blog and have spent the last hour inhaling it...thanx so much for the beauty and inspiration, can't wait to see more!
    xoxox
    happytrails!
    carlene

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  23. Rachel:

    Only YOU could make an unmade bed look glamorous lol! I am enjoying reading the various posts here and getting lots of great ideas. Thanks for sharing them with us.

    I have a dolly memory as well. When I was a girl, I had a life sized doll I named Janet Brown. Don't know why that name, but Janet Brown was her name and I referred to her by the whole name. She was my favorite doll back then.

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  24. I think I love things that are like me, a little tattered around the edges and not always like I would choose for it to be, but it is okay! There is peace in knowing that. Even joy. Love your blog, ~cindy s~

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  25. You have inspired me. "perspective" is the word I will embrace this year. I love your take with the tattered shade and plate and doll. My gramz collected dolls always pretty and unwrinkled. I was always drawn to the more "used" dolls. Seems to me there is a history about them...an untold story. Kind of like ones life, you never know by looking skin deep what kind of heart they have.

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  26. Very timely post...It is one of my resoloutions for the new year. Live in the moment...unmade beds are PERFECT!!! I'm off to dig out my whites...to match the piles of snow outside my windows! Happy New Year!
    Much Love
    xo

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  27. Your growth in all things imperfect is inspiring...

    Now just to remind myself that I can think that way about me!

    God bless-
    Amanda

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  28. I have just found your blog and LOVE IT!
    I have been living in houses vastly imperfect but artistically beautiful for my entire life and now you have inspired me to photograph and celebrate it.
    Thank-you soo much!

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  29. one of my favorite words is wonky. There's nothing more beautiful than embracing the wonkiness of the world that surrounds us.

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  30. Your blog is so beautiful... I'am dream when I see him...

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  31. Hello and a Happy New Year to you!
    This reminded me of a conversation with some friends a number of years back... speaking of children and family life. I said something that they all liked so we stepped back to remember it. It was this: "There is perfection in imperfection". I see it used a lot now and it makes me happy. We all strive for what is right for us. Shabby chic is "perfect' for me! And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing
    "your world" with us.
    With Kindness,
    Mary

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  32. How beautiful things are in there
    imperfect state. I just adore
    the imprints of time on a beautiful
    vintage item.

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  33. I love imperfection too. And I agree that a beautiful unmade bed is magical. I'm especially fond of an unmade bed if when I look at it it reminds me of a lovely/romantic evening that happened in it.
    Jennifer
    http://blog.jenniferlorton.com

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  34. SO pretty!! I love white . . .

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  35. I love the relaxed beauty of your style~imperfection is the fabric of our lives really. It is so wise to embrace the comfort and admire the "not so perfect!" Very nice~Well done!
    Blessings~

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  36. wonky...that one word brings me memories of my friend from England.:)

    I think you loved the broken dolls best because they touched your heart. Imperfect, but perfect.
    Lidy

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  37. Wow what a great blog! A wonderful website too. I will be back

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  38. Just when I was feeling guilty about not always getting to make my bed in the morning, I found the beauty in your post on why its ok, not too...Of course it's layered in all shabby chic linens, so it always looks inviting either way...
    Another fabulous way to look at imperfections.. Thanks Rachel!
    Jo-Anne Coletti
    Vintage Rose Collection.com

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  39. I admire your vision in seeing the beauty in the less than perfect "thing"...It blends well with the rest of your "look".
    Kudos to you for keeping on keeping on~Loss is often the hardest thing to endure, but it makes us grow more than we could ever hope to know.
    Rest in your faith~

    Xo Kelly

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  40. I love your philosophy! I have always been attracted to things that are tarnished, rusted, covered in chippy paint, torn and sometimes even falling apart. Your designs are such an insiration for a dumpster diver like me ;-)

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  41. Hi Rachel, your photos make all things beautiful! here's to wonkiness, forgiving the things for their flaws and loving them all the more. Stop by to visit if you can!

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  42. It's a little slice of heaven here on your blog...

    I totally agree with your love of the forgotten, tatterted and torn...what stories these items have to tell. There is beauty in the every day!

    Joy

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  43. I love your blog ~ so pretty.

    Your little boy doll is very cute, as is your Mother's business card.

    I love your philosophy,SHughabby Chic,
    wonky, broken, unplanned but beautiful.

    Enjoy your weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  44. Oh yes, the beautiful unmade bed is gorgeous!! I am hoping to invest in belgian linen this year (may the gods continue to shine on my office) which will make my unmade bed even more fantastic and rumpled.
    And Iris Nobile is a fantastic fragrance -- what a wonderful present. Whether you wear it or spray it around your house it is a fantastic scent that I love!! How lucky to get it as a gift!

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  45. SO DISAPPOINTED

    Dear Rachel, I love your products, I love your creativity. Unfortunately ordering a product from your website has been the worst online shopping experience I have EVER had.

    I ordered the Savior Kitchen table in early December, I have called your customer service line for 5 weeks now every Monday in an effort to find the whereabouts of this table (that PS I have alredy been charged for on my credit card which is ridiculous). I am told every week "We have sent an inquiry to corporate and will get back to you with an answer when we hear from them". When I do my follow up calls the following Monday I am told once again no one from corporate has responded to this request. Does it really take your corporate office more than 5 weeks to address an internal shipping inquiry issue? All I want to know is where it is? Is it coming at all? Is it backordered? Why was my credit card charged before this order was shipped? Why have I paid $300+ for a shipping service that cannot even provide me with tracking for this purchase?

    I am so disappointed and frankly now just mad. My experience with your company has been less that even remotely satisfactory. You are a high-end product with high-end prices, I would expect high-end service.

    Would love to have you address this issue as no one else has given me that respect.


    Order Number, SBCH-3825

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  46. good luck with that! they filed for bankruptcy-

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  47. There is something very soothing about perfect imperfections...

    love everything you do...
    Cathleen alyce

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  48. Rachel--I just commented on your current post, but after reading this post (I'm behind on my blog reading), wanted to leave another comment. Had you considered writing a book of personal reflections? You have lovely thoughts that transcend the page..I know I'd love reading a book full of your insights and thoughts on life and living in general. I have a new appreciation for unmade beds after reading this post.

    You have much to share...you've used decorative objects to express and share yourself in my world. But I think that your words composed into thoughts would be a delight as well... decoration for the soul.

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  49. I knew there was a reason why I didn't like to make the bed! LOL I love your blog...I love to decorate shabby chic...I currently am waiting to move to our new army base and can't wait to put some of your ideas to use!

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  50. It is extremely interesting for me to read that blog. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

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  51. Hey , I have just open my big jewelry showroom. Here you will find out the unique jewelry on discount prices. You must go for it. I am sure you will like the jewelry.

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