My life choices have had me moving Home many times, and the past few years I have spent little time in my HOME. It is just in the past few weeks, that some of my long term commitments have been completed so HOME is where I am.
I would be lying to say that even though I have a beautiful nest, when I stop it takes a little time for me to reconnect with being still. My garden is the place I can do that the most. Early in the morning, to observe what cycles of life have lived and died in my absence.
Home for me has always been full of creativity. During the times when my children were young and continuing to this day, creative projects are always midstream somewhere.
It is known that my home is the house to come and do projects.
You have seen many posts about Laurence and Ubaldo's pilgrimages to my Barn a couple of times a year. Having beautiful paintings at the end of their trip is a wonderful manifestation of the real treat, to be part of their process of creating.
Funny that I ended up making sunny L.A. my home, as my inner wiring is a better fit for a location with seasons. Natures rhythm is a good pace for me. But I have this glorious fireplace that takes me off into the fantasy of an old welsh cottage, without having to go anywhere.
My bedroom sanctuary is another magical moment.
last week I hosted a party for www.cocodot.com In my time of recharge there are few people I would surrender my space to, my dear friend
Amy Neunsinger is one I would and did. And she threw a spectacular party. Where I could just float, and enjoy the beauty she created, with Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture beauties.
And then when its time for me to go on the road again......I will go to the home that has a piece of my heart.
I do hope wherever and whatever home is to you all, it is a place of peace. As I have learnt that I can travel the world many times, and its the inner peace that makes HOME IN OUR OWN HEARTS.
This is really beautiful, Rachel. Sounds like you have been on a soul journey. Those are always very painful, scary, but fabulous as you discover peace, quiet and the beauty within yourself. I've been on a few myself. Your life continues to be an inspiration. I am very thankful that you share your gifts with the world.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Mary
beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your talent with us, Hugs Mary
ReplyDeleteoh so wunderschön.
ReplyDeleteund seufz ihr könnt noch barfuss arbeiten.
die geburtstagstorte war bestimmt supper lecker.
wünsche dir einen schönen tag sei lieb gegrüsst aus der schweiz....wir haben winter
daniela
Very well said and so so true.
ReplyDeleteI so adore your images of your nest, along with your words of inspiration.
What a lovely and inspiring post, Rachel. I enjoyed seeing the lovely photos of all the activities in your homes.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!
xoxoxoxo,
Ricki Jill
A magical post as always. I would love to be anywhere near those beautiful ballet paintings. Oh how gloriously beautiful they are! And never apologise for ruffles! Your home is lovely, thank you for sharing! I would like to share my giveaway with you. I am giving away a shabby-chic seaside treasure box on my blog. I hope to see you there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly beautiful post.....it's the last paragraph that moved me to tears though. it's when I read your thoughts about "Inner Peace"...I so understand what that means.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you've come to Texas! Though I am not a native Texan but have made this my home it makes me love it that much more because of the "Prairie". You are such a treasure Rachel...Thank-You for giving us such vital "food for thought" day to day.....beautiful thoughts to ponder and apply to our daily lives....so comforting. Grace Barzyz (A la Grace)
~B~E~A~U~T~I~F~U~L~ xo
ReplyDeleteI could look at the Barn photo FOREVER!! And i love seeing the Art work take place in your homes, I do the same thing with my little ones, they are little artist , they love Finger painting, or painting all over my walls and doors too. Have a Lovely day Rachel !
ReplyDeleteAs always, I love looking at your beautiful pictures. I'm glad you have some down time and can enjoy all the comforts of "home"!
ReplyDeleteTake care, Sue
Thanks for sharing your journey with us Rachel. I agree that home can be anywhere and is ultimately what we make it in our hearts. On another note, I hope you know how much your creativity helps so many of us make our homes feel like "home." My husband jokes that we don't dare sleep on anything but "Rachel Sheets." Your shabby chic style has a bit of influence in every room in my house. Your books, your stores, your blog, your musings...they inspire so many of us. You are very much a part of what people associate with "home." Isn't that a lovely thought? XO
ReplyDeleteWe have all seen your many homes perfectly staged for books and magazines so it's nice to see them in various states of "real life". Thanks for sharing that part of your life with us because it's something one does only with friends and family...makes it seem like I've known you for years!! Also, we all make a mess when we do real life living and I'm NOT surprized yours are beautiful messes. I bet there's pink and blue even in your trash can!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Ya'
Ray
LOVE this post Rachel! Thank you for a glimpse into your lovely spaces, very beautiful and inspiring as always.
ReplyDeletexo Lisa
I love that blue of Malibu ocean in which to work (the light; ahh, the light!); I love the blue of your bedroom's headboard and I love the blue of your prairie porch door. I guess it can be a shabby blue world as well as pink! I don't know, though, how a soft pink and a soft blue can be so vibrant; I don't know how you find the perfectness of the colors. I'm thinking of the one photo with the settee upholstered in that shell pink. Colors of nature not so easily duplicated but somehow you manage it.
ReplyDeleteRachel, you've really CAPTURED what is truly in your soul and so many of us really do relate to what, "home sweet home" feels like. I feel "home" the minute I enter a room filled with love, nature, soulful music, and prettiness. What you do is so INSPIRATIONAL! By the way, I sent my daughter Tasha to your Soho store a couple weeks ago to get your book for me and deliver you the little plant of roses & mug.YOur book was a page turner and you left me to open my palette even more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your shabby world~ Stephanie
ohhhhh rachel!
ReplyDeletei scanned that 'bless this house' prayer from one of your books years and years ago and have had it on my inspiration board since! those words just resonate and feel 'annointed' to me.
i love peeking at your home, and i do think you seem SO NOT L.A. which is well...intriguing and offbeat and proof it is possible to bloom where you are planted.
if ever you need extra hands or a seriously twisted creative compadre, i'm so there.
HOME is such a magical place!
michele
Beautiful interiors and decoration.
ReplyDeleteOne thing, though: Are those people working with flowers under 18 or your daughters? If not, they're not "girls."
always love to stop by..I say some artists paint on a canvas but you Rachel your canvas is all you touch... your store, your rooms, your product & where ever your "home" may be, you create the most magical vision because it comes from your heart. Sometimes I dream of being so Rich I could just have you come by & redo my home as if it was yours..it's amazing how much we love our "nest" our homes.. OK now that I have written such a long comment I think I will get back to making dinner. xo Laura
ReplyDeleteRachel, I dont know if you read these... but I wanted to show you this cake I made.
ReplyDeleteI cant think of anyone that it would be more fitting for!
http://iambaker.net/verticle-layer-rose-cake-1
I can just see it on the table next to your tea pot and beautiful tea cups... with an old cake server and tall glass of milk. :)
Thanks for all you do!
Do not look upon the vessel but upon that which it contains
ReplyDeleteThere is no place like home. It really is all about home.
ReplyDeleteSo, LA is your home now, (other than your heart home which is inside)? Do you have that wonderful ocean view and that amazing fireplace all in the same house...? Wow, how wonderful. I love seeing your house unstaged, with everyone creating all around you... that's heavenly!
ReplyDeleteCindy
"Girls making flower arrangements" ... I loved the curled up toes under the table. How dang cute is that!
ReplyDeleteI've tried several times to access www.rassc.net to no avail. Heard about it thru another blog weeks ago and see it's now on your page...but I get nothing. Would love to shop!
ReplyDeleteOops, I spoke too soon; had the letters transposed. Found the shopping site just fine; love, love those sumptuous teal shams!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful... Where you are the country mouse, we are the city mouse. I want to trade places with you for the weekend...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.three-stories.com/
Dorothy was right when she said 'there's no place like home'.
ReplyDeleteThere really isn't.
x
Sadie
Your sentiments about home are written beautifully. You have nurtured so much of the creative side of your life, that it must always feel like home when you are surrounded by so much inspiration. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of your nest and I agree about the connection that comes from spending time in a garden. ~Lili
ReplyDeleteI LOOOOOVE YOUR BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehugs from Sweden/ Malin
a home is always inspiring if made with love :) you taught me that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful home, truly one where the heart is.
ReplyDeleteYou said it all there, so true.
ReplyDeleteWe love you've shared this journey with all of us, we truly do.