This week the village of Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture worked
towards creating a magical moment in NYC for the DIFFA event held at the
Architectural Digest Home Design Show.
The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell serves as such inspiration in so many ways, from flea market shopping, to diversity of aesthetics that still all fall under the values of Beauty, Comfort and Function, so finding a way to bring the peace and magic to all corners of the globe.
Any excuse to go to the flower market whether on the East or West Coast. It's my one obsession and where I admit to being somewhat greedy.
We have limited budgets when participating in these types of events. Jake and his buddy Ben built the structure in the basement of our Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture store. Paint fumes fought with our fragrant candles but I love projects that come together with the village and in our village.......
Early mornings, late nights...all with the common thread of wanting to create something of meaning and substance.
Somehow we got some extra teeny bags that were way to small for the postcards.....so now I will design something to fit the bag.
I have a little traveling road show of my favorite special treasures that I use for magical installations.
Panels of vintage lace and floppy flowers speak 1000 words, quietly but beautifully.sometimes my floppy flowers become smooshed and a quick steam over my kettle brings a spring back in their step.
I love Bennison fabrics more than any other fabrics in the whole entire world. there is something about the palette and the touch that is unique. Spendy for sure, but a little goes a long long way.
All the little details of drippy candles. mix match china, fake, floppy and real flowers, makes for a symphony of beauty. If you are in NYC area this weekend, please stop by Pier 94 at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.
My vision perhaps, but my treasures of bits and bobs and my team who shares my passion made for a special event .....all for a special cause.......DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids)
All that is left now is what do I wear to the ball......
Maybe a dress from Lily's collection.....
Next week will write and show photos from the fields of the flea markets in Texas and The Prairie......
The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell serves as such inspiration in so many ways, from flea market shopping, to diversity of aesthetics that still all fall under the values of Beauty, Comfort and Function, so finding a way to bring the peace and magic to all corners of the globe.
Any excuse to go to the flower market whether on the East or West Coast. It's my one obsession and where I admit to being somewhat greedy.
We have limited budgets when participating in these types of events. Jake and his buddy Ben built the structure in the basement of our Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture store. Paint fumes fought with our fragrant candles but I love projects that come together with the village and in our village.......
Early mornings, late nights...all with the common thread of wanting to create something of meaning and substance.
Somehow we got some extra teeny bags that were way to small for the postcards.....so now I will design something to fit the bag.
I have a little traveling road show of my favorite special treasures that I use for magical installations.
Panels of vintage lace and floppy flowers speak 1000 words, quietly but beautifully.sometimes my floppy flowers become smooshed and a quick steam over my kettle brings a spring back in their step.
I love Bennison fabrics more than any other fabrics in the whole entire world. there is something about the palette and the touch that is unique. Spendy for sure, but a little goes a long long way.
All the little details of drippy candles. mix match china, fake, floppy and real flowers, makes for a symphony of beauty. If you are in NYC area this weekend, please stop by Pier 94 at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.
My vision perhaps, but my treasures of bits and bobs and my team who shares my passion made for a special event .....all for a special cause.......DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids)
All that is left now is what do I wear to the ball......
Maybe a dress from Lily's collection.....
Next week will write and show photos from the fields of the flea markets in Texas and The Prairie......
Oh you make me miss staging booths and doing shows.
ReplyDeleteIt was always so much fun designing the look.
Yours couldn't be anything but beautiful!
Love Lilly's vintage style slip dress can't wait to see more.
Amy
You know Rachel, I've known you forever. I may not say this often enough but it is ALWAYS my pleasure to see everything you have accomplished and continue to accomplish! I hope from time to time you take some time to pat yourself on the back because YOU deserve it!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Sue
awww. this is so lovely!!! I always attend exhibits and Interior Design events but never attended any Shabby chic-related nor seen a booth filled with vintage, shabby chic, and florals!!! How I wish you can visit my country too. :( I'll surely be there! Can't wait for your next blog post so I could see more photos!! :))
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rae \(^o^)/
Raellarina - The Ballerina on Fire
your posts make me happy. I love flowers, and I love the relaxed way you put things together.
ReplyDeleteWill Lily's clothes be available in GB any time soon?
Really enjoyed sharing your beautiful vision.
ReplyDeleteBeauty, comfort, function....what else IS there?! The older I get, the more I appreciate the "timeless" element in the style for which you are not only FAMOUS - but which you "live" yourself!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to see the influence The Prairie had in this installation. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful...down to the last detail. You amaze & continue to inspire!
ReplyDeletei hope you are not just teasing about wearing the Lily gold silk lovely! must see you in this in the beautiful booth which one would never guess is just for show. a wonderful AIDS cause, and wish i could support it. joining you in spirit.
ReplyDeletesmiles.
michele
Congrats! and all the good vibes for you and your village always. I'm adopting your shabby style, and little by little I'm entering into your world full of loveliness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being so inspiring!
xxox
Your design installation makes me daydream of how they would have lived in Texas ranches long ago. It's something someone with limited funds but with fabulous taste would have done. Simply stunning...perfection accomplished Rachel!!
ReplyDeleteLove ya'
Ray Ramirez
Rachel ... this is simply beautiful! What a wonderful cause and I love all the flowers ... I can never get enough flowers either! A magical exhibition.. have a lovely weekend
ReplyDeletekind regards
Frances
As always, every image is divine!
ReplyDeleteC'est un joli rêve… ♥ Léa
ReplyDeleteHi Sweet Rachel,
ReplyDeleteGosh, everything you share is ALWAYS soo quite lovely !! You are soo talented and soo gifted at what you create !! Amazingly STUNNING lways !!
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU .. DO NOT KNOW ANOTHER WAY TO CONTACT SWEET YOU .. hOPEFULLY THIS WILL GET READ BY YOU :o
I have been trying FOREVER to collect and get a hold of pieces of your sold at Mervyns store I believe, YEARS AGO a set of your TREASURE is the name on the bottoms of the plate ... dishes .. they are quite simple, they came in pastel colors, with a couple of rose sprigs on each of them .. a tea luncheon looking set, teapot teacups, lunch plates, and vases I believe !! I have googled these .. ebayed .. amazon .. EVERYTHING !! Do you know where if any place I can locate these .. they were soo inexpensive at the time .. just didn't act upon my whim .. NOW, dying for them .. IF you could direct me at all. I would forever appreciate it !! Thanks soo much in advance, and hopefully, fingers crossed you can help this girlie !!
Have a wonderfully, happy, blessed day my sweet shabby friend !!
With Love ~Tanza~
ciao rachel, amo i tuoi fiori ed il tuo stile .... *.*
ReplyDeleteLovely, as always! BTW, I can't wait to read your next book.
ReplyDeletePaint fumes? Not anymore ... try this paint:
http://cececaldwells.com/eco-friendly-natural-clay-paints/
The other day, I was reading your "Shabby Chic Home" book and it had a picture of your lovely china inside your dishwasher. Do you wash your china with hot or cold water? I am afraid that the lovely flower designs from my vintage china will be damaged in the dishwasher. Which detergent or soap do you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your help!