OUR STORY
|
I opened the first Shabby Chic store August of 1989 in Santa Monica, California selling machine washable slipcovered furniture and vintage accessories.
Beauty, Comfort and Function has been my mantra for the past two decades.
Over the years there have been as many as 15 Shabby Chic stores,
as well as a wholesale business and licensing programs. With each venture I have always stayed true to my core values and aesthetics......the beauty of imperfection. In 2009, the company went through some changes.
Today there are four Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture™ stores,
located in Santa Monica, California; Soho, New York; London’s Notting Hill
neighbourhood, Round Top Texas at The Prairie By
Rachel Ashwell B & B. Like the original store, these stores sell custom machine washable slipcovered furniture and vintage
accessories, along with bedding and other home furnishings. The focus of the store is to offer a
luxury custom home furnishing service and products reminiscent of years gone
by. Any piece of slipcovered/upholstered furniture can be customized. All vintage accessories are hand picked during my travels to Texas, London and
places in between. We also offer interior design services.
I pride myself on continuing to sell products that gather memories and
have the quality and aesthetics to become heirlooms.
We use the best woods and construction available. We have buckets of dye
in our workroom to create the perfect palette. We painstakingly restore vintage
treasures while protecting the character of time worn beauties. All are a true
labor of love.
Tattered Elegance has a home in Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture™.
These stores are my creative playgrounds. They are where I can indulge
in the time it takes to pay attention to every little detail, from the perfect
ruffle, to the perfect paint finish to the perfect mushy cushion. And still after all these years, I
can be seen from time to time in one of these stores, fluffing cushions or creating
moments of magic.
In 2011 my dream of owning a small hotel came to fruition by way of The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell. A small B & B in Texas. This little piece of heaven
allows all to experience the lifestyle of all that is Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture™. The Prairie is available for events, seminars, film locations and weddings.
 |
|
|
Shabby Chic Brands will be introducing other collections to be sold in furniture stores in the U.S. and internationally,
making Shabby Chic home furnishings more accessible than ever to fans throughout the world.
The Simply Shabby Chic line of bedding and home accessories created in 2004 through an exclusive partnership with Target stores continues to bring the brands blend of English elegance and California casual to Target customers nationwide.
Photography is from my six books and an additional thanks to Amy Neunsinger and Lu Tapp.
