On a Gray day, Give me RUFFLES & RoSeS

Only on a Gray day will ruffles do..

give me more roses please...with

 five inch glitter heels and long skinny legs...

how glad I would be with a gray umbrella to catch the snow fairies...

with candles inside to warm my achy bones..

gray never looked so good...  

An Interview with Rachel Ashwell

My interview with Rachel Ashwell was intended to be a feature in my magazine 'The Feminine Home", however with a new book coming out in Oct. and her latest project The Prairie B&B, it never came together to meet my deadline in Dec. Nonetheless, it is here now for you to read and find inspiration from this gracious, and talented lady.

Enjoy!!!!

My readers are die-hard fans of Shabby Chic, in general your philosophy for living a purposeful life of beauty in particular. For me, Shabby Chic is revolutionary in the design world- It has changed the way people decorate their homes in many aspects.

For starters, the name for instance; “Shabby Chic” is the perfect marriage and really says it all. Can you tell us how you came up with the name; when was your “light bulb moment” when the two- Shabby & Chic, came together in perfect harmony?


Over 20 years ago when I was starting the business there was an article in the British magazine World of Interiors titled Shabby Chic, the name suited the shop I was about to open perfectly.


You have said you have drawn a lot of your inspiration from your mother, who else inspires you and your style?


I get inspired by the unsung heroes. People who I meet at the flea markets who put their heart and souls into their products and their presentation. Always unique and heartfelt.


You have also said that you have no formal schooling in design, that life has been your school. If you were not an interior designer what would you be?

 I think I would like to be a film producer.


So many designers are doing television shows on HGTV and other channels. I have seen your show on the Style Network years ago and loved it. Is that something that interests you now Rachel?


Doing a show is a lot of work, I am focusing on making the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture™ stores as magical as possible as well as working on my licenses for Shabby Chic® and Simply Shabby Chic®, while I will never rule it out completely it is not on my radar right now.


Your blog is so warm, personal and inspirational- it’s like reading a book of poetry. Do you have a quote or motto that you live by?


I really like this quote by Kenneth Cole, I used it on a recent blog “It’s amazing what you find if you look in the opposite direction.

What do you do to relax? What is a perfect day for you?


Sipping tea, working in the garden, walking on the beach


If you could be anyone else for a day, who would you be?


 Bruce Springsteen


Is there anything coming up for “Simply Shabby Chic collection” at Target? I love your white slip covered sofas- would this be something we could find at Target in the future?


 We are always working on new launches in bedding for Simply Shabby Chic at Target. There will not be a line of slipcovered furniture for Target does offer Simply Shabby Chic Loose slipcovers that work with many different style sofas and are very affordable.


What are you working on right now?


A new book and the prairie a small b&B

A GIVE-AWAY and White Dreamy Bedrooms

Do you like WHITE as much as I do?? AND, do you have an all white shabby chic style bedroom you're just dying to show off???? If so, I would love to see them. I cannot tell you why just yet, it's a surprize! 

Please send me your photos to-

vintagerosecollection@comcast.net

******************************************

 I am also having a GIVE-AWAY!!!!  for my magazine

"The Feminine Home"

Photo by sweet Jessica at- http://schwanennest.blogspot.com/

Plus- A set of pretty post cards from my original art work.

(6 in each set)

All you have to do is leave a comment on how the color WHITE makes you feel?

AND, add my photo of my magazine " The Feminine Home" to your side-bar with a link back to my blog. It's that simple to win!

The winner will be announced March 1st.

Good Luck!!!

Happy Valentine's Day sweet friends!

Jo-Anne

xo



A SHORT INTERLUDE

Hello angel friends!

With the ground white and blissful my days are occupied with re-designing and re-arranging. This stunning Victorian stain glass is a treasure I splurged on this weekend. It did not take me long to decide it was surely coming home with me. I have omitted color around the house this winter being with so much pretty snow this year, it has inspired to bring the outdoors in.

Until next time,

Dreaming of sunshine and flowers...

Jo-Anne