Rachel Ashwell is one amazing woman. To think she got her start by sewing slipcovers since she couldn't afford new furniture being a divorced mom of two. What a great story - truly inspiring - for now, she's the queen diva of the Shabby Chic multi-million dollar empire. I really love her linens, and when I stepped foot into her store on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica this past June 2005, I was in Shabby Chic Heaven! What a beautiful store. This store has 3 rooms, laid out so lovely (what would you expect), and everything looking like it was being photographed for a magazine spread. I couldn't resist the impulse to shop - but it wasn't the shopping that delighted me - it was that I got to attend the annual warehouse sale in LA the next morning because the nice sales lady tipped me off. This sale was amazing! I even MET Rachel, got my picture taken with her, had a conversation, and she had a spare book in her office so she went in the back and got it and signed it for me. I was so flattered. The best part, she is so down-to-earth and really connected to her clients. She treats everyone as individuals with class and oh-so-polite. After visiting her store, then attending her sale, I walked out spending nearly 1,000 on bed linens - but it was a great experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. I'm so happy I got to meet an Interior Designer that I had followed since her first book came out - long before the Style network show and her Target line. If you've never experienced Shabby Chic, do give the line a try. If you cannot afford it, you can try her more affordable line at Target called "Simply Shabby Chic".
more