Rachel Ashwell Archives

Let There Be Light: Winter Decorating With Rachel Ashwell

Rachel Ashwell has always lived on the light side of life. Not only does she split her time between the idyllic English countryside and sunny Los Angeles, but her Shabby Chic® line of home furnishings was originally based, to a large extent, on a palette of white. The same goes for her approach to decorating in winter: She lets the light in.

Winter decorating doesn’t have to be dark

Winter months are really about reflection, nurturing, and restoring.

rachel ashwell

“We often think in winter everything should be dark. But you don’t have to match the inside to the heavy darkness outside,” Ashwell says. That means the indoor color palette can stay light. “You can have soft, kind of spiritual, soothing colors, but layers of them,” Ashwell suggests. (Her Christmas decorating palette, like her home furnishings line, is always based on white, with pink and silver accents added in. She also incorporates lots of feathers and has a favorite white feather wreath she pulls out every year.)

Layering is also a way to achieve comfort. Whether that means an extra set of curtains over lacy summer sheers, stacks of throw blankets, or a basket of vintage linens, she layers for coziness. Ashwell also likes to layer actual lights, in the form of candles, lamps, and other practical lighting. “I adore lovely lighting with candles. That’s not to say you can’t use candles all year round, but they take center stage when nights are shorter,” she says. “That’s what I love about winter.”

Creating a winter tablescape

This concept of season-less light extends to Ashwell’s table, too, regardless of whether she is entertaining friends and/or family. “The tablescape doesn’t change massively season to season for me,” she says. “It could be a winter whitescape using vintage linens. A whole white wonderland of linens is as beautiful in winter as it is in summer.”

Of course, it’s possible to incorporate more earth tones with a darker tablecloth and napkins as a base too, she says. Ashwell may even pull out some darker vintage china and place berry branches on the table. “But then focus on creating a beautiful scape of candles.” Whether votives, candlesticks, or candelabras, layer the light against a darker background, she advises. Another tip? “Try finding candles that drip,” Ashwell says. Yes, drip. “They have so much more character than the dripless variety.”

Practical tips for setting a beautiful table

No matter the time of year, it’s important to remember that you are gathered around a table to talk and see people — and, of course, eat. So, Ashwell says, whatever you build on the tablescape, make sure guests can see and talk to each other, and you leave enough room for the food. “As with everything, less is more. Just curate it. Think about the space, people, and be mindful about the practical element so the decorating is not annoying.” Perhaps your arts and crafts creation becomes a take-home souvenir for each guest. Her mantra has always been “Beauty, Comfort, Function,” so the tablescape has to function as a backdrop and not overwhelm the conversation or meal. Being “ornamental for the sake of being ornamental” goes against everything Ashwell believes in.

To ornament or not to ornament?

Speaking of ornaments, we can’t let the season slide by without addressing the age-old question of whether to place ornaments on a tree or not, and what kind to use. “I love ornaments, but I’m very selective.” You don’t have to fill a tree with decorations your kids have made if it turns into a “hodgepodge” or if they’ve grown up. Ashwell keeps her light palette in mind when selecting ornaments and likes to layer them, tucking in some of the larger ones back on tree branches and leaving the smaller ornaments on the outside. “All my ornaments are somewhat color coordinated, so I can’t really go wrong.” She likes whimsical ornaments (her website this season features a set of three white sparrows, one decorated with pink feathers and all wearing crowns), ornaments with religious icons, such as a cross, and those that aren’t necessarily Christmas themed. She prefers vintage ornaments, which she says can still easily be found at flea markets.

Ashwell’s go-to winter florals

Though the garden may be dormant in winter, you can still find flowers this time of year. Ashwell is a big fan of carnations, which she refers to as “the unsung heroes.” For her, she stays away from reds and opts instead for pinks or two-toned varieties. She likes greenery used on its own but not in floral arrangements, as it takes away from the heroes — the flowers themselves.

decorating for winter with bedroom flowers

She also praises faux flowers. “Don’t be afraid of fake flowers. I’m sitting here now looking at a bowl of peonies you would never think are not real.”

Dried flowers are another option, but you need to think ahead if you want to do it yourself. “Keep a nice selection of blooming flowers during the summer months, and hang them upside down so they keep their shape while drying,” Ashwell says. “Then they can be used during the winter months to create some amazing masterpieces.”

Finding inspiration in the winter months

Most of us spend less time outside during the winter, and our online activities, perusing sites like Pinterest and Instagram, may replace what we would be doing if we left the house. But there is still inspiration to be had, Ashwell asserts. “It’s really more about being open to inspiration,” she says. “Hotels, restaurants, how a store is merchandised, going to a museum, or seeing a painting that carries you away; it’s out there, just keep your eyes open.”

However you decorate, think about the feeling you want to evoke. “Winter months are really about reflection, nurturing, and restoring,” Ashwell says. “So, whether it’s a soothing blanket or the right candles, the right books to reach for, or anything that prompts that type of emotion, that’s what these longer nights and darker days are all about. To me, in a weird way, that’s what brings the light in.”

Bringing the Outside In: How to Decorate for Fall With Shabby Chic® Founder Rachel Ashwell

Rachel Ashwell is relieved summer is over and fall has arrived. “Fall followed by winter are my favorite seasons of the year,” Ashwell says. “I’m thrilled the day after Labor Day.” She loves the cooler weather, the crunch of leaves under her feet, and finds fall to be a time when the hustle and bustle of summer quiets down. The British-born Ashwell likes to live by the rhythm of natural light, and as the days get shorter, the opportunity to go inward and reflect suits her temperament just fine.

Fall home decor

It’s also a time for a fresh start, when structure reasserts itself and we resume our regular lives and routines, she says, and that can start with home décor. “The fall gives you the inspiration to add a layer of a warmer, kind of smokier palette.”

When you have an intimate setting, it inspires meaningful, authentic, and interesting conversation.

Rachel Ashwell

Her classic Shabby Chic® shades of pastel pinks, blues, and greens go from lighter hues to jewel tones like raspberry, plum, violet, teal, and sage. “So the palette stays in the same lane,” she says. At home, she adds a layer back to her windows, whether with velvet puddling curtains (very English) or muted floral window treatments. She pulls out the winter slipcovers and stacks her favorite cashmere and faux fur throws. “It’s both a functional and an aesthetic change,” she says.

That goes for bedding, too. Layering comforters and duvets is a practical and pleasing way to spruce and can help save a little on the heating bill as well. Lighting can be a cozy, too. “I’m big on having lamps around that give a beautiful romantic light. I buy bulbs in the 15 to 40 watt range for my lamps, unless they’re for reading. I’m very much about where practical meets aesthetic in a mood.”

Fall floral design at home

Decorating with flowers in the fall gets a little trickier, as the season is not exactly blooming season. “Obviously, in fall, we think of oranges and greens, but that’s not my palette,” Ashwell says. So, she brings in a lot of dried, smoky-colored hydrangea. Just be sure to toss dried flowers after a while, she says, adding, “There’s nothing worse going into someone’s home and seeing dusty, old dried flowers that have been in a vase for five years.”

Ashwell is also a huge fan of fake flowers. Yes, fake. She even designs a line of them. “I consider fake flowers to be forever flowers,” she says. “You can bring in the flowers you love all year round, which is especially helpful in these seasons where color and availability are more restrictive.”

A rose is a rose…

The supermarket doesn’t take the place of a garden, but it can fill in with roses. Of course, Ashwell loves garden roses way more than a hothouse variety, but if that’s all she can find, “I just cut the stems and remove all the leaves of six hothouse roses so that all you see is a jar or vase of blossoms. Sometimes, they do open quite beautifully. I don’t poo-poo them.”

The same goes for carnations; though she doesn’t go for the red varietals, she loves the white, minus the greenery. “It’s all about the vase filled with buds.”

Decorating the table for fall gatherings

Ashwell also sees the fall as an opportunity for gathering close family and friends, “to talk about what the summer was, what the fall opportunities are, what your fall intentions are.” She prefers gathering six or eight people, not 50, so guests can really talk and share. “When you have that intimate setting, it inspires meaningful, authentic, and interesting conversation.” She will often have a theme, game, or question for guests to inspire and act as an ice-breaker.

To create an intimate setting, Ashwell relies on her cherished items to evoke abundance. When she has a small dinner party, she places fabric runners in her fall palette of smoky jewel tones on the length and width of the table, sets places often with placemats she has designed, and stacks vintage plates on a side table along with a basket filled with extra napkins. “I let my extra vintage dinnerware be part of the décor without the table itself having to be more than what’s needed.” A practical tip? Ashwell suggests using vintage pieces as décor and chargers but serving food on plain white plates.

decorating for fall with fall tablescape

decorating for fall with fall place setting

Layering — whether vintage or new plates, or runners and placemats on a previously loved painted or pine table — is part of Ashwell’s mix-and-match philosophy. So, if you lose a couple of napkins or chip a plate, it’s OK — just create a varied collection. “It’s beautiful and practical,” she says, another pillar of her style.

Avoiding holiday clichés

Palette is important to Ashwell, and a way to avoid holiday decorating clichés. “Pumpkins don’t have to be orange,” she says. So, instead of opting for an orange and black Halloween, try silvers and pinks. “Stay in tradition of elements but be flexible in the palette.”

Fall allows you to be part of the outside. For me, it’s experiencing what this transitional season is all about.

Rachel Ashwell

Fall activities and date ideas

The fall is a time for walking outside in nature, Ashwell believes. Collecting branches, berries, and foliage — she likes to bring inside what’s outdoors and use it as décor — finding naturally dried hydrangea clinging to their stalks, and pruning a garden are all activities to do with someone, as is scouring flea markets and vintage shops for antique China and slightly worn vases. Sharing activities are part of getting to know and connecting with others. So, friends and family members, or even romantic dates, might be inspired by these outings, whether you are preparing to decorate for a gathering or not. “Having a backdrop of a common interest takes the walls down a little bit,” she says.

Looking forward to cozy time in fall

“From a comfort standpoint, it’s a cozier time to go on dates in general. Bring out the shawls, light a fire, go into a local pub…there’s just something a bit more romantic about a fall date than a summer date,” she says. And since Ashwell likes to focus inward, the season’s coziness is the perfect ambiance for also being creative, and that’s what she looks forward to the most. “All that outward energy that’s been expanded upon and let go of in summer now can come down to landing and be articulated, manifested, and communicated in a structured way.”

Bringing the indoors out

The cooler vibe of fall doesn’t mean staying inside, Ashwell urges. She likes to bring the indoors out, say, gathering on a screen porch with friends. With her beloved throws, “lots of lovely candlelight,” or perhaps a fire, she creates a beautiful and comfortable environment to reconnect with herself and others. “Fall allows you to be part of the outside. For me, it’s experiencing what this transitional season is all about.”

How to Decorate for Summer Parties: Shabby Chic® Founder Rachel Ashwell Shares Her Best Tips

summer parties with rachel ashwell holding flowers

Summer is one of the best times of year to entertain. During this season, life slows down a bit, providing plenty of time for planning an unforgettable celebration – as well the right atmosphere for hosting one.

“There’s something a bit more gentle about a summer situation,” says Rachel Ashwell, founder of the celebrated Shabby Chic^® design style and couture brand. “Being outside, near a garden, on a balcony…it lends itself to interacting and catching up on the year’s events.”

There’s a relaxed sort of elegance to summer gatherings that also allows for a bit more whimsy and possibility when decorating and entertaining guests. Being outdoors allows for nature to set the stage blossoming trees and colorful blooms.

As the proud caretaker of a lush rose garden at her Santa Monica home, Ashwell says her favorite summer parties have always been held outdoors. “I like to let the roses and flowers be the star of the show.”

Details make the day

Ashwell has a few signature elements she often likes to include when entertaining: “I use scraps of fabric for bunting, which is an affordable way of creating a great decorative element.” The British-born Ashwell points out this décor tradition began in England after World War II, when citizens took to displaying small Union Jacks strung across long pieces of twine and hung like banners. Bunting was just about anywhere a string could be affixed and it became an informal and quintessentially English way to dress up an event.

For me, parties are all about intimacy, and hosting is all about the simplicity of making a space that supports people connecting.”

Rachel Ashwell

For themed parties, Ashwell suggests tying the bunting style to the concept. A white garden party may call for a uniquely textured white fabric; for a traditional garden party, a specific floral fabric that complements your yard’s live blooms might be more appropriate. Ashwell also is a fan of décor that combines charm and utility. “Placing parasols in the garden is a very summery party element,” she says. “You could attach flowers, or even fairy lights, to make it actually useful in the evening.”

Setting a summer table

Though a lifetime admirer and collector of vintage china, Ashwell says one of her favorite elements of a hosting an outdoor summer party is the option of using paper plates, customized in an inspired manner. “You can really make a white plate come to life by personalizing it. Decorate them beforehand using an embosser, or buy them already embossed with an icon, maybe a certain flower, or a person’s name — or even have the plates custom made.”

summer parties with vases of flowers on a table

Blending formal and informal design elements is a Shabby Chic^® trademark, which, in this case, Ashwell says can be applied to choosing the rest of your table settings. “I also like to layer in things that have more substance, so I prefer cloth napkins. They could be floral, or little plaids, not always just solids.”

Keep your theme and palette in mind when choosing items for your table, such as beverage bottles and any packaging. “I try and keep everything that’s in view aesthetically pleasing, so I’m also mindful of the attractiveness of the bottles of wine, water, and drinks, as there are really pretty drinks out there these days.”

Keep things cool, light, and lively

Above all, Ashwell believes that a great party gives guests room to communicate and engage with one another.

“Sometimes you go to a party and can’t see people, or you can’t really talk to them,” she says. “For me, parties are all about intimacy, and hosting is all about the simplicity of making a space that supports people connecting. So I make sure to remain mindful of practicality, not just aesthetics.”

To her, the idea is to plan an outdoor celebration by working with your environment and making the most of what nature has to offer. That means building shaded spaces in your layout and keeping an air-conditioned indoor room near the action for folks who need a breather.

Ashwell’s mantra of beauty, comfort, and function begins with seating and surfaces: Having a round table at a party tends to make it easier for guests to communicate with one another, and using low floral displays on the table allows for better eye contact.

summer parties with a memory board at a family reunion

At an outdoor summer party, don’t be afraid to encourage little playful moments that make people feel at ease. “I personally have a massive collection of vintage floral hats, and I always have baskets of those for my guests to wear. It’s not quite dress-up, just something nice and festive, and it makes for great photos,” Ashwell says. “People can often be inhibited about ‘Smile for the camera!’ and this can loosen the atmosphere a bit.”

A reunion to remember

Summer is also prime season for class or family reunions, celebrations that are about collectively experiencing the past, in the present. To aid in this process, Ashwell suggests assembling a “visual memory lane, or a little exhibit of what your reunion is about that represents your shared memories.” Try building multiple memory boards on eye-level easels that feature photos and items from the past, and suggest on your invitations that guests bring their related materials to post. This, Ashwell says, sets the scene for “an interactive ‘Oh my, you still have that?!’ type of scenario.”

Let the fun in the sun commence

At day’s end, Ashwell finds the key to hosting a party that entertains and satisfies is creating an environment that brings people together to recount shared memories while inspiring moments that create new ones.

She says, “I’m all about the meaning of gatherings. So anything you can arrange that jogs memories, causes reflections or communication, enables meaningful conversations, makes a much more successful party than some major, fancy situation with loud music and so much space that you don’t get to see anybody.”

For Rachel Ashwell, Mother’s Day Is About Nurturing, Being Indulged

The series “MVP Moms” explore the critical role moms play at the heart of families — and how they run the world. In this article, Rachel Ashwell dives into her experiences as a mother and how she hopes to celebrate Mother’s Day this year with advice on relationships and décor.

a photo of Rachel Ashwell with her kids — Rachel Ashwell with her daughter, Lily, and her son, Jake.

When Rachel Ashwell opened her Shabby Chic® store on Montana Avenue in Los Angeles 33 years ago, her daughter was 2, and her son was just a few weeks old. She didn’t know at the time what a mega-empire she would go on to build, or how the very idea of Shabby Chic® — an aesthetic she created that involves soft, floral upholstery fabrics, weather-worn furniture, and vintage pieces — would become not only a part of the design lexicon but of our culture.

She also wasn’t thinking about how being a divorced working mom would affect her ability to raise her children. She just wanted to open a little shop that would allow her to arrange her own schedule so she could be with her kids.

Her children are adults now — she also has a stepdaughter with whom she’s close — and her business is mature, with her original store moving up the California coast to Summerland, near Montecito. Mother’s Day can be an unexpected holiday for Ashwell since she and her kids are often scattered around the globe. “Someone’s always 6,000 miles away,” she says.

Her own mother, when she was alive, lived in England while Ashwell was in California. Today, she still gets to celebrate twice because Mother’s Day falls on a different day in the UK than in the U.S. Her son recently called to wish her a happy Mother’s Day, taking her by surprise. It was, unbeknownst to Ashwell, Mother’s Day across the pond.

We spoke with Ashwell about how she balanced raising a family while running a business, what advice she would give herself as a young mom, and how she celebrates Mother’s Day now. She also tossed in some advice for all moms on this special day.

How was it being a single working mom while building an empire?

Of course, there are things I know now I wish I knew then. But, at that time, I had my formula of how to balance everything. I wanted to be as present as possible, with my work and with my “mommy hat” on. It was very important for me to drop my kids at school and pick them up; between those hours, I compartmentalized how to get things done for work. I don’t recall being overwhelmed or stressed out — I just recall being very organized.

Do you have any advice you would give yourself as a young mom?

My children grew up seeing me work really hard. Maybe I wish I had more “fun” time. I was like, “I’ll do that then,” and a lifetime has gone by. It’s a double-edged sword because the bulk of what I do is my creative escape, and it’s lovely. But I would say — speaking to myself — do make sure to find time to do nothing. Doing nothing has its own value.

Do you have advice for other moms or for anyone balancing a creative business with life?

Check back in with yourself, especially when you have the good fortune of a lot of success. Is your life in alignment with your dream? Not the outside dream of what looks good on paper but the inside dream. Don’t put a square peg in a round hole.

For me, I had the opportunity to open 50 stores with investors, and I went along with that, enthusiastically. But, in actuality, I’m a flea market girl. It’s better for me to have Shabby Chic® in unique places on great funky streets, in Malibu, in Soho, in artisan places. So, make sure to choose your paths and opportunities in alignment with who you are.

What was the best part about your relationship with your mom?

Her gentleness and being non-judgmental about anyone or anything, even when I was 15 and I said I was leaving school. I always felt safe to share things with her. She was also ahead of her time. She exposed me to color therapy, reiki, and meditation, all in the ’80s. My parents were flea market people; I would learn at flea markets with them. That was lovely. There’s just something very simple about my mom I really treasure.

How can all we find meaning in Mother’s Day, whether we have a mother or children, or not?

It’s important not to stay in the literal classification of what a mother is. Take care of all mamas, and there are a million different ways to do that. Unless you are a complete hermit, chances are there’s an older female person you look to for their motherly qualities — see them or reach out to them. Maybe there are other children you’ve taken on a motherly role for; just kind of acknowledge it. Put a little spotlight on those relationships. I don’t underestimate the value of being a mother to pets either!

The more time we can just learn who our mothers were and are is of fantastic value. Anyone who’s got a mother out there, find a way to really find out who this wonderful person is who brought you into this world.

Rachel Ashwell

How do you celebrate Mother’s Day now?

It’s been years since my kids and I have lived in the same place, so I tend to value every second I have with them. My daughter is very good at self-care, she’ll say, “Let’s have a mani-pedi or massage that’s all about you.” And then, of course, she comes along for the ride. We tend to go for very nurturing activities I always really enjoy.

With my son, we communicate differently. He knows I love nothing more than just sitting and talking. That’s a gift unto itself. Plus, he always sends me an orchid. He knows I’m so picky about flowers, he can’t go really wrong with an orchid.

What do you do special for a Mother’s Day tablescape?

I pull out some of my little trinkets, delicate details of things I have in my world — that’s how I enhance my table. Beautiful flowers are always my anchors, and then beautiful china and beautiful napkins. If a mom is there, so is a wrapped gift. I have lots of leftover beautiful wrapping paper. I keep paper from gifts I receive and reuse it, or I use pieces of vintage wallpaper; there are lots of wonderful sources of vintage paper online. I also have a big box of fabulous vintage ribbons and another box of vintage velvet and silk flowers. It’s not like I buy horrible gifts for people, but often my gift wrapping supersedes the gift.

What gift ideas do you have for Mother’s Day? I’m sure flowers is on your list.

The whole world of flowers is a metaphor for all kinds of relationships. It reminds us whatever the season is there’s a rhythm to relationships. Flowers are beautiful, of course, but sending them on an occasion just feels like the right thing to do. Also, a lovely gift is a plant to plant in a garden, something to be nurtured and grow.

Mothers often put themselves last on their list of who to take care of, so a nurturing, self-indulgent gift, like a luxurious soap, a beautiful candle, or a really yummy throw, is a good idea. Mother’s Day is more about indulgence, not practicality. It’s nice to indulge your mother, and it’s really lovely to be indulged.

What advice would you give to someone who has a mom on Mother’s Day?

It’s a tremendously valuable relationship. The more time we can just learn who our mothers were and are is of fantastic value. Anyone who’s got a mother out there, find a way to really find out who this wonderful person is who brought you into this world.