{favourite five: rachel ashwell}

Rachel Ashwell is the designer who turned shabby into chic, and comfortable into classy, and she did it all with the help of perfectly ruffled pillows, floral printed fabrics, romantic chandeliers, and pastel tufted cushions.

In 1989, Rachel, a former movie set designer and stylist, generated a worldwide phenomenon when she created the Shabby Chic brand, showing that there is an elegance in time-worn objects and that interior spaces can be simple and relaxed, while still beautifully sophisticated and refined.

Since then, Rachel has created a successful brand that has grown into three distinct lines: Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture and Simply Shabby Chic, with flagship stores located in three glamorous cities: Santa Monica, New York City and London; Ashwell has also written a series of design books and most recently, launched a new stationery line.





The daughter of a restorer of antique dolls and a rare book dealer, Rachel’s love for flea markets and antique stores began as a young girl. She spent her days learning how to appreciate and recognize the beauty of vintage items. Because of this we could not possibly imagine anyone better to tell us her:

......................................................................................................

{five favourite flea markets around the world}

1. Round Top in Texas
I love everything about this flea market, so much so that I even bought a ranch/bed & breakfast there. I love the people, love the way the aisles and parking/pickup is organized, and the finishes on the furniture -- lots of authentic crackled paint in their palettes, lovely tables and cabinets.

2. Brimfield in Massachusetts
I am always guaranteed to come away with an eclectic mix of large furniture pieces from Brimfield and love the great accessories such as lamps, mirrors and dinnerware; there is also lots of lovely art -- many portraits and landscapes.

3. Remnants of the Past in Santa Barbara
Have only been there once, but for sure it will be a annual stop for me -- a wonderfully curated collection of fab dealers, and while there isn't "junk" to wade through, there are still well-priced items displayed in an eye candy way.

4. Kempton Park in London
Often shopping in the rain, so my focus is on wonderful English "tat". Bits and bobs of textiles, art, dinnerware, glassware, enabling me to embrace the "its all in the details" part of my aesthetic.

5. Alameda in San Francisco
Close enough for a pleasant drive, but far away enough from LA that it attracts vendors from further afield; lots of diversity of products and styles, but a professional group of vendors.

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* fashion muse, chloë sevigny
* nyc florist, denise porcaro

~ laily

{how to: lovely ombré napkins}

. . . while it may still be a little too soon for mid-afternoon picnics, have always loved to plan ahead {just a little}, and what could be lovelier on an early spring day than the prettiest pastel-coloured napkins alongside pink champagne and crème brûlée?

......................................................................................................

{you will need:}

* white fabric napkins (it’s nice to have a few extra for testing)
* several glass cups / jars (tall enough to dip the napkins in, one for each color)
* wooden paint stirrers or pencils
* paint brushes
* scrap paper strips (if you have scrap white fabric, even better)
* clothespins
* rubber gloves
* paper towels
* rit fabric dye {you will need very little dye, so boxes are preferable to the bottle size; choose whatever colours look pretty to you and a range of similar colors if you wish to mix shades}

......................................................................................................

{steps:}

1. fold napkin into the shape you want it to be in when it’s finished; clip the top with two clothespins (so you can pick it up later without getting any stray dye on it) then put it aside

2. line kitchen counter with paper towels or other protective gear; fabric dye will stain things like wood and hands, so be certain to wear gloves

3. fill a jar with hot water (roughly to the height you want it on the napkin), then add a pinch of fabric dye; the dye is potent, so use just a few crumbs; stir until the dye is well mixed, then dip a piece of scrap paper to test how dark the dye is; keep mixing dyes until you get a shade you like, testing with paper as you go

4. dip the napkin quickly several times, first with the lightest shade, then mixing the dye darker and dipping again, a little lower on the napkin each time; rest the napkin on paper towels in the sink in between dye sessions; as an alternative, you can also dip a paintbrush into the dye and paint the napkin for a bolder look; the dye is really quite forgiving, so have fun experimenting

5. when all the napkins are finished, air dry flat on the counter

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} previous how-to's:
* a classic english hand-tied bouquet
* a driftwood table lamp
* a side chignon
* a guide to champagne

......................................................................................................

{also new today:}
* runway inspiration: valentino, paris
* table for two: meringue-encased lemon cakes


{all images via once wed; instructions via emily at once wed}

{holiday inspiration: gold flatware}

... after a weekend spent on cozy velvet cushions in front of the fireplace, dinner reservations and shopping, and a countryside dinner party on sunday evening {homemade french onion soup and chicken & bacon pies} things are beginning to feel wonderfully festive . . . and since have been on the topic of tabletop inspiration, could not think of anything more beautiful for the holidays than gold flatware {although must confess, adore gold any time of year}, and am positively smitten with the italian-made brushed gold linea ice oro five piece setting {above} and the insanely elegant and ultra-stylish midas golden cutlery set {below} from the conran shop . . .




{p.s.} the fun & festive napkin holders were created from strings of sequins & paillettes wrapped around styrofoam spheres

{image: 1 - gretel via apartment therapy; 2 - iphone photo by this is glamorous, photography by pia ulin for martha stewart living december 2010}