A Floral Affair

Our Review: 

Rachel Ashworth is a well-known designer and the creator of the hugely successful Shabby Chic brand, and previously had her own TV show on E!

But celeb status aside, this book is purely about Rachel’s adoration of flowers in any format, be it fresh, silk, home décor, fabrics, wall coverings, paintings etc. She takes us on an adventure to all her favourite places around the world (often very grand, but sometimes simple) where she works with well-known florists to embellish and celebrate the history-rich spaces.

While Rachel is not formally trained as a florist and very upfront about her skill level, I really enjoyed her approach to arranging which relies heavily on her intuition. Her arrangements are such a breath of fresh air, as she doesn’t feel the need for things to be “perfect”. Instead, her arrangements celebrate the character, shape and beauty of all flowers, even the older or imperfect ones - one might say they are Shabby Chic ;) 

This book comes highly recommended, particularly to lovers of antique and vintage things. 

Publisher's Blurb: Flowers and floral decoration are at the core of Rachel Ashwell's world and her designs.

From her showcase rose garden in California, she set out with photographer Amy Neunsinger to capture the full-blown romance of the quintessential English country house, the dramatic colourways of northern Europe, and the faded opulence of a Parisian apartment.

This is the story of that magical journey, which takes us through a variety of beautiful spaces large and small, some ornate and others simple.

Every aspect of floral accents is showcased, from wallpaper to fabrics, floors to ceilings, architectural details, lighting and, of course, flower arrangements, some breathtaking and some simple ... but all beautiful in their own right.