The interior designer and author has teamed up with Next to bring her ‘shabby chic’ aesthetic to a new range. We get the lowdown on it, as well as how to nail the look in your own home
IN CONVERSATION WITH
We love the new Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell range at Next! How did the collection come about?
I’ve been living in America for 40 years – up until the last three years, when I began the move back to England. In that time in Los Angeles I’ve had stores and different partnerships with retailers. When I began the journey of re-routing myself to England, I wanted to find a new home for my products. Next is a real powerhouse, and I did some presentations of what the vision could look like. So, we began this partnership, and I couldn’t be happier!
What are your favourite items from the range?
I do love the bedding. I’m very specific with my development of bedding – it’s not just a sheet or a duvet. It’s everything from the quality of the fabric itself, and its specific ruffle, to how much gather there is, the softness, and of course the prints. There are a couple of the rugs that I have for my new home here. I’ve requested one of the chairs, too. If my label is on something, it’s something that I’d want to live with. I’ve done 12 books; I’ve been around a long time. I want people to feel that my label is on something that I really believe in and that I would live with.
Where did you find inspiration for the range?
I would say that because I’ve been doing ranges in America for so long, there are some beloved and signature prints or items that it was easy to think should now be available here. As far as the root of my inspiration goes, I’m a big flea market searcher. Whether it’s prints, silhouettes of items or some kind of heirloom or historical feeling, it’s a rare day that I do anything that doesn’t have some story to it.
How would you describe the Shabby Chic look?
I coined the phrase 35 years ago and those two words are so perfect as I really am about creating things that feel elevated and special, but I like to make sure they don’t feel intimidating, so that’s where Shabby Chic balances out. I use the tagline ‘beauty, comfort, function’. My aesthetic is romantic, it’s feminine, it’s vintage-inspired,
