Rachel Ashwell
How do you define your decorating style?
(or do you even try?)
Charles Faudree
French Country.
Farmhouse.
Beach Cottage.
Traditional.
Vintage.
I have always been a mix...
mainly of French Country and Shabby Cottage style.
(hence the name of my blog)
I don't really ever fit into just one or even two particular categories.
Sometimes, I think I have a style identity crisis... lol!
I love color & bold traditional patterns.
Rich dark wood, exposed frame furniture
and a mix of enveloping warm fabrics.
Charles Faudree
An elegant but welcoming, comfortable feel.
Charles Faudree's French Country style
is probably my biggest inspiration.
Charles Faudree
Charles Faudree
I love his use of reds and color, dark woods and gorgeous patina
and of course, all the old painted pieces mixed in.
Charles inspired the red checked settee at the foot of my bed
and my gorgeous French buffet is his style influence.
Really though,
sometimes I wrestle with myself...
I do LOVE color...
LOVE it. LOVE it. LOVE it.
Country French
but find that sometimes I crave more of the quiet.
The faded. The muted.
The whites.
Carolyn Westbrook
I Love white rooms probably as much as I love traditional rooms.
They are filled with old worn painted finishes chipping away,
with soft faded pastel fabrics piled high
and a definite quiet beauty.
Rachel Ashwell's style has always talked to me as well
and I do incorporate much
shabby cottage style in my home in the way of painted
and faded and chippy imperfect.
Rachel Ashwell
My home definitely lends itself to a shabby cottage style.
An old home with knotty pine walls & hardwood flooring throughout-
it was dark and cabin- like when we moved in.
I knew I would paint every last bit of that stained knotty pine the first time I saw it.
(I apologize to those who are cringing.)
Kitchen
The white painted wood plank walls,
dark stained hardwood floors, quirky old charm & character...
it all worked for my vision of a french- shabby- cottage inspired home.
Vintage Bathroom
Rachel Ashwell's style invited me to welcome less than perfect
pieces into my own home.
French bedroom armoire
With old painted finishes chipping away,
layers of wear from years of use & to look at their imperfections as
character and charm,
rather than flaws.
I have come to love and appreciate the flaws near as much
as finding a perfect piece.
The old silvering worn away on a mirror... *love*
Exposed wood where the paint has long been gone,
spidered crackles in an old finish
gesso ornamentation missing here and there on that gorgeous old frame...
To me, those bits and pieces of character are invaluable
in bringing that welcoming and warm feel to my rooms.
So both of these wonderful designers have inspired me in different ways.
and they both have influenced me.
These styles also help define what styles my blog is about.
My sweet friend Sarah over at Modern Country Style
So, I guess to try and explain my blog,
I would say it's about sharing things I am passionate about.
Family. Design. Life. Friends.
It's about creating warm spaces & blogging definitely gives me motivation to get projects done :)
It's about being creative and immersing myself in a world filled with so much inspiration
and finding others who feel the same way.
It helps me keep my dreams of designing for others and writing a book
focused in my mind.
What about you? Who inspires you?
If you want to share how would you define your blog
head on over to the lovely Miss Sarah's party at Modern Country Style.
sharing at
No Minimalist Here for Open House Party