Couture Prairie And Flea Market Treasures by Rachel Ashwell
| Couture Prairie And Flea Market Treasures by Rachel Ashwell | |
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| Category: Lifestyle | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: Gorgeous, inspirational and a treat to look at. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 192 | Date: September 2013 |
| Publisher: CICO Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1782490432 | |
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Shabby Chic has always appealed to me: it fits neatly with my views on recycling, upcycling and generally refusing to replace anything which still looks good and has life left in it. Rachel Ashwell takes this to a whole new level, but her most glorious moment must have been when - on her regular yearly visit to the flea markets of Round Top in Texas - she decided on a whim to buy The Outpost at Cedar Creek and she turned this into The Prairie, a group of buildings which would house her retail store and a B&B which exhibited some of her most treasured finds. As she said herself, her cowboy boots, jeans and love of poetry in country music had come home.
Rachel's trademark pastels, patinas which have been loved and prettiness have found a home at The Prairie. In Couture Prairie we have what's essentially a book of exquisite photographs by Amy Neunsinger around which Ashwell tells the story of the area, the property which she now owns and the way that she's adapted it for its current use. She's remained commendably true to the original form of the buildings - tin roofs abound - and it's all about producing something joyful and inspiring. I love her palette of colours - the soft, calming tones - and the feeling of extravagance which lifts from the pages.
It's inspirational - and because it's not the usual you can buy this from X at an extortionate price but rather uses pieces which have been pre-loved it's easy to see what you could do in your own home. You might change the palette - or the themes - but you will know that you can pull off something wonderful.
I thought the book would be a quick read - but it wasn't. On a surprising number of pages I found myself thinking now where did I put... or I have some material very like that which would make... I've notes for a few projects which would never have seen the light of day but for this book. Oh - and a pot with some roses which wouldn't have lasted long outside is sitting on the kitchen window sill. Thank you, Rachel.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy of the book to the Bookbag.
If this book appeals to you then we think that you might also appreciate Woodworking for the Weekend: 20 Projects Using Reclaimed Timber by Mark Griffiths.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Couture Prairie And Flea Market Treasures by Rachel Ashwell at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Couture Prairie And Flea Market Treasures by Rachel Ashwell at Amazon.com.
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