Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things

In this beautiful, practical decorating and entertaining guide, Rachel Ashworth reveals how to make any event a special occasion using her signature Shabby Chic style.

In this beautiful, accessible book, Rachel Ashwell, the founder of Shabby Chic, shows that sophisticated entertaining doesn’t have to be expensive. Transforming the every day into an elegant extravaganza is a matter of inspiration and imagination, and in Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things she offers exciting ideas to help you create beautiful settings of your own. Travel with her to unique locations, including a Chinese grocery store, a local antique mall, a flower market, and flea markets, to search for the perfect accents that will give an event unexpected charm—without breaking the bank.

Rachel teaches you how to use inexpensive treasures to enhance ordinary objects—from adding a coat of paint or some ribbons or flowers to decorate chairs and tables, to creating a themed meal, to easily customizing menus and place cards. When it comes to setting a scene, Rachel is an expert, and in Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things she offers easy how-to advice for making any occasion extraordinary, including baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and even old-fashioned family dinners.

Illustrated with 200 full-color photos throughout.

Rachel Ashwell is the creator of the Shabby Chic style. In 1989, she founded the Shabby Chic home furnishing stores and then later, the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture stores. She is the author of Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide, The Shabby Chic Home, and Shabby Chic: The Gift of Giving.

Amy NeuNsinger is a photographer whose work has appeared in numerous magazines and advertising campaigns ranging from beauty to travel.