Shabby Chic

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Summary: time to let this one die
Review: The shabby, peeling paint trend is dead. None of my design clients want it anymore. This book is a relic of the past and should be allowed to die a dignified death. I challenge Rachel Ashwell to come up with something newer, more fun, and less depressing.

Rating:
Summary: Dated and boring
Review: This book is as dated as the peeling painted finishes that show up on almost every page. Enough already! This style is over.

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Summary: Fabulous decorating tips for easy living all in real style.
Review: This book pronounces the epitimy of style and easy living. Growing up with Shabby Chic in Venice CA, many times we werent sure what to call this style of my parents. They were right on in style and taught each of us how to develope and elaborate on our own. We are fortunate enough to have exciting reading and fabulous photos of direction. This book extends to everyone a chance to freshen up and live in peace if you only follow a few guide lines to start with. It couldnt be simpler than how Mrs. Ashwell puts it, truly "Shabby Chic".

Rating:
Summary: Looks a little dated
Review: This book was OK in its day, but when I picked it up again with the idea of giving it as a birthday gift to a friend, I saw that it looks rather dreary and old. For a fresher look at the topic, I recommend Flea Market Decorating, which I bought both for myself and for my friend's birthday. We love finding unusual accessories at second-hand stores, antique shops, tag sales, and flea markets, and Flea Market Decorating shows how to use those finds in fresh ways.

Rating:
Summary: Great starter book
Review: This book will introduce you to Rachel's concepts. It's a good place to start. I enjoyed it more than some of her more recent books.

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Summary: Finally a book that defines my style!
Review: This book, which I received as a gift from a very thoughtful and insightful brother, helped me to gain better focus in my decorating efforts and pinpointed what was before only a very vague concept. Ashwell's photographs are excellent and the text is easy to understand and follow. She uses only a few direct words to convey her concepts and the writing style is refreshing. She even gives tips of what to look for at flea markets and swap meets. Although it seems apparent that her clientele is probably reasonably well off, her concepts are usable for any budget. I anticipate that I will be rereading this book often as I progress in decorating my new place in the "shabby chic" style.

Rating:
Summary: Shabby Chic
Review: Very sorry I wasted the money on this book as well as her others! ;-(