Okay, okay! Everyone keeps asking for photos and stories from our special day spent with Rachel Ashwell. Sorry to keep you waiting so long!
Rachel Ashwell, founder of Shabby Chic Couture, designer, author, tv host, and retail professional can now add innkeeper to her many titles. She recently purchased and refurbished a bed-and-breakfast, The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, in my favorite little TX town of Round Top.
Last fall, mom and I were among 35 other lucky bloggers (thanks to the Hidden List) to join Rachel at her B&B for a luncheon (provided by the fabulous Bud Royer of Royer's Cafe). Rachel lead us on a tour of the property including inside her house and private quarters. We were also among the first to shop in her new on site boutique.
It was a day to always remember, filled with beauty and inspiration. Luann took great notes, which has allowed me to include Quotes from the Prairie Girl.
Quotes from a Prairie Girl:
On her 22 years of designing . . . “Life has been my school and my inspiration.”
Regarding Texas Primitive Style . . . “One must remember, life has a practical side as well as a creative side."
The Prairie is composed of multiple historic outbuildings, cabins, barns, and preserved cottages. The setting is in the beautiful hill country of Washington county with rolling green hills and fields of wildflowers.
The on site shop sold enticing beds made with layers of dreamy bedding. We were surrounded by a soft palette of colors, peely paint furniture, faded floral patterns (found on vintage wallpaper , TX flag pillows, sheets & pillow cases) Gorgeous, sparkly chandeliers hung from the bead board ceiling of the historic cottage.
Quotes from a Prairie Girl:
Why she opened a store in Round Top, TX (population 31) . . . “I wanted to walk my talk . . . I love this place. Sure it would have looked better on my bags to have a store in Rome or Paris or San Francisco or Chicago . . . maybe this store won’t be busy 365 days a year but it serves a purpose. I remember when we were all sitting here talking about wanting a store and how to make that happen, and the next thing I knew, Danny (her “everything guy”) sends me a picture of a wide bed truck with a house on it! He says, “I’m going to drop off a house on your property for the store” That’s how it works in Texas! In New York, you can’t hang a sign without a committee! I love Texas people.”
Rachel gave us a tour of her private quarters, where she stays when living on the Prairie. It was not only an honor but also a wonderful peek into her life to show how truly simple and down to earth she really is.
Quotes from a Prairie Girl:
Regarding her wagon wheel chandelier (not something she would have chosen, but was in the B&B when she purchased it). The chandelier reminds her of a certain time of her life when things weren’t going well, “I broke down and burst into tears and looked up and said and I have a wagon wheel for a chandelier! One of her workers replied . . . oh Rachel, it will be all right, tell me what you want, we will put flowers and ribbons on it! So now it serves as a reminder of that period of time and how we can get past obstacles in our life."
And, her favorite place on all the property….”the laundry room!” (Just imagine the softest, fluffiest clouds of beautiful cotton and linen all swirled together, heavenly indeed!)
My favorite part of the day was getting personal insight of Rachel and her business as a designer. I enjoyed studying her inspiration boards and seeing her picks of shabby furniture from Texas flea markets. On the front porch of her own house, I was pleasantly surprised to find a collection of gilded antique furniture and accessories.
Quotes from a Prairie Girl:
Her finds from Round Top shopping this year . . . “We bring all our things here and get to see them, enjoy them, and live with them a few weeks before sending them to the other stores.”
How does Italian Florentine pieces work with Texas Primitives?? “Every room (and every person) needs a little unexpected sparkle!”
What I loved the most?
Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic Texas Prairie Girl . . .
She’s real, she has an authentic style, she has a story, she’s beautiful . . . that’s exactly what we look for when we are shopping for vintage pieces . . . something real, with our authentic style, with a story to tell, and aesthetically beautiful!
Those things remain forever cherished . . .
Thank you Rachel for a lovely day on the Prairie, from two authentic Texas born girls!
