Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things

Rating:
Summary: HUGE FAN OF SHABBY CHIC
Review: and very dissapointed with the latest book. I was hoping for HOUSEY pictures. I want what she is known for...... decor & pictures of beautiful rooms with beautiful one of a kind treasures. I would love to have seen homes or rooms she has done for clients. Or from her new home. This book just felt like a dissapointing waste of time. I can't believe anyone would be interested in seeing what Pamala Anderson did for her SONS birthday party. What I really would have liked to have seen is what she does for childrens room, master bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms, kitchens, This was dissapoiting.

Rating:
Summary: A little disappointing...
Review: Firstly, let me say how much I love Rachel Ashwell's previous Shabby Chic books...she is so talented and a real inspiration for people like me who love the casual, beach, Caribbean, French and English styles all mixed up to create the fabulous Shabby Chic.

However, this book was slightly disappointing. I honestly think Ms. Ashwell should stick to books about her amazing decorating, and treasure hunting guides. I, like so many others was trying to get a glimpse into Pamela Anderson's house, as I hear she has a very shabby chic residence, and that would have been a nice touch for the book.

We the fans read these books to glean ideas and to be creative with them, and I am not too sure if I would use some of these ideas in the "sumptuous settings" version. They are okay, but I think Ms. Ashwell's strengths lie in her Decorating and putting together of homes and restaraunts. The pictures of Madres, Jennifer Lopez' restaurant are lovely - what a great job was done there.

Please hurry and do your next book Ms. Ashwell, but please, please keep the theme along the lines of the first three books!! We love them!


Rating:
Summary: Has Rachel become side tracked?
Review: I am a Rachel Ashwell fanatic,as far as her bedding and other home decor.Her first 2 "DECORATING" books were fabulous,and inspired me,and continue to inspire me.Then along came the gift giving book,that could as easily have been condensed into a magazine article,that was a big dissapointment,but it was what it was.I was sooooo hoping for more of Rachels decorating in some stars homes,and I agree,I would have loved to have seen Pamela Andersons home.Ihave caught glimpses on interviews and things and it is obvious she has done her home in totally Shabby chic decor.Now that would have made it worth buying.I want ideas from homes that are decorated in Shabby Chic materials,I don't care how you dye a carnation,(and to the first reviewer,you are right,geezzz for a boys birthday!!come on!!!Oh well I am sure Tommy Lee gave him a real boys birthday party!!!ANyhoo....come on Rachel ...PLEASE get back to your roots that made us all love you in the first place,I need inspiration,and your old books have been worn out!Thanks for listening to my rambling! Renee'

Rating:
Summary: She almost got it right...
Review: I am glad Rachel has done a book about entertaining. As is her special talent, she showcases great new ideas for vintage items. However, I would love to see her do a book about entertaining in general and not for celebrities. I would give this book more stars if so many pages had not been devoted to Jennifer Lopez's restaurant - and I couldn't figure out why J-Lo had a tight budget. (I'm also wondering how the 'accidents' that happen in restaurants are going to keep those vintage china pieces in tact.) Next time I'm hoping for birthday parties for women, men, boys and girls. I would love to see Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving, or just theme parties for no reason. The photography, as usual, is gorgeous.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I think this is a lovely book and shows how Rachel has continued to evolve while maintaining her signature style. I don't see how anyone that loves her style could not be inspired by the work she did for Madre's. The colors, the lights, the dishes all seem like Rachel to me. (Although a bit more formal)I personally like the section on the boy's birthday party. (And the shot of Pam's porch was gorgeous!)

One thing I did notice was the names for the girl's in the bat mitzvah section and in the thank you credits are not spelled the same and seem to be huge error on the editor's part. I would be sad to have been featured in a book and not have my first name spelled correctly!

I loved it.


Rating:
Summary: truly wonderful entertaining
Review: i think this is her best book yet, but it's on entertaining, not decorating, so some ladies may not be prepared for this.....

Rating:
Summary: Not What I Expected
Review: I was really excited when I heard that Rachel Ashwell was releasing a new book, however, this book is not what I expected at all. Rachel spends too much time on areas that I feel have no practical use for the average reader - such as Jennifer Lopez's restaurant. How many readers just happen to have a brand new restaurant that they need decorated in the Shabby Chic style? Each chapter is solely made up of just one function, instead of showing several different examples. She showed us how to decorate for one birthday party - a little boy's birthday. How about showing us some ideas for little girls, teens and adults? She completely skipped over any type of holiday gathering too. I thought she would have included several ideas for decorating the table for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas but there was nothing mentioned about it. As a devoted Ashwell fan, I must say that I was really disappointed with this book.

Rating:
Summary: ************INSPIRATIONAL**************
Review: If you loved Rachel Ashwell's first two books YOU WILL LOVE THIS ONE! The photography is beautiful with Rachel's trademark Shabby Chic Vintage Style on every page. Showcasing the Shabby Chic palette with creative and inspirational detail. Overflowing with vintage porcelain, fresh roses, old millinery flowers and all the reasons we love Shabby Chic! The perfect gift! *****FIVE STARS!!!!*****

Rating:
Summary: The best yet!
Review: This is Rachel's best book yet! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to create and decorate. There are endless pages of beautiful photography with creative ideas to feed off of. Without doubt, she has outdone herself with this book. As long as you can appreciate antiques and vintage style-you will LOVE it! I will have to buy more copies for my friends!!

Rating:
Summary: Still Plenty of Inspiration
Review: What a wonderful showcase of Rachel Ashwell's decorating talent. It's great to read about the process she's gone through for each of the projects in the book. Rachel provides plenty of inspiration for entertaining, captured by Amy Neunsinger's beautiful photographs.