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What I'm Reading Wednesday: My Floral Affair by Rachel Ashwell

Wednesday, February 21, 2018




Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!  Today I'm reading My Floral Affair by Rachel Ashwell.  I can't seem to put this book down.  It's my favorite of her books so far, and I took advantage of the post Valentine's Day flower sales to help me produce this post.




According to Goodreads:

Discover Rachel Ashwell’s floral inspirations and the unique touch she brings to interiors in her first book dedicated to flowers, a deeply-held passion come to life.

Flowers and floral decoration are at the core of Rachel Ashwell’s world and her designs. From her showcase rose garden in California, she set out with photographer Amy Neunsinger to capture the full-blown romance of the quintessential English country house, the dramatic colorways of northern Europe, and the faded opulence of a Parisian apartment. This is the story of that magical journey, which takes us through a variety of beautiful spaces large and small, some ornate and others simple. Every aspect of floral accents is showcased, from wallpaper to fabrics, floors to ceilings, architectural details, lighting and, of course, flower arrangements, some breathtaking and some simple… but all beautiful in their own right.

My Review:

Like Rachel, I adore flowers.  I purchase fresh flowers at least weekly:  We budget for flowers monthly.  We think they're that important; flowers are welcoming, comforting, and soothing.  I love the floral arrangements in My Floral Affair: Some are over the top opulent, and some are as simple as a few blossoms on a small floral plate.  Another added bonus is in the back of the book: Rachel has included diagrams of the floral arrangements with the flowers listed so the reader can recreate the gorgeous arrangements in his or her own home.  I'm still deciding which one I'll try first, and when I create one of Rachel's arrangements I'll share it here on the blog and on Instagram.

But this book isn't only about fresh flowers: It's about anything floral that brings beauty into a space.  The floral architectural features and lighting are beautiful as is the artwork.  I enjoyed seeing so many different styles: English Country, Paris Apartment, California Contemporary, and Scandinavian.  The photography is stunning: Amy Neunsinger is a gifted photographer. She captured Rachel's vision well, and I have been so inspired by this book that I've thought of a variety of floral projects to make or install in our home.

I decided to play with the book in our kitchen.  Some days I have way too much fun!












Shabby Chic napkins




A couple of my tiny floral paintings




Shabby Chic fabric-lined blueberry crate
I usually keep my library books in it!







There are bold colors in this book as well as stark white.  I love it all!




I was inspired by some of the darker blues to place the peonies in the midnight blue flower frog vase.





Do you like Rachel's Shabby Chic style?  I love it!  If you'd like to order a copy, the book cover below is an affiliate link for IndieBound.


Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org


Please come back tomorrow for a round-up of my favorite Rachel Ashwell books!


Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill  



7 comments

  1. Oh my gosh I have to have this book. I am heading over to Amazon to see if I can order one. I have all her books but did not know about this one. Thanks for this review.
    Hugs,
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi there! I'm at work surfing around your blog
    from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading
    your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry
    on the superb work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your playtime photos inspired by the RA book!

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  4. Your photos are fabulous! I love each and every one and I think you are fully as creative as Rachel -- and I'm not just being an effusive blogger! Perfect in every way. I love your mini-paintings and what is in those little music-wrapped bundles? Ribbon? Fabric? I can't quite tell but they look so pretty! It is so gray and gloomy here -- this is a perfect way to start my day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh you are having fun Ricki Jill, this looks like a must have book for me! I too buy fresh flowers all the time, they make such a difference in the mood of your home. I indulged in some tulips yesterday and I smile whenever I see them! I can't wait to get my hands on this book, and to see more of what you create from it. Your vignettes are simply wonderful!!
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete

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Hello!

I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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