photography by Penny Wincer
About two weeks ago, Isabella and I were walking past a Shabby Chic retail store that, like so many other stores, was liquidating. We went in to look around and this book* called to me from a table across the room. I picked it up, flipped through it, salivated a bit and put it back down. The price read $45 and I think I had about $9.00 to my name at the time.
We continued wandering around the store and I found myself feeling sad thinking about our current state of economy, my personal one included. It seems that everyone, even someone like Rachael Aswell, is being affected and it got me thinking about her contribution to creativity and design.
Whether she is your style of decor or not, she promotes beauty and living simply. She is not about extravagance but about storytelling through design. She's built an entire brand based on her personal style. It's her passion and I love her for that.
Personally, I have never purchased anything that has the words shabby chic on it, yet I can't help but acknowledge that she has influenced the way I see decor in some ways. She has inspired how I see and shop for certain types of vintage items, how to recycle and give new life to what I already have (or find), how to mix the old and the new and to use all five senses when creating a sanctuary and understanding that, like everything, design is a process that constantly evolves.
I read through some of her blog and can feel the sorrow that she is currently expressing. Always the eternal optimist, however, I know that feeling defeated only means there is another doorway that is about to open if we are just willing to see it. While I don't mean this to read like a post dedicated to Rachael Aswell, it is a post about seeing the beauty in everything, even when it's hardest to find. In fact, this is when it's most important. I try to remind myself of this often.
I later went back and purchased the book (it was $8.00) and have been swooning over the images ever since. It's been good for my heart. I decided to share a few of my favorites with you.
Surrounding ourselves in simple beauty doesn't need to cost a lot, if anything. It can be as easy as taking a few moments to swoon and let ourselves be inspired over delicious imagery on a blog, in a book or catalogue, picking a bunch of wildflowers and placing them in small vintage bottles to be scattered around your home, listening to a piece of moving music, or taking a walk along the beach (if you are near one) and collecting seashells to place in your bathroom.
When it seems the world is crashing down around us, remembering to indulge in these simple pleasures soothes me, brings me peace and a smile to my face. It is in these moments that I feel filled with gratitude for all that I have and allows me to gain some fresh perspective.
However, these photographs above are going on a vision board for the type of home I will someday live in. Aren't they delicious? Can you believe that bathroom? I'm visualizing myself in that tub overflowing with bubbles right now...
What beautiful things are you surrounding yourself with currently?
* The Family at Home by Anita Kaushal
