Rachel Ashwell’s Painted Stories: Vintage, decorating, thoughts, and whimsy

This personal notebook reveals Rachel Ashwell’s thoughts about everything she loves, and through her visual story telling she shares her poetic view of life. Painted Stories is a feast for the eyes, heart and soul, and a journey for your mind to wander through.

Divided into themed sections which focus on fabric, wallpapers, lighting, bed linens, curtains, slipcovers and upholstery, furniture, rugs, objet d’art and flowers, it is a truly inspirational sketchbook of ideas and is for anyone who has an appreciation for beauty. Interwoven with practical thoughts and tips are Rachel’s thoughts about beauty and aesthetics, and poetry that illuminates her thoughts. Illustrated with watercolour illustrations from a variety of artists, including Ben Peck-Whiston, Rachel believes the ambiguity of artwork over photographs gives a more mindful and timeless approach. This allows the reader to more easily layer in their own thoughts and observations and hopefully be inspired too to tap into their own creativity by pulling together a notebook of their own favourite things which tell their own story.

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