“It’s actually what drew me to buy the house to begin with.” The kitchen and dining area flow from one space to the other for an open layout that is perfect for casual, convivial entertaining. The fireplace is so large you can walk inside of it, Rachel says, which is common in Scottish or Irish houses. In the main living room, a large brick fireplace is the focal point of the room and sets the warm, comforting tone of the rest of the home. “It has a bit of a Southern feel, but it also has a Spanish, an English and an Irish flair.” “The architectural style is a hodgepodge,” Rachel says.

In the foreground, a Hollywood Regency style tufted bench offers extra seating.īut when Rachel Ashwell, designer and founder of Shabby Chic, stumbled across this Brentwood house eight years ago, she fell in love with its quirks and knew it would be just the place to call home. The painting above the piano is by artist Laurence Amelie. In an old home where built-in storage options are few, a stand-alone closet offers valuable space and fits right in with Rachel’s time-honored aesthetic. If a classic style of home is at the top or your list of must-haves, you often have to search high and low for the right house. A colorful mix of paintings adds personality to the rough-hewn mantel.įew homes in southern California have the architectural character or timeless appeal of older homes. Rachel Ashwell’s living room is every bit as comfortable as it is cozy.

Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell