Inside Rachel Ashwell’s Majestic English Countryside Home
Overview
In the gentle hills of Somerset, a soft light falls across Meadow Manor, the 17th-century estate that Shabby Chic founder Rachel Ashwell now calls home. For decades, Ashwell has defined a global aesthetic built on comfort, romance, and imperfection. Yet here, back in her native England, her design philosophy feels more personal than ever. “I wanted to create a space that feels both soulful and serene,” she says in The Luxury Home Show. “It’s not about grandeur. It’s about a home that breathes.”
Brand
Shabby Chic
Type
Family Residence
Location
Somerset, England
Services
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Presented by
Rachel Ashwell
A Return to English Charm
After years in Los Angeles, Ashwell longed for a slower rhythm and the familiar countryside textures of her childhood. When she first saw Meadow Manor, its overgrown gardens and worn stone walls spoke to her heart. “It had good bones,” she recalls. “Even the cracks told a story.”
What followed was a careful transformation. In just a few months, the house evolved into a home that reflects her belief that beauty grows from imperfection. The renovation brightened every room, softened dark corners, and revived the original floorboards. “I didn’t want to erase its age,” she says. “I wanted to honor it.”
The Heart of the Home
Ashwell began her design journey in the kitchen, a space she describes as “the soul of every home.” Soft whites and muted pastels give the room a calm feel, pairing rustic English charm with her delicate touch. A vintage Aga stove anchors the space, while open shelving displays mismatched teacups and floral china, each piece collected over years of travel and memory.
Photo: Meadow Manor / Cico books
“This is where everyone ends up,” Ashwell laughs. “It’s not a place for show, but for stories.” The natural light streaming through the sash windows creates a constant play of shadows on the weathered wooden floors, many reclaimed from an old cheese factory. On a few planks, faint hand-painted florals reveal her whimsical touch.
Layers of Light and Texture
The color palette across Meadow Manor is unmistakably Shabby Chic. Whites, soft greys, and muted creams invite calm rather than demand attention. Ashwell often says, “White isn’t blank. It’s a background for life.”
Photo: Meadow Manor / Cico books
Each room feels intuitive and layered. Linen slipcovers drape over plump sofas, lace curtains frame the windows, and vintage chandeliers hang low, scattering dappled light.
Photo: Meadow Manor / Cico books
A delicate balance of rough and refined materials creates an atmosphere that feels timeless. “If something feels too perfect, I tone it down,” she explains. “A home should invite you to exhale.”
Photo: Meadow Manor / Cico books
The Poetry of Everyday Life
Perhaps the most personal space in the home is what Ashwell calls The Chapel, her laundry room. Stacks of crisp linens, faded florals, and baskets of cotton create a sense of calm. “Laundry is my meditation,” she says with a smile. “There’s something spiritual about caring for the things that make a house a home.”
It is this philosophy, to find grace in the ordinary, that elevates her work beyond design. Even the smallest corners of Meadow Manor feel curated not for perfection, but for peace.
A Home That Keeps Evolving
Though the renovation is complete, Ashwell insists that Meadow Manor will always be a work in progress. She uses the home as both sanctuary and studio, hosting photo shoots and gatherings that inspire her Shabby Chic collections. “A home should evolve as you do,” she says. “That’s where its beauty lies.”
This vision also comes to life in her upcoming book, Meadow Manor: My Majestic English Countryside Home, where Ashwell offers a deeper glimpse into the rooms, stories, and philosophies that shape her world. The book, now available for pre-order on Amazon, captures the timeless elegance and gentle imperfection that define her approach to living beautifully.
Photo: Meadow Manor / Cico books
From its weathered floors to its sunlit gardens, every inch of Meadow Manor reflects Rachel Ashwell’s belief that real luxury is emotional, not material. It is the luxury of space, of light, and of living fully within imperfection.
As she gently puts it, “If something feels off, listen to it. Change it until it feels right. Intuition will always lead you home.”
Gallery
The Finer Details.
