Decorating With Antiques: Luxurious Linens

It was a startlingly beautiful, albeit rather hot Sunday morning in Arles, in the South of France. My wife, Becky, and I were wandering through the local farmer’s market when we happened upon the antique linens vendor. Uh-oh. You should know that I am unabashedly reduced to tears by the beauty, creativity and handwork of old linens. So while my wife waited (more or less patiently), I sorted through pile after pile of pillowcases, sheets, napkins, curtains and tablecloths. And there it was: a massive, almost unused, heavy linen sheet. It was oatmeal colored, a bit nubby and rustic, and with a beautifully executed large monogram of our initials intertwined. Even Becky agreed that this purchase was meant to be.



Bedding


Many folks don’t think of using antique and vintage linens as bedding. However, once you’ve taken a look at the quality and beauty of these fine old things, it’s hard not to get pulled in. To me very little that’s new out there can compare, and my sheet from Arles is a great example. I can’t resist the heavy weight of the linen (which should last for decades) and the beautiful handmade monogram, evoking the romance of the past. What’s not to love?



This bed has a fantastic mix of old linens, inviting you to snuggle in them for a lovely afternoon nap. And don’t you love the headboard made from a fireplace mantel?


By the way, just for the sake of clarity, let’s define some terms. Linen has been woven for more than 4,000 years in Egypt, so it’s one of the oldest-known fabrics — it even appears in the Bible! Linen is made from the flax plant and is one of the most durable natural fabrics you can find, becoming softer with every wash. People who know about such things say that Queen Elizabeth II is still sleeping on Queen Victoria’s linen sheets.


Since the 18th century, cotton has replaced linen in many fabrics, including chintz, toile and table damask. Yet the collective term “linens” is still used generically to describe a whole group of woven and even knitted bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles that traditionally were made from linen, but now could be made from various materials. For the purposes of this ideabook, I use the term in that generic sense.



In this very evocative Swedish bedroom, decorated byJo Lee, a wonderful old embroidered and appliqued pillow has been paired with a gauzy duvet cover, reproducing the bygone feeling of old Scandinavia.


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Decorating With Antiques: Luxurious Linens

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