Fabrics and Textiles

Holidays often encourage us to bring out the fine linens for our table. I announced at Thanksgiving dinner that I was going to do a blog post on Linens, and one of our guests said, “. . .and what is your position?” My answer was “I’m definitely in favor. When the sides are drawn up, I fall on the side with the linens.”

Holday table settings

The Damask Napkins I Chose To Use This Thanksgiving

I confess that I am a linen junkie. I guess when you are an interior designer, fabric is one of your “things”. Linen is after all, just one of the wonderful types of fabric that I handle on a daily, or weekly, basis. And, further, I  would like to speak in favor of using your fine linens. I am, of course, in favor of using all fine things, as a way to enhance your life. Beauty enhances your inner soul, and many of us were put here on this earth in order to create beauty.

Simple pure linen napkin

An elegant, but simple, linen napkin - I like to use this when we're informal.

When I was younger, and had a much smaller collection of linens, I used to buy antique linens at interesting flea markets. Once I acquired a set of Large damask napkins from the old days, quantity: 11, where 3 of them had never been used! You could tell because the calendering, (the shine and stiffness) had never been washed out.

Antique Damask Napkin

Antique Damask Napkin with Calendering Intact

Look at it, above. It still had that lovely, beautiful sheen that linen has when it is new.

Not all linens are treated with the calendering process, but some are. Just fyi, Chintz , or polished cotton,  was usually calendered, giving it that wonderful sheen.

antique damask napking

One of my early purchases of antique napkins

What I love about this pattern: the dots in the middle, forming a sort of modern pattern on pattern, and the larger scale dots along the edge, just inside the hemstitching. And the SIZE, and the SHEEN, and the overall pattern in the damask. Funny that I have used and washed 8 of them, but the 3 originals are still here with their calendering. I must have had dinner parties for 8, but not for, ummm, hummm, 11.

I later inherited some antique linens that I treasure. I have a set of damask hand towels! Here I need help from our European blogging friends. I think they are towels.

Antique linen hand towels

Fine Damask Hand Towel with Embroidered "F" - Is there an "E" under the "F"?

What can you tell me about damask hand towels? It seems so formal and elegant. Were they for the guest bath? Or were they for the butler’s pantry/kitchen?  This set came from an old family in Memphis, obviously with the family name beginning in “F”. Not only are these damask, and they are beautifully embroidered., but they are about 4 feet long! Very long indeed for a hand towel. Are they a super refined dish drying towel for the ultra luxe?

antique linen hand towels

damask towel with tab

They also have a tab of fabric on the back which makes it seem like they could have been hung by that tab. Can you, friends, shed any light on this? Or was this sewn on so that they could be marked by the laundress, and still not mar the appearance on the front? Don’t you love a mystery?

In keeping with the idea of using your linens, if the above was not intended for kitchen use, then this one was.

linen kitchen towel

My Aunt's Kitchen Towel

I inherited several all linen kitchen towels from one of my aunts. I believe she casually embroidered them, too. In those days (the 1950′s?) occupying oneself with embroidery was still possible for a fine homemaker. This one I have not yet used, but I like to bring them out for parties when they can enthrall the guests! (Once, one of our guests at a large party asked me, “Sally WHERE do you get your towels?!)

Embroidery on kitchen towel

Simple teapot embroidery by my aunt

Isn’t this a cute teapot, done in a quick stitch style of embroidery. Cross stitch, I think it is called. My mother, too, was great at embroidery and fine linens. Lots of hers got used, and were a part of my growing up. I have many of her linen card table cloths, and napkins, reminding me of the days of their playing Bridge.

In the “old days” fine households used linens everyday, and one of the antiques that I inherited was obviously a daily tablecloth. You can just see this on a breakfast table. The monogramming makes it special, but the stitching is simple, and the cloth is more like a light weight cotton.

monogrammed linens

Everyday tablecloth made special with monogramming

Look at the very simple stitching design at the 4 corners.

antique linens

Corner detail of everyday tablecloth

Now our washing and ironing schedule (if there is one) is so different, and our lives so different, it is hard to remember that cloths were used at every meal! Long before the paper throw away generation (me), and when there might be several women about the house, making the home into a fine home, well ordered.

I have soooo many more photos of linens and different topics about linens, that I am going to save them for another day. Stay tuned for the posts to come. Best wishes,

Well, I’m back, after a long absence, according to John. I’d like to share with you some of my favorite visual, product finds in the last month.

It is wonderful when our designer showrooms change their displays.  I was doing a tour of the Boston Design Center when my attention was arrested by the following objects:

Wall sconces

Petal Wall Sconce

This wonderful wall sconce is made of white porcelain petals, by Art & Style, from France. Available from Charles Spada Antiques, Boston. I Love its fresh approach. You will never see yourself repeated in other people’s homes with this jewel.

Also at Charles Spada, I spied this hollowed-out tree trunk. I remember seeing similar at the New York Fair. This is truly wonderful for a casual room. I don’t care what you do with it – it is fabulous standing on its own in a corner. Also a foyer! Umbrella stand, anyone?

wooden tree trunk

Wooden Tree Trunk

I love this white bubble glass lamp. Great shape. Classic, but modern, and the glass quality is outstanding. Available from Blanche Field, my favorite custom lampshade company!

Modern Lamps

Bubble Glass White Lamp

In the fabric and upholstery division, I give my award to this rustic, charming chair with fun fabric and thoughtful, lighthearted trim. Look at the detail they put into this chair! Notice the fabric “button” made of various layers of fabric. Love it. Available from Webster & Company, one of my favorite showrooms.

casual chair

Rustic Chair Perfect for Dining

Look at this detail ! Like a flower!

custom upholstery buttons

A button unlike others!

You have to give it to Webster & Company. Fabulous job!

Just when you’re NOT looking for it, the perfect accessory shows up! I love this metal, 3 dimensional fish. We’re showing it to clients for that perfect over the mantel piece item. After all, we live on the seashore! Found at the Kravet Showroom and FDO.

Golden Fish

Metal Fish Sculpture

And last, but definitely not least, I was stopped in my tracks and had to take a photo of these pillows. I love combinations of bright color, thoughtfully used, and here it is. In the Duralee showcase, look at this pillow, with different flange colors, and each side of each flange is a contrasting, coordinating color. Now THAT’S my style. Go Go Go !

Colorful Flange Detail on Pillows

 See you next time, on Fabulous Finds.

Sally Wilson, ASID

Some people love toss pillows, and all the color and textural variety they can add to a room; and others don’t want a single thing that needs fluffing or moving around. I’m entering my Minimalist Moment, but still I have a special knack for toss pillows and creating unique pillows. John and my clients have pointed this out, and it can’t be denied, Minimalist Moment or not.

Toss pillows
2 Toss Pillows for accents, Photo: Michael Lee

When I get in my pillow groove, all of my pillows (my creations) become my favorite children. John told me once, “I love these pillows.” I said, “Why?” He replied, “Look at the magazines. You don’t see pillows like that. Your pillows are special.” Wow, I love having a fan club right under my own roof. Here are some of my favorite children:

Chintz toss pillow

Inset pillow design with fringe and gimp, Photo: Rick Mandelkorn

So many things can be done with custom toss pillows. You can inset designs and outline with a solid color. You can add contrast welt cord at the edges.  You can add beautiful silk fringes at the edges, or even on an inside “layer”. You can outline with gimp, or ribbon. You can put one fabric on one side and a contrasting fabric on the other. You can take a monochromatic room and add zest via multi fabrics in toss pillows.

silk pillows trimmed in silk,
Silk Pillows adding panache, Photo: Rick Mandelkorn
Toss Pillows adding zest

Using Multiple Fabric for Zest

Toss Pillows

Colorful Chintz and Great Fringe

 

Toss pillows for texture,

Wonderful Cashmere Velvet and a Damask, Photo: Eric Roth

Toss pillows and shams,

Fabulous fabrics used for shams, Photo: Laura Moss

 

Toss pillows with trim details

Adding fringe for Details

Sometimes I work with women who love fabric so much that they want it all in one room! With some control, this impulse can be gratified by adding some of those beautiful fabrics in toss pillows, without upsetting the balance of the room. Make your toss pillows with feather and down inserts and they become an invitation to recline the moment you see them! Use them – for color, or for resting your head – but don’t overlook the power of the pillow!

Sally Wilson, ASID