I met Magdalene Zureiqat several months ago over the purchase of a beautiful length of 18th century silk. She started Salons des Delices in New York in 1996, a haute couture workroom for drapery and upholstery and, of course, pillows. She’s led a fascinating life: raised in England, summers in France, worked in ateliers in London and Paris, inspired by travels to Russia and nearly a decade in Amman. Now, she’s gathering up loose threads and sorting out the details as she prepares to start up a new business called Pillows et Plus LLC. Her work speaks for itself. Most of the items in this post are available for sale, including the late 18th century, velvet upholstered, à la Polonaise daybed above.

The daybed is draped in silk, lined in organza, with heavenly pleated lilac gathered into roses on the underside of the ciel de lit!

Seed pearl detail of organza drapes…

These are Italian silk velvet pillows inset with an antique 1910 embroidered organza, with Magdalene’s custom beading highlighting the edges…

Napoleon III gilded galloon edged taffeta curtains. What is a galloon? A few centuries worth at the MET here The pinked edge adds to the ruffled charm…and there is a trace of hand beading as well.

Beautiful green silk velvet damask…18th century French silk ribbon against dark grey Angora center, black satin back. How often do you run into 18th century ribbons? Magdalene loves mixing antique and modern textiles.

The attention to detail…notice the cardinal red inset welt beneath the taffeta pleat edge.

18th century Japanese silver ribbon stitched onto grey flannel. This is just incredible.

Update: This gorgeous bed and all pillows on this page have been sold!

Magdalene’s workshop continues to do custom pillows and drapery and can be reached via the email below. I am hosting the sale of a collection of her 18th c French porcelain here until the launch of her new website.