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Hello! Peeking in through the raindrops…oh the stories I could tell of the last few months! At the tail end of all the big projects…I am at last turning inward to the simple joys of handling sumptious antique linens… dyeing, tacking and stitching them. My favorite pale blue chairs absolutely MUST be reupolstered. My husband grumbles every time he sits in the worst one…sinking a perilous six inches into the creaking frame. Wendy Lewis has become a good friend, and matched enough linen for me to get the job done. All I need now is to confront my trust issues with upholsterers!
A quick rumple of a photo…but I love the colors! I threw this linen piece from Wendy into a vat of black/gray dye. It became the perfect simple cover for the oh, so delicate, peau de soie blue silk underneath when young heathens descended upon us for Thanksgiving. I waited years to upholster this settee…horsehair and springs glaring at me from beneath the seat. I felt it had a certain charm. But on went the expensive silk, and almost immediately after I found the Textile Trunk and fell in love with Wendy’s linens!
My sister dropped in on Carolyn Quartermaine for me while she visited London several years ago and lugged home a suitcase full of her gorgeous textiles. I had several lovely conversations with Carolyn and assembled a nice swathe of favorites…heavy on the eighteenth century script. The white cotton/linen Script fabric loves a dye bath…and here shows off a classic Quartermaine pink, backed with gray velvet.
Curtains made from Chateau de Chambord sheets…by the look of them when I first got them they were the scullery maids. But tossed into a murky gray dye bath and they are the perfect inky tone for my office…against the white floors and gray paint. So…you see the gray obsession is as strong as ever.
Wendy’s 18th/early 19th century linen sheets are a work of art. These will never see a dye bath!
Textile Trunk linens waiting to be used…
I used upholster tacks to add another piece of Wendy’s linen to this Gustavian bench from Chelsea textiles here as a change from the green check. I placed the seam off center. Rather than shy away from seams or patches, I adore them now.
I have made a deliberate attempt to NOT look for any new treasure the last few months…but a few irresistible surprises found me! I thought I’d stop in and spend the holidays with you, share some favorite sources and give you an update to what I’ve been up to. I’ve opened a Pinterest page here where I’ve started to add some photos and share favorite shops including that of my recent house guest and fellow blogger Jermaine of Maison French Kissed. Happy December!
You are completely amazing, Trish. I really did not have the appreciation for these fine fabrics until you showed me the way. Have a wonderful holiday season!
HI, Trish,
You have been in my thoughts a lot of late and I was about to send you a note telling you how much I have missed you and your posts. I am so happy to know you will have more to share with your followers. I hope your holiday season and the new year will be filled with many blessings.
All the best to you and your family,
Rebecca R. Dyer
Thank you Rebecca…you are one of my oldest readers! (in blog years!). It’s nice to be back!
What a nice surprise to open my email and see pictures of your beautiful treasures again, I’ve missed them. I too found Textile Trunk and Wendy Lewis a few years ago and fell in love with her gorgeous fabrics. The depth of colors and the heft of the bed sheets along with their history makes them truly special. Thank you for sharing!
I love the things that you do and and your photographs. I especially love the linens and your vintage finds.
PS Carolyn Quartermaine is my very, very favorite! I love the combination you have chosen with her fabric.
I’m so glad you’re back! I’ll look for your Pinterest pictures. The light on the table of the picture with the pomegranates is just beautiful.
Hi Patricia. Yes…I loved that too. It was the morning after Thanksgiving…the calm after the storm!
Welcome back Trish!
Thank you Debra!
Hi there. Wonderful blog post as usual. So glad your back! I was wondering if you could tell me where you found your beautiful chandelier? Thanks and Happy Holidays.
Hi Aura. It sat unused for years after I bought it heavily discounted from a local store. Very beige/French country looking. I “painted it” with a thinned plaster…it got that very zinc white/chalky look that I wanted, and now I love it. Will do a post soon about it. Thanks!
Hi Trish. I have missed your wonderful posts. I love the new details. I know exactly what you mean bout upholsterers–but just remember: just about everything is fixable. I hope that you and Trouvais are back for good. xoxox
Mary
I am looking forward to reading your blog through this festive season of the year! Such great inspiration it provides!
Georgia
Thank you Georgia! I have a few good photos up my sleeves after all these months off!
I enjoy the texture and the long table linens! beautiful site you have thank you for sharing! jeri
You have been missed! Glad to see you posting again. xo xo
Hi Trish,
It sounds like you’ve been quite busy with projects. I’m so excited that you’re on Pinterest now. Yeahh!! Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.
Take care,
Christina
So glad to hear from you again! You have been very busy with all your new fabrics and projects. I’ll be sure and check out your Pinterest page. Happy December Trish!
You are inspiring me – I’ll have to get braver about dyeing!
An image from Trouvais is worth a thousand delights!
-Kaki
The Keeper of the Little Red Diary
It’s so good to hear from you again and see what you’ve been up to. You are such an inspiration to me. Happy Holidays!…I’m off to see your Pinterest site.
yes! Trish!!!!! i am sooo excited you are back. your pictures are prettier than any i’ve seen in a magazine lately. i hate pinterest. do tumblr!!! it’s so much better. oh well. just glad you are back.
Trish,
I was thrilled to find an email in my in box indicating you had published a new post. I always enjoy reading about your fabulous fabrics and the way you use them in your home. I’ll be checking out your Pinterest boards.
Enjoy your week.
Karen
Yippee. You’re back.
Hello Trish. I am glad you are back and look forward to your posts. Johan also says hello. We have had a busy year and always feel indebted to you for being so kind and generous. I see that all your readers are ecstatic to have you back!
Trinidad
I get so excited when I see a new post from you — always know you’ll have something beautiful to show us. Adore the Carolyn Quartermaine pillow as well as all your beautiful linens!
Would you mind sharing your favorite Dharma Trading Co. dye colors? There are soooo many colors to choose from.
Glad you’re back… and you’re on Pinterest!
Kerry
Hi Kerry. My favorite is the charcoal gray…though often I’m going over another color so I will use a opposite primary color to cancel out too blue, or green, etc tones. For example: the bed curtains that were green I actually added a bit of red in the water to cancel out yellow+ blue of the green. I’ll have to do a post on this, it’s a bit complicated. I use black dye too, if it seem that the gray’s not going dark enough! Dharma Trading dye here.
If it took FK to go north to personally deliver the message: YOU HAVE BEEN MISSED, I’m glad Jermaine strapped on those grey suede boots and got the job done. And yes, you have been busy and yes, the photographs are luscious.
I see you have been up to your double, double toil and trouble with the vat routine. So lovely. Understand the dilemma of offering up your beauties to the hands of the unknown. Letting go is a big deal. I know!
You know I am not a grey girl, but in your home and in your northern California light it is a beautiful choice. Can’t wait to see the mischief you’ve gotten yourself into.
Big hugs!
Hi Trish Just wondered if have you viewed escape to the chateau it on briish t.v. with Dick and Angle Strawbridge refuirbishing a real chateau…