I really love hearing from my “old” readers from time to time. About 18th c shoes that they collect, or whether eight men would be enough to move a concrete table that looks just like mine, or how to strip color out of a Bella Notte duvet. Karin of La Pouyette, an antique dealer for over 30 years and long time blogging friend, has been pushing me to come back to blogging. So…thanks to Karin, I’m back to say hi and play around with what strikes me as pretty or interesting these days. 
As you know…I love 18th c and earlier textiles. By the mid 19th c chemicals where being used to add weight to silks (which, incidentally, were sold by weight) and the advent of the sewing machine made hand-stitched seams unnecessary and looms became wider and more mechanized. Early silks were untainted by the harsh efficiencies of the modern age, and in my mind, vastly more beautiful.
My collection of 18th century silks has been slowly gathered over years. Sometimes the most humble, earlier finds bring me the most joy. It is amazing how carefully they have been protected over the centuries, and how much beauty remains in their spun threads. I am working on an online store (Trouvais-shop.com) that I hope will be a fun visit. A nice little “attic” space with treasures just waiting to be found. 
Photo above from Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery’s The French Country House. The chapter on French attics has cupboard shelves straining under centuries of folded silks and costume and tissue wrapped shoes. Eighteenth century silk dresses hanging on an armoire in a French attic is just my style! There is nothing like antique textiles to add a bit of story and drama to your home. 
My eye is caught by pieces that seem to whisper a story. Whether you are a collector yourself, or just enjoy a pretty picture, I will have some beautiful things to share.
~
There are a few pieces I have been able to let go out of my collection. I’ve sent waistcoats to Italy and beaded handbags to Russia. I love putting things in the hands of someone that will love them. So…just in case you’ve been wondering what I’ve been up to…I am slowly but surely shifting from buyer to seller. My shop website is in process here (also see on my side bar)~
Inside my own “attic” armoire…my very favorite pieces…
Trish,
I was just thinking of you yesterday as I was looking through images of beautiful gardens that I’d saved as inspiration for my own garden. Your post on your garden, one spring (can’t remember the date of the post) where you feature lavender, roses and some hardy geraniums, is spectacular and still one of my favorites. I was always eager to see your garden in your posts. Your collection of old fabric and shoes was always of interest too, but the garden is what pulls at my heart strings. I’m so happy you’re back. I will visit your shops to see what you have.
xo,
Karen
Hi Trish,
It is so delightful to see a new blog entry from you — I have really missed your contributions to the lifestyle/interior design blog world and your blog has been very inspirational and influential in developing my own style — I’ve even started embroidering, (mostly needlepainting) because of the embroidery you’ve shared with us — I hope we’ll see much more of you this year. Thanks very much,
Sabrina
Thanks Sabrina. I am learning to sew again myself, to make mends with hand stitching. It is wonderfully therapeutic. I have some incredible embroidery I promise to share!
What a wonderful surprise to see your post today. I’ve just returned from Dallas and my one-and-only son’s wedding. Oh what a stunning wedding dress (bodice) one of your silks would make . So, as I’m winding down from that fabulous weekend feeling at tiny bit low (after all I have taken the appropriate back seat, graciously I hope) I’m uplifted by one of your always beautiful posts. You still have the most gorgeous photos the internet has ever seen. I’m forever in awe of the beauty you create. Thank you again. It came just when I needed it.
Your new venture will be just as spectacular.
Terry
That’s so nice of you to say Terry! I am awfully rusty after being gone so long. As wonderful as it is to see the kids, it always breaks my heart a bit when they leave! I know how you feel.
It’s lovely to see you posting again!
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR GOD’S SAKE!!!??? Date: Thu, 21 May 2015 20:21:44 +0000 To: bachalachs@live.ca
Well…I know…I got busy and then it’s hard to “come in from the cold”!
So lovely to see you back again……..we have missed your gorgeous blogs, comments and specially the pictures…….pure love….thanks for coming back to us to inspire!!! Liz
Wonderful that you’re “back!” Have missed the beautiful posts.
Welcome back ! It is a pleasure for to see my favorite things and I envy your collections. The beautiful
pictures bring me back to a world where I may have lived before….I am Belgian, live in New York and also
in Burgundy, always visiting chateaux, museums when I can. Please, could you tell me where that pretty
manor house photographed with the sheep in front of it ? Thanks for sharing these precious things.
Hello Monique! Thank you! It is Chateau de Morsan, Lillian and Ted William’s place in Normandy. If you click on the photo…all my posts about her will come up. I visited her shop In San Francisco decades ago…and always admired the 18th c world she recreated in her shops and homes.
Hi Trish, Hope you and the family are doing well, this weekend we are at the Chateau Sonoma event, as i recall you live in the Sonoma area, who knows maybe we get to see you. if not be well and see you some time later. Greetings, Johan
I would love to catch up Johan! It’s about an hour north, but a lovely drive. I will try to make it!
HI, TRISH, SO ELATED TO SEE A MESSAGE FROM YOU. OF ALL THE BLOGS THAT HAVE COME AND GONE, YOURS IS THE ONE THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST. I AM THRILLED YOU ARE BACK. ALL THE BEST IN YOUR VENTURE TO TRANSITION FROM BUYER TO SELLER.
The “blogworld” is delighted to see you back, my dear friend!
With a beautiful post – Inspiring as always….!
“Pushing” eachother turned out successful.
Thank YOU!
xoxo karin
Hello Trish from an old reader:
Your post this morning was just what I needed. Beauty in the face of the dumps I am going through in the process of watching my son’s wedding being prepared without much solicitation from Mom. Your images provide me with the tranquillity of simple beauty, no thought or complication, just soothing bursts of color, pattern, and texture which are good for the soul. All the best in your new endeavors!
Dear Trish, I already know that EVERYTHING you have is gorgeous and I am excited to see what you have in your shops!! So good to hear from you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Quel plaisir de vous retrouver, et de toucher du regard ces textiles XVIIIè..Merci à vous Trish et merci à Karin!
Oh so happy you are back! You’re posts and images are my online candy. 🙂