French Attic Style~ Antique Textiles

21 Thursday May 2015

Tags

18th c silk, 18th century textiles, antique costume, Antique Fabric

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…

Color

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Trish in Antique Fabric

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

18th c silk, Antique Fabric, roses

Rose madder red always works magic on winter. Above… antique Bourbon rose Madame Issac Perrier from last year’s garden, and an 18th century French striped silk pelmet traced with ribbonwork.

Do you think this photo from my Candlelight and Roses post here inspired my interest in the ribbonwork? Raspberry silk moiré in the queen’s bedroom at Kina Slott (Chinese Pavillion) at Drottningholm Palace.

Antique textiles are my favorite way to toss a bit of color on top of neutrals. Sometimes it’s just takes that one rare, original, handmade, one of a kind, not perfect piece to get you out of that straight from the catalogue look. I’ve been pinning my favorite textile dealers on Pinterest here. Some of the more expensive dealers are great resources for learning, and of course have the rarest, most perfect pieces. As usual, I’m always trying to limit my time on the demon internet, but I have some other great pieces and resources to share with you in the next few days. As you’ll see, even when my garden is shut down, I always try to keep a few roses up my sleeve. Hope you’re all keeping warm!