Swedish Furniture

Linen: Decorating Ideas

Suzanne Kasler Southern Accents Magazine

Suzanne Kasler -Photo Credit Trouvais

Linen is still the most desired fabric for decorators and interior designers alike. Linen is elegant, durable, and simply luxurious. Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers and has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. Linen is from raw flax, a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. Linen is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man. Over 4000 years ago, it was woven in Egypt and used to wrap royal mummies.Not only is the linen fiber strong, it is smooth, making the finished fabric lint free. does wrinkle easily but also presses easily. Linen, like cotton, can also be boiled without damaging the fiber. From creamy white to light tan, linen can be easily dyed and the color does not fade when washed. Linen also happens to be highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, but also has the qualities of keeping cool making it an ideal fabric for summer garments.

Decorating With Linen From Skona Hem Magazine

-Linen is also prone to mildew in extreme conditions. Don't make the same mistake that I did and hang drapes in a solarium's that collects water on the windows, because overtime your drapes will collect mold. Linen on the other hand does well in light conditions compared to all other fabrics due to its inherent resistance to UV damage.

- Linen easily creases and wrinkles, and tends to hold the wrinkles, so if you don't mind that, it could be lovely for slipcovers. Linen has very little stretch, so be prepared to make your slipcovers a little extra large, as linen will shrink a little. Never put linen in a hot dryer. High heat causes the linen fibers to shrink and break. Consider letting your linen slipcovers dry on a table or on Air dry or tumble.

-Linen should be ironed with a good quality steam iron while it is damp, if you choose to iron at all. The more often linen is worn and washed, the softer it will become. However, if you are looking for a crisp appearance, ironing is a must. Use a steam iron and sprinkle on additional water if necessary to get a smooth finish. Press linen on the wrong side to prevent shiny spots. Use spray-on starch to get a crisp appearance.

-Of all the areas where you could use linen, the fabric looks best with drapery, because it doesn't need to be washed as often, which also limits the lengthy pressing sessions. Consider linen for your drapes. The material looks elegant, rich, yet very natural in appearance, making it a must have for Swedish interiors.

Modo Textured 100-Percent Slub Cotton 3-Piece Duvet Sham Set only $54 dollars.

Wrinkle Resistant 300-Thread Count Reversible Cotton Duvet Set Stripe- Twin, Full, Queen, and King $45.

Safavieh Becca Grey Linen Dining Chair $249

Sussex Beige Linen Club Chair ONLY $454.

Sussex Beige Linen Club Chair only $454!

Louis XVI Armchair

This Louis XVI Armchair Only $319!

French Country Weathered Gray Hemp Linen Dining Chair

Ethan French Country Dark Limed Gray Oak Linen Dining Chair $499

French Country Weathered Gray Hemp Linen Dining Chair $499

Linen Pillow Cover with Jute Embroidery $33.

Cotton Linen Pillow Cover with Jute & Mother Of Pearl Embroidery Sea Horses

Ballard Essential Panel Natural Linen 108 Inch-$99

Springcrest™ Trim Linen Drum Shade $14.99

Maytex Twill Wing Chair Cover $71.24

Williamsburg William and Mary Matelasse Pillow, Linen $51.67

Oval Hardback Natural Linen Shade $30.00

Tumbleweed Faux Linen Sheer $29.00

Progress Lighting Off White Shade 1-Inch $16.00

Dupioni Silk Draperies

Yellow Silk Drapes Paul Costello

For centuries silk has had a reputation for being luxurious, and has always been associated with wealth and success. Silk is one of the oldest textiles, and has been used in the orient since 27th century BC. During the Roman Empire, silk was sold for its weight in gold. Silk has always been been known for its vibrant colors, because of its high absorbency. Silk can be dyed in many deep colors and retain the saturated pigments, unlike other fabrics. Silk also retains its shape, drapes well, and is known for its luster.

Silk does not shrink like other fibers, making it versatile and washable. All silk is hand washable. Silk should always be hand washed, and not wring out but roll in a towel to dry. Silk dries quickly but should not be put in an automatic dryer. A good shampoo works well on silk. It will remove oil and revitalize your silk. Do not use an alkaline shampoo or one which contains ingredients such as wax, or petroleum as they will leave a residue on your silk and may cause "oil" spots. Silk may yellow and fade with the use of a high iron setting, so press cloths and steam irons are recommended. Silk is also weakened by sunlight, so be sure to get a good drapery liner if you choose to use silk in your draperies.

Blue Painted Mora Clocks

Unusual floor clock from Norway. Crafted in the Swedish Mora tradition, this
floor clock is signed by clockmaker Sven Nilsson and proclaims "Bjerke" as the
area of origin. This "Bjerke" is known as a large estate in Norway.

Swedish Tall Clock from Mora, circa 1820, with elegant rococo case surmounted by a carved urn. Hand-painted and signed dial. Original clockworks, newly cleaned and adjusted. $11,500 Cupboards and Roses

Mora, Sweden., Circa 1790 A Gustavian Period, Tall Case Mora Clock in original surface with elegant carved details on the crown piece.

Antique Swedish Furniture

Jane Moore Interiors

18th century French Louis XVI Console with White Marble Top

19th century Swedish Grey Four-Legged Table, circa 1850

French Antique Louis XVI Carved Wood Trumeau Mirror with garden and musical attributes, circa 1760

18th Century French Coal Burner

Jane Moore, is the successful woman behind the shop Jane Moore, Ltd. which specializes in Swedish and French antiques. You may recall the extravagant Swedish home that was featured in March of 2008 in Veranda Magazine. The Dallas home was remodeled and filled with beautiful Swedish antique furniture. The same house was then featured in Swedish Country Interiors, by Rhonda Eleish, Edie Van Breems.

Nobody has put together a better article than the one by Indulge Decor Blog featuring comparisons of this home between the publications of Veranda and Swedish Country Interiors.

18th C. Swedish Rococo Black painted Chest circa 1760

18th C. Swedish Rococo black painted chest with rare brass hardware decorated with crown and cross, circa 1760.

19th C. Swedish White Buffet

19th C. Swedish White Buffet- Original Paint $4,350

18th C. Swedish White Buffet, circa 1760 Jane Moore

18th C. white buffet duo corps, circa 1760 Jane Moore Interiors

19th C. Swedish Gustavian dark blue cupboard 1842 -$5,280

19th C. Swedish Gustavian dark blue cupboard with original date, circa 1842 $5,280

Jane Moore Interiors, 2922 Virginia Street, Houston, Texas 77098

Wonderfully Painted Swedish Mora Clocks

Fabulous Painted Mora Clocks

18th Century Swedish Mora Clock in its original finish and retaining its original works and pendulum. Beautiful color, shape, and details. Sold by M Naeve in Houston, TX

Early 19th century Decorative Swedish Mora clock retaining its original surface. Charles Spada Antiques

Mora clock, Sweden circa 1820, with classic rococo style. Early secondary paint in pink, original clockworks. $9,600 Cupboards and Roses

Scandinavian Antique Furniture

Scandinavian Gustavian Swedish Decorating- Augustus Brandt Antiques

I have to say I am so thankful to Inspiring Interiors Blog for discovering a rare jewel on the internet. I haven't been so excited than I am now, in a long time. I adore Swedish antiques, and it is even more thrilling to see them showcased in 17th and 18th century stylings. Augustus Brandt Antiques, not only has incredibly captivating antiques, but their dramatic interiors are breathtaking. Augustus Brandt is based in the UK. They specialize in English,Scandinavian, French, Italian and architectural antiques. Looking through their website, you will see countless drop dead gorgeous antiques in magazine worthy interiors, all which can give you inspiration for faux finishings, interior paint color selections, and furniture selection ideas. Our hats are off to Augustus Brandt Antiques for spectacular Gustavian inspiration! Lets cross our fingers and hope they come out with a book that we can buy!

Scandinavian Gustavian Swedish Decorating- Augustus Brandt Antiques

Painted Mora Clocks

Exceptional Mora Clocks- Swedish Antique Furniture

Edgar Reeves Lighting and Antiques sells this terrific late 19th century tall long case clock in Swedish "Mora" style. The clock is elaborately painted with floral details from a period perspective. "Mora" clocks are a type of long case clock which were made in, and derived their name from, the town of Mora in Dalrana provence Sweden. Edgar Reeves has this clock priced at $3,200

Leif Antiques has for sale an early Gustavian clock by Johan Lindquist who was a royal clock maker to King Adolf Frederick 1750-1771. This clock was made towards the end of King Frederick's reign and is a prime example of Lindquist's work and the beginning of the Gustavian Period. This clock is in exceptional condition and is priced at $80,000

SWEDISH FURNITURE

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