Linen Has An Incredible History- Find Out Why……

The Swedish Country House by Susanna Scherman

The Swedish Country House by Susanna Scherman- Found on homedesign.marthastewart.com

Guest Post – Jason Phillips

Linen is a type of fabric or textile manufactured from fibers. The making process is laborious, and the result is truly remarkable. Many things are made of linen including towels, aprons, bags, tablecloths, bed linens, runners, curtains, drapes, upholstery covers and more. Textiles that feature a linen weave texture, even those made in combination with hemp or cotton, are also referred to as linens; some have specific names, such as madapolam, which is a fine cotton yard wove in linen style.

Linen textiles have an incredible history. Fragments of seeds, yards, straw and additional types of materials date back to 8000 BC, and were usually found in Swedish homes. In Ancient Egypt, linens were used as currency, and the mummies had to be wrapped in this luxury material as a symbol of purity and light. Nowadays, fine linens are high-priced yet incredibly qualitative.

Curtains And Drapes

In the early 18th century most homes still used shutters to block light and make the place appear private and secluded from the eyes of people on the street. However, they had a fuller texture and came in different styles than in the 17th century. As for the materials, main fabrics were cotton chintz, taffeta, and velvet. A valance or pelmet cornice was usually employed to hide the workings. Then the paired curtains made an entrance. They were topped with stiffened pelmets and featured embroidery work and appliqués; also, they had a really elegant shape. The linen fabric used for the curtains included Rococo motifs, including knots of ribbons, garlands of flowers, and leave fronds.

By the middle of the century, pelmets became a lot softer, with small tails and shallow swagging and bells. Portieres had lighter curtains and deeper pelmets designed in Italian style. Store marquises, also known as light silk festoons, were widely used with beautifully draped pelmets. At the end of the 18th century, roller blinds made an entrance as well. Their use was first recorded in 1726, in London.

Fabrics

There was a great variety of fancy fabrics one could select from in the 18th century. There was one industry in particular that thrived – the silk industry. Fragile florals, lace, and scallop, as well as patterns that incorporated doves and other beautiful prints were in high demand. Inside people’s homes silk was the most appreciated. It was used for linings, beds, tables and inner covers. During that time the bed in the bedroom had sophisticated hangings, which were also made of silk; those who could afford to invest in such fancy linens, bought Genoese silk velvet.

For the windows, brocades and silk damasks were highly appreciated. For hangings, brocatelle was still in high demand. Ribbed silk, satin, chintz, taffeta and clouded silk were all exceptional materials used mainly for curtains. Those who couldn’t afford such fancy linens had great alternatives, such as moreen for draperies and beds, and velvet or silk mohair for chair coverings.

The most exclusive chintz was manufactured in Versailles, and was produced by Jouy-en-Josas. However, throughout the 18th century, in England and France there was an anti-cloth law materializing. It was aimed at protecting silk and wool industries. The production went full ahead in 1770.

Sophisticated Trimmings

In the 18th century there was a wide variety of sophisticated trimmings  materializing in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, England and Switzerland, mainly due to the battle of Huguenot craftsmen n the 1600s France. Narrow and broad bands of rich colored lace were used thus contrasting the rich, new techniques. Furthermore, fancy details started being used such as frogging, gold galloon and artificial flowers on valance and pelmets; these were meant to replace entirely heavy trims found in the 17th century.Embroidered, tie backs or appliquéd and ended with ribbons or bows became a new feature in home décor that many people adopted for their window treatments.

Decorating with 18th century linens from the French period will add sophistication to your personal space. Give your windows the treatment they deserve and use luxury linen materials for the curtains and shades. Make your bedroom seem romantic, your living area chic and welcoming, and your kitchen practical and fun. Consider the best materials and the finest shapes, and your entire home will come back to life.

19th Century France Napoleon III Settee

19th Century France Napoleon III Settee

Pair of 19th Century French, Napoleon III Armchairs

Pair of 19th Century French, Napoleon III Armchairs

Napoleon III Chaise Longue

Napoleon III Chaise Longue

WIngback Chair Seen At One Kings Lane

Gustavian Lounge Chair, Sweden, c.1780 Ist Dibs

Gustavian Lounge Chair, Sweden, c.1780, Found on 1stdibs.com

Swedish Chairs With Stipe Gray Slipcovers Seen On House Of Bliss

Swedish Chairs With Stipe Gray Slipcovers Seen On House Of Bliss

Swedish Interiors Using Linens

Swedish Interiors Using Linen For Table Cloths Found on lantlif.blogspot.it

Decorating The Swedish Style

Victorian home designer Carrie Raphael’s farmhouse marries beauty with function, Swedish Style in a Maryland Farmhouse Country Living Magazine

Robert Dean and interior designer Anne Miller,Found on nehomemag.com

Linen Upholstery In Gray Found on une-ame-en-plus.com

Linens seen at Found on fleurage.exblog.jp

Swedish Interiors And Decorating

Swedish Dining Seen on bloglovin.com

Period style decorating in a dining room Found on campagne-decoration.dekio.fr

A Georgian-style Greenwich, CT estate’s powder room, Found on luxesource.com

A Small and Rugged Design Found on housebeautiful.com

 

Washington School House Hotel

Washington School House Hotel, Found on washingtonschoolhouse.com

Cathy Kincaid

French Painted Bench Seen On 1st Dibs

French Painted Bench, Found on 1stdibs.com

Gustavian Style - A Higher End looking Swedish style (vs Scandinavian Country Style)

Swedish style, Scandinavian Country Style  Found on creazionidinterni.blogspot.it

Whites predominate in the Norwegian style.

Whites predominate in the Norwegian style, Found on hotelmundal.no

Period Style home Spring 2014 issue of MILIEU.

Period style home featured in the Spring 2014 issue of MILIEU Found on milieu-mag.com

Robin Bell design

Robin Bell Interiors

18th Century Lit a la Polonaise - Provenance Chartreuse de Bonpas, Avingnon, France

18th Century Lit a la Polonaise – Chartreuse de Bonpas, Avingnon, France Found on 1stdibs.com

French Toile Seen on agedandgilded.typepad.com

French Toile Seen on agedandgilded.typepad.com

Swedish Style By Ethan Allen

Swedish Style By Ethan Allen Found on ethanallen.com

Stitch doilies onto linen and embellish it with buttons, ribbon, embroidery - Found on ideasmag.co.za

Stitch doilies onto linen and embellish it with buttons, ribbon, embroidery – Found on ideasmag.co.za

French Country Living Antiques, UK, France

Found on French Country Living Antiques.com

Cozy Cottage-Style Bedrooms , Found on bhg.com

Cozy Cottage-Style Bedrooms , Found on bhg.com