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

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45 Examples Of Country Styled Nordic Interiors

Anna Maria King Upholstered Bed

Anna Maria King Upholstered Bed Found on ballarddesigns.com

Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi

Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi

Sweden Early 20th Century A great neoclassical Swedish gray. and white painted oval table in Louis XVI style. Good scale with nice carving and a good later painted finish.

Sweden Early 20th Century A great neoclassical Swedish gray. and white painted oval table in Louis XVI style. Good scale with nice carving and a good later painted finish Found on 1stdibs.com

Swedish Longcase Mora clock c.1860 scraped back to original paint.

Swedish Longcase Mora clock c.1860 scraped back to original paint Found on europeanantiques.co.nz

The exhibition of Dala horses in Dalarnas Museum in Falun by Feltangel on Flickr

The exhibition of Dala horses in Dalarnas Museum in Falun by Feltangel on Flickr

 

The furnishings of the Anteroom are typical of the Empire period with very few ornaments and a strict positioning of the furniture ~ Sweden

The furnishings of the Anteroom are typical of the Empire period with very few ornaments and a strict positioning of the furniture ~ Sweden, Found on designdecorreview.tumblr.com

Swedish Rococo Commode 18th century

Swedish Rococo Commode 18th century, Found on 1stdibs.com

Dala Horse

Dala Horse, Found on designsponge.com

Antique Blue Cutting Board From One Kings Lane

Antique Blue Cutting Board, Found on onekingslane.com

Complete Chinois Set of Stencils for Wall Decor and More, Found on etsy

Complete Chinois Set of Stencils for Wall Decor and More, Found on etsy.com

Swedish Mora Clocks

Mora Clock in Original Salmon Paint Found on 1stdibs.com

Swedish Tall Case Clock, ca.1780-1800 Found on 1stdibs.com

Decorating The Swedish Style

Swedish Gustavian Bench, Found on dlarssoninterior.com

Swedish Rococo Mirror Sconces, Found on dlarssoninterior.com

K & Co. Fransk Antik & Industriel Vintage. Vesterbrogade 177. 1800 Frederiksberg C. www.k-co.dk

Traditional Living-rooms from Charles Faudree on HGTV, Found on hgtv.com

19th Century Swedish Orange Painted Wooden Clock Found on 1stdibs

19th Century Swedish Orange Painted Wooden Clock  Found on 1stdibs.com

Decorating The Swedish Style

Gustavian Style Found on houzz.com

Harvest Basket, Found on anthropologie.com

Directoire Bed, Found on eloquenceinc.com

De-constructed Chair – Found on inspired-design.tumblr.com

Swedish Bench Sofa Bed

Swedish Bench Sofa Bed, Found on annetteputtnamantiques.co.uk

Scandinavian tuck-away daybed, 19th c., Found on liveauctioneers

Scandinavian tuck-away daybed, 19th c., Found on liveauctioneers.com

Alden Collections, Swedish Furniture InspirationsAlden Furniture Collections- Curations Limited

Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware Baby

Embroidered Rose Bird Pillow Cover Pottery Barn

Restoration Hardware Baby

Indigo Washed Nightstand And Chest - Anthropologie

Indigo Washed Nightstand And Chest – Anthropologie.com

Vineyard Stripe Rug Ballard Designs

Vineyard Stripe Rug Ballard Designs

Harbor Springs Floral Duvet Cover

Harbor Springs Floral Duvet Cover, Lands End

Reagan Floral Duvet Cover & Sham From Pottery Barn

Reagan Floral Duvet Cover & Sham From Pottery Barn

Orrefors GlassOrrefors Mirror Mirror Bowl Cut $89 Amazon

Orrefors Mirror 6-7/8-Inch Vase $99 Amazon

Swedish Interior Country Living Feb 1995 Photography By Barbara And Rene Stoeltie

Swedish Interior Country Living Feb 1995 Photography By Barbara And Rene Stoeltie

Swedish Interior Country Living Feb 1995 Photography By Barbara And Rene Stoeltie 2

Swedish Interior Country Living Feb 1995 Photography By Barbara And Rene Stoeltie

Russian Houses

Russian Houses -by Elizabeth Gaynor From $5.73 On Amazon

Replica of a ball gown of Empress Elizabeth displayed at the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo

Replica of a ball gown of Empress Elizabeth displayed at the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo- www.saint-petersburg.com

Delft tile at Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark

Delft tile at Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark

Drottningholm Palace, Stockholm.

Drottningholm Palace, Stockholm

Castle Wallenstein

Castle Wallenstein

Porcelain Kitchen at Tureholms Slott.

Porcelain Kitchen at Tureholms Slott- Jaanasgottoblandat.blogg.se

Ekebyholm fabric - Skattmanso bed Seen at Scandinavian Design Center

Buy Authentic Historical Textiles online at Ljungbergs Factory

Swedish Medallians Biskops Garden

Plaster medallions of Carl Michael Bellman & Ulla Hopken Seen at biskopsgarden.blogspot.com

Swedish Decor From biskopsgarden.blogspot.com

Swedish Decor From biskopsgarden.blogspot.com

Soft Blue Paneling Roche Bobois

Meubles Design – Roche Bobois

Gröna anemone: Lebellska köpmansgården

Gröna anemone: Lebellska köpmansgården

A Black Swedish Rococo Style Desk Circa 1850- Talisman London

Swedish Medallion

Swedish Medallion – www.metropol.se

Swedish Antiques From The HighboyPair of Swedish Sulla chairs with curved and open H-form backs, with original upholstery raised on splayed legs.- Highboy Antiques