Slipcovers – Swedish Furniture

Slipcovers Have Always Been Popular Through Time – Swedish Decorating

Larsson, Carl (1853-1919)

Among the Swedish artist Carl Larsson’s many watercolours of the house he shared with his wife, Karin, and eight children, is one of their sitting room that radiates a pleasing sense of domesticity — a discarded newspaper and shoes, a sleeping dog, a rug hung nonchalantly over the arm of the sofa. But it is the blue-and-white striped loose cover of the sofa that does most to enhance the relaxed feeling of this elegant space. Larsson painted it in 1895, a time when Victorians, such as the family of another artist, Linley Sambourne, were living among buttoned, fringed and tightly upholstered splendour at 18, Stafford Terrace that remains a monument to the Victorian decorative exuberance (both artists’ houses are open to the public).

As with so many of the key ingredients in classic decoration, there’s a deeply practical rationale behind the loose cover: namely, that it can be washed and changed at will. In the past, they were often fitted to protect furniture or changed according to the season. They also soften the look of a sofa or chair by hiding its legs.

Read more – countrylife.co.uk

Guides - Nordic Decorating

Linen Has An Incredible History- Find Out Why……

Posted on June 25, 2015September 24, 2021
by Meranda Devan

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

Pair of 19th Century French, Napoleon III Armchairs

Napoleon III Chaise Longue

Found on onekingslane.com

Gustavian Lounge Chair, Sweden, c.1780 Ist Dibs

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

DIY - Do It Yourself Swedish Home

Making Summer Slipcovers For Your Upholstered Furniture

Posted on June 22, 2015September 24, 2021
by Meranda Devan

Martha Stewart showed how her wool and silk covered wingback chairs were given a new look for the spring and summer months with slipcovers. Slipcovers can save your furniture from being ruined over time, and give you an entirely new crisp look for the warmer summer season. Work with lighter fabrics, and don’t be afraid of contacting a professional seamstress to make your slipcovers if you are not so talented working with a sewing machine. A great slipcover should last you a number of years if it is made properly. Photography by Sarah Maingot.

Antique Swedish Dealer Jane Moore’s Home Veranda Magazine

Posted on September 9, 2013September 24, 2021
by Meranda Devan

5 Design Tips to Live By from Jane Moore – Veranda

Veranda featured a wonderfully Swedish home way back in their March 08 issue of a home designed by Jane Moore. This home was also featured in the book Swedish Country Interiors by Rhonda Eleish & Edie Van Breems which was published in 2009. Indulge Decor Blog put together a terrific job of comparing the home in each of the publications, and noted what changed and what did not.

This home was decorated in both Swedish and French antiques. Among all the antiques that stood out were the chairs which were featured in the house. The chairs sitting in the living room, have detailing paint in light blue, which perfectly contrasts the sandy colored linen.

Swedish rococo chairs are paired with a check upholstered couch and feature a heavily distressed paint finish with colors of green. In the sitting area, a pale blue rug seems to be the perfect choice to add color amongst simple Swedish rococo chairs. This room is simple and elegant, and the furniture seems to add so much of the interest in this room.

About Jane Moore:

Those who follow the Swedish and French decorating circles know all about Jane Moore. Her interior designs have been admired for years. Jane Moore is an interior designer and antiques importer from Houston. Early in Jane’s career she imported primarily English antiques. It wasn’t until she traveled to France that she fell in love with the Provence style. Impressed by the cottages and farmhouses, it influenced her whole design compass. She later traveled to Sweden and found more of the humble countryside she saw in France.

“Everything was so simple. They copied from the French, but in a more rustic way. I loved that.”

Jane Moore’s work has been published in Veranda Magazine and Southern Accents Magazine more than once. Her work was also included in The Houses of Veranda book by former Veranda editor Lisa Newsom. Jane and Lisa Newsom are now connected by family. Jane’s daughter, Shannon, is married to Lisa’s son, Andrew, and the pair (Lisa and Andrew) own the Wisteria catalog.

Veranda featured an article titled “5 Design Tips To Live By– in which Jane Moore gave her top 5 tips when it comes to decorating.

Consider Your Environment

“One of the most important rules of decorating is to let your environment help you make decisions about your home. For example, I have always lived in Houston, where it is very hot and humid. As a result, I always pick cool colors that come from nature—soft blues, greens, grays—because when I come in out of the heat, I want to be refreshed. Wherever I am, I look outside and bring that in”

Edit Your Home, and Keep Only Things That Work With Your Current Style

“In each stage of life, we have different needs. Many of us want to keep holding on to things from each stage. We feel that if we hold on to what’s safe, we don’t have to deal with what’s changing.It’s hard for a lot of people to get rid of what was given to them or what they bought with their own money in their earlier stages of life. But as we grow and mature, our likes and dislikes change, and that’s okay! Don’t hold onto what doesn’t fit anymore.”

“We all love a lot of different things and different looks. Decide what you love the very most, where you feel the most comfortable, what’s the most peaceful to you. Once you’ve done that, carefully edit out what doesn’t enhance that look or feeling. I started my career doing almost all English, but as I grew to love the Provençal and Swedish aesthetics, I let go of those English things, even though I still loved them. The same goes for people with a lot of bright, colorful pieces who want to transition to something serene and neutral. With each object, ask: ‘Is this going to fit in?”

Be Who YOU Are, and Not Someone Else

“Many of us have things we don’t necessarily love, but we live with them because they have sentimental value: heirlooms, gifts, things we didn’t know how to say ‘no’ to. What I tell my clients is this: Be in the moment as it is right now. ‘It’s your moment. Let’s do what makes you happy, what makes you have a good feeling when you’re home.’ Those before us—grandmothers, mothers, friends—had their time to enjoy what they loved, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to love it, too.

Buy things you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

Avoid buying what I call ‘fillers.’ Instead, buy only what you absolutely love, what you simply cannot live without. A good rule of thumb: If you see it, don’t buy it right away. Then if you keep thinking about it, go back and buy it, because you’ll always be sorry if you don’t. Most of the time it costs more than you thought you’d ever spend. Buy it anyway. A few years from now, it will be even harder to find and cost twice as much. For example, I have this 18th-century hand-carved angel on my mantle—it wasn’t anything I was looking for, but when I saw it, it just touched me. I didn’t buy it immediately, though. I thought
about it for 24 hours, and I still just had to have it. At the time, I was trying to rationalize purchasing it, thinking ‘Oh, someday my daughter will love it, or my granddaughter will love it,’ Then I thought, ‘No. I love it, and if they choose not to have it in their homes someday, that’s all right.’

Contact Jane Moore:

2930 Virginia St. Houston, Texas 77098

Phone (713) 526-6113

Jane Moore Interiors On Facebook