Friday, September 3, 2010

Layering French Linens

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One of my favorite purchases that I made years back was this tall and narrow metal ladder. I have not a clue as to the utilitarian purpose of this hollow metal ladder with chipped white paint and spots of rust. Attempting to climb on it could result in a nasty spill – for sure.

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The ladder now perfectly serves as a wonderful display piece for my antique French linens.

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Each piece is unique and very special. I like the way the corded edge is tattered in comparison to the perfectly elegant crocheted lace. The fabric is soft, yet sturdy.

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Beautifully stitched red monograms make me wonder what E.D. and C.L. stand for.

Elegant.

Dreamy.

Classy.

Loved.

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P1010022h Soft layers meld together nicely in the afternoon light. Maybe I need a nap to dream up a story about a little stone cottage in France that has layers of old French linens stacked on a wood shelf and drying on a clothesline in the cool breeze. What is the name of the petite French woman who delicately cares for her home spun linens with red embroidered monograms? Emaline…Darcie…Claire…Lavine….

au revoir

40 comments:

Sinta Renee said...

Be still my heart! I am in love with your lamp and those sweet linens with the red embroidery!Beautiful simplicity! Thanks for sharing.

stefanie said...

its perfect!!!

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Such beautiful linens... all that fringe and lace is quite dreamy. I've always loved the name Mathilde, maybe she had a hand in their loveliness as well. Happy weekend!
xo~Tracie

Thimbleanna said...

That petite french woman would be Becky. Le Becky. La Becky? My french is clearly lacking, but my appreciation of your gorgeous linens is not!

Claudia said...

What a beautiful collection you have. That is a wonderful way to display them. Have a great weekend!

xo
Claudia

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

aaaaahhhh How beautiful your French linens are. I love your lampshade too!
Hugs,
Penny

AntiqueChase said...

I would like to find a ladder like yours!!

Kathleen Grace said...

Linen with red embroidery is my all time favorite! (surprise:>) Perhaps her name is Katherine?

Anonymous said...

What a pretty post! Love your little olden metal ladder and it's perfect with your iron bed. I love your pretty linen hanging all over it - you're truly the most creative one!
How are those salt and pepper fuzzy faces doing?
Have a great weekend and be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Cindy said...

Beautiful...simply beautiful. Love your linens, and that lamp is to die for.

Happy Long Weekend to you!

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

what a fantastic idea! I have a ladder just like that, it is a well ladder to climb down into the well... well... it won't be that for long! It will be a linen ladder! Thanks for the inspiration!

Susan said...

I love that lamp. My heart went pitter patter when I saw it.

becky up the hill said...

Beautiful Becky. You know I love those colors. This is a great post and what an amazing repurpose for that ladder. Monograms make me swoon.

Moore Minutes said...

What a PERFECT way to display your beauties. That as a smart idea and its so charming.

Also, I'm doing a giveaway on my blog right now and would love for you to enter if you're interested and haven't done so already. <3

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I love, love, love vintage french linens and I cannot get enough. If I had my way I would have an entire room full! LOL!

I love the way you have them displayed on the sweet metal ladder. Also, the lampshade in the photo is so charming.

Lovely.

hugs
Sissie

Blondie's Journal said...

I adore the ladder...could it have been from a fire escape? And I love your sweet linens, so pretty to display. Signe, Daphne, Colette??

xoxo
Jane

Myrna said...

Beautiful, Becky! I have a thick wood ladder painted a soft yellow the holds vintage lace tablecloths in the dining room. I love how they drape down and you can see them all..
Hope you're doing well and have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings!
Myrna

Simply Shelley said...

Beautiful....that ladder was a lucky fine and I love how you are using it to display your wonderful linens....blessings on your weekend Becky.....

Vee said...

Would you consider doing a tutorial on a lampshade like that, presuming, of course, that you made it, which I'm pretty sure that you did? A run-on question! How very like me.

Pondside said...

What a lovely, restful post. I have a trunk full of old linens that just need some time and energy spent on sprucing them up - but I'm short on both those items, so the linens will have to wait. I do love your red and white bedroom!

Elsie said...

Wee Ma'dame Becky,the ED & CL is of-couse Elsie Darling is a Cute Love. TEEHEE!!! Love your post,love the
ladder and love,love the linens.
You are so good with your stories
you really should write a book of
them. Hope you have a good weekend.
":O)

P.S. I was using a french accent during this comment.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

for VEE: i did not make the lampshade, however i would love to say i did. i believe i bought it at home goods about 3 years ago.

xo
becky

ps: for my readers, isabel at maison douce had a lamp shade tutorial last year on her lovely blog.
xo

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Your display of linens is "dreamy"! Could that ladder been used for bunkbeds???

Elyse said...

ooh la la, becky!

i would love to read a story just like that and imagine your pretty linens keeping it all cozy and warm.

happy weekend

xo
elyse

GranthamLynn said...

Love this. Perfect display.

Miss Jean said...

The linens are just beautiful! I often times not only think of who they belonged to, but why did they not keep them.

Unknown said...

Perfection if ever I saw it! :)

Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

~Liz

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I'm with you Becky - I love the linens. And that little chippy ladder is the perfect display spot.

xo
Lynn

Maison Douce said...

Lovely, Becky!!! Wonderful display... A big hug to you!!
Isabel

Catherine Ryan said...

Love the red and white

Anne Fannie said...

Your linens are beautiful! I love the colors and what a great way to display them!
Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!
Ann

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hello Sweetie, What beautiful linens! and that red and white quilt is amazing is it old also? I love red and white as you seen to also.
I so enjoyed your history of the ship and the treasure you purchased. .wonderful! Did you notice that the sister ship was so laden with goods that the rear is almost underwater? I wonder what she had onboard? lovely old linens is my guess, among other treasures. Or silks? Yummy.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Just beautiful! I love the cool crisp linens and the red stitching is so country romantic...love it, love it, love it!
♥, Susan

Tommie Jo said...

Those are dreamy! Just beautiful!

Denise said...

Oh my gosh......how beautiful and TELL ME!!!!!!!!!! Who made that lamp shade........... I want one! I want one! I want one! If you made that do you make them to sell? If not will you??????? OMG it is just wonderful !!!!!!!!

Have a blessed Sunday

Judi said...

What a pretty post. I love the stand you have to display all the pretties. Beautiful linens and monogrammed too....what is the quilted fabric in red and white. It is lovely!!
hope you are enjoying this Labour Day weekend...
Judi

Dena said...

I don't know what I love more, the linens, the ladder, or the lampshade! Goodness Becky, that was simply yummy eye candy any way you slice it :) Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,
Dena

Anonymous said...

Hello Becky, Very sweet display of linens! The "ladder" looks just like the back piece of an iron daybed that I had as a teen in the 80s. The bed had to be put together (this is how I rcognize it) and this was the back rail that you would lean against. Or pile a million pillows against!! :) Have a great labor day! Jodi

Martine said...

Love the linens... my baby linens are actually my great grandmother's from France. My mom cut them down to fit the crib and cradle. They are so well made and feel really luxurious!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

EMALINE... Isn't that a charming name??? LOVE your linens...and the way you've displayed them... Not to mention that over the TOP cute lampshade. .... Sigh..... I want allll of it! :-)

Huggies,
Spencer