Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a happy new year for 2010 - a new decade too. I had hoped to go to my first auction of the year however the weather has conspired against this.....

 This is the view of my garden and look at the depth of the snow on the picnic table below

So I think that I will just stay indoors, turn up the heating and sort out linen from the linen cupboard ready for selling.  Those buyers brave enough (or foolish enough!) to get to the auctions today will probably get some bargains as there will be fewer bidders but I want to stay warm and dry!

The Real Linen Cupboard!!

It is really starting to feel like Christmas. We have snow on the ground, the fires have been lit every day and the tree is decorated. I always try to sort and tidy my linen stock at this time and to remind me that it is possible took a photo of the linen cupboard (or one of them!) as it should look!

There is a saying that "you can never have too many books in a house"....is the same true for pillowcases I wonder?

It does look nice all folded and stored neatly but those who know me can guarantee that it won't last!

Xmas presents - part 2

I had great intentions of displaying some small linen and lace items that would make great Xmas gifts however my customers have been having a buying frenzy and as soon as I have listed items for sale they are snapped up and I'm off to the Post Office again!  Some of the most popular items have been vintage nightdress cases like the ones below.

Originally intended to enclose your nightwear through the day, they make very decorative boudoir cushion covers. They are generally half the size of  a standard pillow and make a lovely display on the bed or on a bedroom chair.

The other items that have been flying out of the shop are Victorian nightdresses. People buy them for all sorts of reasons; for display in a corner of a bedroom to add a Victorian touch of lace, for use in the Christmas amateur dramatic production of "A Christmas Carol" and others simply to wear!

This long one with long sleeves is very pretty and probably best suited to our cold English weather but there are warm weather alternatives too.

And despite the fact that I have sold probably hundreds of these nightgowns I hardly ever find two the same. So each buyer knows that they have an original garment.

Ideas for Xmas gifts - part 1

Antique and vintage linens and textiles make lovely gifts and are not necessarily expensive either. I bought a number of Irish linen damask towels from auction last month and they are being snapped up by buyers just as soon as I can wash them!

They give a feminine look to a bathroom or guest room - even softening my quite minimilist bathroom!

Here I've used one on the bath and a couple on an old Lloyd Loom clothes basket

Or pop one on a towel airer or radiator.

I also like the old Irish linen huckaback towels in the kitchen. These two with coloured stripes look great with the range cooker ( and as they are thick they withstand the heat of the Aga too when it comes to getting hot dishes from the oven)

Country house style cushions

More cushions!  These ones have a definite country house look about them. They came from an auction in Yorkshire. They are all hand embroidered - the middle one with embroidery silks and the other four with tapestry wools.

Use to brighten up a chair or just to make an inviting place to sit.

They make a perfect Xmas gift!

Warm up the winter with a blanket or two.

I have recently acquired a collection of wool blankets - plain coloured and tartan check.
Blankets are great for a variety of uses - to cover an old stool, as a knee rug for the colder evenings, snuggle under on the sofa or use on the bed!

They can also be used to cover an old armchair or sofa as they are very hard wearing. They will also complement either a traditional or contemporary interior

If you are lucky enough you may be able to find a tartan rug for your "Clan".  The rug below is the MacDonald dress tartan

Suitcases of linen!

At a recent auction I bought some linen which came from a large house in Harrogate, Yorkshire. The linen, much of it unused, had been stored in the house in old suitcases and so the suitcases came with the tablecloths, sheets and napkins.

The almost square shape trunk is paticularly nice. In fact, there were two but I was approached by a couple who wanted to buy the other one before I had even paid for the lot at auction! 

The cases and trunks were quite dusty but after cleaning and waxing they have "brushed up" well! Old leather has a lovely patina and glow and old suitcases can be used in many ways... as coffee tables if they are tall enough, to store documents or clothes or simply as decorative items in a bedroom or study.

They are currently for sale on eBay - maybe the perfect Xmas present for someone?

  

 !