COLLECTING| Initial Attraction with Romantic Homes Magazine

There is something exciting about setting a table with real linen napkins, isn't there? It's almost like you are investing in spending some time with people you love at the table by placing cloth napkins there. I am excited about my article in Romantic Homes Magazine this month. The magazine has a new editor, Courtney Allison, as well as a whole new direction. I think you will LOVE IT! It's about a whole new romance, an updated, fresh new look to the magazine I have a slight addiction, ahem, love for antique linens, and monogrammed ones? They are at the top of my list of things to love and use on a daily basis. Sharing about the history of monograms, linens and tips on how to enjoy monogrammed linens was pure joy. Once only royalty or nobility could afford linens adorned with their own initials. Their household linens were painstakingly embroidered with white satin stitches with great finesse by hand. I love the antique linens, one-of-a-kind pieces with monograms that have storied pasts. I think about who made them, who owned them, and how many dinners and fancy soirees they were a part of, don't you? Like this set. One of the most unusual tablecloth and napkin sets I've ever had to offer for sale. Tapestry 18th century musicians are woven right into the damask, the napkins have a violin player on one side, a triple monogram on the other. Was this part of tables set by a famous conductor? A violin player in an orchestra? That to me is the mystery of antique and vintage pieces, their history and what if's.... Antique linens with hand embroidered monograms took months of patient and devoted stitching. Household linens comprised a large part of a family’s wealth, they were carefully preserved and handed down from generation to generation. They were so important they are mentioned in the household contents in most 16th, 17th and 18th century wills. Brought into being with great love, using antique monogrammed linens is one of the best ways to express your personal style at home, they bridge the past and the future. The joys of collecting antique linens with monograms are many, there is a certain romance to weaving your own stories into their provenance. TIPS FOR ENJOYING YOUR MONOGRAMMED LINENS 1. Use your Antique Linens. Monogrammed linens were meant to be used daily, for the lifetime of a husband and wife, and then passed on. Most have been used over 100 years, these linens still have plenty of years left to make your home beautiful. 2. Launder. Avoid using bleach, it’s too harsh on the natural fibers. A gentle soaking is usually all that is required to get out spots, you can use a product especially made for antique linens. You can carefully rub a combination of lemon juice, white vinegar and salt on a spot and lay the piece in the sun for a few hours. 3. Dry Outside. Avoid using the dryer because dryers will remove lint from antique linens, which makes the fabric feel less smooth. Hang your linens outdoors to dry, they will be fresh and smell wonderful. 4. Iron if Needed. {If you love the way antique linens look without ironing, then skip this. } Try to time your ironing so that your pieces are still damp, this will make it easier to press out wrinkles. Use a spray bottle of water to spray each piece, then roll up in a little bundle. Place the monograms right side down over a terrycloth towel on your ironing board, so as not to flatten the embroidery, and press. You want to iron the linens completely dry. 5. Store with Care. Store you antique linens in your linen closet with care by gently folding each piece. Add some lavender sachets for fragrance. Drape heavy hand embroidered tablecloths or sheets over a padded hanger and hang in a clothing closet. Never press on folds, as this weakens the fibers. 6. Mix & Match. It’s great fun to mix and match your linens, using antique shams with different monograms together with a contemporary duvet on your bed, or a different napkin at each place setting. There are no rules to follow, if you love antique linens, use them every way you can think of! Truly exceptional antique monogrammed linens are getting more difficult to come by. As the old chateaus and family homes are being sold, less and less heirloom quality linens are coming on the market. Collect antique monogrammed linens and buy the best you can find. Use them everywhere at home, these old treasures were meant to be seen, and pull on your heartstrings.

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