Secret Life of Antiques: Collecting Antique French Kitchen Linens

Collecting antique French kitchen linens is addictive. Bright, sturdy, beautiful, and oh so usable, I personally have never met an antique French towel I didn’t love. The ones I love date to the late 19th century, were hand spun from linen or linen and flax, and have neatly embroidered “marquettes” {laundry initials to identify owners at the village laundry} or monograms on the front.

Antique kitchen linens are a wonderful French antique collection to begin right now. Over the last few years, with France’s younger generation inheriting their grandmother’s or mother’s hand made trousseau, pieces that were seldom or never used have become available. While a pristine towel isn’t that common, many of these antique textiles are in very, very good condition for their age.  The towels we just recently unpacked were all from family trousseaus, and have such gorgeous “hand” {how a fabric feels} and then there are the hand embroidered marquettes or monograms. Usually in red, although some of the rarer to find pieces I was able to acquire have initials in blue or lavender.

A fantastic way to connect to the history of France, and the women who spent years making and then embroidering their towels for their wedding trousseau. Please check out our latest collection of antique towels {at the bottom of the page and the next page} , I know you will fall in love with these decorative antique textiles! I have to admit, that each time I unpack another box, a few end up staying in our kitchen here at home.

I’m excited that our very popular Organic Country Soap is back in stock, even prettier than before. Handmade in small batches in a 19th century country farmhouse using only the finest pure, natural ingredients. Wonderfully fragrant and moisturizing, rich with natural oils and fats and the deliciously subtle fragrances. Each rustic 4 oz. bar is hand cut and long lasting. Beautifully hand wrapped with French Country papers, ribbons & tags, exclusive to FrenchGardenHouse. A luxury hostess gift, if you can bear to part with these lovelies once they arrive chez vous.

We are in the midst of rebranding and making a totally new and improved website this month. Thrilling, but quite a lot of work, {not to mention lots of thinking} making for a long day every day. I truly look forward to arriving in my kitchen each evening, cooking a lovely meal, at times with a glass of merlot in hand.  I love our kitchen, and cherish my own collection of antique French towels. A pretty soap by the sink, and all is well with my visual cuisine world!  I’ll keep you posted about the new website, and once it’s up I hope you will give me your thoughts and feedback.  In the meantime, from my kitchen to yours, I wish you Bon Appétit!

Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours.Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com.