The Aesthete's Alphabet - L is for Linen

I decided to take a week's break which turned into two weeks and would have been more if my fans  hadn't complained that they are tired of "K for Knitting" and it's time to move on! Actually, only my husband complained, but I'm sure you have all been waiting with bated breath to see the next letter :).

I think linen is the fabric that best describes my preferred decorating style. Casual, subtle, timeless, a little wrinkled and imperfect, but with an understated elegance and luxury that is so appealing. Feast your eyes on all this lovely linen.

 



 



 



I hope you all have a wonderful week. We are going away for the Easter weekend so there might be another small blogging break pending, but I will get through the alphabet eventually, even if it takes me the whole year.

Till next time

 

Sharon x

Image source: 1. Zsa Zsa Bellagio 2.&3. Tumblr 4. Searching for Style 5. Remodelista 6, 7, 8 & 9 Tumblr 10. Charming Spaces 11. Pinterest 12. New England Home 13. Pinterest 14 Casa Decorada 15. Unknown, 16 Pinterest 17. 6th and Dewing Blog 18. Pinterest 19 Unknown 20 Fog Linen Work 21, 22. Tumblr 23. Buckets of Burlap 24, 25 Tumblr 26. via lululizinvintageland.blogspot 27, 28 & 29 Tumblr 30 Houzz 31  lululizinvintageland.blogspot  32 Renovation Therapy 33 Tongue in Cheek

Opulent Minimalism

I like things! There, I've said it! I love browsing in shops and markets. I am a collector and a gatherer and I am the first to admit it. However, I find that I am more and more drawn to pared down interiors; rooms that are sparsely furnished and accessorised.

I love rooms with bare wood or stone floors and roughly plastered walls, furnished with just a few, beautiful antiques and carefully edited accessories. I call it "opulent minimalism".

This is definitely not to be confused with the contemporary minimalist look that is all about chrome and glass and sharp edges and boxy furniture! That look is the complete antithesis of what I love.

Rooms that have beautiful proportions and interesting architectural details don't need a lot of adornment.

A few French antiques are all that is needed, upholstery must be in vintage linen or plush velvet.

Windows are left unadorned.

An air of romance presides and aged patina is a must.

Walls are left mostly bare.

 

The few pieces in the room must make a statement.

Old books and interesting artifacts are all the accessories that are needed.

Beautiful and elaborate sconces and chandeliers create the required opulence.

A beautiful canopy bed needs only a small and simple side table.

Gilt fits perfectly with this look.

An exotic and elaborate piece of furniture creates interest.

No clutter is allowed

I think this type of interior requires quite a lot of discipline? Discipline that I'm not sure that I have! Do you?

 

 

 

Till next time

 

Sharon x

Images via: Pinterest, Cote de Texas, EuroAntiqueMarket, Eclectic Revisited, Veranda, Simple Everyday Glamour, UKTV, Pure Provenance.

Linen Love

My dear blog friend, Colette, from the beautiful blog La Brocanteuse, had a bad fall recently and broke her leg and her foot. She has to recuperate with her leg elevated for 8 weeks, which must be so frustrating for her! If you follow her blog, you will know that she is the queen of beautiful old French linen. It is not only her business, it is her passion and she is hugely knowledgeable about the subject. In fact the very magazine I referred to in my previous post, the August issue of House and Leisure, includes an interview with Colette on vintage linen! I thought, to cheer her up, I would find some pictures of beautiful linen, some old, some new, but all lovely. Get well soon, Colette!

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Wishing you all a wonderful week.

Till next time

Sharon x