Linens: Preparing and Welcoming a New Season
As February still brings an early morning frost and a chill remains in the air, I feel a stir within my soul as signs of spring bloom. The daffodils begin pushing through the ground, reaching for the warm sun.
I am thankful for the renewal during the winter months and eager for the warmth of the new season that awaits me.
I am taken back by fond memories of helping my grandmother and her sister with preparing my grandparent's home for spring. They would make a weekend of taking all the drapes and cafe curtains down, stripping beds, pulling out all the linens, napkins, and tablecloths, washing, hanging on the clothesline, and hand pressing each piece.
I can remember their gratification as each one was neatly folded, stored in its rightful palace, or rehung on the drapery rods.
I can recall, even as a child, how this simple task felt. I can still see and feel the drapes softly flowing with the gentle breeze through the open window and the smell of the freshly washed linens lingering in the air.
“For me, a calm house equals a calm heart equals a calm life.”
- Erica Layne
I have always been drawn to beautiful linens and especially vintage European heirloom linens with monograms. I love how the cotton or linen feels in my hand and the soft texture of the aged pieces. I could linger for days at an estate sale or antique market, sifting through the beautifully stacked textiles, touching and feeling each one as if they were going to magically tell me their story. I am drawn to collecting vintage dinner napkins, cocktail napkins, hand towels, tablecloths, and bed linens.
They have a familiar connection to the past, an unknown story that intrigues me. What did the initials stand for, how did they gather in their home, and who so beautifully cared for these old linens?
I am their caretaker and will pass them on to my children as treasured gifts.
It does my soul good to carve out time to hand wash and press my linens, and in a sense, it is therapy for me. I build a fire and light a candle as instrumental jazz plays softly in the background. I enjoy this time and am thankful for the sense of accomplishment it gives me.
I love to carefully look at the intricate detail on these linens and the attention given to the small hand-mending on several vintage napkins. They were not discarded as unuseful; instead, a beautifully stitched repair was lovingly done.
“The space you live in, and the things you surround yourself with directly influence you life.”
- Lauren Jo
I live my life immersed in the details and intentions given to our home and my client’s home. I want my family, friends, and clients to feel the intended thought and connection that a simple linen dinner napkin or hand towel for their guest powder room feels to them and their guests.
I want each and every person that is invited into my home to have a sense of being loved on and pampered.
By taking time to hand wash, hand press, and organize my linens, I am restoring my soul, making room for myself to breathe, dream, and create. Home holds the stories and the story we are creating and nurturing for our family and others to enjoy.
I hope that as I invite others into our home and gather, they can feel the extra bit of love and care given to them and their connection to home.
