sorting and storing french linens

by Sharon Santoni
[blank]So yes, it is true that antique linens make for a lot of work – but in my books it is worth every minute.[blank]
[blank]There is simply nothing like slipping in between freshly pressed, heavy, smooth linen sheets.  It is addictive![blank]

[blank]Guests to our cottage always comment on the ‘linen experience’, they even call them magic and claim that they replace sleeping tablets![blank]

[blank]So as we approach the end of the summer, I like to take stock of my sheets.  Refresh the lavender in the armoires, sort the pillow shams by size and dream about the next ones I may find at a fair or auction ….  like I said, addicted.[blank]

27 comments

Anonymous August 22, 2013 - 12:29 pm

You had absolutely lucky guests sleeping in such wonderful linens.Thanks God I have some new friends coming in September for bird watching.I'm about to select my best linens some of them inherited from my late mother in law some "new" old pillowcases found at the brocante in the nearby town.Sorry not being able to send the photos. Love from the Great Hungarian Plain left by the storks already though awaiting the cranes for a rest on their way to the south.Dorka http://www.dorottyaudvar.co.hu

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Di August 22, 2013 - 1:08 pm

Just beautiful, love, love those linens. Di@Cottage-wishes

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Jennie @ Got My Reservations August 22, 2013 - 2:24 pm

I hope to someday visit your cottage and experience those sheets. Lovely post!

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Jennifer August 22, 2013 - 3:46 pm

Oh, I wish I had the whole cabinet full!

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Roxane August 22, 2013 - 4:47 pm

I know I slept "like a log" on those beautiful linens at your cottage! Unfortunately, I've never bought any antique bed linens for home use even though I'm one of a minority that really enjoys ironing. I barely find time to fold the regular sheets that we have!

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helle August 22, 2013 - 5:41 pm

Makes two of us, you have a lovely Collection!

Helle:))

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Jennifer Clark August 22, 2013 - 6:07 pm

In my fantasies, the ones where I am wealthy, I sleep in pressed linen sheets scented with lavender. I try to stick to high thread-count cotton, but I go thru linens the way my cat goes thru crunchies. Sigh… Not a lot of linen sheets to be found whilst antiquing here in California. I'd love to be in your cottage someday!

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Anonymous August 22, 2013 - 8:28 pm

Do you iron them all yourself?!

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Debbie August 23, 2013 - 1:45 am

I visited friends in Germany a few years ago and the sheets in the guest room had been given to my friend by her grandmother. They were very old but still in excellent condition. Up until then I had never experienced sheets with such a high thread count. When I got home I sorted through all my cheap sheets that had not worn well during the few months I'd been using them (the pilling on them is enough to keep me awake) and vowed to buy better quality bedding from then on. It's an impossible dream to find antique bed linens in Australia. (if there were any they would be so expensive) so in the meantime I shop for high thread count/hotel quality sheets and European style sheets that are becoming more available here.
I find I definitely sleep better when the sheets are of good quality.

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Lorrie August 23, 2013 - 4:28 am

Beautiful linens. You must just enjoy opening the cupboard doors and looking at them. Like a poem in cloth.

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Sarah August 23, 2013 - 6:17 am

What a treat it must be to be a guest in your cottage. I've antique pillow shams that I've brought back from France, but no sheets. How do you iron them?

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Colleen Taylor August 23, 2013 - 6:52 am

Exquisite linens Sharon! They remind me of my children's christening gowns from long ago. What beauty!

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peggy braswell August 23, 2013 - 7:18 am

so divine + all the monograms! I am green with envy. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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vicki archer August 23, 2013 - 7:21 am

Me too! I know just how you feel… xv

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martinealison August 23, 2013 - 7:36 am

Comme je vous comprends… J'ai grandi dans des draps de lin. L'hiver on a bien chaud et l'été ils sont rafraîchissants.
Gros bisous

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Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest August 23, 2013 - 8:14 am

Sigh…………

Just lovely, so special and so so beautiful.

What an awesome post.

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Anonymous August 23, 2013 - 12:48 pm

Sharon, Your linens are gorgeous! I am a textile fanatic of vintage linens. The one thing I do not have is vintage french linen sheets. I would love to acquire two for my queen bed. So, if you are out and about brocante hunting and come across a few, would you let me know if you are able to pick up a few. I am definately interested! Janet A.

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Nella Miller August 23, 2013 - 1:57 pm

All I can say is gorgeous…stunning collection! You have started me on something here….I have slept on linen sheets in Italy, in my Grandmother's home….nothing on earth like it..beautiful…N.xo

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Emily @ Town And Country Shuffle August 23, 2013 - 2:17 pm

Hi Sharon,

Your collection is absolutely beautiful. Did you ever find vintage sheets with your initials on them? Just curious…

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Cindy Vetrano August 23, 2013 - 2:29 pm

By chance does the sheet/sham in the last photo have the monogram "V"? My last name is a "V" and they are so hard to find! Can we make a deal??? Cindy Vetrano

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Anonymous August 23, 2013 - 6:33 pm

"Poem in cloth" ~ I like that!

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tia maria luiza August 23, 2013 - 8:52 pm

How delightful just to look at! Beautiful photos, too!
Regards, thank you for your lovely blog, it always makes my day.
Maria Luiza

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Marcia C August 23, 2013 - 9:22 pm

Love the beautiful linens! Especially the one with my initials on it!

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Anonymous August 23, 2013 - 9:37 pm

Do you have only flat sheets or fitted sheets as well?

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Botanic Bleu August 26, 2013 - 8:25 am

Beautiful linens…can almost feel the heavy, yet smooth texture of the linen.

Judith

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Jenny October 26, 2013 - 3:11 am

Oh my what a lovely country home you have, so fascinating how beautiful it is, the classy linens fits just right for you.

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suzanna November 26, 2013 - 4:38 am

I am “addicted” to linen sheets, hands down ~ love love love them ~ forever ~

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