Collecting Vintage French Textiles; Decorating with Antique Silk Brocade; Nantucket Lightship Baskets; History, Craftsmanship & Timeless American Style; Decorating with Collectible Heirlooms; Styling with Vintage Treasures; Caring for Antique Textiles
Collecting
Vintage French Textiles
Reupholstering in vintage French brocade fabric not only can give a fresh, modern take but also adds a touch of tradition to your space. Repurposing fabrics is a great way to add a unique, one-of-a-kind design to a room, creating a perfect blend of modernity and history.
The shop owner acquired this unique vintage fabric many years ago at a textile show, possibly originating from the Lyon region of France, an area renowned for its exquisite textiles.
Designed in a French heavy satiny silk brocade, tone on tone, weaved feuillages (foliage) motifs!
Nantucket Lightship Baskets
A few years ago, I styled models on India Street in Nantucket, where I was loaned an antique Nantucket Lightship Basket, possibly dating back to the 1800s, for the photoshoot. It remains one of my favorite shoots I have styled. The basket, rooted deep in American history, culture, and timeless style, added the perfect touch to our editorial.
Lightship baskets, made from rattan and wood, have a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s on the American Shoal lightships. The craft of basket weaving, which began even earlier on whaling ships, was a pastime for Captain Thomas S. James and his crew until the government forbade it. However, the tradition continued on land, and in the 1940s, it was further developed by José Fermoso Reyes, a Harvard University graduate. Reyes designed lids and adorned them with various motifs, such as ivory whales. The art of basket weaving on the island of Nantucket is a testament to the enduring American heritage. The ultimate accessory on the Island of Nantucket is sporting a Lightship Basket/Handbag over a designer bag, and we absolutely love it!
Autumn Beauty
Additional Reading
The Paris House Travel Planning Services