Vintage Linens & Fabrics

The other day I decided to reorganize our linen closet in the hallway, and I was immediately drawn to my stack of vintage linens and fabrics. These pieces have so much sentimental value to me as they were mostly my grammy's and great aunt's items. The colors, the textures and, once again, the memories. So, I decided it would be wonderful to reminisce. Growing up I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' home in Topsfield, Mass. In my younger years, the house had such fun 1970s colors, from the wallpaper to the furniture to the fabric and linens. Even the walls in the upstairs bedroom had really groovy floral wallpaper. Grammy really enjoyed vivid colors (perhaps that's where my love of fun colors came from). So, let's get back to my linen closet. I pulled everything out and boy did the memories flood back. My great aunt was an amazing weaver and lived in Oklahoma. I only met her once in my life, but she left me many of her weavings; from table runners to small table covers to wall hangings. The vibrant colors, the softness and the realization of the time that went into making these pieces enhances their specialness to me. I am very lucky to have so many of them. Then there is the pile of tablecloths (unfortunately, I am not one to iron my linens prior to putting them away). I pulled them out, folded them neatly and began to remember my grammy. My kitchen window is even adorned with fun, flowered curtains that I made from one of her tablecloths. She is in my heart every time I look at them. Throughout all the years, the estates we have worked with, the customers I've met and the friends I've made, I am always drawn to the stories people have to tell about their collections and favorite family items they have kept. My friend Natalie is an amazing seamstress. She shared some of her memories with me along with a photo of a vintage quilt and embroidery panel that her great-grandmother made. She repurposed the panel into a pillow. "I think I just like the wide variety of patterns and colors that you find in vintage linens. These days home decor often leans towards neutrals and so I think there is something so joyous and whimsical about a brightly colored tablecloth with fruits and flowers. As far as my great-grandmother goes, she was born just around 1880 and at the end of her life was in a nursing home where she embroidered those linens, although I think she sewed when she was younger too. We called her Nana, so I love seeing her nickname embroidered in that pillow. I was named after her and was about 12 when she died so I don't have a ton of memories of her which is why I treasure her embroidery." It's one of my favorite things to constantly reiterate: Collect and save what you love and continue to tell the stories about where those things came from. What linens and fabrics do you have that mean so much to you? Spring is almost here and it will be the perfect time to pull out those fantastic and colorful pieces. Have a happy day! Kari Lindstrom is known for The Melamine Cup on Facebook and her past brick and mortar in Jaffrey that she ran for 12 years.