Thursday, November 4, 2010

Against the grain..............


Newly acquired linen and hemp grain sacks......and my adorable lavender sachet......a gift from dear friend Ulrike at Lingering Shade whom I met in person at the Asheville blogging get together last month.
 
It all started here for me just over two years ago.  At long last, my journey in search of a style of decoration for my own home was recognized.  Here at La Madone in Provence, at our apartment in the large old house in Apt, my head spun, my heart pounded, and I caught my breath as we opened the door. 


Simple but elegant.  Neutral, peaceful, simplified, but with plenty of unusual things to look at.  History, a story, time-worn, cherished before, parts of loved objects now resting in a tranquil place, thanks to a lovely couple who have put their hearts and souls into bringing beauty to this old building.


If you have a hankering for antique and vintage grain sacks, you'll know what these are all about!  These were my first and I actually bought the two wonderful antique pillow covers off the daybed in the apartment! Love the vintage cotton trim which makes them different. Purchased several lovely monogrammed antique linen dish towels also - these are French items easily transported home in a suitcase.


I've now moved the pillows from the guest room bed to chairs.............because the custom sized pillow inserts arrived for the wonderful sacks I found recently in Asheville while treasure hunting with Penny and the bloggers!
The peaceful guest room which I try hard to keep clutter-free!


Great linen and hemp texture, hand stitched, mixed with Rachel Ashwell's silky smooth embroidered sheets in French grey......also her natural color linen blend duvet cover and shams.


Lastly, another well-worn smooth sack from France, I used to upholster an odd chair where I sit almost daily while chatting with you.  This fabric apparently never shows wear, or wears out, so is a great investment!  Prices for genuine European sacks vary, I've found those offered online seem to start around $45, meanwhile the long bolster sack with the double red stripe I found in Asheville was only $33 - a huge bargain.  Domestic grain sacks are usually cotton, less textured and lighter weights - some have original writing or illustrations and make very interesting pillows.


I'll always be on the look out for grain sacks................a road trip is beckoning!

17 comments:

  1. Your bed looks wonderful with the grain sack you found here!
    Hugs,
    Penny
    p.s. going back to the Stone House Market restaurant tomorrow night with the other Penny from Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen. Will be thinking of you, Bob, Ulrike and Craig while there...
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  2. I love them all. I like the little bag holding some lavender? Such a cute idea. Tammy

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  3. Your guest room is the picture of subdued elegance. It reminds me very much of the apartment you stayed in. It must be a wonderful feeling to know that you have found your style...something that speaks to you above all else.

    I am also loving the gorgeous chair that you had reupholstered in the grain sack. Just beautiful!

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. Hello there! I thought of you during my cross country travels ... the closest I may have come to you? Roswell GA or Chattanooga TN cruising the Tennessee River!

    Your Jasmine and my Charlie are the same age ~ and both beautiful beyond words, inside and out!

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  5. I have a very old hemp sheet, is it any good to you? I've never used it.

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  6. Everything is beautiful! I am in love with the long bolster pillow.
    xo, Sherry

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  7. Mary, that is beautiful!! I need a bigger house where I can have my own room to play!!

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  8. Gosh Mary, you are so talented to be able to turn grain sacks into beauties. Love all of the chandeliers too. Tres chic.
    Sam

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  9. Gorgeous. You've used your grain sacks in such a lovely manner. I love your guest room and the chair...ah!

    xo
    Claudia

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  10. I love the simple elegance in your guest room and looking behind your chair in the dining area. Beautifully simple.

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  11. Grain sack pillow are wonderful. Just love them so much! I was fun to see the apartment you stayed in too.

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  12. Mary I love love your home!! I wish I could see it in person. You have impeccable taste. I am dying to recover my chair in that fabric. I love the blue of your hutch...just what I want to do to my china cabinet. Love seeing photos of your home!!
    Pamela xo

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  13. Oh, I want to be a guest in this room. All stunning and looks so relaxing.
    Love your style, Mary. The chair is perfection! ~ sarah

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  14. I'm glad you like the sachet, and that you placed it in your guest room which is absolutely gorgeous. I noticed that one of the pillows has the initial U on it! So hard to come by over here.
    I am working on changing things around here from summer to fall/winter.
    Hugs from both of us!
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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  15. Well Mary, you most certainly have good tastes, msut say. Your home looks so cozy adn inviting. how delightful it would be to stop by for a cup of tea....if you lived about 2000 miles closer~!

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