I remember hearing from someone or reading somewhere the origins of puddled curtains and draperies. Apparently in years past ( I believe it was the Victorian era) as a subtle "show" of ones wealth homeowners would have curtains made for the their windows overly long so as to puddle lavishly on the floor...as if to say, "Look at my home! I have so much money I can afford to buy more fabric than I need!" without of course, ever really saying that.
I am wondering if this new "age of austerity" we are in is the reason behind the wild rage for burlap, muslin and all things plain and homespun. Remember, just a few short years ago, when EVERYONE just had to have a granite countertop? People were sucking equity out of their homes to install zen shower retreats and stainless appliances. I don't think anyone even thought twice about it. I don't think tasteful restraint was a trait many were aspiring to. I'm not blaming or judging. It is just the times we were living in. Not many of us questioned it.
Maybe too, this return to natural fabrics and prim decor is about desiring that warmth of home. Granite, stainless, metal, those can be so cold when they are standing alone in all their expensive grandeur. A painful reminder of our thoughtless spending. But cotton, calicos, burlaps, leather and raw silks shimmer and radiate a warmth all their own. They've lead a life all their own long before they graced your home.
Perhaps we feel now that it is enough just to have a place to live? It doesn't have to be grand, or fancy or flashy. It just needs to exist. A set of plain little muslin curtains for privacy. A favorite chair covered in a not so perfect homemade slip, suitable for dog or human. Flour, sugar, tea and coffee in the cupboard and a nice bottle of wine to share with friends and the affirmation that another month has passed and you've paid all your bills. Or at least most of them. Looking at your belongings and knowing you own them in all their dilapidated glory. You are not making the 50th payment to Pottery Barn for that sofa you don't even like anymore and are ashamed to have anyone see.
So, if our faded glory style is a sign of lessons learned then I'm glad we've learned them. I think this supposed cold new age of austerity might just be the warmest age yet! :)
I am wondering if this new "age of austerity" we are in is the reason behind the wild rage for burlap, muslin and all things plain and homespun. Remember, just a few short years ago, when EVERYONE just had to have a granite countertop? People were sucking equity out of their homes to install zen shower retreats and stainless appliances. I don't think anyone even thought twice about it. I don't think tasteful restraint was a trait many were aspiring to. I'm not blaming or judging. It is just the times we were living in. Not many of us questioned it.
Maybe too, this return to natural fabrics and prim decor is about desiring that warmth of home. Granite, stainless, metal, those can be so cold when they are standing alone in all their expensive grandeur. A painful reminder of our thoughtless spending. But cotton, calicos, burlaps, leather and raw silks shimmer and radiate a warmth all their own. They've lead a life all their own long before they graced your home.
Perhaps we feel now that it is enough just to have a place to live? It doesn't have to be grand, or fancy or flashy. It just needs to exist. A set of plain little muslin curtains for privacy. A favorite chair covered in a not so perfect homemade slip, suitable for dog or human. Flour, sugar, tea and coffee in the cupboard and a nice bottle of wine to share with friends and the affirmation that another month has passed and you've paid all your bills. Or at least most of them. Looking at your belongings and knowing you own them in all their dilapidated glory. You are not making the 50th payment to Pottery Barn for that sofa you don't even like anymore and are ashamed to have anyone see.
So, if our faded glory style is a sign of lessons learned then I'm glad we've learned them. I think this supposed cold new age of austerity might just be the warmest age yet! :)
Materials like linen and burlap evoke comfort, home, warmth, daily life to me. We're going back to basics and thinking long term. Decor has turned monochromatic to extend it's life and uses. We inject the new into old furniture recreating it on a dime. More and more women, such as myself, are getting back into sewing or starting, learning skills such as upholstery, cooking more rather than eating out. All things to remedy impulsive or luxury spending. It's a treat to have social tools, like blogs where women can share skills and open areas of creativity. In some cases reminding us of sweet simplicity and how we are able to make things happen without emptying our purses.
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