For Your Chateau

 

Bringing it back! In today's For Your Chateau we look at costume and reenactment apparel; and with the success of the Bridgerton franchise I thought we'd encompass "the long 18th century" with some Regency items. Making repeat appearances are items from Etsy favorites RoseGalante and Sign of the Grey Horse. Don't forget that many shops are having 4th of July sales right now, so you might snag some historical styles for less!

For Your Chateau

 

After a bit of a hiatus, brought on by a rather busy semester, FYC is back! If you enjoyed my (still ongoing) posts about the new fireplace with its blue and white tiles, then you may be thinking of something similar for your abode, in which case the hand-painted Delft tile may be just the thing. It would pair beautifully with the decorative wallpaper upon which you could always hang the chateaux prints, just to drive home the theme. Or perhaps the lovely, if expensive, painting from FrenchCountryGirl, which is a shop I just discovered. 

I'm on a bit of a lavender kick myself, and ever year I buy and grow more. Just today I was musing over the likelihood of putting in a lavender hedge this year. If not that, though, I may finally cave and get the decorative napkins I've liked for a while, or maybe bring the outdoors in with the tea towel. 

Purchased or made anything new for your personal chateau lately? I'd love to hear about it!

For Your Chateau- Under $100!

 

A little something for your home, a little something for yourself. From books to cushions to rings, and even a wall plaque to help you live your best French fantasy. There's even a gorgeous original painting (one of a kind, not a print or a series!) for under $100! The beautiful frame listed is only one of several from the same supplier, and honestly I was surprised to be able to find all of these delightful things for so comparatively little. I can just imagine creating a statement wall with that antique wallpaper, framing the waterlilies-esque painting with the rococo frame, and sitting down to read the Dumas book supported by those plump and pretty pillows. 

For Your Chateau

 

If you're in possession of some holiday funds you're itching to spend, here are a few 18th century themed ideas for your home and personal enjoyment!

For Your 18th Century Gifting

 

I hope all those who celebrate Thanksgiving have had a marvelous one, with or without company! In the United States the day after is pretty much an unofficial-official holiday for excessive expenditure, or a time to get hopping on those end-of-year gifts. Per the usual, mine have all been order and most are wrapped at this point because I find it less of a financial strain if I pick up gifts throughout the year instead of all at the end. But that just me. For those who might be inclined to get others (or themselves, no judgement here) a little 18th century something, here are a few suggestions. Bonus:- this fits in nicely with the Shop Small/ Support Small Businesses movement.

18th century cartridge box- A note of warning before you fall too much in love with this item; it ships from the UK and has a current expected delivery date of anywhere from December 8th-28th so keep that in mind if planning to gift this. That being said, what a delightful gift it would be! It comes in a variety of color options or even as undyed leather, and there's an available insert to keep bullets tidy for an additional fee. Pretty sure to wow the military reenactor on your list.

Brass Cannon Genuine 18th Century Toy- Then again, if what you want is the genuine article, this little toy will give a thrill to any collector or historian. Found originally in the river Thames in England, it now resides in the U.S. and ships closer to home if you are stateside. 

Forget-Me-Not Buckle- It's no secret that SignoftheGrayHorse is one of my favorite Etsy shops, and you may recall that a month or two ago I bought a stunning stomacher jewel from them. So I can't recommend highly enough that if you are looking for the kind of buckles that ubiquitously adorned all manner of 18th century clothing, you might consider these charming reproductions which come in a variety of finishes. If that weren't enough to tempt you, they were created in collaboration with the talented American Duchess, whose fantastic line of shoes these would look fabulous on.

Shallow Crown Straw Hat- Another pretty dependably great supplier is FashionableFrolick and as usual they provide accessories that don't just approximate the time period, but really help take it from referential to real. It's easy to find cheap, plain straw hats in any craft store, but for the wide tightly woven kind with shallow flat crowns that you see in the portraits, you really do need to seek out a supplier of historical styles. The great thing about these is that they come in multiple widths and two colors, and can be styled trimmed to your heart's content.

Hair Powder Dispenser- LilBits has over 54K sales, and it's no wonder because some of this stuff is hard to find and their reputation for quality is truly excellent. One of the most authentic looks you can achieve for the 18th century is the powdered wig or hairstyle, and this is not easy to achieve by, say, sitting on your kitchen floor trying to filter flour over your locks from a sieve. Cough, not that I would know, cough. This little gadget would make things considerably easier for you or your favorite reenactor/costumer. This costumer gives it two flour-covered thumbs up!

Colored Hair Powder- Need powder for your dispenser? The HarriedHedgehog has you covered! Better yet, you can get it in a selection of period-appropriate colors like yellow and pink (though you may need to scroll through more of their stock for other options). It's organic and vegan and ships quickly. What's not to like?

Sadly the spinning top toys seem to be sold out already, but if you search for similar terms, you will still be able to find nearly identical items to keep your little tots appropriately entertained at your next event, even if they're in full public view.

18th century embroidered pocket pattern- PennyRiver has you covered if you're in the market for a gift for that crafter in your life. Their pocket pattern is affordable, comes complete with embroidery instructions and a guide to basic stitches, and will allow you or your loved one to make something uniquely all their own. 

Brass Straight Pins- It's impossible to overstate the importance and necessity of pins to the Georgian wardrobe. Dresses closed with pins, trim was applied in places with trims, stomachers could be pinned to stays with pins and then dresses to the stomachers with pins. You can use modern pins, of course, but for that really stepped-back-in-time feeling you want to invest in authentic pins. At $8.25 for a 10-pack and free shipping, it's a pretty good deal. 

Custom 18th Century Style Drawing- For my money, one of my personal favorite options is the personalized portraits offered by EmArtProject, but if you do go this route you'd better hop to it because they naturally take 2-3 weeks to execute. Send a photo and have yourself or your Rococo aficionado friend immortalized in a totally unique sketch that captures them in their preferred style. Surely this idea is hard to beat.

Used any of these services? Have other 18th century gift ideas? I'm always interested to hear them so drop me a comment!

For Your Chateau

 

I know, I still haven't posted that update on the fireplace mantle project, there were set-backs galore I'm afraid. In the meantime, the blue and white theme hasn't entirely disappeared as I continue to dream of having a themed Christmas tree one of these years. For reasons of frugality this will not be the year to do it, but a girl can hope. I might consider the decoupaged sand-dollar one for my parents though, who live at the beach and have no less than three or four Christmas trees every year. 

On the other hand, the lovely little chateau print won't break the bank and I have a back room that's slowly but surely being converted into a bit of a medieval-esque theme, so this would look very well on the wall in there, especially if I can find several similar ones. Or just get to work on that illuminated alphabet I've been telling myself I'll do someday.

Perhaps though, the best item this week is a book whose tile seems to evoke the general feeling of this uniquely problematic year; "The Battle of Life." I love the color for being so different from anything else I own in antique tomes and the cover illustration guarantees that it will likely never be squeezed away on a shelf. 

Next FYC, we'll look at some 18th-century themed gifts for you or the enthusiast in your life!

For Your 18th Century Wardrobe- Getting that fit

 

The world has always been obsessed with body image, our own and others around us. For a large chunk of history, this has meant constraining the female body especially to small waists that create emphasis on wide hips and large busts. Fertility ideals, if you will. But not every body has room for much constraint, some people are just built small. What do you do when you're a petite person and need to get the right fit for your historical clothing? 

Trust me, I know this difficulty all too well. I've tried the Uniquely You forms, which are okay, but don't stand up to heavy garments and long usage. I've bought young male forms and added padding for the chest, but the waist isn't really narrow enough so it throws the fit of the bodice off. I'd love to be able to just fit everything on my own actual body, but I lack a fitting partner to help me pin such things so I need a reliable body double form. 

Enter the customizable dress form patterns from Bootstrap fashion. This may be the last great hope of those who need a true double for hard-to-fit sizes, like, say, teeny tiny women with traditional curves and not androgynous waif proportions (which is what very small sizes often seem to assume). Most standard forms go down to maybe a 2, but some of us need more like a 0 or even XXS in the waist with a short torso. These patterns allow you to make all kinds of adjustments, spend less than $50 on it, and get a pattern in as quickly as a few minutes. 

This is my first time trying this, so we'll see how it goes, but I feel hopeful. Tried it yourself? I'd love to hear what your experience was like!

For Your Chateau- In Sapphire, Azure, and Peacock

 

Well, I enjoyed the last installment with all things green, so I thought we'd do it again in another shade. I had thought I had enough tiles for the mantle project, but it turns out that I either miscounted or I've mislaid one. Since I was looking for blue and white things anyhow, here's a selection of other great blue and white decor if you, like me, have such a scheme in your home. I'm seriously considering the Christmas ornaments, personally, since my tree is always put up in that room.

For Your Chateau- In Mint, Jade, Sage, and Emerald

 

See if you can guess the theme! I don't always decorate in blue and white, and increasingly I've been drawn to these kind of tones. Maybe it has something to do with getting out into the garden more during this seemingly-endless pandemic. Certainly as the days cool and the leaves change, my attention is turning back more to my interior spaces. What about you? Any projects on the horizon?

For Your Chateau

 

Apologies for the drive-by post, but things have been a bit hectic of late. I should have some exciting news to share soon, as well as an actual informative post; but in the meantime enjoy this week's curated selection of some of my favorite Etsy finds for your chateau and French-inspired dreams. 

For Your Chateau

 

I am almost done collecting all of the blue and white tiles that I will need for the mantle project, which is getting another round of sanding today since the paint and putting from its previous owner was flaking and uneven. Just one more tile, and the one featured in this week's picks is the one I am thinking I will purchase eventually.

I also did finally acquire that new bookcase I so desperately needed for the piles of books in my home. Oh there are still piles of books, despite the now four bookcases (it was five, but one collapsed last year), however now there are fewer piles and one very nice and convenient display in the sitting room. 

I've been familiar with the Sapphire and Sage supplier for many years, as I spent time as a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), but I'm out of the game and was surprised to see this vendor crop up in my Etsy recs. I probably wouldn't be considering the ring shown, except that it is inspired by Queen Elizabeth I's own ring showing the portrait of her mother, Anne Boleyn. I have a former student with whom I remain very close and who has a deep and abiding affection for Tudor history, especially Anne Boleyn, so I may get this for her for Christmas. 

Sadly we have had to cancel our trip to London in December. Stupid Covid. Mayhaps I will give myself the Dicken's London book as a pick-me-up for that disappointment. It's not that expensive.

Last, but not least, I am trying to make some improvements to the dining room, though the majority of it will certainly have to wait until next year. In the meantime I thought I could at least get a nice tablecloth, and of course the finest would be in Irish linen. My mother bought something lovely and similar in Dublin many years ago when we were on holiday, but hers is round and my table is rectangular. My partner suggested recently that we might spend Thanksgiving at home together this year instead of going up to D.C. to his family, so a pleasing tablescape would be very timely.

For Your (Georgian) Wardrobe

 

I thought that this week, instead of focusing on items for your home, we'd shift to looking at some 18th-century appropriate items for your wardrobe. I used to have the beginnings of a fan collection, but found it an expensive hobby without much intrinsic use and was forced to abandon it in favor of more practical things. Like books, as evidenced by the new bookcase that arrives tomorrow. Still I can't help but put a few of these gorgeous examples on my wishlist for the day when I can be just that little bit frivolous again. 

Happily, not all of the purchasing I've done in the past has been for me, and we were originally scheduled to do an 18th century show this year at work. I spent two month of the summer working on it, only to have it Covid-cancelled. Sad panda. However, I had already ordered two absolutely stunning wigs from DecorumetBagatelle all the way from France. Someday we will do that show, and in the meantime they will be great examples for my students. 

For Your Chateau

I will post a real post in a day or so, but it's been a crazy week and I am exhausted and emotionally drained after teaching each of my courses both in-person and online for those who prefer to stay as distant as possible in this era of Covid. The news is harrowing, and like many people I wonder what the shape of the future will be for both my theatre industry colleagues and my academic ones. I hope all of you out there are doing well. In the meantime, let's dream together about some beautiful textiles, garden features, and a tile option for the new mantle project (which I will have an update on soon).

For Your Chateau- Textiles and Metal Decor

The ironic thing about this week's For Your Chateau is that some of the items are not actually available anymore. Just since taking this Etsy screen shot a few days ago several of the pieces shown have sold, like the Peter Rabbit book and the antique altar candlestick. Alas, the book was priced to sell, but the candlestick surprised me because it was a pretty penny, as we say. Just goes to show that if you love it, grab it!

Fortunately there are some lovely textiles with which to console myself, and what could be more quintessentially French than some Toile de Jouy...oops, that sold too. Well, here in the U.S. we just had Labor Day with its sales, and Etsy certainly was encouraging sellers to offer discounts, which obviously a lot of buyers found encouraging (myself included, see the previous post about the stomacher jewelry).

As much as I love books, I have put a moratorium on buying any more at present until I also buy some new bookshelves. My current ones are falling apart under the weight of the collection and I have literally piles of books in corners and stacked on tables. I'll just have to dream. On the bright side, that stomacher brooch should arrive today...

Stomacher Jewelry and Where to Get It

We're certainly all familiar with the style of stomacher decoration known as "Echelles" with it's ladder of bows running up and down the front of the bodice, but for a grander impression some wealthy ladies might choose to wear stunning jeweled pieces either with or instead of the fabric trimmings. The idea seems to have evolved out of the elaborate "parures" pinned to the court gowns of the Tudor era, and were further exemplified in the 17th century for formal or court costume, as seen in the portrait to the left of the Electress of Palatine from the 1690s-early 1700s.

Far from falling out of favor in the Georgian era, they only became more variable, with small jewels forming patterns on gown fronts or large motifs covering the majority of the stomacher insert. Frequently depicted are the massive, intricate single brooches pinned to the top of the stomacher and draping pendular pieces down the center where they would catch the light the most (and not coincidentally, I think, draw attention to the bosom). 

While we no longer tend to favor this kind of style, you can find similar pieces in glass and crystal in department stores and specialty shops. Occasionally you can even find them as "statement pieces" particularly during after-Christmas sales. One of the best ways to find a truly 18th-century style stomacher jewel, though, is to find a reenactment supplier who specializes in European accessories. I recently went ahead and purchased just such a one after staring at it on my wishlist for years. Pictured here, it came from an Etsy seller called Sign of the Gray Horse who has many such items including more of the same one should you want to acquire your own. Worn here as a choker centerpiece, it can be moved to wherever you like, the same as an historical example would have been. 

For other great options, including a range of colors you might consider those available from Rose Galante, also on Etsy. I know I'm lusting after this citrine-looking one, but shall resist at present. Of course, the good news is that increasingly you can find large jewelry-fittings in this kind of style available at craft stores like Michael's, where you only have to supply your own pin back, or sew to a choker or piece of lace to create a perfect 18th century accessory.

For Your Chateau

 

In this week's installation of "For Your Chateau" we feature antique books and home decor and fine furnishings. These things are on my list in a confluence of past, present, and future. I'm a casual collector of antique books, in fact every time I go to London I pick up an antique book from Jarndyce booksellers across the street from the British Museum as my souvenir. I also decorate with a mix of antiques and antique-looking pieces as well as comfortable modern furnishings. I don't think I'll put the Louis XV chairs in my house at present, but they're a style I wouldn't mind owning for more formal spaces someday. The cabinet, on the other hand, is a much needed item that my dining room currently lacks, sadly all of my nice china and silver is in the confines of the guest room wardrobe until a proper cabinet can be acquired. 

The fire insert arrived just today to go inside of the mantle, which is still in the works, and it looks like I'll need a few more tiles to complete the filler detail between the  mantle and the insert, so one or two of these blue and white Delft-style tiles are going into the cart shortly. Don't worry, there are still some left if you'd like to get some too. 

I'll update with news of the mantle project hopefully soon. Until then happy shopping and happy weekend!

For Your Chateau- Etsy Finds

Clearly I spend some time every week trawling Etsy for interesting items for my home and work, so I thought I'd make it a part of my weekly blog posts to share these finds with you. A quick search of terms like "French Country" or "Brocante" or "Chateau" will yield a plethora of tempting options, and of course I have regular shops that I follow for porcelain, vintage textiles, and art. 

This week's spotlighted items include Provencal-style linens, crystal tableware, and French Country furnishings. I'm particularly interested in the pieces from RelovedHomeDesigns because of the free shipping included in the purchase price. So often when buying furniture online the shipping can be almost as much as the item itself, or even more! What initially seems like a deal turns out not to be in the end. Not only is the item here shipped for free, but the seller does the work of finding a shipping company, though note they only ship to the lower 48 states of the U.S. Sorry, international readers. Having recently inherited some of my grandmother's silver I probably won't be purchasing the little silver tray, but wouldn't it make a delightful vanity accessory? It was too lovely not to favorite with this week's picks, and maybe if I do acquire a proper china cabinet I'll have somewhere to display such things instead of shutting them away in the spare bedroom wardrobe, where they currently have to reside.

For Your Chateau- Etsy Finds

 I don't know about you, but I love to sift through sites like Etsy and Ebay and Ruby Lane for antiques and creative finds to make my surroundings more beautiful. As mentioned in the post of the Greek Revival fireplace surround, I have a blue and white themed sitting room full of delft tiles and porcelain. I'm forever on the lookout for things that will work with it in the room, or simply add to the collection. Here are some of my most recent finds.

You'll note that the Etsy store of BordeauxBrocante comes up pretty frequently. A brocante is basically like the French version of an antiques market. I've just stumbled onto that one, and I'm hooked on the lovely items and impressed by the styling of the photos. One of the things I use these sites for is to compare and get a better understanding of what things are worth on the market, that way I know that I'm paying a fair price when I make the leap to purchasing anything. Some items, especially genuine pieces from the past, are really worth paying a little more because the quality is so good compared to similar mass-produced items today. 

Have items, stores, or sites you love? I'd love to know about them too! Want to keep them all to yourself? That's fair. Either way, happy hunting!

For Your Chateau

 If you saw my last post about acquiring my new fireplace surround, and the Greek Revival style and related interior designs of the 18th and 19th century, then you'll have been introduced to a few examples and suppliers. If, however, you are hungry for more, then feast your eyes on the following.

The  first  image is a good example of a similar piece, just slightly earlier in the American Federal style, and  also of the relative cost of such pieces. Available on Etsy, it will set you back a mere $2,500. Love the look, but don't need the genuine antiquity or the cost? You could have a modern version custom built for you, as in this version, also from Etsy. At $425 it is considerably less expensive of an option, however would still need not only an insert, but a full box to set it out from the wall. Then again, it would be perfect for anyone trying to renovate an existing fireplace. Perhaps money is no object for you (lucky you, if so!), in which case you might be interested in some Ebay listings such as this one in marble, but note that it's local pick-up only so, New Yorkers, this one's for you.

  

If you, like me, don't have a ton of money on hand, but still really want to renovate an existing fireplace to a more historic style or add a new one, check out DIYs like Young House Love or Adora Mae. Either way, happy hunting!

  

And We're Back! (With A New Project)

Bonjour world! It's been many (six?!) years since I last updated this blog. In a nutshell, life and work became crazy and difficult and terrible and full of change and renewal. Like many of you, quarantine life has afforded me some time to recall the things that I enjoyed doing and to refocus my energy. For those who enjoyed the Diary entries from my fictional 18th century counterpart, I suspect she'll be back shortly, so look out for more missives coming soon! 

One of the things I have been busy with in the intervening time is buying my first home and fixing it up. It's not a grand chateau or anything (although have you seen the prices of derelict chateaux these days?!? It's enough to make one consider really moving to France.), but it is home and it is mine. It's great in that it is quite enough space for me, but not too much space to take care of; however I have always felt the lack of a fireplace. I'm cold by nature. I was on a tour of Jerusalem a couple of years ago and my guide kindly informed me that cold hands mean a warm heart, I hope he's right. The idea of walking into my home after work on a winter's day, or coming in from gardening in the autumn, to a fire in the hearth is appealing on many levels. So fast forward to a few days ago when I was trawling the internet and stumbled across this absolute find from Vintage American Home.

It's not often that you can find a genuine 19th century antique fireplace for under a few thousand dollars (or pounds in this case); although if you're persistent bargains do pop up sometimes, as in some ebay listings. Just be sure to double-check on shipping costs or pick-up requirements. I've seen many listings where the shipping was more costly than the item!

The next step will be to acquire a fireplace insert, since the house obviously doesn't have a chimney and can't support a real fire. I'm leaning towards one from Wayfair at present, since I have had good experiences with several of their products in the past.

Now, obviously Greek Revival is a mid-19th century style, not in keeping with my 18th century proclivities; but the two time periods share a love of classical elements in part due to the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum beginning in the 1730s and 40s. This is why it is not uncommon to find fluted columns and laurel wreaths as motifs in both Neoclassical architecture and Greek Revival. 

The other reason, of course, is that on either side of the pond, both in Europe and in America, there were shifts in social identity. In Europe Rousseau's philosophies were influencing people to look to the past for examples of a simpler style to contrast the ostentatious ornamentation of the Rococo swirls and florals. The Revolutionary French government and its supporters likewise hoped to utilize the imagery of the idealized Greek city state to help legitimize the new regime. 

Meanwhile in America a new sort of gentry was trying to create their own style and legitimacy. Southern landowners saw themselves much as the elites and cultural aristocrats of their new nation, and as the United States moved into the new century they adopted Neoclassicism with their own twist which eventually developed into the Greek Revival style seen so often in plantation homes and civic buildings of the mid-19th century. 

When I saw the dentil molding, fluted Ionic columns, and wreath motif I recognized the Greek Revival style and thought it would suit my sitting room very well. Although it is quite a large piece at 47" x 58" it so happens that the room in question is by far the biggest in the house with a vaulted ceiling and one blank wall between a window and the back door, which is the focal point as soon as you step through the front door into the entry hall. The real bonus is that it had previously been restored with a bit of blue accent painting, which makes it perfect for my already cream and blue theme. 

The next steps will be to sand down the rough and chipped paint, repair the weak areas in the woodwork, and build out the box at the back to accommodate the full insert. It will actually be very hard to find an insert that fills the whole opening, but here a fault is actually an opportunity because I have a small collection of Delft-like blue and white tiles that I will cover an interior section with to create the perfect frame for my new fireplace.