The Tiny Mediterranean Town Famous For Its Centuries-Old Embroidery Traditions

When I found this incredibly beautiful embroidered linen set, I had never seen anything quite like it and I knew right away it was something very special. The linen fabric itself was an amazing natural undyed beige color and very good quality, but it was the simple yet superbly intricate white hand embroidery that spoke to me ! The geometric designs and the density of the stitch work in graphic arrow-like zig zag patterns, not to mention the hem work on all of the napkins, made it appear both antique but also modern.

I thought maybe it was Italian reticello work or perhaps Greek.....I went through all of my embroidery books but no luck, I then took to pinterest and thats where I discovered the incredible story of Lefkara Lace Linens made in the tiny village of Lefkara, Cyprus. The ancient patterns of these designs date back to the fourteenth century and have been handed down from grandmother to mother to daughter for centuries. These beautiful linens are embroidered on sunny afternoons. Some are so incredibly intricate that they take months to make, and I learned a large tablecloth set like the one I had found was usually created as part of a dowry for a bride to be and could take up to 2 years to complete. And here it was apparently unused and waiting for a new life.

So I decided to make a Spring tablescape for a very special gathering of friends or family and chose some beautiful simple antique scallop edge English plates, some vintage Swedish etched glassware and placed simple narcissus and hyacinths in my collection of old crystal perfume bottles.

I hope it inspires you ! New life to beautiful objects and sustainable too, susanx .Visit us @ standennyc.com

Romantic Valentines Dinner At Home

This year I'm up for any excuse to set the mood and get creative, it may be only planning a table but if it makes Valentines a bit more fun why not, so I thought I would go for a full on classic romantic style valentines table setting , I hope it inspires you to create something of your own of course using vintage !

First I started with an antique white linen rose embroidered tablecloth just gorgeous, with some linen scallop edge napkins, then some burgundy and gold bordered vintage dinner plates and some vintage Japanese desert plates in burgundy gold and white.

The roses I mixed classic red with deep pink and burgundy tea roses which gave the look I wanted, in 2 vases plus a bud vase to give them a more casual eclectic look .

For the glassware some vintage Venetian cranberry and gold glass tumblers and crystal wine glasses, I got out some silverware........why not ? I've used it a lot this year . Then most importantly for the candlelight I mixed white tapers in Venetian glass candlesticks with votives in white porcelain pots.

Lastly I set aside an espresso set and some chocolates for dessert .

Vintage Valentine Tablescape

As most of us will be being good and spending our Valentines Day at home, why not make it a little special, if you set a cute table you won't feel as guilty about spending your day in pajamas ! I made this tablescape for lockdown lovers or a family brunch whether it's homemade or ordered in.

Start with a pale pink vintage embroidered linen set, a beautiful tablecloth instantly turns your table into a party and matching sets just are just so perfect, they really are a game changer, I find placemats may be practical but they can look cold and minimal and I'm over that and into a more tactile thing, this set is perfect for Valentines but will also work for anything Springy, a baby shower remember those , hopefully they'll be back soon, not to mention the sustainable aspect.

Then I added some vintage Wedgwood plates that have a lovely shape and simple flatware from Cutipol, for the glassware chose some antique opalescent swirl tumblers and some etched wine glasses which have a lovely subtle shimmer to them.

For the flowers I chose some simple pinky green tea roses from my local here in NYC, they always amaze me with their selection and great prices I cut them short and placed them in 3 vintage cranberry glass tumblers, I love the casualness of using tumblers they are a great height, I just placed them in an uneven line down the centre, and that's pretty much it. ( I kept the flowers cute and simple so as not to compete with any long stemmed red roses any of us may be lucky enough to receive ! )

One last tip I never iron vintage linens until just before I use them.