Indispensable for furnishing a delightful small corner or even a boudoir-style room, old French boxes covered in patterned fabrics immediately create a fascinating atmosphere. I love mixing them together, combining the colors of their fabrics…
They were often purchased from the department stores of the time, many of which still have their old labels: Au Louvre, Au Bon Marchè, Magazin Lafayette, etc. They were used by ladies to keep handkerchiefs, gloves, silk stockings, jewelry, letters, haberdashery, and lace in order. Often, they were meticulously crafted and assembled by the ladies themselves, who were skilled in the now trendy art of cartonnage.
These old French fabric-covered boudoir boxes are wonderful to collect. I very much enjoy arranging them stacked one on top of the other on an old wardrobe, placing them on shelves, scattered around, or grouped together.
I particularly love searching for those with the most romantic fabrics, sometimes finished with old burnished gold or bronze trimmings, often adorned with small images in the style of Marie Antoinette.
Just arrived
Or those with Art Deco-style fabrics, often featuring bolder and more graphic color schemes in which floral patterns intertwine with geometric designs.
I really appreciate the patina they acquire over time, the way the fabrics fade due to exposure to light, taking on new, more delicate and intriguing shades.
Dressing table
Sometimes, if you’re lucky because they are now quite rare, you can come across small dressing tables with drawers covered in antique fabrics, often with old labels indicating their contents.
Like the one in these photos, with drawers made up of three beautiful boxes covered in delightful fabric with a romantic rose and ribbon design, and three labels applied above with the words Gants (gloves), Muchoirs (handkerchiefs), Voilets (veils).
What could be more evocative of the atmosphere of an Edwardian-era French lady’s boudoir? Imagine this wonder, now somewhat dusty and decadent in appearance, filled with delicate antique lace, silk ribbons, crocheted gloves, embroidered handkerchiefs, and other delightful treasures…
Boxes for haberdashery
Very beautiful and interesting are the old haberdashery boxes, often equipped with drawers and small internal compartments that were used to keep buttons, threads, and all other small embroidery and sewing accessories in order. Sometimes you can still find them full of their original contents, like the pink one with a pattern of roses visible in the photo, filled with spools of French threads marked Au Chinois, Cartier Bresson, Galerie Lafayette, made of silk, cotton, linen, a real treasure trove for collectors of antique haberdashery items…
Or those made to contain knitting tools, like this one, covered in a delightful Indian-style patterned fabric.
French Edwardian Boudoir Metal and Fabric Box
Very interesting and unusual is this beautiful French Edwardian Boudoir box. The structure is made of metal (possibly brass) and wood. It has a long and narrow rectangular shape. The box is lined inside and on the lid’s frame, with a stunning French cretonne fabric featuring raised weave with a delightful romantic pattern of roses in cartouches and ribbons in shades of pink, cream, and aqua green…
It’s intriguing to wonder what this magnificent box was originally used for, as its interior is divided into two compartments. Certainly, today, it can take a prominent place in a Boudoir-style corner. Just imagine it left open with old lace, silk or velvet ribbons, small jewelry, and gloves inside! A real charm that can instantly give a sophisticated French touch to your Boudoir corner!
Old FRENCH BOUDOIR BOX Pink Fabric with Roses full of Antique Notions
Beautiful and large French box, rectangular in shape, dating back to the 1920s-30s. It’s covered in pink fabric with a pattern of small roses in shades of peach, coral orange, and white, along with tiny blue flowers and dark green leaves.
Paisley Box An old FRENCH BOX covered in Paisley Fabric – Romantic Boudoir style Marie Antoinette
This is a wonderful old French box dating from the late 1800s or early 1900s, covered in a delicate paisley patterned fabric. The paisley design gives it a romantic Boudoir style reminiscent of Marie Antoinette.
Boudoir Box in Green and Pink Old FRENCH BOX
from Au Bon Marché covered in Boudoir-style Marie Antoinette Fabric
This is a vintage French box covered in a Boudoir-style Marie Antoinette fabric in shades of green and pink. The box originally came from the famous French department store Au Bon Marché. It adds a touch of elegance and nostalgia to your decor.
Old FRENCH BOUDOIR BOX Covered in Floral Fabric
This is a beautiful and elegant vintage French box from the early 1900s. It has a rectangular shape with a shaped lid and is covered in fabric featuring a lovely and vibrant floral design.
