Everything starts with an antique French box filled with stunning grosgrain silk ribbons, all in shades of black and white. Perhaps the remnants of an old milliner specializing in Edwardian lady’s hats? I feel it’s time to part with this treasure, I want to display it alongside other antique objects that can engage in a dialogue and enhance each other… I found a beautiful antique French haberdashery box with a small drawer covered in a stunning Art Deco fabric with a pink background and flowers in powder blue and white, perfect!

In the background, I place an old two-tone piqué bedspread in very light blue and milk white, ideal for highlighting a series of delightful small French photo frames from the Napoleon III era in embossed black tin, each different from the other with old sepia-toned photos. I hang them, decorating them with bunches of old silk flowers for hats, also found inside old boxes full of antique haberdashery… I also hang some cards with lovely buttons covered in antique French fabrics alongside them.

Portaritratti Napoleone III

Next to it, there is an old parasol umbrella, intricately crafted with cutwork, tied with an antique light blue silk ribbon…

Scatola merceria tessuto antico

On the large pink box with a drawer, I arrange a small suitcase-like box covered in fabric with faded floral patterns. Inside, many old elastics are fixed to the lid; perhaps it was a tender little sewing box for a child to hold antique haberdashery. Now I can take out from the drawer and place on the boxes the beautiful silk ribbons in a carefully arranged disorder, along with many other old and precious laces… The whole ensemble is completed by old French advertising chromolithographs with flowers and insects, very romantic!

Just arrived

Scatola merceria francese

Next to the large box, I place a small oval French vanity mirror from the Napoleon III era. It is quite curious, mounted on a metal stand with a front holder for a small raspberry-pink opaline glass bowl decorated with hand-painted flowers, used to contain hairpins. On both sides, there are holders for two candles. To the left of the mirror, I place two beautiful albums for postcards in the Art Nouveau style, very unusual in their grayish fabric cover with Art Nouveau floral motifs and medallions featuring photos of two delightful ladies with enchanting gazes…

Album cartes postales anciennes

Between the two albums, I finally place a beautiful fretwork wooden picture frame resembling lace with a cherry motif, also in the Art Nouveau style, featuring a photo of a girl celebrating her First Communion…

Here and there, more old silk and velvet flowers from a milliner, along with antique ribbons and lace. At the top, I hang a beautiful crochet centerpiece with raised flowers—perhaps it could be used to create a lovely drapery? The imagination can run wild; with these old laces, one can craft splendid things…

Bordo crochet