Back to Gingham after a brief digression into Swedish jazz.... Until the middle of the eighteenth century gingham was often used in aristocratic homes and castles to cover the furniture in the off season when the residence would be empty. It was in the Gustavian period that we start to see gingham being used by the ever practical Swedes as slipcovers and upholstery for everyday. Did you know that until the mid-18th century the word "gingham" referred most often to a heavy weave striped cotton, such as that used in Carl and Karin Larsson's home in New Sundborn? The watercolor by Carl, pictured above, of this "lazy corner" perfectly captures the lived in casual feel that slipcovers can impart.
Here is a great example of Gingham done up as a casual slipcover and cushion upholstery from Enrica Stabile's book "Comfortable Country" (Ryland, Paters & Small, 2001) with photography by Christopher Drake. The room is from designer Barbara Davis' home in upstate New York. The gingham cover makes the couch relaxed and so inviting and one can picture oneself sprawling out on it with children and dogs after a long day outside - or with a book (or with a boyfriend listening to Swedish jazz? hmmm.). Note the roll shade over the window done in the same fabric - this is often typical of Swedish design to have the same fabric repeated throughout a room and Barbara gets it just right here. We love the herbs and widflowers cut from the garden too - so fresh looking and easy to do if you want to add a quick pick me up to a room.
E.
