French Decorative Arts: D. Porthault
First in a series.
Long ago, in a time before modern-day princesses fretted over thread count, Porthault began producing the linens that one dreams of and loves to dream in. Audrey Hepburn slept on sheets imprinted with field flowers, while Charlie Chaplin insisted on linen.
In 1920, Madeleine and Daniel Porthault, inspired by the gardens of Giverny and the palette of the Impressionists, introduced the first colored sheets. At a time when all bed linens were white, they were an immediate sensation and were followed by table linens and, in the 40s, by printed bath linens.
In addition to colored sheets, many of the things we have come to take for granted were a Porthault innovation. Printed fabrics (Porthault artisans still screen print them by hand), scalloped borders outlined in embroidery, lace trim and embroidery (also realized by hand), and the finest materials are marks of the brand.
Porthault opened a shop in New York in 1960 and have always enjoyed an international clientele. Jacqueline Kennedy, Winston Churchill, the Duchess of Windsor (for whom Porthault created a specially monogrammed model), numerous Rothschilds, Rockefellers, Forbes and Fords have all slumbered in Porthault sheets. For the rest of us, there are white sales in January and July.
Each year, several models from the archives of more than 5,000 prints and 20,000 original embroidery designs are reissued and made available to the public.
Thanks to two francophile Americans, the savoir-faire of the venerable house will remain in France. In 2005, the company was purchased by Joan and Bernard Carl, who have invested $9 million to renovate the workshops near Cambrai. According to Joan Carl, “The soul of Porthault has always been French and will remain so.”
The website is still under construction, but click on it to find some interesting visuals. It is scheduled to be up in the fall and promises to be exciting.
Pleasant dreams.
(Photo: D. Porthault)
Jan del Monte, blogging from the rue du Cherche-Midi, Paris, France
© 2008 Jan del Monte
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As I was looking at their site Jan I thought of the saying – “money doesn’t make you happy” – well those sheets would me! LOL
I love the colours and the fine hand work. It was great to hear that the couple have not only bought out the company so it may continue but its keeping the makers who hand make these pretty sheets with their beautiful finishes. That means there are alot of women (and some men maybe ) who have this skill and it will live on and their jobs will not disappear with the purchase of a machine that could do it quicker but without that “touch”.
I do not know if we can purchase porthault here but I have seen the company called Delmore (spelling is wrong!) on sale here. Its lovely but nowhere near as wonderful as Porthault’s designs and craftmanship!
ladyjicky, I think you may be speaking of Yves Delorme, which are lovely, too.
I am for anyone who supports artisans. There is even a committee here that supports fine French products — tnat could be a future post.
I would love to sleep in such luxury, but I don’t think it’s part of my life style for the moment. Maybe when the puppy with a penchant for percale grows up!
Thats it Jan – Delorme! Its Soooo expensive here and only in one shop I know of. As for Porhault – I have never seen a shop here in Australia selling them.Only in Magazines do I see these sheets – Oh, and Oprah has mentioned them too! LOL
I know it would be lovely to sleep in those sheets but for the money – mmmm , I think I shall await for a lottery win. I like eating too much! LOL