 | |
|
|
|
| ..:: This Month's Featured Items ::.. |
 French Provence Shea Butter enriched soaps. These come in a variety of great scents! |
|
| click here |
|
 Gently scent your linens with hand embroider- ed sachets. These make wonderful gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
 Best selection and prices on French linen sheets on eBay. Give them as gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
|
|
|
eBay store |
auctions |
terms of service |
about us |
FAQ |
     |
Payment is expected within 10 days of auction close.
Sales Tax is 6% if shipped to Georgia. Please add sales tax if you are a Georgia resident.
We gladly accept the following types of payments.
-
Pay Pal
- Visa / MasterCard, Discover, American Express
-
Money Order/Cashiers Check
-
Personal Check
|
|
| Logo and Web Design © 2006 Tanyaslogos .. Content © 2006 Touch of Europe .. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED .. |
|
|
| ..:: This Month's Featured Items ::.. |
| French Provence Shea Butter enriched soaps. These come in a variety of great scents! |
|
| click here |
|
| Gently scent your linens with hand embroider- ed sachets. These make wonderful gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
| Best selection and prices on French linen sheets on eBay. Give them as gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
|
|
|
eBay store |
auctions |
terms of service |
about us |
FAQ |
|
- Shipping is done using Priority Mail, First Class Mail and UPS. We always offer the cheapest option possible and we are happy to combine items to save even more.
- Insurance: USPS shipping does not include insurance. For up to $50 the USPS charges $1.35, for up to $100, it is $2.30. Add $1.05 for each $100 after that.
- For larger purchases we use UPS ground. We always try to figure out the most efficient and cost-effective way to get your items to you.
- We are happy to combine items to save on shipping.
- International Buyers are welcome. Shipping will be higher than US domestic shipping. Please contact us if you would like a precise shipping fee.
- Please note that our shipping quotes are an estimate. If we charge you more than is actually used, we can credit your account for a future purchase or send you a refund, your choice. We are not trying to make money on shipping.
|
|
| Logo and Web Design © 2006 Tanyaslogos .. Content © 2006 Touch of Europe .. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED .. |
|
|
| ..:: This Month's Featured Items ::.. |
| French Provence Shea Butter enriched soaps. These come in a variety of great scents! |
|
| click here |
|
| Gently scent your linens with hand embroider- ed sachets. These make wonderful gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
| Best selection and prices on French linen sheets on eBay. Give them as gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
|
|
|
eBay store |
auctions |
terms of service |
about us |
FAQ |
|
Refunds will be made if we have misrepresented an item or made an error in our description of the item.
We ask that you contact us within 3 days of receipt and that the item be returned after approval, within 7 days of receipt.
Refunds are issued either by PayPal if you paid with PayPal originally, or by check. We can also issue a credit for future purchases which must be used within 3 months.
|
|
| Logo and Web Design © 2006 Tanyaslogos .. Content © 2006 Touch of Europe .. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED .. |
|
|
| ..:: This Month's Featured Items ::.. |
| French Provence Shea Butter enriched soaps. These come in a variety of great scents! |
|
| click here |
|
| Gently scent your linens with hand embroider- ed sachets. These make wonderful gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
| Best selection and prices on French linen sheets on eBay. Give them as gifts! |
|
| click here |
|
|
|
|
eBay store |
auctions |
terms of service |
about us |
FAQ |
|
Questions:
Answers:
Q: Where can I find information on caring for my vintage textiles?
A: Click on the link 'linen care' - if you don't find an answer to your question there, feel free to email us, we'll try our best to help.
Return to Top
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Absolutely! We have developed a loyal customer base all over the world, and we work closely with all the major international shippers to ensure safe, timely delivery no matter where you live.
Return to Top
Q: Can you recommend any books on textiles and lace?
A: Click on the link 'bibliography' - it is constantly being updated and added to, suggestions for additional books and publications are more than welcome.
Return to Top
Q: How will you ship my purchases? What about insurance?
A: We ship items either with USPS or with UPS, depending on the weight. We try to select the cheapest option for your location. Insurance is purchased through a private insurance company because USPS insurance does not cover the cost of shipping, which we feel is unfair. This company requires us not to have any identification marks regarding insurance on the package, to prevent the contents appearing too tempting to would-be-thieves.
Return to Top
Q: Where do your linens come from?
A: We buy from selected sources in Europe, mainly France, Germany, Holland, Italy and Belgium. Occasionally we'll find items from other countries, England, Scandinavia or even the United States. We try to specify exactly where each item is from - if we forget, please ask!
Return to Top
Q: Do you go to Antique shows?
A: We usually only do the Scotts Antique show, which is held every month in Atlanta. We do not have a booth at every show, so please ask us via email if you want to visit the booth, to make sure we are there.
Return to Top
Q: What is a Euro Sham?
A: It's the size pillowcase generally used in Europe. The shams can vary between 26 and 31 inches and are usually square. Ours are most commonly around 30-31 inches square, and if they are not, we will always give you the measurements. They usually close with buttons on the back and are always either cotton or linen or a linen/cotton mix. We don't have synthetics.
Return to Top
Q: What is an over-towel?
A: Over-towels as they are called in Germany, were a common sight in houses in Germany and Holland up to about the 1950s. They were used to decorate a kitchen and to hide the every-day, unadorned kitchen towels. They are draped over the rods with the top part folded over (it is usually decorated as well). They are usually heavily embroidered and decorated with various types of scenes, or with abundant floral decorations. Their aim was to make plain, utilitarian kitchens more decorative. Often you will see them with a Dutch-themed motif, with a saying, or with figural scenes.
Because of the fold-over flap, over-towels can often be recycled as a small curtain, with an instant built-in valance; a nice added touch. Some of them have a pocket at the back, ready for a rod to be inserted. On the ones that don't, adding one is a simple job. You can also either drape the towel over a rod and pin or sew it in place - quick and simple instant décor!
Return to Top
Q: What is special about linen?
A: Linen is the most natural and environmentally-friendly fiber in the world. Every part of the plant is used. The fibers are used for the textile or the paper industry; the shives are used for panels or insulation; the oil is used for oil paints and soap. The oil and seeds are both used in the food industry. Linen has hundreds of applications, but as a rule linen excels when it is used in contact with the skin (comfort) and when it is used for its esthetic particularities or strength.
Flax and linen are often confused. Flax is the plant and the fibers derived from it; linen refers to the fabric made from these flax fibers.
Linen has been around for over 1,000 years. It especially absorbs water well. Linen takes up moisture and heat from the body through its hollow structure. This makes it ideal for towels, sheeting and clothing.
Return to Top
Q: What is damask exactly?
A: It is a rich fabric, originally from Damascus. It is woven on a jacquard loom and is used mostly for table linen and draperies. Typically it will be white on white, but a lot of the vintage European table linens also have colors, especially tablecloths edged in colored damask, and toweling.
Return to Top
Q: Can I get a refund if I am not satisfied?
A: We hope that won't happen of course. We do our utmost to describe our pieces accurately. If we do make an error or miss something, of course we will be happy to refund your money, including shipping both ways. We take pride in our items and in our service, and will do what we can to ensure you are fully satisfied with your purchases.
Return to Top
Q: Do you take credit cards and is it safe to pay with a credit card online?
A: We are happy to accept all major credit cards both directly (Through Verisign, a safe gateway) and through Paypal. It is actually often safer to pay with a card online than in a brick and mortar store since the process is fully automated and is done on a secure screen with encryption.
Return to Top
Q: Will you list something special if I ask for it?
A: Within certain limits we can sometimes accommodate such requests. However we have so many items listed in various places, that it is often difficult for us to list a particular item at a particular time.
Can't find exactly what you are looking for? Let our buyers find it for you! While we do our best to provide you with a wide variety of decorative antiques, should you be in the market for something we don't currently have just email us with all the details (and picture, if possible). We have many reputable sources, both in England and France, that shop for us year 'round. While we cannot guarantee that we will be able to fulfill every request, we do promise to do our best to make you happy.
Return to Top
Q: Where can I find Euro pillow shapes? What about duvets?
A: Please email us at info@touchofeurope.net and just put pillow info in the title with your name and address. We'll send you the addresses immediately.
Return to Top
Q: Do you sell wholesale lots on eBay?
A: While we do sell wholesale, our lots on eBay are usually retail ones. Occasionally we will list some wholesale lots because we have received so many of a particular item. We can give you an idea of the scheduling if you send us an email. Please be aware that the prices on eBay generally are wholesale prices. Wholesale prices are available for retail shop owners, decorators and antique dealers, only not through eBay at this time. Please contact us for details.
Return to Top
Q: I have inherited some vintage linens, where can I get an idea of their value?
A: If there is a museum with a textile section in your area, contact them to find out if there is an appraiser near you that can help. A textile conservator can also be of help if they know of one. Another good place to ask is a quilt shop. Quilt shops often know textile experts and can help point you in the right direction.
Return to Top
Q: Are you interested in buying my old linens?
A: We do occasionally purchase lots and would be happy to look into the matter for you.
Email us at info@touchofeurope.net
Return to Top
Q: What is Plauen lace?
A: Lace is often named by its place of origin. In Germany the most important textile weaving and lace-making center since the sixteenth century was Saxony (an independent kingdom until 1813). From this lace-making center comes the world famous 'Plauener Spitze', named after the city of Plauen in Saxony.
The first embroidery machine was established in Plauen in 1881.
In 1900, the lace produced in Plauen was awarded the 'Grand Prix' at the First World Expo in Paris, France.
The "Plauener Spitze" is a world famous chemical lace which copies with great accuracy some needle laces like the Brussels point de gaze, or Point de France, a French version of Point de Venise.
The name Chemical Lace, originally called 'machine embroidered guipure', but soon abbreviated to 'guipure,' derives from the use of chemicals to remove the backing.
In the manufacture of this chemical lace each design is individually made for each piece. The basic material is a manmade ground fabric onto which the design is traced.
The design is then stitched with raised outlines, mostly in heavy embroidery, with the tiny fillings done with a buttonhole-like stitching. Sometimes picoted brides are used in the manner of Point de Venise' needle lace. The ground fabric is then removed or burned out by chemicals.
Return to Top
Q: How can I tell machine-made from hand-made lace?
A: This is often a very difficult area and one where considerable research has been done. The key is to learn to look, and to spend a lot of time reading books, looking at pictures and looking at the real thing, the lace. The thread and how it was manipulated is where you would start, and is the key. Some of the most gorgeous lace is machine-made (see Plauen lace for example). In past times, the beauty of the lace and the design were more important than to know how it was made. What mattered were the look, and that should still hold true today.
While this is not the place to go into detail, we have a number of great books to suggest in the bibliography section. A couple of tips that will always hold true: look at how the individual threads are worked. How a thread behaves often will tell you whether a piece is machine or hand-made. Do not ever assume that something that looks 'perfect' is machine-made. Handmade lace can look just as perfect as machine-made lace.
Return to Top
Q: How can I tell machine-made from hand embroidery?
A: Usually, the easiest way is to look on the back. If it is machine embroidery, you will most likely be able to see the lock, where the bobbin and spool thread 'lock' together. Often the bobbin thread is white, making it even more obvious.
Return to Top
Q: Are all your items old?
A: If they are not, we will always point it out. Our items range in age from new to over 130 years old generally. While it is sometimes impossible to determine the exact age of a piece, we always try to give you an estimated age.
Return to Top
|
|
| Logo and Web Design © 2006 Tanyaslogos .. Content © 2006 Touch of Europe .. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED .. |
|
|
 |
) 
