DECORATING : Lace, Ruffles and Lots of White Awaken Romance of Victorians

Victorian bed linens came in any color you wanted--as long as you wanted white. Depending on a person’s means and social status, they might be coarse and much-mended, or made of the finest cottons or linen trimmed with delicate lace or embroidery.

Whatever their fabric or condition, their snowy whiteness was proof of housekeeping skills, and no easy task to maintain.

Once a week (on Monday in most homes), they were hand-laundered--by the lady of the house, a servant or by a laundress--and hung to dry outdoors, where the sun helped bleach them.

In many Victorian homes, linens were part of a bride’s trousseau. Starting in childhood and guided by her mother, a girl made and collected sheets, pillow cases and napery with elaborate white-on-white embroidery or cutwork.

These treasures were lovingly tucked away in a cedar hope chest in preparation for the day she would marry and set up housekeeping.

In some European countries, the trousseau, decorated with flowers and ribbons, was put on display a few days before the wedding. The bridegroom collected it, piled it on a “dowry cart” pulled by oxen and drove it through town for all to see.

After the villagers expressed their approval of the bride-to-be’s wealth and skill, the trousseau was brought to the couple’s new home, where this enormous collection of linen--meant to last a lifetime and be passed on to future generations--was put to use.

Although this tradition has been modernized to keep step with social changes, the pristine white bedroom filled with romantic, ruffled bed linens is more popular than ever. It seems everyone--grandmothers, career couples, singles, as well as those with marriage in mind--wants them.

The bold geometrics and brightly colored plaid sheets and pillow cases that decorated beds a decade ago have, for the present, been relegated to the back of the linen closet. There has been a return to tradition and elegance, romance is in the air, and the unblemished white bedchamber is once again in style.

Antique shops, tag sales, even attics are being scoured for old linen and lace that lend the touch of fantasy to a bedroom. After all, is there any better guarantee for sweet dreams that a deliciously cool and airy white boudoir?

Manufacturers are responding to this call and designing exquisite white bedding lavishly trimmed with eyelet and lace that can be purchased at leading department stores and specialty shops.

Quality products, reflecting an elegance destined to withstand the test of time, are being offered in ensembles likely to become tomorrow’s heirlooms.

To walk into a bedroom decorated with the Victoriana Collection of imported shams, bedspreads, dust ruffles, pillowcases and sheets by James Betesh is like stepping back in time.

The urge to sink into mountains of pillows covered in handmade Battenburg lace is irresistible. No less inviting is their Point De Venice collection of 100% fine cotton, or Elizabeth, a Croscill design of delicate white daisies and asters forming an eyelet pattern.

Light, cool and crisp bedding ensembles, inspired by the beauty of the Palace of Versailles, are produced by Cannon Mills in 60% Pima cotton blend and 40% polyester. “Renaissance,” with lace edging as delicate as a butterfly’s wings, is being shown by Wamsutta/Pacific.

The luxury of pure linen can never be underestimated. Ralph Lauren has designed pure linen sheets for J.P. Stevens, trimmed with rows of ruffles, eyelet embroidery and exquisite lace, to turn every bedchamber into a bridal suite.

In an era where days are a kaleidoscope of colors and noise, there is a need for a place of peace: a calm, private retreat where the body and mind can unwind. Could anything be more appealing than a pristine white bedroom . . . a sanctuary for solitude, an arena for dreams and a haven for romance?

(c) Copyright, 1994, Roberta Graff. Distributed by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.