You know…I’m pretty sure my mailman thinks I’m nuts. A few days ago I was on my front porch, fluffing and fixing it up, when he happened by to deliver the mail. There I was, in between my bushes in several inches of snow, taking pictures. It doesn’t happen very often but I was truly at a loss for words!
It was a beautiful, sunny day and putting out the flowered pillows made spring feel just a bit closer. The floral is vintage barkcloth and it’s backed with red ticking.
I’ve had these pillows for several years. The barkcloth has faded but I think that adds a little character. Barkcloth got it’s name because the texture is usually fairly rough…like the bark of a tree. Popular in the 1930′s and 40′s, it’s now pretty hard to find any that’s affordable. It runs around $30 per yard on sites like eBay and Etsy. When I was doing a little “shopping” I found that the floral barkcloth is the most readily available. The best prices are on actual window panels made from the various barkcloths. What housewives paid $8.50 per panel for years ago is selling for, depending on the condition, around $80-$100.
I also found this scenic barkcloth that could almost be classified as toile.
I want some of this so bad I can taste it. I have to keep looking for something in my price range but the hunt is on!
This fabric was actually my first vintage purchase. I looked and looked one summer until I found just the right thing. The blue of the barkcloth happens to go perfectly with the blue of my enamelware pitcher. When I was looking in my basement for these pillows I ran across a little lamp shade I had covered with the same fabric. It was sort of like finding a little treasure…unexpected and very fun!
I hope if you were in the path of the East coast blizzard that you are safe and warm. I’ll be back, hopefully tomorrow, with a wonderful giveaway from a darling Etsy shop.
Happy Sunday ~
Linking to:
Anne, I love vintage barkcloth. I made a kitchen valance with some that I was lucky enough to find at a yard sale. $2.00 for 4 curtain panels~ yay what a score. Love your pillows. They certainly do say spring. Sigh ~ I am patiently waiting
What a perfect scene. Thanks for the bark cloth explanation. I have never heard the term but have certainly seen the fabric, mostly at garage sales and in curtain form. I will be on the lookout for it and send a pic, text your way. I think your porch is just darling and it’s my favorite look so far. I guess you gave the mailman something to talk about the rest of the day. LOL My family thinks I’m crazy all the time with setting up for pics, I am used to it.
LOL I can just see you on the porch taking photos in the snow. I’ll bet he told that one around the post office. It’s so funny about vintage fabrics…if you can find them in good condition, they are priced outrageously. Now that I think of it, I think I saw some at the antique/decor mall the other day. Hmmm. I’m going to look when I go back. The fabric caught my eye because it was similar to my grandmother’s chair covers. Your pillows are so cheerful, and I like the addition of the ticking stripe on the reverse. PRETTY! Happy Sunday and stay warm. Downton Abbey tonight. :)
Good morning…I just opened up to my blog and saw your lovely post on my sidebar…LOVE the barkcloth pillows…the fabric is so pretty…just what I needed to see on this snow covered Sunday morning!
come on by for a visit…have a great day, Mariaelena
All the barkcloth is amazing, but the pillows on your porch – the colors are just stunning! I love it and I think we are all trying to hurry spring along!
I love barkcloth and your pillow is beautiful. I know that you can buy reproduction barkcloth on ebay now too.
The barkcloth pillows, and your porch, are so pretty! Love the blue background and all the lovely colours. I haven’t surprised the mailman but my neighbours must wonder what I am up to sometimes.
Those pillows are so pretty and perfect out on your porch with those red seat cushions! Barkcloth is such a pretty fabric. I love the other patterns you’re looking at.
I always wondered how barkcloth got it’s name. What a shame that it’s so expensive. You really have some lovely pillows on your porch…it looks so springlike!
XO,
Jane
I laughed out loud imagining what your mail deliverer thought of you in between your snowy bushes taking pics – that’s hilarious and SO understandable to us in Blogland, haha.
I am so glad you showed us these beautiful pictures, they’re amazing and so fresh and so promising.
Looks great.
The porch looks so inviting!
We have the very same enamel pitcher. I found mine at a roadside stand in Belgium many years ago.
Very nice new blog look, Ann!! I’ve always liked the vintage floral barkcloth. Your pillows look so pretty with the white wicker. Definitely looks like spring on your porch!
Mary Alice
What beautiful barkcloth Ann. I’ve never seen such pretty colours with the blue background. I have a few pieces that I found at my mil’s and one is even a zippered chair cushion that I used in the summer. Yours are particularly pretty though. Your porch looks like spring could come tomorrow! Pamela
Ann, I love your new pillows in this fabric and I really love the enamelware pitcher.
Your porch was a pleasant sight to view today in contrast to an entire week of caring for two grandkids, one with a double ear infection and the other with the cough of the century. (I always used hyperboles in my 8th grade language arts classes.) Barkcloth is a new term for me. I recall seeing the red floral print on my grandmother’s “scratchy” cushioned chairs setting out on her enclosed front porch way back in the early sixties.
The pillows on your porch are just beautiful! I have never heard of vintage barkcloth but it is gorgeous. I especially love your blue barkcloth and it patterns so well with the ticking. I had to laugh at your comment about the mailman…you should hear some of my stories! I have felt like a fool so many times! :-)
Ann your blog is looking really great, love the simple design!! Bark cloth always catches my eye at flea markets and I am not even a floral kind of gal, more stripes and geometrics, but for some reason I love Bark cloth. The fabric you have on your porch is so cheerful! Love it,
Kathysue
I never knew that fabric was called barkcloth but I just love it! Especially the scenic version. Sigh…so pretty! Your pillows are just lovely and I’ve been caught by neighbors walking by while I’m on my front porch taking pictures wearing my bathrobe so you’re in good company my friend. LOL!
Vanessa
:)
Ohhhh I love that fabric! I’ve actually been sewing some pillows for a recently painted metal chair and glider. They are a really fun turquoise-y and other brights fabric (not vintage, unfortunately). I’m trying to get my porches ready for spring!!! We must be on the same wave-length! Hope your week is the best! ~ Dori ~
Gosh I remember that fabric!! I used to have curtains in my living room…
That’s going back some 30 years…WoW!!
I love the shades of pink and red against the blue background (on your pillows). I love barkcloth. I have a couple of pillows in our basement playroom made from vintage barkcloth!
xo,
RJ
Ann, I love that blue fabric. Oh, how spring like. It makes me think of happier sunny days!
I love barkcloth too. I’m always on the lookout for it at the thrift store. If you had put some daisies out on the table you could have fooled us into thinking it was spring where you lived. Too funny about the mailman. You should have posed like a garden gnome.
Your pillows are beautiful! Of course, anything with red catches my eye. I’m sure you’re a ray of sunshine for your postal person. I doubt that many of them receive very many smiles or fun activities on their routes. Good for you!
xo
Pat
I too love the vintage barkcloth! I have made several jackets – vests using it…. You need to check out my blog
( older post ) to view the barkcloth ware…. Love your pillows….
Tiffany AKA THE CRANKY QUEEN
Oh I am so ready for spring! I love how wonderfully sunny and springlike your porch looks!
Your porch is totally beautiful! I love the barkcloth pillows and lamp and they go perfectly with your enamelware pitcher.
My mailman thinks I’m crazy too… I have a chalkboard hanging outside on the porch and I change the inspirational quotes often… one day he left me a little note saying how much he liked to read my messages!
Ann, I love this! I think blue is my new favorite color, I keep finding myself attracted to shades of blue these days. It pops so nicely with the red cushions too.
LOL, cute story! I love these and the colors are spectacular. Just beautiful.
Cynthia
I had never heard the term bark cloth, either! Love the colors and pattern. So beautiful!
Ha! When we lived in NY our mailman thought I was a crazy girl too! He would have lug big boxes to the door and finally began to ask what was in them. Imagine his surprise when I remarked “mayonnaise” “corn meal” “moon pies” etc. See our Southern Mother’s kept us in the Southern staples that weren’t to be found locally! Oh well, I am sure your photo shoot made his day lively!
BTW, it looks gorgeous. I just happened upon your blog via Twitter and am charmed!
Barkcloth has been a longtime favourite of mine. I have some that I think is barkcloth. It is just a small piece, it’s yellow with some orange flowers on it.
I love your blue pillows and the little lamp, they are really nice! And yes, Spring-y. I hope you enjoyed your snow!
Hugs, Cindy
Your pillows are so cute! My parents used to have barkcloth curtains back in the day. I have to see if I can find a photo of them. That stuff really has gone up in price hasn’t it.
well aside from it all being pretty, and chuckling about the mailman, it’s interesting as well….never heard of barkcloth before! :)
Well, I must admit that I am not familiar with the term barkcloth but I certainly do like your pillows and the porch is so ready for Spring. I’m going to start looking for barkcloth. I just stopped and looked at some images of barkcloth on Google.
Reminds me of the drapes and slipcovers my Grandma made for her living and dining room. She was the trendsetter of her time. Love your porch.
So, it’s a blessing I don’t have a front porch worthy of a photograph then? lol
It’s looking very Spring like! And the lamp shade is a sweet surprise to be sure :)
Happy Valentine’s Day Ann!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! Can I come live on your porch?! :) Love this post, Ann!!
WOW! This looks so drop dead gorgeous! If I delivered your mail…I would like pop and sit in one of those cozy chairs and eat my lunch!:)
What’s a beautiful pillow!!! Congratulations!! Very nice fabrics!