Mary Engelbreit Home Companion
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Text by Cathy Gordon • Photography courtesy of Leontine Linens

While shopping for her wedding trousseau in New Orleans in the summer of 1995, Jane Scott Hodges was surprised to find that the historic city was lacking a source of beautiful, heritage-inspired, monogrammed linens.
“Here I was, living in this city steeped in tradition and history, and I couldn’t find them anywhere,” says the founder of Leontine Linens. “When people get married, they love to create a new monogram. I sensed an untapped market.”
Fate intervened. When she returned to her native Kentucky to plan the wedding, she discovered the Hardinsburg-based Eleanor Beard Studio, an all-female contingent of talented artisans whose exquisite handwork transforms quilts, sheets, towels, and other household items into timeless family heirlooms.
Smitten with their work, Jane Scott put in her trousseau order and then stitched together a plan. “I asked if they could make some goods for me to sell in New Orleans,” she recalls. “It was the beginnings of a great relationship.”
Jane Scott’s vision and the talent of Eleanor Beard’s seamstresses turned out to be the best match since needle and thread.

(a) Jane Scott Hodges in her New Orleans showroom. (b) A needle and thread form an eloquent “L” in the company logo. (c) Paprika-colored linens with a “Nancy” border, named for Eleanor Beard Studio manager Nancy Mingus.

Monogrammed Memories page 1 | 2
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