As a fabric, linen has long been regarded worldwide as a favorite for sheeting because of its amazing properties. For starters, the more linen is used, the softer it gets, lasting decades if cared for properly. Linen sheets can be laundered at home, and while we generally recommend using only warm temperatures, linen sheets are so strong they can actually be washed in hot water, unlike cotton or wood-pulp sheets. All in all, it is a very easy fabric to care for.
Linen is a natural fiber that is highly breathable and absorbent. In fact, it has been proven that when people wear linen they sweat at least 1.5 times less than when wearing other types of fabric. Another characteristic of linen is that it absorbs 20% of its own weight in water before it even feels wet, which is why it is the perfect choice for household linens.
What is also very cool about linen is that it is made from flax, a crop that grows naturally, requires zero irrigation and is very gentle on the land. In fact, flax is inherently ecological since all parts of the plant are used in some form or another and are all ultimately100% biodegradable. Historically, it is probably the oldest of all constructed fabrics having been around for over 8,000 years.
It seems like all of us at The Brass Bed have a special affinity for fabrics in geneal, but it is linen that stands out as one of our favorites. Whether you come to us as linen aficionados or are curious about linen’s unique textures and colors, it is a great textile to use in decorating. We offer Canterbury by SDH, Libeco and Leitner as top options to look to for everything from sheets and towels to tablecloths, napkins, cushions and even upholstery fabric.