Feature. Linen: why will you fall for this timeless material?
A natural material with a delicate feel, linen dresses every corner of the home, from bed linen to curtains and the sofa. A little bohemian, a little vintage and yet completely current, we explain why you should fall for this timeless classic.
Who doesn’t dream of a linen sofa that evokes holidays or of replacing all their table linen with linen versions ? This age-old material carries with it a certain aura and a whole string of comforting words : holidays, cocoon, freshness, softness... Beautiful to look at and pleasant to touch, linen on a bed or sofa immediately makes you want to curl up on it. Current decorating trends (rustic chic, hygge, country…) place it more firmly than ever on our wish list. Timeless - according to archaeologists, the earliest traces of flax fibres date back to nearly 36 000 BC, making linen one of the oldest textile fibres ever used - linen is surprisingly used everywhere, found as much in clothing as in decoration. From bed linen to curtains, bathroom linen and sofa upholstery, linen is a decorating ally that never strikes a wrong note.
Linen, one of the oldest textile fibres
Our ancestors had also succumbed to the incredible advantages of linen. While its earliest uses were in the Caucasus region, linen spread very quickly through Asia, then as far as Égypte and Europe. The Egyptians also used it for the bandages used in mummification. In France, it was Charlemagne who decreed that it should be spun at court, then in the 17th century, Louis XIV, at the forefront of fashion, adopted the linen undershirt, which could be seen beneath clothing. This is where the words « linen » and « lingerie » come from.
Today, France is the world’s leading producer of linen, with 75 000 tonnes of flax fibres. While 90% of production is destined for clothing (60%), household linen, furnishings and lifestyle, the remaining 10% is now used for technical applications: insulation, eco-construction, surgery and healthcare... As we keep telling you, linen has more than one trick up its sleeve and finds its way into the most unexpected little corners of the home!
Linen bedding, linen curtains, linen sofas: linen makes itself at home everywhere!
When it comes to decorating, linen is found in every room of the house. Very hard-wearing, linen is highly sought after in kitchens, where it appears as tablecloths, napkins, aprons or tea towels. In the living room, it often covers sofas and armchairs as well as cushions, because it has the advantage of being resistant to wear (and terribly chic and delicate as well as comfortable). More surprisingly, linen is also used in the bathroom because, besides its ability to absorb water perfectly, it has the advantage of not losing its shape. Finally, in bedrooms, linen is a highly prized material for bedding. A true temperature regulator, it keeps us warm in winter and cools us in summer. It is mainly washed linen that is used for bedding, because when washed many times at a high temperature, the material is finer and less rough. Generally a little expensive, linen is nevertheless worth it.
Where can you buy linen household textiles?
Several retailers are renowned for the quality of their linen household textiles. Major brands offer linen bedding, such as AM.PM, Linvosges... Others have made it a real speciality, such as Le Monde Sauvage, Caravane, Harmony Textile. In terms of budget, although you can find designs starting at around one hundred euros, you often have to spend more than two hundred euros for a good-quality washed linen duvet cover. Nevertheless, linen’s primary quality is that it is as durable as it is beautiful and timeless, while also being a natural and eco-friendly material. Why hesitate any longer?
