Guest Picks: Loving Linen All Over the Home
As a child, I always loved natural fibers. I would often excitedly show my mother a dress or top I wanted that was made from linen or cotton. As soon as her eyes locked on the label with the dreaded words “iron after washing,” she would grab my arm just a bit too tightly and with a crazed look in her eyes say, “It’s going to wrinkle, you know. Are you going to iron it? Because I’m not going to.” The look of sheer horror on her face terrified me. I would drop the item I thought I wanted like it was a rotten potato. Stepping back, but unable to avert my eyes, I would mumble, “No.” Something about the way she said “iron” scared me to the core.
I pictured indentured slaves or perhaps prisoners sentenced to die, being tortured not with whips and chains, but with an iron, an ironing board and a pile of wrinkled clothing. I avoided things that wrinkled for years because of my mother’s aversion to ironing. As an adult, I soon found that ironing was not to be feared but embraced. I enjoyed seeing the fabric go from very wrinkled to smooth as silk after the steam cleared.
I began to think again of natural fibers, and I fell in love with linen. Now that I sew slipcovers and bedding, I have found linen to be my very favorite fabric. It has a look that cannot be copied by any other material. I also found out for myself why linen was such a popular summer fabric in the days before air conditioning: It’s cool to the touch. Now that I no longer fear the iron, I use linen throughout my home, and I recommend it to clients. Here are several products I found around the web that are all made from real linen. — Anita from Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Signature Smooth White Sheet - $138 Linen sheets are cool to the touch on hot summer nights. In the heat of Texas summers, my linen sheets make the night just a little bit cooler.
Orkney Natural Duvet Cover - $250 To be ensconced under a linen-covered duvet is my idea of luxury. Add a great book, and I’m in heaven.
Stonewashed Belgian Linen Dinner Napkins, Set of 4 - $36 The rustic feel of linen makes these napkins scrumptious. My mother-in-law once scoffed at any nonlinen napkins.
Linen Satin Stitch Dinner Napkins - $58 What’s better than a linen napkin? A monogrammed linen napkin, of course! It a requirement if you are from the South. Hey, I don’t make the rules; I just report them.
Natural Linen Tablecloth - $50 Linen makes for such an elegant party setting, and this homespun-like linen is simply beautiful.
Linen Desktop File Box, Fog - $55 Linen-covered boxes make for beautiful, elegant storage. I wouldn’t mind leaving these out for everyone to see.
Belgian Textured Linen Relaxed Roman Shade, Optic White - $239 A linen window shade looks elegant and relaxed at the same time.
Safavieh Hudson Collection Baby Tufted Side Chair, Taupe - $467 This chair has a classic elegance to it, which the linen fabric only enhances.
Textured Linen Pillow Cover - $25 Button-closure pillows have a quiet elegance, and these would add a pop of color.
Vintage French Grain-Sack Linen Lachaze Pillow - $59 I work a lot with vintage grain sacks, and this reproduction is spot-on.
Linen Chenille Throw - $134 I rarely see linen throws, but I love the idea. They speak of luxury and simpler times.
Typographer’s Linen Table Runner, White - $69 I know I’ve covered this already, but anything linen with a monogram is a must-have.
Natural Linen Settee - $799 This linen-covered chair has a soft, elegant look and would work beautifully in a traditional room.
Natural Linen Shower Curtain - $160 I know it’s wrinkled, but that is part of linen’s charm. I think this shower curtain would work equally well in a contemporary or traditional home.
Tonal Linen Flange Pillow Cover - $35.50 You just can’t have too many pillows, and these knife-edge ones are classic and simple.
Linen Sham - $50 Its coolness against the skin and crumpled look make linen my go-to fabric for bed pillows.
Vintage Linen Throw - $149 These throws are made from thickly spun linen yarns, giving them a knit feel.
Upholstered Tufted Ottoman, Natural Linen Weave - $449 I don’t use coffee tables in my home. But because I so love to put my feet up, I have a linen-covered ottoman.
Personalized Alphabet Pillow Cover - $42.50 A big initial on a pillow? Yes, please!
Aina Curtains, Natural - $49.99 These linen panels are from Ikea, so you get the real thing for a bargain price.
Next: 8 Modern Uses for Classically Beautiful Linen
