Decorating: Why Linen is the Ultimate Feel-good Fabric
Soft, natural and utterly unpretentious, linen will never go out of fashion
Lara Sargent
27 October 2014
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
There is something timeless and seductive about linen and the way it can be used to enhance any style of home without trying too hard. Perhaps this is why the decorating experts never fail to return to its quiet charm if they need to inject a little something extra into a room – whether it’s a modern coastal kitchen trimmed with vintage florals, or a smart city bedroom layered with blocks of dove grey and caramel bed linen. Your linens might be crisp or creased, plain or printed, but they will last you a lifetime, and instil a tranquil vibe in seconds.
Show off your table
You can’t go wrong with a plain linen tablecloth, which can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion – be it crystal and white china for a sophisticated dinner party or pretty plates and jugs of seasonal blooms for a laid-back family brunch. And if you can’t find a cloth big enough to suit your table, seek out antique linen sheets, which will do the job just as well.
Check out these illuminating ideas for lighting your dining area
You can’t go wrong with a plain linen tablecloth, which can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion – be it crystal and white china for a sophisticated dinner party or pretty plates and jugs of seasonal blooms for a laid-back family brunch. And if you can’t find a cloth big enough to suit your table, seek out antique linen sheets, which will do the job just as well.
Check out these illuminating ideas for lighting your dining area
Harness a French feeling
There is a definite air of French chic about linen bedding. If you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine, you could easily run up some cushion covers using vintage tea towels and old pieces of fabric. Mix stripes with lettering – and even florals and gingham if you like – in an earthy palette of putty, pebble and sage green.
There is a definite air of French chic about linen bedding. If you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine, you could easily run up some cushion covers using vintage tea towels and old pieces of fabric. Mix stripes with lettering – and even florals and gingham if you like – in an earthy palette of putty, pebble and sage green.
Make a fresh cover
If your armchairs are looking a little shabby, or you just fancy a change, you can’t go wrong with a new set of linen covers. Not only will they breathe fresh life into your décor, the linen will wash beautifully if they get a bit grubby. As time goes on, you can always dye them a different shade (try dove grey or violet) for another DIY quick fix.
If your armchairs are looking a little shabby, or you just fancy a change, you can’t go wrong with a new set of linen covers. Not only will they breathe fresh life into your décor, the linen will wash beautifully if they get a bit grubby. As time goes on, you can always dye them a different shade (try dove grey or violet) for another DIY quick fix.
Create a breezy window dressing
A half-length curtain made from a swathe of feel-good linen is all you need to set off a classic painted kitchen. This combination of natural colours and materials – timber tops, buttermilk cupboards et al – creates a modern rustic look that will never date.
Discover how to dress a bay window
A half-length curtain made from a swathe of feel-good linen is all you need to set off a classic painted kitchen. This combination of natural colours and materials – timber tops, buttermilk cupboards et al – creates a modern rustic look that will never date.
Discover how to dress a bay window
Hang it up
There is an inescapable charm about a sink curtain, particularly when it’s fixed beneath a big, beautiful Belfast sink with Shaker-style kitchen cupboards either side. Making your own curtain is relatively easy, too, and is a great way to recycle old linen sheets that have seen better days.
There is an inescapable charm about a sink curtain, particularly when it’s fixed beneath a big, beautiful Belfast sink with Shaker-style kitchen cupboards either side. Making your own curtain is relatively easy, too, and is a great way to recycle old linen sheets that have seen better days.
Go for a relaxed vibe
The real beauty of linen is that covers and pillowcases don’t need to look too pristine or perfect (and that means less ironing). This natural linen loose sofa cover is casually tied either side for a relaxed, undone look, and is echoed by the distressed cream painted door and full-length sweeping curtains. This is how to do neutrals with unruffled charm.
The real beauty of linen is that covers and pillowcases don’t need to look too pristine or perfect (and that means less ironing). This natural linen loose sofa cover is casually tied either side for a relaxed, undone look, and is echoed by the distressed cream painted door and full-length sweeping curtains. This is how to do neutrals with unruffled charm.
Luxe it up with linen
Linen can look luxurious, too, as demonstrated by these smart upholstered dining chairs in a cool, cream shade. But the scene is softened by the bare wooden refectory table and simple crockery, so any thoughts of a stuffy dinner party are instantly washed away.
Linen can look luxurious, too, as demonstrated by these smart upholstered dining chairs in a cool, cream shade. But the scene is softened by the bare wooden refectory table and simple crockery, so any thoughts of a stuffy dinner party are instantly washed away.
Soften the boudoir
Who said linen can’t be cosy? This all-over, neutral bedroom still manages to ooze a feel-good factor thanks to the soft, linen-upholstered bed and layers of natural linen sheets and pillowcases. Add a soft rug and a bedside lamp, and the promise of a good night’s sleep can be yours…
Who said linen can’t be cosy? This all-over, neutral bedroom still manages to ooze a feel-good factor thanks to the soft, linen-upholstered bed and layers of natural linen sheets and pillowcases. Add a soft rug and a bedside lamp, and the promise of a good night’s sleep can be yours…
Dip in with pretty prints
Faded floral linen curtains in soft restful shades effortlessly create a modern coastal look. Use natural, crinkly linens in a mix of beautifully worn ticking stripes and smudgy rose prints, and partner with weathered timber furniture and whitewashed boards for a sense serenity.
Faded floral linen curtains in soft restful shades effortlessly create a modern coastal look. Use natural, crinkly linens in a mix of beautifully worn ticking stripes and smudgy rose prints, and partner with weathered timber furniture and whitewashed boards for a sense serenity.
Introduce a palette of calm colour
A bedroom decorated top-to-toe in natural-coloured linens might feel a little too insipid for some. If so, dress with linens in steel grey, toffee and hessian colourways and introduce a thick-pile rug and flashes of mirror to create a look that is undeniably soft and natural, but modern and uptempo at the same time.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of linen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
A bedroom decorated top-to-toe in natural-coloured linens might feel a little too insipid for some. If so, dress with linens in steel grey, toffee and hessian colourways and introduce a thick-pile rug and flashes of mirror to create a look that is undeniably soft and natural, but modern and uptempo at the same time.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of linen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Lovely ideas here. Like the T towel to cushion idea and the armchair covers and the Spanish apt bedroom highlighting bed Linen is stunning. Any suggestions for suppliers who aren't ridiculously expensive?
Lisa