Linen
Description
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One of the strongest natural fibers, linen is made from the long fibers of the stems of the flax plant, which readily grows in cooler regions. Linen has been used in textiles that have been dated back to 5000 BC in Egypt. Until the 1940s, when it was replaced by cotton, linen was the commonly used fiber in America.
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Functionally, linen is moisture wicking and light, so it both feels and appears light and breezy. It has a subtle, calming natural-beige color, which is often featured in undyed linen. Linen is absorbent, making it less prone to static, and good for towels, though the fibers tend to be too rough for bath towels. Linen is slightly more lustrous than cotton, and slightly more abrasion resistant than wool and silk. It is prone to wrinkling and does not drape well. Linen is flammable and will continue to burn even when a flame source is removed.
Environmental Impact
Flax is grown on 12 million acres globally, with the largest areas in Kazakhstan, Russia, Canada and China. The plant itself is a very useful crop, as it also produces an edible seed, and can be used to make linseed oil. Utilizing the totality of the plant decreases waste, and makes it one of the most usable crops currently farmed. The crop is much less water intensive than other plant fibers, and also requires fewer pesticides and fertilizers. Linen is fully biodegradable, though it does not readily break down if put in a landfill.
Harvesting, cleaning and producing linen is also more environmentally friendly than most textile materials. Machine harvesting uses carbon-emitting vehicles, but the drying process tends to be done naturally, with the bundles being left in the field. Linen happily absorbs dyes at all stages of fabric production. The entire process requires fewer chemicals and less energy than other natural and synthetic fibers.
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Purchasing luxury linens, such as Belgian linen, can create a higher environmental impact because they are shipped and used long distances from where they are made. Quality made linens are quite durable, leading to longer lifespans for products made with linen. Linen is naturally bacteria and fungus resistant, and is hypoallergenic.
Interior Uses
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Couch - Particularly practical in warm, moist climates, this couch uses linen for pragmatic as well as stylistic advantage.
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Headboard - While staying in the neutral colors, the linen of this headboard and bedframe has been dyed to provide contrast and depth.
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Lamp - Linen can be made translucent without being exceedingly thin, and this lamp brings out the texture of the weave by backlighting the upholstered lampshade.
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Bedding - The natural antimicrobial characteristics of linen make it a good material for bedding and surfaces that come into contact with skin.
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Panels - Drawing on the traditional uses of linen hanging panels in Japanese design, this Ukrainian restaurant immediately makes its Asian cuisine obvious.
Ebroidered Linen Bedding
The blues and soft neutrals play well off of the natural linen color providing the base for this traditional embroidery. The embroidered motifs, along with the natural linen material provide a biophilic affinity within the space. The matte sheen of the linen also draws attention to the contrasting sheen of the embroidery thread, and other paired materials.
ASTM standards: ASTM D5034, D1577-07, D6663, D7025-09