Sleeping Sensibility: Linen Bedding

Dressing your bed just right for the summer season doesn’t have to be hard. If you haven't had the opportunity to sleep in linen, there is no better time for this treasured fabric than during the dog days of summer.

Linen’s Finest Qualities

Linen fabrics, known for their ultra breathability and moisture-wicking qualities, are a perfect temperature regulator for warm sleepers and an ideal choice for hot summer nights. Not only do linen fibers have a heat conductivity rating five times higher than wool fibers, they also help you maintain cooler body temperatures by approximately four degrees when compared to cotton or silk.

The popularity of linen in bedding has grown significantly in recent years due to the strength and durability of the fabric, as well as its ability to keep sleepers cool at night. As a sign of its durability, unwashed linen has a stiff feel, but with washing and use over time, the fabric gets softer and more relaxed. Unlike cotton sheets, linen does not have a smooth surface, but rather a subtle texture, making it most commonly used for top-of-bed articles, such as duvets and shams.

From Flax to Finish

As one of the oldest agricultural products in the world, linen has been a pervasive piece in the shaping of the textile industry worldwide.

Cultivated from the flax plant, a hearty annual, linen is ready to be harvested when the stem begins to turn yellow and the seeds turn brown. The best quality fibers run the length of the stalk into the roots, so to harvest these ideal fibers, the flax plant is pulled up by hand in order to preserve the root system. Not only does this process allow for harvesting the strongest fibers, it also prevents the plant sap from leaking out of the cut stalk and drying out the fibers which can affect the quality.

Personal attention, care and quality are at the pinnacle of processing linen. Linen has appeared in the history of such places as Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, Ireland and even colonial America. The best source for flax currently is Northern France due to (i) a natural, damp ocean climate, (ii) flax’s low thermal density, (iii) a rich soil and (iv) the experience of flax growers in Normandy. The best production is regarded to Italian weavers, which is why Home Treasures sources all of its linen from these areas.

Linen in the Home

Today, we continue to use linen articles in the various parts of our homes. While in the US, linen's popularity in bedding has waned relative to cotton since the introduction of the cotton gin in 1794, many homeowners in recent years are returning to linen as their fabric of choice for the bedroom.

Whether you are opting for linen as your choice of fabric for sheeting, for shams and duvet covers or for quilted coverlets, Home Treasures collection of solid and jacquard linen fabrics are available for your customization. Our Provenza sheeting and Pylos bed covers are perfect neutral layers to create a temperature controlled sleep, while our Boheme, Raja, Seychelles and Zebra collections add the decorative layers needed to create your personal summer escape in the comfort of your favorite space.

Seasonal Bedding

Dressing your bed just right for the season doesn’t have to be hard. You can shop with confidence after reading more of our tips for selecting the right bedding for you in our “Between the Sheets” series of articles.

Home Treasures Linen Bedding

While feel and durability are key to your comfort, the design and finish of your bedding shouldn’t take a backseat. We consider self-expression daily in our appearance, hobbies, and career choices. Your bedroom should be an extension of that personalization. With a myriad of choices, we provide you the opportunity to create a space you daydream to return to each day. You can experience some of our favorite Linen bedding collections by viewing Linea, Provenza, and Zebra.