Malvern Residence III

A growing demand for natural and sustainable textiles has led to increasing interest in the European flax market in recent years, with pure linen proving a covetable investment by those seeking environmentally friendly fabrics that also offer quality, longevity and everyday luxury.  A brief history of linen In Ancient times, the lengthy, arduous process of making linen – from growing the plant to the skill and time required to weave it – meant it was often regarded as a symbol of refinement and reserved for the wealthy. While customarily a fabric for the affluent, in 789 French king Charlemagne decreed that all households must cultivate flax and weave their own linen, a tradition that continued well into the 18th century.  American colonies also began to grow, harvest and process their own crops, transforming the flax into luxurious and useful everyday items such as bed linen and napery for the home. In the 19th century, the linen industry was overtaken by cotton, as craftsmen working on handlooms struggled to keep up with the speed at which cotton fabrics could be produced on the latest industrial machinery.  While further decline was largely triggered by a move towards cheaper man-made fibres, we are once again seeing linen demand rising due to its low impact on the environment – flax requires little or no fertilisers and much less water than other crops such as cotton. Flax is now grown all over the world, with French and Belgian flax considered to be the highest quality, as climate change influences both producers and consumers to favour this durable, low-impact fibre. Most useful flax Admired for its rich texture and timeless style, linen's aesthetic appeal is eclipsed only by its practicality – the Romans christened the flax plant Linum usitatissimum meaning 'most useful flax'. Although linen can be more expensive to buy, its hard-wearing properties mean it is likely to last much longer than cotton when cared for properly, with many choosing to invest in key pieces that will become treasured heirlooms as they once were all those years ago. This sentiment spans both fashion and interior design industries, with businesses seeking out environmentally friendly materials to reflect ethical practices and encourage conscious consumption. While the spotlight on linen's sustainability credentials might be a more recent trend, its natural strength and breathability, coupled with its raw beauty and luxurious textural appeal, are enduring qualities that have proved linen to be a coveted fabric for millennia – and its popularity is only continuing to grow.  European provenance At Hale Mercantile we are passionate about true craftsmanship and considered production, sourcing only the highest quality European materials and manufacturing to create our pure linen collections. Our entire range is grown, spun, dyed, woven and sewn in Europe, honouring an art form that has been carried out through the ages to create a luxurious and authentic product that is steeped in history, culture and tradition and will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Making your bed into a comfortable and calm retreat to rest, relax or rejuvenate requires time, luxurious textiles and careful craftsmanship. Your bed is the focal point of your room and we show you how to go beyond the plumping, straightening and rearranging to create a soothing sanctuary. Nothing beats climbing into a beautifully made bed at the end of the day (or a sneaky daytime nap!). 1. The Basics A bedhead instantly pulls the entire look together and becomes the focal point when layering pillows and cushions. A linen bed skirt will also complete your bed and along with a fitted sheet, are the basics with which to begin your collection. With the addition of a good quality feather pillow and duvet inserts, these essentials are the perfect pieces to begin building your perfect bed sanctuary. Keep the colour palette neutral with these pieces and you can begin to add colour and interest with sheets, pillowcases and other accessories. 2. Colour Many people love the simplicity of an all-white bed but linen bedding is a good way to introduce pattern and colour into a room. It’s easy to change from one season to the next and can give your room a different look and feel each time. If you plan to inject some colour into your bedroom, it’s a good idea to add a pop of colour using items that are easily interchangeable such as stripe pillowcases, colourful cushions or throws. Our linen bedhead is a versatile option with a removable pure linen slipcover; allowing for a seasonal change at a whim. Sometimes just adding one colourful piece can make a bold statement. 3. Arrangement You don’t want to overcrowd your bed with lots of pillows and decorative cushions but rather make it look relaxed and welcoming. European pillowcases are a good visual anchor to the bedhead and serve as support when propping yourself up to read. Keeping within your colour scheme, it’s good to work with different shapes and textures and it’s always a good idea to scale up a size with the duvet to create a more lavish look. If a relaxed, textural look is preferred layering your linen will add a sumptuous feel to your bedscape. Overlap pillows, set them at an angle or stack them to complement this look. Finish the arrangement with decorative pillows such as linen bolster cushions, smaller rectangular cushion in a print or stripe, longer body cushion or the ruffled edge of a Kristine European pillowcase. An artfully draped throw cascading to the floor, linen blanket or a ruched sheet will make for a dramatic bed dress while incorporating various design elements for a truly luxurious bed look. 4. Texture If you prefer a neutral or monochrome look, it’s important to add texture to create a more interesting accent. Completing the look with a linen throw or blanket and mixing up textures will add another dimension. Finishes such as our Flocca edging embellish and add interest and texture and will add contrast to the simple hemmed finish of our Basix pillowcases. 5. Quality Always buy the best linens you can afford. Linen is the perfect choice being a truly beautiful, natural product with an inherent timeless quality derived from flax. Its characteristics make it the perfect choice for luxury linen sheets and household linen. Flax is a wonderfully lustrous fibre many times stronger than cotton and its durability ensures our products are made to last. Natural fibres are the first choice in linen bedding allowing for breathability; keeping you cool and dry in summer and warm in winter. A true luxury linen is best made from individually dyed fine linen yarns and this process ensures colour fastness and a palette beyond compare. Superior quality linen is designed to be relaxed in nature and truly easy care; it should always look beautiful with a minimum of fuss. Perfect for easy living. Nothing beats getting into a luxurious bed after a long day...

Whether you want a new style to match your mood or to suit the changing seasons, there's no simpler way to update the look and feel of your bedroom than with some thoughtfully chosen linen accessories. Swapping out cushions, draping a throw or personalising your pillowcases are easy ways to inject colour and texture, refreshing your bedding scheme in an instant.   Create contrast with pillowcases  Investing in a neutral pure linen sheet set and duvet cover ensures a timeless and versatile look, while a matching pair of pillowcases in a contrasting shade allows you to update your space and experiment with colour throughout the year. Give neutral bedding an instant lift by adding pure linen pillowcases in a classic yet personalised hue, from warm, earthy tones to cool, contemporary blues, as a finishing layer to transform a pared-back interior scheme.  Include a textural throw A soft, textural throw makes a practical addition to your bedroom by providing an extra layer of warmth when needed while imbuing an understated linen scheme with luxurious tactile appeal. Choose a throw that is lightweight and generously sized for adaptability and a sumptuous drape, opting for a classic colourway – from sandy neutrals to rich, verdant hues – that lend casual elegance and textural appeal to an all-white bedscape. Mix and match pillows and cushions  From subtly contrasting stripes to rich accent hues, punctuated colour statements in the form of cushions and pillows can bring an entirely different mood to your bedroom with minimal fuss. Step outside the square with playful circular shapes to soften a traditional look and offer visual interest, or reach for a bolster and body pillow to add comfort to your sleep space. When it comes to choosing pure linen accessories, well-made pieces in timeless colourways are key to effortless layering and myriad styling possibilities.

Getting a good night's sleep can be impacted considerably by our sleep hygiene, which includes habits, behaviours and environmental factors that promote consistent and high-quality sleep. By considering all five senses when it comes to your evening routine, from the colour and texture of your bedding to the sounds and scents you surround yourself with, you can create a sanctuary that invites calm and relaxation and helps you to get the best sleep possible. Smell  Aromatherapy can be traced back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Roman societies using essential oils for health and healing, with studies showing that the practice can significantly improve sleep quality as well as lower stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Some sleep-inducing scents include lavender, clary sage, rose and chamomile, while others such as citrus, peppermint and bergamot are known for their energising qualities and are best left for the daytime. For a dreamy evening ritual, take your pick of an oil burner, diffuser, candle, room spray or topical application to scent your bedroom naturally.     Sound   Many of us are sensitive to sound when we are trying to drift off to sleep, and while a soundproof bedroom would be ideal, nighttime noise is a reality for most people. Thankfully there are simple ways to drown out external sound, not to mention distract from constant thoughts. From white noise and nature sounds (think: the pitter-patter of raindrops or a flowing stream) to sleep stories and guided meditation, you’ll discover plenty of options on apps such as Calm and Spotify designed specifically to help you sleep. Making a relaxing music playlist might also do the trick, and if you prefer silence, a quality pair of earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones may be the best option for you. We enjoy 'Deep Sleep' by Spotify. click here to listen.  Taste   It's no surprise that food and drink play a role in influencing our quality of sleep, and following tried-and-tested methods such as limiting caffeine after midday and allowing three hours between your last meal and bedtime (to aid digestion and reduce the likelihood of heartburn and insomnia) will set you up for optimal rest. For a soothing bedtime ritual, sip a warm cup of chamomile tea, a natural stress reliever with a mild sedative effect, an hour before climbing between the sheets. Lavender, passionflower and valerian are other relaxing herbal options for a cosy, sleep-inducing nightcap.  Touch Our sense of touch includes our surrounding temperature and the textures we feel, both of which contribute to our well-being and in turn our sleep quality. To ensure the best shut-eye possible, creating a cool, comfortable and texturally appealing sleep environment is key, with natural, breathable bedding such as pure linen proving ideal for creating a luxurious and restful sleep space. With a rich tactile appeal that soothes the senses, our pure linen bedding can be effortlessly layered up or down to achieve the perfect temperature in all seasons.  Sight  Research shows that certain colours may promote comfort and relaxation, so it makes sense to use these hues in your bedroom. For a restful slumber, look to nature-inspired colours such as cool, calming blues or a tranquil green palette reminiscent of a bucolic landscape. Serene shades of white and cream can also lend a peaceful feeling to your bedscape. In addition to choosing the best colours for sleep, limiting blue light, which boosts cortisol and suppresses melatonin levels, is also recommended. As this is most commonly emitted from computer screens and mobile devices, consider replacing technology with a book or practising meditation to help wind down for deep and restorative sleep.

While many might think a duvet, quilt and coverlet are interchangeable, or that a bedspread and bedcover are the same thing, there are differences in these layers – including weight, size and function – that, once understood, can help make choosing the right option much easier. Read on for our bedding glossary where we explain some key bedding terms that can assist you with finding the right layer for your space and ensure you get the best night’s sleep.    Quilt  When considering a quilt vs duvet, it might help to understand that we class our quilt as an ‘all-in-one’ duvet alternative, while a duvet refers to a fabric cover with an insert. Our Basix Linen Quilt is medium weight and generous in size, working beautifully on both a Queen and King bed. Coverlet Our Basix Linen Coverlet is a lightweight duvet or quilt alternative that is often used as a layering piece. Timeless and versatile, our coverlet is an adaptable year-round addition that adds effortless elegance to any bedding scheme. Bedspread and Bedcover Both a bedspread and bedcover offer a thin top-layer ‘cover all’, with the main difference being that the bedspread covers all but the pillows – similar to a coverlet – while a bedcover drapes generously to cover the whole bed including the pillows and reaches the floor. Duvet A duvet refers to the fabric cover that goes over an insert. Offered in a range of sizes  – ours are available in King Single, Double, Queen, King and Super King – they can be easily updated to suit the season and are a simple way to transform the overall look of your bedroom.  Blanket A blanket is generally an accessory that can be used on a bed for an added layer of warmth, while also adaptable enough to work in other spaces such as in the living room, draped over the back of a sofa for convenient warmth and coverage. Throw Blanket Similar to a blanket, a throw is slightly smaller in size and is used more as a decorative accessory for the bedroom and living area, for example, folded over the back of an armchair as a light knee blanket or draped at the end of the bed for added colour and texture. 

Each piece in the Hale Mercantile collection is made with unmatched craftsmanship and designed to last, and by taking an equally considered approach to care and handling, your linen will become softer and more luxurious with every wash.  The benefits of pure linen With roughly one-third of our lives spent sleeping, creating a healthy (and beautiful) sleeping environment should be a high priority. Pure linen is a beautiful, natural material derived from flax, which is 100 per cent biodegradable and recyclable. This durable fibre allows for optimal breathability and can absorb as much as 20 per cent of its dry weight before feeling damp, leaving you feeling cool and dry in all seasons.   Read more about the benefits of linen.  Washing your pure linen sheets A gentle, warm machine wash is recommended with like colours, and avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent on all of our linen sheets. We recommend tumble drying safely on low to medium heat to keep your linen soft and maintain its textural appeal. Our extended range Crush Linen Throw Blanket and Crush Double Linen Throw Blanket Wash separately in a gentle warm machine wash using a mild liquid detergent and dry flat out of direct sunlight. This product can be tumble-dried on a cool setting.  Flocca Linen Blanket Wash separately in a gentle warm machine wash using a mild liquid detergent. Our Flocca Linen Blanket can be dry-cleaned. We recommend that our Flocca Linen Blanket be tumble-dried on low heat.  Basix Linen Quilt Dry-clean professionally or use a gentle machine wash (less than 40 degrees) in a commercial-sized, front-loading machine with mild liquid detergent. Our Basix Linen Quilt should be tumble dried at low heat. Flocca Linen Towels A gentle warm machine wash is recommended with like colours. While we recommend tumble drying your towels, high heat will cause temporary shrinkage. Once water is reapplied to your product it will return to its original size. NOTE: The premium density weave of our Linen Towels may cause lint. As a result, we strongly recommend washing and tumble-drying your towels separately. Tumble drying will expedite any lint shedding as well as keep your product soft to the touch and help to maintain its shape. FAQs Which detergent should I use to wash my linen sheets?Use a mild detergent such as a wool wash. To maintain the colour of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners or the anti-pilling enzyme cellulase, and to avoid exposure to continual sunlight.Does linen shrink in the wash?Linen as a fibre naturally expands with wear and shrinks with washing. However, our linen sheets have been pre-washed and pre-shrunk at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care, no further shrinkage than its original state should occur.Can you put linen sheets in the dryer?Hale Mercantile linen sheets can be tumble-dried or line-dried. We highly recommend tumble-drying our sheets to maintain their shape. If using a tumble dryer, use a low to medium heat to help maintain its soft textural appeal. Drying at high temperatures will cause the linen fibres to overheat, making them brittle over time. When line drying, we recommend taking your sheets off the line while they are slightly damp and finishing them in the dryer to soften.Do linen sheets stretch? Linen as a fibre will naturally stretch with wear. Hale Mercantile pure linen sheets are pre-shrunk and pre-washed ensuring the product retains its original quality from the first wash. To avoid deterioration from stretching and ensure longevity, we highly advocate tumble drying your linen sheets at least partially. Always be sure to check individual product care instructions as these may vary from product to product within the Hale Mercantile collection.  Read more about how to care for your linen in our Linen Care Guide.

When it comes to achieving a balanced and inviting bedscape, one style does not necessarily suit every mattress size. Pillow and cushion configuration, deciding between a blanket or throw, or whether you should size up or down with your duvet are all common questions we hear. To help you find a look you'll love, we share some handy tips on choosing the right bedding and accessories for your double, queen, or king-size bed. Double Bed When dressing a double bed, sizing up to a queen-size duvet is a great way to make the bed appear more generous and provide better coverage on all sides. Keep your accessories simple, layering a throw at the end for luxurious texture and added warmth when needed, as well as one or two scatter cushions for interest. Bonus tip – if your space allows it, a queen-size bedhead is a perfect pairing with a double mattress. Its extra width helps to elevate your bed's presence in the room as well as create balance, beautifully framing your bedding. Queen Bed As the most common size, a queen bed can handle most pillow and accessories configurations with ease. Appropriate styling will come down to the bedroom space itself, so consider things like ceiling height or the width of a feature wall. Incorporating European pillows will help accentuate high ceilings, while standard pillows styled upright are best for a wider room. The most important aspect of styling a queen bed is duvet upsizing – a king duvet will provide far better coverage, enhancing both aesthetics and usability. An exception is where a low-profile bed base is used rather than an ensemble, in which case a queen duvet may be better, so be sure to measure how much side duvet drape you require. King Bed/California King Bed Often the most tricky size to style due to its width, there are a number of little hints that will help style king beds perfectly. As with a queen bed, upsizing your duvet to a super king size is a great option for providing additional drop and overall coverage. It’s not as essential as a queen bed, however, as king-size duvets are far more generous. End-of-bed styling is an important aspect, and opting for a blanket, bedspread or coverlet is a much better option rather than a throw. While a throw might look flimsy and can get lost over the great expanse of a king or California king bed, a blanket will give greater coverage either draped side-to-side or over the end. You can still use a throw as a finishing layer to elevate the look with colour and texture.  King pillows are an essential solution for creating balance and filling out width. These pillow inserts are not always easy to come by and certainly not always best for sleep needs, therefore this long profile pillow is best used decoratively at the back, against the wall or bedhead, with standard-size pillows in front. If your standard sleeping pillows are not particularly pretty, you can hide them behind the decorative king pillows, ready for bed, and style with two European pillows at the front. This will help to balance the elongation of the standard pillows with some height. Finish the look with a simple 50 x 50 cushion or our preferred choice, a luxurious body cushion.

Pillows and cushions are a simple and versatile way to elevate your bedroom or refresh your space with a new look, with many variations to mix, match and layer. Here, our stylist shares some expert tips and tricks to create an inviting bedscape that combines style and comfort.   Standard Pillows and Cushions From classic pillows to bolsters and scatter cushions, there are plenty of options available when it comes to styling these versatile bedroom accessories. Here are a few of our go-to ideas for achieving a timeless look that can be easily adapted to suit your interior design scheme.  The king of relaxed bed styling Featuring the body cushion.  Position 1-2 standard pillows upright rather than laying them flat, which will likely result in your pillows and body cushion sitting at the same height and appearing odd from your bed’s side profile. Your two upright pillows will frame your body cushion as they are a fraction taller, and will work to best effect if chosen in a contrasting colour. The classic combo Featuring Flocca Linen Cushion (50 x 50cm) and Basix Stripe Cushion. This classic look is perfectly proportioned and works well with standard pillows, both upright or flat. Sit your 50 x 50cm cushion just off-centre to one side and your 40 x 60cm cushion in the centre, overlapping the front of the other by approximately half. You could also consider swapping the 40 x 60cm cushion for a bolster cushion or the 50 x 50cm for a Euro for that extra wow factor – the same styling applies. Two’s company This look features two of the same cushions symmetrically positioned at the front of your pillows, creating a timeless and cohesive look. While this style can work with flat pillows, the look will have the best impact when created with standard pillows that are positioned upright. Try 50 x 50cm sizing for a classic aesthetic or a bolster or striped 40 x 60cm cushion for a more personalised pairing. Arranging with Euros Traditionally, European pillows, or Euros, are positioned at the back followed by standard pillows at the front. Large and decorative, they make an elegant addition to any bedroom as well as offering comfort and support. Here are some handy tips on how they can be used to effortlessly elevate your look: Try bringing your Euros to the front and standard pillows to the back. This will help give your bed a volumising lift without loading up with scatter cushions. Be sure to have a nice amount of standard pillows showing at each end of the bed to frame your Euros and create symmetry. You can also add a body cushion for a further layer of texture and colour. Introduce scatter cushions. Your Euros will look best at the back when including a cushion taller than, or propped up higher than, your standard pillows. In the instance where you have shorter cushions such as a 40 x 60cm or a bolster, you may want to move your Euros in front of your standard-sized pillows to avoid a waterfall effect (tall to short pillows) which can make your whole bed appear as though it’s sloping down. Go for a grand, traditional look with Euros placed at the back. This works particularly well on a king bed. Two to three is the optimum number, with king standard pillows advised and taller cushion clusters recommended to balance the length. Alternatively, positioning king standard pillows at the back and two Euros at the front will add elegance and height.

Keeping your luxury linen towels in perfect condition is important to ensure your towels stay fresh for years to come. Here we provide some tips to ensure maximum softness, absorbency and longevity. It’s important to wash and rotate your towels regularly to ensure build-up of oils and bacteria is minimised. For best results, we recommend washing your towels at 40 degrees on a regular machine wash. If you are regularly changing your towels, it is unlikely they will become very dirty and it’s important not to wash them at high temperatures. This can damage and shrink the fibres and also dull the colours over time. We recommend washing your towels together and avoid over filling the machine so they can move freely during the wash. Separating your towels from other items will also prevent them from catching on zips and other fasteners. Towels can become all bunched up in the washing machine, so it’s a good idea to shake them out before placing them in the dryer. This will help them stay fluffy over time. Our linen towels have been pre-washed to prevent further shrinkage and can be safely tumble dried on a low heat which will plump and soften your towel after washing. It is best not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners and a mild liquid detergent such as Wool Mix is perfect for your towels. It is best to hang your towels on a towel bar, but if you have hooks in your bathroom, it’s important never to hang more than one towel per hook. Moisture and debris can become trapped within the layers which promotes the growth of mould and bacteria. It’s ideal to have more than one towel per person and have several sets on rotation. This way, each set is only used approximately every other week. Less use and less washing means towels will last longer. Watch out for products like toothpaste and makeup! Some toothpastes contain bleach and this may leave those unexplained small white marks on your towels. Makeup can stain permanently and it’s best to use a separate face cloth instead. Finally, remember to fold and store your towels for ease and convenience. This is a small detail and can make a difference whether it be for welcoming guests, restocking the linen cupboard or simply giving your bathroom that luxurious, hotel feel.

Linen is a natural fibre many times stronger than cotton. Its durability ensures products are made to last. Linen is an investment but unlike cotton, linen when cared for correctly has the potential to last much longer before needing to be replaced. This is often why linen sheets become heirloom pieces and is one of the few fibres that becomes better with age, becoming softer and more lustrous. Here we have created your definitive Bedding Care Guide to assist with your linen care and get the best from your luxury linen bedding. 1. Washing Whilst we understand linen sheets can be a financial investment, it is important not to relate price to care. To get the most of your linen it must be cared for properly. Always follow the care instructions on the product label. Linen sheets should always be rotated and it is advisable to have at least two complete sheet sets for any one bed for change-over. Using the same set of linen sheets every day is not recommended and keeping multiple sets on hand will also ensure a fresh set is always ready to go on the bed. Over washing can be damaging to luxury linen and will break down even the highest-quality linen and should be avoided. A gentle warm machine wash is recommended with like colours. Wash your linen bedding separately from towels or clothing and avoid over-filling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash and circulate in the water; this also prevents damage caused by zippers and other fasteners. To maintain the colour of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners and avoid exposure to continual sunlight. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent such as Wool Mix on all of our linen products. Products such as linen fitted sheets are subject to more friction than any other item in our collection and as a result, they can deteriorate if over used and not cared for correctly. 2. Drying We strongly recommend tumble drying our linen, at least partially. Linen will dry more quickly than other fabrics, so the sheets won't need a hot or long dryer setting. It can be tumble dried safely on low to medium heat to keep your linen soft and to maintain its textural appeal. As linen is a very loose weave, if it is subject to constant use and never tumble dried, it is not given the opportunity to return to its original woven state and the constant stretch caused over time will inevitably wear the item out. Our linen has been pre-washed at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care no further shrinkage should occur. Please note our linen blankets should not be dried in a tumble dryer, but instead line dried out of direct sunlight. 3. Storing Natural Fibres need to breathe and it is optimal to keep your linen bedding folded flat in a dry, well ventilated environment away from direct sunlight. It is best not to store your linens in a plastic container as this can cause them to yellow over time and can trap moisture, encouraging the growth of mildew. Lining drawers and shelves with high-quality tissue paper and scented sachets helps to counteract moisture and keeps your linen smelling fresh. With each wash and proper laundering, our linen becomes softer and more desirable, offering a unique sleeping experience and wonderfully tactile products for around the home. Hale Mercantile linens are pre-shrunk and pre-washed to ensure our products retain their original quality from the first wash. Our linen sheets and linen duvet covers are the perfect pieces for layering and draping on your bed, creating a sanctuary you won’t want to leave.

With roughly one third of our lives spent sleeping, creating a healthy (and beautiful) sleeping environment should be a high priority. There are many factors that can impact sleep quality and one of the biggest is the fibres you are sleeping in. As bed linen comes in direct contact with your skin, natural fibres should be the first choice when selecting your pure linen bedding. 1. Natural Pure linen is a truly beautiful, natural product with an inherent timeless quality derived from flax. Flax is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. It is a great ambassador for environmental sustainability as it grows naturally, requires little or no fertilisers and does not require irrigation. It is kind on our earth and the natural strength of yarn produced from flax reduces the need for starching during the weaving process. This results in fewer chemicals being used. Often, cotton and synthetic crops are sprayed with pesticides and herbicides and these chemicals can remain the finished products and be absorbed by the skin. 2. Breathable Natural fibres are the first choice in linen bedding allowing for breathability; keeping you cool and dry in summer and warm in winter. Pure linen is the first choice as it is highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat. Linen can absorb as much as 20% of its dry weight before feeling damp or wet. This means it will absorb more perspiration from the skin and the sheets will not take on a ‘clammy’ feel. Your linen bedding will feel cool to the touch and this high moisture absorbency rate will prevent the fibres from breaking down as quickly as other textiles. It is claimed, that the heat conductivity of linen is five times higher than wool and eighteen times higher than silk. 3. Antibacterial Linen, because of its natural fibres and production process is inherently hypoallergenic. Sleeping in pure linen sheets will help you avoid common allergic reactions found with other fabrics such as synthetics. Pure linen’s natural antibacterial properties have the ability to suppress bacteria which also means sweat is less likely to break down the linen fibres as it would in cotton. The natural qualities of flax make linen the perfect non-allergenic choice. 4. Sleep quality Linen is anti-static – which explains why it remains cleaner for longer periods of time and doesn’t cling to the body. It is said that linen will soften and preserve your skin due to its PH-neutral balance. Linen bedding also has a light massaging effect on your skin due to the tiny breaks throughout the fabric. These breaks stimulate our skin, which stimulates blood flow and promotes relaxation. Linen has been shown to promote deep and relaxing sleep. A recent study found that you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up in a better mood after resting on linen sheets! 5. Warmth Linen is a natural insulator and the fibres are hollow, moving air and moisture naturally making it thermo-regulating; insulating in the cold, and cool and breathable when it’s warm. During the colder months, layer linen blankets or linen throws to retain the heat and warmth from your body. Linen reacts to the season to give you the best quality sleep and is valued for its ability to keep you cool in the summer months. This is all achieved through the natural properties of the fibre itself. Investing in quality pure linen is paramount and Hale Mercantile's 100% pure European linen bedding is designed to make this a pleasurable and luxurious experience. Linen’s characteristics make it the perfect choice for luxury linen sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers.