Apparently my love affair with Belgian linen is ever deepening! Can you blame me? It is irresistible, and summer and linen happen to be best friends. Belgian Linen Love Story is one more excuse to celebrate textiles, colors, and designs inspired by Belgium. Who knew a nubby texture and gorgeous natural stone color could live so large across design styles and time eras? Even if you’re not in the market for linens or clothing, I’ll show you how my own home welcomes this material all year round.
It’s a Belgian Linen Love Story
Someday I would love to visit Belgium. If I know me, I’ll not want to leave!
After all, so much of the aesthetic I love is influenced by beautiful Belgian sensibilities. In our little living room (a sitting room really), a Belgian slope arm slipcovered sofa joins a Copenhagen chair, both covered in Belgian linen.
And if I glance around more of our house this moment, I find more Belgian inspired moments…
Two IKEA sofas are covered in custom Belgian linen slipcovers, and even the reclaimed wood coffee table and lantern above it feel Belgian in design. (Walls are SW Agreeable Gray which is a wonderfully warm, flax-hued paint color which contrasts only slightly with Belgian linen upholstery.)
I know the color palette is pale and monochromatic, but if you live with neutrals, then maybe you already know. So calm and comforting!
Pale Stone Color Stories
Our family room above has builtins I painted the same color as walls so they could recede and quiet down. Speaking of quiet…the sight of the pale tones in this stone?
Color me love struck!
What a sumptuous chaise (above) just right for Sunday naps!
In my own home, I love the look and feel of Belgian linen mixed with velvet pillows. While velvet is elegant, it’s one of those easy care fabrics. Our pillow covers get tossed in the wash and look great years later.
The above tone on tone color story in a dining room proves linen can feel regal and important..
I can imagine linen upholstered outdoor furniture looking quite natural in the setting above.
Are there certain colors you just never tire of? Because the warm sandy limestone beiges you see here always feel relevant and fresh to my eyes.
Belgian Linen Upholstery
Belgian linen is hard to beat for chair upholstery, and I should know!
While it may wear, in some ways, it seems only to improve.
I’m crazy about Greet Lefevre’s beautiful Belgian home with its orangery, garden pavilion, and bespoke paneled rooms in the main house.
Isn’t her traditional home breathtaking?
If you’re a fan of Belgian design and want to borrow from it, bedrooms are an ideal space to emulate the spirit.
Belgian linen curtains, a throw, pale colors on the wall, and rustic lamps with Belgian design are a great start.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Belgian Linen Love Story
MagicLinen is a brand with a lovely talent for working with natural materials.
Their handmade kitchen linens, bedding and clothing as well as bath linens come in a variety of sophisticated colors.
In addition, their high quality European linen is certified under the OEKO-TEX standard. This certification means it is also good for our health as the linen contains no harmful chemicals.
Psst. If the chambray color above floats yer boat, SEE THIS inspiration!
Why linen? Flax, from which linen is made, is known to be the strongest natural fiber in the world.
So linen products can endure for generations and make perfect sense for timeless and tranquil homes.
Linen is also prized for its thermo-regulating magic which keeps us cool or warm depending on the weather.
Linen’s Beautiful Qualities?
It’s a strong fabric and more durable than cotton or polyester.
It has a timeless quality. I mean, it has been around for thousands of years!
Linen has breatheability so that it wicks away moisture from the skin.
You’ve gotta love a fiber that becomes softer and more wonderful from washing it. Oh that we could all age like linen!
Linen is a wonderful fabric for allergy-prone or sensitive skin.
Here’s a fiber that is good to the earth. Linen is biodegradable, recyclable, organic, and doesn’t need more water than the rainfall the flax plant receives.
Have you noticed that linen doesn’t attract static electricity? I love that!
Wrinkly linen doesn’t necessarily read sloppy. Of course, this is a highly subjective matter, but I am all for not ironing my linen!
How many fabrics actually become more valuable, soft, and desirable with age? Vintage linens often fetch top dollar!
“Lay Me Down in Sheets of Linen”
Lay me down in sheets of linen…wait for it!
Are you compelled to iron linen?
Or do you toss it in the dryer?
Because I’m actually okay with its natural look with a few wrinkles.
Doesn’t this feel like an island retreat?
I’m also fond of linen-cotton blends.
And I have never met a linen anything from J. Crew I did not love!
I may have a dozen of linen tees from J. Crew!
Linen napkins are a luxurious touch yet simply perfect for casual gatherings. I love the effortless knot look above.
The only thing better than a linen shift dress is a linen shift with pockets!
I hope you are finding a giggle or two between all the linen lovelies!
Pssst. You can also find MagicLinen on IG!
If you’re a true linen lovesick fan/stan, make sure to visit THIS STORY with mad love for BELGIAN LINEN.
Linen Love at Home
It is obviously my favorite and has been for decades!
What does it cover at our house?
Um…what does it not cover?
Chairs, cushions, pillows, sofas, chaises, stools, ottomans, and even boxes of facial tissue!
How does all of this Belgian linen upholstery hold up over the years?
Extremely well!
But let’s face it. Our Belgian linen sofa has been around for about 15 years so there are a few areas with wear.
And you can ask my husband…I absolutely adore that we have worn little holes in the linen!
I do! I think this is very European of us!
Does it mean we’ll trash the pieces with wornout linen? (These counter stools below? Also have some places where the linen is so worn, it is beautifully threadbare.)
Nope!
The worn or threadbare areas can be mended with sweet little linen patches and even decorative sashiko stitching.
Because it’s those “mends” that I find absolutely heartwarming.
They represent the wear and tear and history of our lives…we are using up these investment pieces; not babying them.
Ladies Who Lounge in Linen
I do love wearing fine linen, and who cares if the PJs are wrinkly like me and my gobble gobble necked self! These are my pajamas:
And here’s my robe:
Our slope arm Belgian linen dining chairs? Still look fabulous and don’t sport worn spots.
The linen cushion in the window seat of our former home is treated so it is in extra fine shape even with serial visits from furry grandkids.
I didn’t mind our sweet Bella Luna on the furniture one bit…no shedding left behind, and her paws were always clean as an indoorsy lady.
Is it even any wonder one of the first decor blogs I ever discovered and fell in love with is titled VELVET and LINEN?
Mood Boards Featuring My Favorite Fabric
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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