With the whirlwind of busy lives, the need to slow down, linger and appreciate is stronger than ever. Consumers want their bedroom interiors to promote a sense of calm and well-being infused with a feeling of sanctuary. With the bedroom being one of the most important spaces in the home, we are retreating to our bedrooms to spend more time relaxing, sleeping or working. Natural and textured linen bedding is the perfect antidote to the external chaos, imbuing a space with a natural aesthetic while evoking an understated luxury. Providing you with quality and function, Hale Mercantile Co. linen bedding provides a unique sleeping experience. Luxury-washed linen sheets are perfect for layering and creating a relaxed bedroom any time of the year.
What is the best quality bed linen?
For Hale Mercantile Co. pure linen, origin and production are paramount to quality. Our passion for quality is backed by our policy to only source from the best of European craftsmanship. We believe that pure linen can only reach its potential through professional production that has been carried out through the ages in Europe. The process of spinning, dyeing, weaving and finishing linen are art forms in their own right and are paramount to producing the quality of palette and texture that will last, as quality linen should. There are two indicators that can assist with assessing quality linen:; price point and, in some cases, a product label. In Australia and the USA, we are fortunate to have very strict ‘place of origin’ regulations for labelling imports. It is worth noting that it is simply impossible to produce a true French, Belgian or any quality European linen cheaply. A cheaper price point can indicate that the linen has been spun and woven in the East. Pure linen, produced in Europe from plant to yarn to fabric, is not a cheap purchase; but quality European linen, if cared for properly, will always prove to be the better investment resonating in its durability of colour fastness and timeless texture.
Linen vs. Cotton sheets
One of the first things you may notice about linen sheets vs cotton sheets is their textural appearance. With linen’s sumptuous tactile appeal, there is a reason this luxurious fabric is loved by stylists and designers – it imbues any space with relaxed elegance and allows muted, earthy colours to really shine. From rich, warm shades to cool, oceanic hues, linen's visible weave lends a beautiful, natural patina and a depth of character to sheets and bedding that can’t be replicated with cotton. If you want to create an effortlessly stylish look, the tone and texture of linen are unmatched. It is worth remembering that, while cotton tends to have a smooth and formal quality the moment you remove it from the packet, linen will become softer over time and with every wash. Quality linen sheets, when pre-shrunk and pre-washed, are also conveniently easy to care for, requiring no more than a simple warm machine wash and medium tumble dry. With linen being faster to dry than cotton, and requiring no ironing, it is the lower maintenance option of the two. Additionally, linen threads are generally longer and thicker than cotton, resulting in a more durable finished product that will usually outlive cotton sheets when properly cared for. When considering the practical benefits of linen vs cotton sheets, breathability is where linen really stands out. While both cotton and linen are natural fabrics, the looser weave of linen offers superior moisture-wicking properties and breathability. Hot sleepers in particular will appreciate its temperature-regulating qualities. Linen provides a cool, dry feeling year-round, offering warmth in the winter months while being wonderfully breathable in the summer. Linen is also naturally hypoallergenic, making it ideal for those with allergies or sensitivities.
Is Linen sustainable?
Flax linen is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. It is a great ambassador for environmental sustainability as it grows naturally, requires little or no fertilizers compared to other crops 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. The natural qualities of flax make pure linen sheets the perfect non-allergenic choice.
Choosing bed linen: A guide
Investing in quality linen is paramount. Hale Mercantile Co. 100% pure European washed linen sheets are designed to make this process a pleasurable and luxurious experience. Linen is 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.
Pure linen - When choosing bed linen, it is important to understand that to produce pure linen yarn, flax needs to first go through a highly specialised, intense and arduous process. And then it needs to be spun. It is at this point it can be now called linen.
Hale Mercantile Co. pure linen yarns are made from high-quality long fibre French and Belgian flax. Our superior yarn quality is inherent in our weave through our incomparable texture and tone.
European linen - All pure linen bed linen is made with Flax. Linen is often described as being French to suggest it is of good quality, but in most cases such linen is produced outside of Europe from exported European flax. The entire Hale Mercantile Co collection is produced from beginning to end in Europe.
Easy care - Whatever the season, Hale Mercantile Co. linen sheets and bedding will become softer and more relaxed over time. Our linen is pre-shrunk and pre-washed ensuring the product retains its original quality from that first wash. Designed with a relaxed textural appeal, Hale Mercantile Co linen sheets require no more than a simple warm machine wash and medium tumble dry. No ironing needed. How easy is that?
How to style your bed
The textural quality of our bed linen is perfect for styling with our signature finishes in Flocca, Basix and Kristine. Each range is designed to work seamlessly together allowing you a myriad of combinations and styles to choose from. Our linen sheets and linen duvet covers are the perfect pieces for layering, ruching and draping on your bed, creating a sumptuous haven you won’t want to leave! The beauty of linen's timeless appeal lies in its ability to work in any aesthetic, be it coast or country, period or urban contemporary. If you are looking for inspiration look no further than our Shop Our Style bedding guide. Or you are most welcome to book in a Design Consultation with our in-house designers.
The Hale Mercantile Co. linen sheets palette is an extensive range of deliberately muted and earthy tones. We also incorporate accent hues to add a pop of colour where needed. Typically, our coastal clients like to work with bedding colours such as Ayrton (white) and Petra (our stone hue) and blend it with neutrals such as Sable (sand), Kali (sandy grey), Nox (black melange) and Russo (clay). A linen duvet cover, partnered with the likes of a body pillow will always exude a relaxed vibe. But, if you are in a particularly warm location you can simply layer your bed with a linen flat sheet and one of our lightweight linen blend blankets which will be sure to add texture and interest to a bed.
If you want to style a bed with a country feel, then it is best to work with warmer tones such as our Brun (Toffee melange), Sable (sand) and Cep (Mushroom). Feminine tones in pillows and cushions are also popular for a country scheme. Our Rosa (clay pink) is ideal or a deeper berry in Moro. For country styling you can also work with stripes. Work them into your scheme through cushions or standard and euro pillows. Our stripes are subtle and subdued, perfect to create your style without being too bold.
To style linen into an urban contemporary bedroom, it is best to create a more structured look. The texture in our pure linen sheets will still create a relaxed look, but structure by way of a more tightly made bed will speak to a contemporary aesthetic. The motto for modern is always 'less is more'. So, style your bed with a double stack of standard pillows, coupled with a tightly pulled linen duvet and flat sheet against one of our slip-cover linen bed heads to exude relaxed contemporary luxury whilst keeping it simple and minimal.
The seasonal approach to linen quilts & linen duvet covers
Linen appeals in all seasons with its texture, drape and versatility transitioning across all climates. To make this transition between seasons effortless, Hale Mercantile Co.’s classic pure linen quilts and linen duvet covers are the perfect seasonal pieces to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.
With the heat in summer making it difficult for a good night’s sleep, the quality and weight of your linen bedding is paramount. Summer means less layers and linen’s natural fibres are the first choice in bed linen allowing for optimum breathability which will keep you cool and dry in warmer months.
Lightweight and super soft, our pure linen quilts work beautifully in any bedroom. Fully machine washable, our linen quilts are perfect for warm nights paired only with a linen flat sheet. Our pre-washed linen quilts are perfect for year-round use and make the transition to winter effortless when the temperature drops. If you’re in a particularly cold climate, you can layer our linen quilt over the duvet cover as a topper, enhancing the warmth and look of your bed. You may also like to have a linen sheet set, which can be layered over the fitted sheet and under the linen duvet cover giving further warmth and interest to your bed. Adding extra linen standard and European pillowcases will complete the look and add a sumptuous feel. For the finishing touch, our pure linen throws and blankets also work as beautiful bed layering pieces.
Our linen duvet covers are made in keeping with our Flocca signature bedding design. The hand-finished edging, hidden-button closure and textural appeal make them a classic staple piece for any linen lover.
Linen should be considered as a natural and versatile fibre that can transgress seasons. If you are unsure of which is the best linen product for your needs, visit our 'With Every Fibre' blog where we explain why pure linen sheets are also the perfect product for all seasons.
To learn more about the Hale Mercantile Co. story and obsession with pure European linen, click here to read our story.