Today we are continuing with our mini-series about fabrics to discuss silk. What are the best uses for silk and how does one care for it? For a little background, silk, similar to linen, is one of the oldest natural textiles around with use dating back to 3500 B.C. It was first developed in China and came into great demand as a luxury item because of its beautiful luster and shine.
Energetic zebra print by Jim Thompson’s Thai Silk Trading Co., Ltd
Clients often ask me what the best uses for different fabrics are and how to properly care for them. So let’s start off with linen.
Linen has a great hand (or feel) to it and can be used for upholstery or draperies. It is one of the oldest textiles around with evidence of its use going back thousands of years. It is primarily produced in Western Europe, namely Belgium, Italy, and Ireland. Linen is produced from fibers derived from the flax plant and is very labor intensive to produce, hence it can be a more expensive option.
One of my favorite things to research is the psychology of design and how the world affects us. This will be the beginning of a series of posts discussing various topics, ranging from light, color, room layout, etc. and how it effects our mental wellbeing.
Having a Chat outside the Natural History Museum, Paris
Chemical flame retardants. Where do you think these could be found? If you are like me I thought they were in any kind of fabrics and furnishings for commercial use, such as hotels and offices, in order to be up to fire safety code. The HBO documentary “Toxic Hot Seat” is a searing exposé of just how many places these chemicals can be found, such as virtually all mass produced upholstered furniture for your home, nursing pillows, car seats, and other baby items.
Flame Retardants in the Home
