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It’s All About the Red: How to decorate with the next season’s hot colour

If you’re planning on adding some colour to your home interior and aren’t sure where to start, here’s an edit of some of our beautiful products in one of the hottest (literally) colours for Autumn/Winter ’17: red.

Red is traditionally associated with passion, energy, warmth, vibrancy and sensitivity. In Japanese, Indian and Nepali cultures it is believed to bring good luck in marriage, so choosing a gift that incorporates this versatile colour will give meaning as well as materiality. Shades include brick, tomato, wine, grenadine, scarlet, fire, maroon and berry. In Fall, red is everywhere in Nature: the fiery reds of falling leaves, the late-ripening raspberries, crunchy apples, the rich jewel reds of dahlias and ruby rudbeckias. But red can also feel fresh, breezy and summery. It’s all in the tone.

Some reds have a yellow base (brick and tomato shades), whilst others have a blue base (berry and wine shades). This can help when working out how to style a red product in your home, as it’s a good idea to stick to similar base tones. Play around with what you already have in your home and see what would work alongside a new pop of red.

It’s a strong colour, so best used sparingly in interior decoration. Our pure linen homewares come in a huge range of colours and patterns, meaning you can add the perfect accent of red without having to commit to bold colours throughout. From table linens to linen scarves, our products encompass the richness of this sumptuous colour.

1.Duvet cover in Jazz Red

Our Jazz Red duvet cover (and pillow cases) uses red as the main colour but breaks it up with a neutral stripe. This gives it a softer look, and makes it perfect for pairing with any of our neutral bedlinen or cushion covers. It will add warmth and cosiness to the bedroom – just where you want it.

2.Linen table runner in Jazz Red

In the same colour collection, our linen table runner in Jazz Red adds brightness to your table, without dominating things. Ideal for summer as well as autumn and winter, this runner has a vintage feel and works brilliantly with white or off-white crockery.

3.Linen scarf in Rust

A good scarf will be a trusty companion on many an adventure, from the everyday dash to work, to a cool vacation evening. Our pure linen scarves are perfect for adding some colour to an outfit, whilst keeping things pared back and simple. Red worn around the neck also brightens the complexion. You can choose a scarf with or without fringing, depending on your taste.

4.Red linen pillow case and cushion cover

For an easy way to give a nod to this season’s colour trend, whilst keeping the look timeless, our linen pillow cases and cushion covers are perfect. In a range of striped or plain colourways, you can mix and match with other bold colours, or stick to a red palette. We love the way these three work together, without being overwhelming. Bright, but not too bright. Just right.

5.Linen tea towels in Red stripe

Inspired by the classic vintage linens of our grandmothers’ kitchens, our linen tea towels in a subtle red stripe will add a charming splash of red to your kitchen. To see a picture of these in action, check out this blog post, which shows how the yellow tones of sunflowers and apricots can bring these linens to life.

We say bring on the reds!

For more examples of the wide range of items we stock in different colours go here and here.

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What Do You Need to Pack for a Picnic?

Summer is the perfect time for eating outdoors, whether an impromptu dinner in the garden or a gathering with friends on the beach. Like most things in life, picnics are best when they are simple, fuss-free affairs. So, what do you need to pack for a picnic? To help keep your summertime effortlessly fun, here are 5 tips to help you picnic like a pro.

1.Take the right equipment for picnic

A sharp yet safe knife is essential, for carving watermelon to chopping salami. These are brilliant and stay sharp for ages, and they have a covering to keep protect the blade (and your fingers). A decent bottle-opener is useful, especially when it can double as a spoon and a fork (great for adventurous types who like nifty gadgets). Or get one that is also a corkscrew if you’ll be drinking wine. A flask full of ice is brilliant for cooling drinks. For carrying your gear you can either go for a traditional wicker basket (high on Instagram appeal) or take an old apple crate that you can then use upside down as a table once you’ve unpacked. You should take some sting spray and citronella candles they are handy if you are being pestered by bugs.

2. Make it look lovely

If the first bite is with the eyes, then a picnic setting needs to look good. Think about little touches that will lift your spread from thrown-together to pulled-together. A jar of flowers (see also below), some pretty linen napkins, a beautiful blanket or throw and some colourful fruit will add to the visual appeal. You want people to feel relaxed and comfortable, and part of something special.

3. Keep kids happy

Most kids will be super excited to be eating outdoors, and will make their own fun. When you are setting up it’s fun to ask the kids to pick a few wildflowers (carefully and only where they are plentiful), and they can stick these in a jam jar of water once they are done.

It never hurts to have a few options handy in case people start getting bored. Dobble is a brilliantly simple game and comes in a neat little tin, so it’s perfect for carrying around. A soft rounders bat and a ball can be used for a big rounders game or improvised other ball games, like French cricket, and also as a light sabre (oh yes). Other games using the surroundings are fun, like Eye-Spy or a Nature hunt. Where you give everyone a challenge and see who can find things first. For example; find a feather, two snail shells, a yellow flower and a leaf.

4. Keep the food simple

It might be tempting to bake a spectacular cake for your picnic but remember that you need to transport the food there, and also the fact that it is likely to be warm. A squished, semi-melted cake will just be sad-making. Instead, go for food that you can pile on a big board in the middle of your picnic for everyone to grab what they like and assemble their own sandwiches, salads and platefuls. Charcuterie, cheeses, fruits, nuts, crackers, dips, vegetable sticks, and boiled eggs are all ideal.

5. Tidy up after yourselves

Keep waste to a minimum by using reusable utensils and linen napkins instead of paper ones. If you don’t have enough, use environmentally-friendly versions, like bamboo plates and cutlery. Take a large rubbish bag for any food waste, and a few smaller bags for recycling waste. Make sure you leave the area as you found it.

Follow these tips and you will be sure to have a beautiful, relaxing picnic. For more on making the most of summer, go here. To shop the look for our casual garden picnic, follow the links below:

Linen throw, Linen napkins, Linen cushion cover, Linen tea towel

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What does ‘Slow Living’ Mean to You?

Part of our love for linen stems from its simplicity, from the fact that it does its job quietly and efficiently for years and years, whilst also looking understatedly beautiful. A driving force behind LinenMe is our belief in the need to slow down, to avoid unnecessary clutter and fast fashion, to appreciate the little things that bring joy in our lives and our homes. We have loved these interviews in the A Simple Path series, and the responses got us thinking: what does the idea of slow living mean to you?

It’s a phrase we hear a lot, often out of context and with an empty echo. It’s not always easy to live slow, and to pretend otherwise is disingenuous. We have jobs, families, houses and countless other things to take care of. The ever-switched-on nature of the internet age means that there are always distractions, always people to compare ourselves to, things we are encouraged to buy or do in the promise that they will bring happiness. It’s easy to get lost in all this white noise. For us, slow living is taking time to be aware of those moments that give us a sense of wellbeing, times when we feel truly connected to others, times when we are not watching the clock, times when we can simply lie back and unwind.

Our products are designed to complement and enhance those moments: table linens to make mealtime gatherings feel even more special; super soft towels to pamper your skin after a hot bath; linen throws to snuggle up under with a cup of coffee and a good book; linen bedlinen to help you sleep deeply and comfortably in utter comfort; relaxed, easy-to-wear clothes that look fantastic without being tied to fashion fads.

And because our carefully designed, hand selected, expertly crafted linen textiles are made to last, you can keep on enjoying those moments for as long as you like. They are machine washable and don’t need ironing, which frees up your time for soaking up some slow pleasures.

We would love to hear your thoughts on slow living. Drop us a comment below if you want to share what slow living means to you.

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Friday Fika: How to slow down and share a treasured moment

After reading this interview with hygge-lover Erica Lee, Friday Fika has become a regular feature of family life in our home. There is something special about Fridays – the sense of the expanse of the weekend, a feeling of relief that the working (or school) week is over and that we can finally slow down for a moment, a sense of satisfaction that we achieved at least a few of the things on our ever-expanding ‘to-do’ list.

As life seems to speed up and the pressures of work and keeping up with social media build, it is ever more important to find time for each other, and for ourselves. Coffee breaks are increasingly just a take-out latte hastily drunk at our desks, or a tepid cup of tea that we were too distracted to actually drink. We thought we’d explore the idea of fika a little more, and try to inspire you to make time to connect with your loved ones or carve out a regular moment of calm in your week.

What is fika?

Close cousin to the concept of hygge, fika is a Swedish word that can be used as a noun and a verb. It essentially translates as meaning the sharing of coffee and having a catch-up. Historically, a Swedish woman was expected to offer her guest a grand total of seven different types of cake or homemade delicacy, but thankfully now a shop-bought packet of biscuits will do just as well! Although fika, like hygge, has become a bit of a buzzword, for Swedes it is just part of everyday life.

How do you fika?

The idea is that you make time to really connect with your guest or loved one, so turn off your phones and meet at a time when you can properly stop, even if it’s only for ten minutes. If you can make a homebaked cake or some buns (cardamom are our favourite), fantastic, but if you can only find a take-out coffee and some waffles that’s fine too. The main point about fika is that you take a break. The extras are just add-ons. So, pour yourself a cup of tea or brew some good coffee, light a candle if you are at home, and really slow yourself down.

(image above by Erica Lee)

If you have children, make the fika time a regular time so everyone knows it’s happening. Friday afternoon is perfect. Take it in turns to talk about your week, and plans for the weekend. Teach them to listen to each other and to reflect on the good and bad things that have happened – sharing like this is a great skill to learn in case they hit a rocky patch and need to know how to open up. It’s amazing how often a week can fly by without us really knowing how everyone else is. Fika is a perfect way to catch up and check in. Some weeks you won’t manage it, and that’s ok too.

Fika can be a very powerful yet incredibly simple way to embrace a slower pace of life, or to truly enjoy a moment in your day, fully conscious and away from the busyness of everyday life.

If you are feeling inspired, here’s the recipe for cardamom buns that we use, via fixfeastflair.com. Don’t be put off by the complicated-looking folds, they are super easy to make, and look even more charming if they aren’t perfect. They are so tasty, you’ll have to be quick off the mark to get one! Pair with some simple linen napkins and lay a beautiful tablecloth to make your fika feel really special. Our table linens are all machine washable so you don’t need to worry about sticky fingers or coffee spills. In fact, any marks will just be reminders of happy times together, and who can complain about that?

Happy Friday fika-ing lovely folks!

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Pretty In Pink: How to bring on the blush

As we mentioned here, pink is a hot colour for Spring/Summer ’17. Taking our inspiration from the gorgeous blossoms and budding tulips all around us we wanted to devote a whole post to this gorgeous colour. Pink is a fabulous colour to work with: it has a huge range of tones, looks pretty and fresh and as long as you avoid garish bubblegum pink it looks super chic in your home. Forget the girly-girly plastic kind of pink, and instead embrace blush, rose, fuchsia, rosewood, ballet slipper, and flamingo shades. Even the names sound divine…

Here are some ways you can bring on the blush in your interior and wardrobe.

Dusky pinks

Adding a few soft pinks will instantly update your wardrobe. Dusky pinks look great with older skin and grey hair, but also suit darker skin tones. A pop of fresh pink will lift your spirits and perk up a work outfit. These muted pinks work really well with black, grey, navy, cream and tan (so pretty much anycapsule wardrobe staples), and will see you through the summer. We love this classy silk shirt, thesegorgeous mules and this cross body bag. And of course, our super popular Rosa bedlinen in soft, tumbled stonewashed pure linen that will keep you cool and cosy all summer long.

Fuscias

If you have a minimalist colour scheme at home or in your wardrobe, you can always add the odd splash of colour here and there to keep things interesting. If you are prepared to go bold, bright fuchsia is a joyous riot of a colour. Keep it to smaller items, like a swish of lipstick or a pompom garland, or go the whole hog and splash out on a fuchsia chair or other piece of furniture. Our pink stonewashed bedlinen is happy-makingly bright and the perfect way to bring some fuchsia into your interior without overwhelming the look, and it’s made from our top quality pure linen, so you know you’ll get a good night’s sleep. We also sell linen fabric in our rustico and herringbone ranges so you can make your own linen cushions, clothes or accessories in pink.

We also love this handmade dhurrie rug, this cotton baby blanket, this cute lamp and this lipstick (do we dare?).

Exteriors

Whilst you may not want to paint the whole of your house pink, there are simple ways to bring a fresh blush look to the exterior of your home. Plant up some window boxes or containers with plants like cosmos antiquity, tulips, roses, dianthus or penstemons. Buy a sweet nesting box like this one and watch the birds come and go from your garden. Or paint your front door, gate or windows a pale, subtle shade of pink, like these beauties.

There are tons of ways to bring some of the joys of Spring into your home, and to celebrate pink in all its glory. Happy prettifying!

Got any favorite pink things you’d love to share with us? Leave a comment below and let us know.

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[aliyahhongkong-blog]

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Friday Fika: How to slow down and share a treasured moment

After reading this interview with hygge-lover Erica Lee, Friday Fika has become a regular feature of family life in our home. There is something special about Fridays – the sense of the expanse of the weekend, a feeling of relief that the working (or school) week is over and that we can finally slow down for a moment, a sense of satisfaction that we achieved at least a few of the things on our ever-expanding ‘to-do’ list.

As life seems to speed up and the pressures of work and keeping up with social media build, it is ever more important to find time for each other, and for ourselves. Coffee breaks are increasingly just a take-out latte hastily drunk at our desks, or a tepid cup of tea that we were too distracted to actually drink. We thought we’d explore the idea of fika a little more, and try to inspire you to make time to connect with your loved ones or carve out a regular moment of calm in your week.

What is fika?

Close cousin to the concept of hygge, fika is a Swedish word that can be used as a noun and a verb. It essentially translates as meaning the sharing of coffee and having a catch-up. Historically, a Swedish woman was expected to offer her guest a grand total of seven different types of cake or homemade delicacy, but thankfully now a shop-bought packet of biscuits will do just as well! Although fika, like hygge, has become a bit of a buzzword, for Swedes it is just part of everyday life.

How do you fika?

The idea is that you make time to really connect with your guest or loved one, so turn off your phones and meet at a time when you can properly stop, even if it’s only for ten minutes. If you can make a homebaked cake or some buns (cardamom are our favourite), fantastic, but if you can only find a take-out coffee and some waffles that’s fine too. The main point about fika is that you take a break. The extras are just add-ons. So, pour yourself a cup of tea or brew some good coffee, light a candle if you are at home, and really slow yourself down.

(image above by Erica Lee)

If you have children, make the fika time a regular time so everyone knows it’s happening. Friday afternoon is perfect. Take it in turns to talk about your week, and plans for the weekend. Teach them to listen to each other and to reflect on the good and bad things that have happened – sharing like this is a great skill to learn in case they hit a rocky patch and need to know how to open up. It’s amazing how often a week can fly by without us really knowing how everyone else is. Fika is a perfect way to catch up and check in. Some weeks you won’t manage it, and that’s ok too.

Fika can be a very powerful yet incredibly simple way to embrace a slower pace of life, or to truly enjoy a moment in your day, fully conscious and away from the busyness of everyday life.

If you are feeling inspired, here’s the recipe for cardamom buns that we use, via fixfeastflair.com. Don’t be put off by the complicated-looking folds, they are super easy to make, and look even more charming if they aren’t perfect. They are so tasty, you’ll have to be quick off the mark to get one! Pair with some simple linen napkins and lay a beautiful tablecloth to make your fika feel really special. Our table linens are all machine washable so you don’t need to worry about sticky fingers or coffee spills. In fact, any marks will just be reminders of happy times together, and who can complain about that?

Happy Friday fika-ing lovely folks!

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How to Tackle the Post-Christmas Clean Up: Sort out spills and stains, naturally

We know, Christmas is a few days away yet and you are still planning your New Year’s Eve celebrations. But we thought we’d follow the wise mantra ‘Forearmed is forewarned’ and take some of the sting out of the post-festive clean up. With all the feasting and partying comes inevitable mess: tablecloth stains, spills, greasy ovens. Not a pretty sight. Stock up on simple household items in advance and you won’t need to worry about bothersome red wine spills, wax drips and gravy stains. And there’s no need for toxic, grease-busting products, all these ideas use environmentally-friendly, cheap and ready-to-hand items. You can simply sail through the festive season safe in the knowledge that you can deal with anything (drunken relatives notwithstanding).

Here’s our handy hints for stress-free, eco-friendly holiday-season cleaning.

Gravy stains

Gravy is such an essential part of any big roast meal, whatever meat you are roasting, but it does have a tendency to drip and spill when people are passing it round the table. Never fear, your beautiful white linen tablecloth can be rescued. Here’s how:

If you are mid-meal cover the gravy stain with table salt, cornstarch or baking soda (don’t whip off the tablecloth while your guests are still eating, just subtly sprinkle the stain)

Scrape off any excess gravy with a knife

Blot with a damp white cloth and some liquid dishwashing detergent

Pretreat with an oxygen bleach solution – soak for a few hours

Wash at the highest temperature possible, according to the item’s care instructions

Wax drips

We all love some festive candles, but occasionally we end up with wax spilling onto linens and other tableware. To avoid this, invest in some top quality candles as they burn better, make less mess and are easier to clean up. But if you do get wax on your linen tablecloth, fear not. Here’s what to do:

Put the linens into the freezer, with the wax uppermost

Once the wax has properly cooled, gently scrape off any excess bits with a blunt knife or your fingernail

Place unwaxed brown paper (a paper bag cut in two will be perfect) or plain white kitchen towel under the fabric and on top of the wax stain

Iron on as high a heat as your fabric will allow until all the oils from the stain have transferred onto the paper

Spritz with water to see if there is any wax residue – this will resist the water – and repeat steps 3-4 if necessary

Wash your linen according to the care instructions

Red wine stains

Mulled wine and red wine are integral to holiday festivities, but they are a nightmare where your table linens, and clothes, are concerned. Take these measures if there is a red wine spill and you can prevent any disasters.

Act quickly (see here for more). Blot the excess liquid without rubbing in, or cover with table salt, cornstarch or baking soda to absorb the wine

Dab with a white towel soaked in liquid dishwashing soap (bar soaps will just set the stain), white vinegar or a baking soda paste

If someone has used a napkin to mop up and the stain has dried in, soak in club soda or natural stain remover

Wash on a cool cycle to avoid setting the stain

Brilliant seasonal cleaning tips for when it’s all over and your kitchen looks like a bomb site

Olive oil makes a brilliant cleaner to buff stainless steel pans. Mix with coarse salt to make a great scrub for cast iron skillets that have taken a battering over the holidays

White vinegar will get rid of water stains on glasses

To clean a post-turkey grease-filled oven, spritz inside the oven with water and make a simple paste from baking soda and water. Spread the paste around the entire inside of the oven (removing the racks first), using a paint brush or old pastry brush if you have one to hand. Leave to work its magic for a few hours, or overnight if possible. Wipe off the paste with a clean, damp cloth or spatula, spray with white vinegar and wipe out any remaining residue (which will form a kind of foam with the vinegar). Keep wiping and rinsing until the oven gleams. Make sure all the residue is gone before you turn the oven on. Voila: no toxic chemical cleaners that make your house stink, and no smoky self-cleaning settings. Just a little elbow grease and simple household ingredients.

Follow these tips and you can go into the New Year with a clear kitchen, if not a clear head.

If you need some inspiration for festive table settings, hit up here.

Happy holidays all you lovely customers!

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6 Beautiful Bedlinen Products for a Spring Refresh

Can you feel it? Spring is almost here, from the emerging primroses to warmer sunshine and longer days. Inspired by this renewed energy from Nature we often find ourselves wanting to tackle areas of our home that have maybe been neglected over the long, dark winter. This is the perfect time to refresh your bedlinen. Put away faded, dated bedclothes and invest in some timeless linen sheets and duvet covers that will keep you cool over the coming summer, and cosy right through next winter.

Linen is the perfect choice for bed covers as it is naturally breathable, regulating your body temperature and keeping you comfortable all night long. Our linen sheets and duvets are made from highest quality 100% pure linen, and will bring a delicious softness to your bedroom. Simple, unfussy luxury for a fresh look. Linen is also a favourite with Instagrammers and interior designers because of its inherent character and texture. Here are six Insta-worthy bedlinen sets that are perfect for spring, but that will last you a lifetime.

1.Stonewashed bedlinen set in Silver

Pair this softly muted bedlinen set with darker pillows in winter and crisp white in summer. Looks great as part of a minimalist interior, with the sharp greens of succulents or ferns and warm copper accessories as a contrast.

2.White with Mint piping

This fresh minty green piping hits just the right note for spring. Add other pastel tones for some gentle colour – dusty pink works brilliantly. You could add some new cushions in complementary shades, or use plants such as heather or fresh peonies to pick up the mint colour.

3.Stonewashed bedlinen in Rosa

This adorable rose-toned stonewashed bedlinen is made for spring. Full of lightness and charm, it works brilliantly with greys and deep blues. You can mix with other linens or wool throws in these colours, or even paint the wall behind the bed and use the rose pink as an accent in the room.

4.Hemstitched bedlinen set in Optical White

Create a tranquil haven with some new clean white bedsheets and duvet cover. The delicate hemstitch detailing lifts this bedlinen set, and gives it a rustic charm. This will work with any colour scheme and will instantly make your bedroom feel calmer and lighter. All our linens are machine washable so you needn’t worry about choosing white, it will wash perfectly. Add muted greys, taupes and sage greens if you want a softer look.

5.Stonewashed bedlinen in Citrine

If you love colour and want to welcome the start of spring, what better than this peppy citrus-toned bedlinen? This shade works well with greys and dark blues, but you can play with other colours around the room – let the bedlinen be your statement. Instant bedroom refresh, and a whole lot of comfy too.

6.Multi-stripe bedlinen in Natural/White

If you want a minimalist look but also crave some pattern, this bedlinen is for you. The stripes add a timeless style and focal point without shouting about it. This will work with most colour schemes, but you might want to avoid too many other patterns. Small, ditsy floral prints look lovely with pale stripes, so you could add cushions or wallpaper as a contrast.

It doesn’t need to be a mammoth task to get a room looking at its best, it can be as simple as replacing your bedding and doing a quick spritz round. Wash your curtains, wipe down bookshelves, maybe change the knobs on a chest of drawers or wardrobe (we love these), add a couple of plants and you will feel like you’ve got a whole new room.

For more on decorating bedrooms click here, or for info on choosing curtains or drapes go here. Happy spring refreshing (‘refreshing’ sounds so much more fun than ‘cleaning’, doesn’t it?)!

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Beautiful Linen Clothes You Can’t Do Without This Summer

We’ve just launched our new range of linen clothes, and we thought we’d treat you to a profile of three key pieces from the collection. As summer approaches many of us are sorting through our wardrobes in readiness for warmer weather and vacations. If you are in need of a closet refresh, or just want to add some wearable new staples, our linen clothes are perfect for the coming season. The pure linen fabric wicks away moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable; and linen helps regulate body temperature, keeping you cool on hot days and warm on chilly evenings. Linen travels brilliantly too as you don’t need to worry about ironing (the crumples are part of its charm!), and it’s lightweight and easy to pack. If you are looking for some beautiful wardrobe staples, we’ve got just what you need.

Felisa Linen Dress

Shown here in the gorgeous Aqua colour, this simple linen dress will perform all summer long. Cut in a flattering, timeless tunic shape, our favourite thing about this dress is the large pockets at the front. We are nuts about pockets on dresses – they add a casual charm and easiness to a garment, perfect for laid back summer days. The Felisa dress looks stunning on its own with a pair of pumps or sandals, but can also be dressed up for evenings or work with a well-cut jacket or a neat cardigan. The length is not too short and not too long, just skimming the knees, and there are cute ties at the back which add some interesting detailing. Basically, if you need a new summer dress, look no further.

Emily Linen Blouse

This adorable linen blouse comes in white and indigo (shown here). We love its adorable capped sleeves, and the understated V detailing to the neckline. Cut from pure, soft linen this blouse will work brilliantly with anything, whether tucked into jeans or paired with a short skirt. Layer with woolly cardigans on cooler days, or with a long-sleeve tee underneath. Great for everyday wear. This blouse will wash amazingly, so no need to worry about ice cream spills or suncream smears, just bung it in the machine and even tumble dry on a cool setting if needed.

Dona Long Linen Dress

If you are fantasising about slow days on the beach or stretched out by the pool, you will love the Dona linen dress. Long and elegant, this dress is the ideal cover-up to throw over a swimsuit or for lounging about on holiday. The lightweight linen means that although there is a lot of fabric it still feels floaty, and the two side splits make it comfortable to wear. And there’s pockets (did we mention pockets?). Dress up with some heeled clogs and a scarf for evening cocktails, or pair with simple sandals for a laid-back look. Just picture yourself wafting across a sunny terrace, barefoot and relaxed, in this graceful beauty.

Browse more of our new pieces here, as well as our ever-popular core collection of linen clothes. For tips on packing for a vacation, go here, and for more about how to care for your linen this summer, have a read here.

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Sweet Dreams: 6 Tips to help you get a good night’s sleep?

Sleep is essential to our health and wellbeing, yet it is problematic for many of us. How often do you wake up after a restless night feeling just as tired as when you went to bed? Or lie awake in the early hours worrying about things you can’t control? Whether you need 8 full hours or a short, sweet 6, these tips will help you get a good night’s sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed.

It’s important to understand a bit about the science of sleep. During sleep our heart rate reduces, our body temperature drops and our brain activity changes. We go through three stages of non-REM sleep, and one stage of REM sleep during which we dream and are not easily woken. Each cycle of three stages lasts around 1.5 hours and we need to finish a whole cycle in order to feel fully rested. A good night’s sleep should consist of around 5 or 6 of these cycles, but if our cycles are disturbed we experience far fewer.

Sleep is controlled by our circadian rhythm, or body clock, which is driven by hormones, tryptophan and melatonin. When our body clock gets disrupted – by shift work, jet lag, small children or insomnia – it can have profound effects on our health. Studies have shown links between poor sleep and type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity, ulcers and depression. So what can you do to make sure you get some good quality, restorative sleep?

1.   Environment

Keep your bedroom clutter free, quiet and as dark as possible. Banish screens if you can, as the lights in the displays on tablets, phones, laptops and TVs all suppress melatonin, the chemical that induces sleep. Use blackout lining or a sleep mask to prevent any light encroaching from outside and minimise internal light, from clocks for example. Keep the room well ventilated (unless you have a young baby or are elderly) to keep the temperature comfortable and allow fresh air to circulate .

2. Routine

Keep to regular sleeping hours. Avoid long weekend lie-ins (sorry!), which although tempting can disrupt your sleep in the days ahead. Just like children respond well to bedtime routines, try to instigate your own: perhaps a bath, a foot rub and a few minutes reading. Anything that helps you unwind.

3.  Bed

To get a good night’s sleep you need a decent mattress that offers enough support but also shapes itself to the contours of your body. Natural fibres will keep you cool, and new technologies like Smart Fibres can help relieve dust mite allergies. Your bedding is vital too. Again, natural fibres will help regulate your body temperature, so you don’t wake up hot and sweaty. Linen sheets and duvet covers, in particular, will keep you cool in summer and cosy in winter, and will also draw moisture away from your skin. Invest in some good quality bedlinen and you will feel the benefits as soon as you tuck yourself in. Wash bedding weekly at the highest possible temperature (consult your manufacturer’s instructions) and choose a duvet that suits the season.

4.  Food & Drink

Some of us may turn to alcohol to help us sleep, but this is a mistake. Although it might initially make us nod off, we have poorer quality sleep and can become dehydrated. Anything containing caffeine should also be avoided in the evening. It is best to eat a few hours before going to bed, to give your body time to digest, but some foods do help us sleep. In particular, proteins combined with carbohydrates increase levels of tryptophan – a substance that promotes good sleep. A turkey sandwich or bowl of pumpkin seeds with yoghurt may be helpful if you are struggling to get to sleep.

5.   Exercise

Regular exercise is beneficial in so many ways, including aiding good sleep. It makes us feel better, fitter and less anxious and can help reduce our body temperature (which signals that it’s sleep time) if done at least 3 hours before bed.

6.  Dealing with stress

Sometimes the nighttime is when all our worries and anxieties come to the fore. We lie awake, tossing and turning, going over things in our head. The longer we are awake the more worried we become, fearing that we won’t be able to cope with the coming day. Try to address any concerns during the day time, and seek professional help if you are really struggling. Talking things through with a friend may be enough, or allot a fixed time as ‘worry time’ – make a list, write down things that are worrying you – anything to get the thoughts out of your head before it hits the pillow. Relaxation techniques and meditation apps or CDs can be really helpful. If you can’t sleep after trying for 20 minutes, get up and go into a different room until you feel drowsy, then go back to bed.

We wish you hours of delicious slumber and peaceful nights. Can someone just switch off the light?

For ideas on decorating with linen, go here, and if you fancy a scrumptious breakfast in bed after your sleep, we’ve got you covered here.

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Everything You Need For a Happy Easter

With Easter fast approaching and many of us with kids at home for their Spring Break, we thought we would round up a few of the essential ingredients for a happy Easter. Whether you celebrate this time as part of your religion, or just enjoy welcoming new birth, growth and Springtime, here’s a few ideas to make and do over the Easter period.

1.Egg hunt

Easter isn’t Easter without an egg hunt. Gather some little friends (or big ones!) and give each a basket (we love this classy seagrass and silver rope one), then send them off into the garden or around a park in search of hidden chocolate eggs. If you want to make it harder, leave a trail of clues instead of eggs, and lead the hunters to a bounty of eggs once they’ve solved all of them. You can also hide little chicks as well, to reduce the sugar frenzy.

2.Make some hot cross buns

Ok, so you can buy these as cheap as chips from the baker or supermarket, but if you fancy a baking challenge and want to try something really delicious, try making your own. They really are so much tastier. This recipe is easy to follow and will keep small people happy on a rainy holiday day. Imagine the sweet doughy smells wafting through the house. Serve warm on a large, rustic plate with some gorgeous linen napkins, light a candle and turn it into a special teatime treat.

3.Grow cress people

This is such a fun activity, but you need to get started a few days ahead otherwise the cress won’t have grown enough by Easter. Simply wash out some half egg shells and carefully draw on eyes (or use stick-on google ones) and a mouth (you can even add a moustache if you’re feeling artistic) – we like to make one for each of the family. Place some damp cotton wool in the bottom. Sprinkle some cress seeds onto the cotton wool, and put the shells into egg cups. Leave them in a sunny spot and watch as their magnificent green hair begins to grow. Soon you will have a row of delightfully loony-looking cress people.

4.Dip-dye some eggs

For a rather more classy craft, how about dip-dying some eggs? Duck eggs are brilliant as they are nice and big, but any eggs will do. Hard boil them for around 5 minutes, then let them cool right down in the pan. Once cool, lift them carefully onto some kitchen paper. Mix 1tsp vinegar with around 20 drops of food colouring of your choice and enough warm water to submerge the eggs. Set up a few bowls with different colours. You can also use onion skins in the water as you boil them to create a deep red base colouring. Using tongs, dip the eggs into the liquid – you can vary the intensity of the colours by leaving them in for different lengths of time (the longer the deeper the colour). Place them in an egg cup to dry.

5.Make a nest

Gather stray twigs, feathers and bits of moss, then weave into a small nest. These look adorable as table centrepieces, filled with delicate quail’s eggs or hand-painted hens’ eggs. This is a lovely activity to do with children – you can go out for a walk to gather the supplies, then sit down together and make your nests. You can use florists’ wire to hold them together but it is usually enough to just weave the sticks, as birds do.

Wishing you all a very happy Easter or Spring Break, however you celebrate. We’ve got a very exciting collaboration coming up with our table linens creating a beautiful Easter table setting, so watch this space for more information!

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www.aliyah.com.hk How Linen is Helping Save the Planet Did you realise that by buying linen products you are helping reduce our environmental impact on the planet? Not only is linen a beautiful and versatile fabric, it also has many amazing eco-credentials. Here’s how linen can help save the planet: Linen wears well. It becomes softer and stronger with each use, meaning you can use our products for longer and replace them less often. This can make a big difference in our disposable consumer culture. Long lasting = less waste and less need for replacements. And lots of beautiful heirlooms to pass on through generations. We’ve written about the lifecycle of linen here, but there is more that makes it such an interesting material. It uses less pesticides and fertilizers and requires less irrigation to grow – some estimates state that up to 20% less energy and water is used producing linen than other comparable fabrics. Linen is moth-resistant and has inherent insect repelling properties, meaning no more munched sheets or holey clothes, and no need to use insecticides. When linen finally does come to the end of its useful life, the fibres are biodegradable, which means you won’t be adding to landfill or poisoning the soil. Linen has been used for wound care thanks to its non-allergic, antibacterial and antimycotic properties. It can also help people who suffer from excema and other skin diseases. #love #InstaTags4Likes #tweegram#photooftheday #amazing #followme#picoftheday #cute #summer #me#instadaily #instafollow #like4like #look#instalike #igers #like #girl #selfie#instagood #bestoftheday @appslejandro#instacool #smile #style #20likes #happy#follow #tbt #fun

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Creative Craft Ideas with Linen: Get your sewing on

Looking for some inspiration for a craft project? We’ve curated a selection of things you can make with linen, perfect for both experienced crafters and those new to sewing. Using linen as a base fabric means you can maximise its inherent simplicity and beauty, choosing to add a bit of bling if you like. Pom poms, ric-rac, buttons and beads all look fab against a linen backdrop. Get creative with these easy ideas:

Bed Canopy

What could be cosier than tucking up into bed with a sumptuous linen canopy around you? Make like a Tudor queen and cocoon yourself with a canopy that will keep out draughts and regulate your body temperature. Perfect for a child’s bedroom too, you can keep it plain and simple or embellish and make a feature out of it. Instructions for a genius easy version are in this tutorial.

Upholstery

If you’re nifty with a needle and thread, this is a great way to bring life to an old, past-its-best piece of furniture. You get to choose just the right fabric for your colour scheme, or to revamp a room based around this one upholstered piece. Bespoke upholsterer and fabric curator Elizabeth Rose shows how it’s done with this beautiful mid-century chair, shown last month at London Design Festival’s Design Junction. She’s used a monochrome pattern for the main fabric and a pop of our own brightlinen to lift the design. If upholstery is beyond your skill-set, you could find a professional to help, or whip up some easy cushions in a neon linen for a similar effect.

Apron

Add a helping of Japanese utility chic to your kitchen with a beautiful linen apron. Linen is durable and washable, making it ideal for protecting your clothes from spills and stains. We think this pattern has just the right mix of practicality and style – an urban twist on something our grandmothers might have worn. You won’t want to take it off. And if you don’t want to sew your own, you can always buy one of ours. You’re welcome.

4. The Essential Boxy Tee

Every wardrobe should contain one of these staples: a loose-cut, boxy t-shirt or top that you can wear with anything and it always looks fab. Based on this gorgeous top by Zara, this clever crafter designed her own simple pattern so you can create your own. Just as you want it. Linen is perfect for this style as it creates a soft, flowing shape whilst retaining the kimono-esque structure. Beautiful.

If you’ve got any spare scraps of linen or larger remnants, why not make some easy little lavender hearts (ideal Christmas gifts!), pretty drawstring bags to hide kitchen clutter, or even a couple of napkins? You will need a good pair of scissors, whatever you’re making, to avoid snagging or wobbly edges. These dressmaker’s shears will give you the perfect sharp, crunch as your cut and help to keep your seams precise.

And if all this sounds a bit too much like hard work, you can always get in touch with us. Because we have our own manufacturing unit, unlike many other linen retailers, we can custom make our products according to your individual needs. So, if you have a table that’s a funny length and need a cloth, or fancy some pretty monogramming on your pillows, hit up our Design Your Way service. Tell us what you want and we will make it bespoke for you.

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How to Choose the Ideal Nightstand / Bedside Table

Nightstands (or bedside tables) are the perfect example of pieces of furniture that need to excel in both the form and function stakes. There is no point having a stunning nightstand if you can’t reach your bedside lamp, and equally you don’t want the careful design of your bedroom decor to be ruined by a jarringly out-of-place, purely practical piece. Once you’ve got your bed, bedlinen and clothes storage sorted you need to tackle the common dilemma of what goes either side of the bed. You need a nightstand that will fit with your interior style whilst also providing an ample surface area and storage for your needs.

Here are some pointers to help you choose the perfect nightstand for your home:

Height

The ideal height for a nightstand or bedside table is roughly even with the top of the mattress, i.e.; the sleeping surface (see below). Give or take a few inches, you want the top of the table to be level with the mattress, making it easy for you to reach and creating a clean sightline across the bed. If you can’t exactly match the height of your mattress, go for something slightly higher rather than lower as this looks better.

Lighting

You want to be able to reach your bedside lighting easily, so if you have the space a table lamp is perfect. Choose one with a switch on the cord so you don’t have to lean right over to the bulb.  You want the bottom of the lamp to be at roughly the same height as your chin if you are sitting up in bed, in order to give you the best light. The ideal size of lamp for a bedside table is around 1/3 of the table size. Keep lamps in proportion with your nightstands, and make sure you have room for your other bits and pieces. If you are tight for space, or prefer a minimal look, wall-mounted lighting sconces are brilliant. These leave the nightstand free for a few small items, and can add drama and focus to a bedroom.

Storage

Nightstands with drawers are great for hiding away things like glasses, medicines and other bedroom clutter. You need to consider whether you want something with a door, or an open shelf, or just a simple table top. A combination of small drawer on top with an open shelving area underneath, like this one below (image vialobsterandswan.com), works really well.

Style

Think about whether you want two matching nightstands, or contrasting ones. The benefit of a matching pair is that it makes a bedroom look really pulled together and intentional. But having different bedside tables can look great too, giving a room a less formal, more eclectic vibe. If you go for different styles make sure there is one continuous element (colour, material or size) to ensure they work together and don’t look too random or jarring. Be mindful also of the surface – if you like to have a glass or jug of water on your nightstand, wood might not be the best choice due to possible staining. In terms of colour you can be pretty free here: go for a pop of colour or keep things muted, or go for a complete contrast as below with a white bed and black nightstand (image and styling by Tiffany of curateanddisplay.co.uk).

Scale

Keep your bedroom furniture in proportion. A large bed requires larger nightstands, and vice versa. If you have a small room and a large bed consider not using bedside tables at all, rather than squeezing too-small ones in and making the room feel cramped. If you have a bed with a headboard, three-drawer chests of drawers work beautifully as the headboard allows for a higher surface next to the bed.

Here are two nightstands that we love: one glossy and sleekly contemporary, the othera simple, mid-century beauty. But if you don’t have the budget for a nightstand or want something different, you could use vintage apple crates, shelves, trunks, wall-mounted spice racks, chopping boards used as floating shelves and even tree trunk cut-offs. Be creative and have fun, but remember you need something that can withstand some fumbling for the light switch in the dark and that will enhance the feel of your bedroom. As shown below, sometimes less is more. Wouldn’t this look amazing with our pure linen bedlinen set in rhomb plum kitten? For more tips on decorating with linen go here and here.

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Pretty In Pink: How to bring on the blush

As we mentioned here, pink is a hot colour for Spring/Summer ’17. Taking our inspiration from the gorgeous blossoms and budding tulips all around us we wanted to devote a whole post to this gorgeous colour. Pink is a fabulous colour to work with: it has a huge range of tones, looks pretty and fresh and as long as you avoid garish bubblegum pink it looks super chic in your home. Forget the girly-girly plastic kind of pink, and instead embrace blush, rose, fuchsia, rosewood, ballet slipper, and flamingo shades. Even the names sound divine…

Here are some ways you can bring on the blush in your interior and wardrobe.

Dusky pinks

Adding a few soft pinks will instantly update your wardrobe. Dusky pinks look great with older skin and grey hair, but also suit darker skin tones. A pop of fresh pink will lift your spirits and perk up a work outfit. These muted pinks work really well with black, grey, navy, cream and tan (so pretty much any capsule wardrobe staples), and will see you through the summer. We love this classy silk shirt, these gorgeous mules and this cross body bag. And of course, our super popular Rosa bedlinen in soft, tumbled stonewashed pure linen that will keep you cool and cosy all summer long.

Fuscias

If you have a minimalist colour scheme at home or in your wardrobe, you can always add the odd splash of colour here and there to keep things interesting. If you are prepared to go bold, bright fuchsia is a joyous riot of a colour. Keep it to smaller items, like a swish of lipstick or a pompom garland, or go the whole hog and splash out on a fuchsia chair or other piece of furniture. Our pink stonewashed bedlinen is happy-makingly bright and the perfect way to bring some fuchsia into your interior without overwhelming the look, and it’s made from our top quality pure linen, so you know you’ll get a good night’s sleep. We also sell linen fabric in our rustico and herringbone ranges so you can make your own linen cushions, clothes or accessories in pink.

We also love this handmade dhurrie rug, this cotton baby blanket, this cute lamp andthis lipstick (do we dare?).

Exteriors

Whilst you may not want to paint the whole of your house pink, there are simple ways to bring a fresh blush look to the exterior of your home. Plant up some window boxes or containers with plants like cosmos antiquity, tulips, roses, dianthus or penstemons. Buy a sweet nesting box like this one and watch the birds come and go from your garden. Or paint your front door, gate or windows a pale, subtle shade of pink, like these beauties.

There are tons of ways to bring some of the joys of Spring into your home, and to celebrate pink in all its glory. Happy prettifying!

Got any favourite pink things you’d love to share with us? Leave a comment below and let us know.

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www.aliyah.com.hk Want to Know How Our Beautiful Linen is Made? Want to know the story of how a simple flax flower is made into beautiful linen fabric? We’ve created a simple infographic to show you how the process works. For over 10,000 years mankind has grown, harvested and used flax for a huge range of things, from paints and cosmetics, to food packaging and wound care. And, of course sumptuous bedsheets, table linen and cloth. This magical plant is a major staple of Western European agricultural production, where the cool climate and moist soil offer perfect growing conditions. So how does it go from a delicate pink, blue or white flower to the fitted sheets on your bed? #fun #instagramers #InstaTags4Likes #food#instago #pretty #followme #nature #lol#dog #hair @appslejandro #sunset#instagold #photolocker #photo #cool#pink #bestoftheday #clouds #instagood#beach #statigram #friends #hot #funny#blue #life #art #instahub

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Linen Clothes for Lounging: The best pieces for kicking back

If the first thing you do when you get home from work is put on some comfy track pants and cosy socks, this post is for you. There is something lovely about shutting the door on your day, casting off any stresses and making time to relax. Whether you go all-out hygge or simply like to kick-back in slouchy favourites, loungewear can symbolise a time to unwind and put aside the rigours of everyday life for a moment. You might enjoy lazy weekend brunches, or snuggling under a blanket with a boxset and a cup of tea. Slowing down is important and, however you relax at home, the right clothes are crucial.

We believe that loungewear needn’t mean old, shapeless leggings or your husband’s college sweatshirt. It is possible to feel comfortable and relaxed in clothes that also look great, whether you are curling up on the sofa or pottering around the house. And linen is a great choice because it is so easy to care for, and has that lovely lived-in feeling that is the essence of loungewear. Here’s a few suggestions if you are looking for linen clothes to relax in.

Linen pyjamas

Last year saw the lines between sleepwear and daywear blurring even further with tops and pants thatclosely resembled pyjamas on runways and in stores everywhere. These beautiful linen pyjamas look good enough to spend an evening in front of the TV in and still answer the door to a surprise visitor without embarrassment. We would probably draw the line at actually wearing them outside (on the school run, or to the corner shop, say), but only just. In softest pure linen these pyjamas will keep you cool and comfortable all through summer.

Linen djellaba

Perfect for throwing on when you’ve had enough of your work clothes or stiff jeans, the linen djellaba is a must-have loungewear piece. Based on a traditional North African design, the djellaba is loose but not baggy, elegant but not formal, and super comfy. It would look just as good worn over a swimsuit on the beach, or for informal drinks by the pool on vacation.

Linen gown

If you can’t bring yourself to part with your trusty pair of track pants and faded tee, you could wrap up in one of these linen gowns for a more stylish look. Ideal for those who prefer skimpy nightwear (or just Chanel No.5, a la Marilyn!), a gown will keep you covered up and comfortable, whilst also looking chic.

Linen trousers

Soft and slubby, linen pants are just right for relaxing at home, but also look great for everyday wear. Easy to dress up, and just as easy unwinding with a good book and cup of hot chocolate, choose a shade that compliments other items in your wardrobe so you can wear them with everything.

And here’s a few accessories and other things we couldn’t resist, for maximum laid-back style and comfort:

This wool throw (because even summer evenings can get chilly)

This book for home design inspo, or this one for healthy eating deliciousness

A gorgeous stoneware coffee cup to cradle

Some stubby beeswax candles for proper a properly hyggeligt evening

These snuggly alpaca bed socks for happy feet

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