The Luxe Quality of Belgian Linen
At the heart of At300Nelson's collections lies a material that embodies our values of quality, environmental responsibility, and timeless design: Belgian Linen™. This noteworthy fabric serves as the backdrop for our singular patterns and designs, bringing a standard of quality and ecological awareness unmatched in the luxury textile industry.
Unparalleled Quality
The Belgian Linen™ we source for our At300Nelson collections stands out for several remarkable qualities:
Superior Texture & Longevity: Crafted from long staple fibers, our linen results in less wrinkling compared to short staple alternatives, maintaining a crisp, luxurious appearance while being incredibly strong. The fibers become softer and more beautiful with time, developing a characteristic patina that adds personality and charm.
Impeccable Color Consistency: Yarns are carefully pulled from different seasons to minimize color variation, ensuring a consistent look across our product range.
Certified Excellence: Our linen carries both Oeko-Tex certification and the prestigious Belgian Linen™ certification, guaranteeing its quality, safety, and authentic origin.
Natural Climate Control: Linen naturally regulates temperature, making it perfect for various home applications throughout the seasons.
OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH NATURAL FIBRES
I've always been attracted to the nuances of Belgian Linen™, including its texture and feel, and I'm committed to searching for more responsible fibers. I don't wish to knowingly add toxicity into our lives, and I want to ensure that the input doesn't outweigh the output. When I was growing up and then later in design school, I didn't realize or respect how taxing and dirty fabric processes are. The choices we make always have consequences.
For us, Belgian Linen™ checks all of the boxes in terms of environmental footprint and luxury.
Unique Qualities Beyond Compare
There are the tangible features, of course, but for me it's also about the intangible. In terms of the tangible, the look and feel are hard to replicate. There's a beautiful natural texture that's both durable and soft. Our current blend lends itself well to patterns and colors, with washability. I've worked with other linens that include Belgian yarns, but they're inconsistent. I also can't speak to their heritage.
In regards to the intangible, well, it's just that. It's the intangible that helps me sleep at night, knowing we have put the best of the best out there. There's a difference from farm to finished good, and after finished good.
The Journey from Field to Fabric
The creation of Belgian Linen™ is a precise process that follows the rhythm of nature. Flax is grown in its ideal climate in Belgium, ensuring the highest quality fibers from the beginning. From planting in the spring to the final weaving, each step contributes to the unique characteristics that make this fabric so special.
This exacting process, refined over centuries, results in a textile that's beautiful, durable, and environmentally conscious. Every stage, from the fields of Belgium to the final fabric, contributes to the exceptional qualities that make Belgian Linen™ perfectly suited for At300Nelson's luxury home decor products.
While I haven't yet visited the Belgian flax fields (it's high on my bucket list!), one of my biggest surprises when speaking with my rep and exploring further possibilities with Belgian Linen™ was finding out that they are making composite products such as motorcycle helmets. Can you believe it? So cool. This is just one example of how they're utilizing every part of the plant.
Real-World Performance
I remember when I introduced the initial collection to a local workroom who was helping with initial samples for the dry goods line. The owner, founder and lead upholsterer was so relieved that I chose the 55% linen / 45% cotton blend. She was terrified when we initially talked about linen, thinking of all of the seam matching with a 100% linen. The pieces she created surpassed what I could have imagined and I am so grateful for our partnership.
Through the years, I've been so pleased at how the fabric has held up on those initial samples of pillows, table linens and ottomans. I've kept them on hand to further test for durability and all of the other "care items" including pets, color fastness, etc. that reveal themselves with time.
My neighbor was one of my first clients. We did 4 custom 16" x 20" Marguerite pillows in Indigo for their living room renovation. They live in a farmhouse with dogs, cats, chickens, horses, etc. They're also entertainers of all ages and have a social calendar that is non-stop. I've watched their pups knock the pillows off the chairs and lay on them, cats scratch them on the floor, kids squeeze them (very huggable size), holiday gatherings with accidental spills and the list goes on. Four years later, I'm so excited to see my pillows enduring their tests. It's the best R&D I couldn't have executed.
Beyond "Performance" Fabrics
So many are obsessed with performance fabrics. I understand that we'd all like something that is impervious to wear and tear, and as someone who loves to be outdoors on a road less traveled in one of Jake's expedition vehicles with dogs in tow, I get it. All of that to say that I haven't yet found a performance ground that checks the boxes for the environmental and human factors. I can't say that linen is the best for poolside or red wine spills, but there is longevity with proper care.
Environmental Excellence
Belgian Linen™ aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering eco-friendly home decor options:
Naturally Responsible: Flax requires minimal water and pesticides to grow.
Local Production: Belgian linen production supports local economies and reduces transportation emissions.
Zero Waste: All flax plants are utilized to minimize waste.
Carbon Neutral: Our supplier achieved carbon neutrality in 2014, setting a new industry standard.
Design Enhanced by Natural Fibers
The natural fiber of the Belgian Linen elevates our designs in a way that synthetic materials could not. All of our designs begin with original artwork that is illustrated, painted or carved then meticulously prepped for repeat and print. Although some technology is used (and appreciated) in preparation for print, the inherent elements of the original art are complimented by the nuances of the ground, and there is an honesty in the imperfections that artificially created designs on synthetic grounds cannot duplicate.
I chose this ground for its versatility, responsibility and luxury. This has inspired me not only to design patterns and decor pieces that can be mixed and matched or stand alone, but also to visualize a breadth of interior spaces and contexts. This has opened up my prints to a wide audience and sparked conversation across disciplines.
A Commitment to Better Choices
I feel a responsibility to educate and continue sharing the legacy of this original, heritage luxury fiber. It's been under our noses for so long, but can easily be swept under the rug so to speak, as other trends come and go.
One of the pillars of the brand is to give back to organizations and initiatives that share our social and environmental values. Fabric that carries the Belgian Linen trademark is part of that commitment. In supporting AT300NELSON FIBRE & DRY GOODS and purchasing our fabrics by the yard, pillows, ottomans and table linens you are also supporting the farmers and other artisans who bring joy into our lives in a way that's better for people and for the planet.
Holistically, from beginning to end, natural fibers and specifically Belgian Linen™ are a better answer. This isn't about what is right or wrong, it's about what's better. Some may prioritize this and many don't have the bandwidth to. That's ok. We're here for those who do and hope to awaken some who haven't thought about it. It may involve a higher initial cost and different approach when caring for, but doesn't it outweigh the cost of what it could be adding into your life?
When you choose At300Nelson products made with Belgian Linen™, you're not just selecting beautiful home decor but supporting a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship. From the fields where the flax is grown to the final product in your home, every step is taken with ecological responsibility in mind.
