Linen & natural textiles

Linen, wool and other natural textiles do more for a room than almost any piece of furniture at the same price. They soften sound, filter light and give the eye somewhere to rest.

What textiles do

Hard floors and smooth walls can make rooms sound echoey and feel sharp. Curtains, rugs and cushions soften both sound and light. A room with the right amount of textile feels complete even when it is sparsely furnished.

Linen, wool and bouclé

Linen creases and should be allowed to — that is what makes it feel alive. Wool stands up to wear and adds warmth, particularly in rugs. Bouclé adds texture rather than pattern and works well in otherwise restrained rooms.

Colours that work

Off-white, beige and greige keep textiles understated. Brown and black in smaller pieces add weight. Let one textile sit a shade or two darker than the wall.

Things to consider

• Curtains should reach the floor, ideally with a few extra centimetres of length.
• Mix textures, not patterns.
• Wool rugs need an underlay to stop them moving.