Why You'll Love Abbotson Linen

Linen goes a long way back. Like, whatever time you’re thinking of now — double it. Triple it even. Crafted from the fibres of the flax plant, linen has a host of benefits that makes it great for wearing, sleeping in, resting on — think of an element of your life, and linen can definitely help make it better. 

Although we don’t hold a candle to the length of time linen has been around, our Abbotson Linen Collection has been a part of Sheridan for over a decade now — much-loved by the Sheridan team and you, alike. And to help shed some light on why we’re so obsessed, we’ve enlisted the help of our Interior Stylist for Sheridan, Fiona Gould. 

Because of linen’s looser weave, it has a one-of-a-kind texture from the thick-and-thin pattern of the fibres. And putting that colour on the texture makes it even more eye-catching because you can see those purposeful imperfections. It’s why you’ll see so many “plain dye” (all in one colour) linen offerings. 

Our newest seasonal shade, smokey violet, showcases this perfectly. Fiona describes the shade as “the perfect tone to bring nature in and inject a sense of calm” — and we couldn’t agree more. It’s a soft shade of purple that’s just bright enough to make a statement without feeling overpowering. 

When styling a colourful design like our Abbotson Linen Quilt Cover, Fiona recommends pairing your statement shade with a neutral base like flax — for a nice, gentle contrast. 

It grows inside the stalks of the flax plant, one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history. And according to Britannica, it’s “one of the oldest textile fibres used by humans” — found in prehistoric lake dwellings in Switzerland and ancient Egyptian tombs. 

In the Middle Ages, linen was used for shields and gambeson (a padded defensive jacket, that you’ve probably seen in an episode of Game of Thrones); in ancient Greece, it was used for linothorax (a type of body armour that literally means ‘linen chest’). 

One of the reasons linen is so strong is because it’s a bast fibre — collected from the inner bark of the plant. And as our Quality Team says, “Fabrics made from these fibres are typically quite strong, and durable fibres.” 

What does this mean for those of us living in the modern age? It means that we can create bedding like Abbotson Linen, that’s strong, durable and softens over time (with proper care, which is very low-fuss, by the way). 

As Fiona says, “Abbotson Linen is always my go-to. It's such beautiful quality and lasts a lifetime, getting softer with every wash.” 

There’s a reason every bedding (and fashion) company — and then some — are out there, acting as personal cheerleaders for linen (ourselves included).  

Linen is one of those fabrics that just looks, well, cool. If you love the effortless look — and want making your bed to be about a ten-second job — linen is the one for you. Although people sometimes point out the fact it wrinkles easily, that is, in fact, what makes it work so well — that casually rumpled look.  

It’s also one of the reasons it layers so well. When layering your linen look, Fiona recommends that you “keep the look relaxed and lived-in. That's the beauty of linen, laid-back luxury.”