Life-Proof: The Materials That Let You Live Stress-Free
A few years into this business, I stopped asking clients "do you have kids or pets?" as a formality and started treating it as one of the first specification questions on any project. It changes almost everything; the fabric I pull, the finish on a dining table, even the rug construction. The good news is that "kid and pet friendly" no longer means beige microfiber and a plastic tablecloth. The technology behind performance materials has come a long way, and a lot of it can go toe-to-toe with anything you'd find in a showroom that isn't living with a golden retriever and a toddler.
Here's what I actually specify, and why.
The Lightweight Go-To: Linen
The term “linens” is still often used to describe a group of woven materials for bed, bath, and tabletop traditionally made from linen. Linen textiles also appear to be some of the oldest in the world, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt where linen was not only used as currency but as material for mummification and burial shrouds. It was a symbol of light and purity, and as a display of wealth.