The power of natural materials indoors
Why travertine, linen, oak and lime plaster grow more beautiful with time, and what to watch for in care and budget.
Natural materials age; but unlike synthetics they do not wear out, they mellow. Travertine polishes with time, oak darkens, linen softens.
Care facts
- Travertine: choose filled and sealed; watch for acid stains in kitchens.
- Linen: sew washable covers; creasing is its character.
- Oak: oiled finishes are easier to repair than varnish.
- Lime plaster: breathes and balances humidity; a yearly limewash is enough.
Budget
Not every surface has to be natural. Reserving natural materials for what hands touch (worktops, handles, the sofa) uses the budget best.
