Calm material trend: undyed textiles

Calm designSustainable livingNatural design

17 Nov

Undyed Collection bedlinen Aiayu AW22/23 — Aiayu

Natural textiles made from undyed yarns emerge as an interesting material direction for healthy interiors. Without any dyes, bleach or artificial colouring, they celebrate materials in their purest state and lend a calming, poetic quality to our homes.

Keen to offer healthy decorating options for the home, an increasing number of textile brands have completely removed colour from their collections. Wools, cottons and linens are left 100% undyed, to showcase the rich, natural tones of the fiber.

Knitted or woven, home accessories without artificial colours have that raw, organic style that is both wholesome and elegant. While they ensure that our homes are free from harmful dyes and toxins, their natural tones of whites, beiges and browns also create a tranquil, relaxing decor. Indeed, this total absence of colours allows a welcome sense of calm to prevail.

When I attended 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen last June, I was excited to see two of my favourite textile brands present undyed fabrics. Both Danish, they believe in making fewer, high-quality things – to help us buy less and better. Aiayu has a deep commitment to timeless design and what better way to express it than with simple, enduring products that transcend trends and which will be loved for years to come? Their Undyed Collection includes rugs, a hammock for indoor spaces, cushions, a throw, and a wall tapestry, that add warmth, softness and tactility to indoor environments. Pieces emanate earthiness in colour, texture and tone, giving a visual expression to our growing desire for more sustainable interiors that make us feel closer and more connected to nature.

Natural bedlinen Undyed Collection 3daysofdesign Aiayu AW22/23 — Aiayu

“We do not believe plastic belongs on our skin, and over 98% of our collections are synthetic free. Essentials made from natural materials feel better, inspire care, and can be responsibly disposed of at the end of their life.”

— Aiayu

With the Apertus Collection, Linie Design presents handmade rugs in modest, uncluttered designs, made with conscious production methods. Structure and form take centre stage, whilst use of colour is kept to a minimum. With the aim of minimising environmental impact, all the rugs are crafted without any man-made fibres, but instead support small family farmers, nomadic herders, and sustainable producers. They are made from undyed wool and all cotton used is certified organic. That’s what I call a successful attempt at advancing wellbeing in interiors.

Apertus Collection of handmade rugs by Linie Design — Awakened Mind by Linie Design at Tollman’s Dot

Already, in 2019, Studio Ilse Crawford had designed the Wellbeing collection, a series of undyed textile accessories for Spanish rug company Nanimarquina. Using hand-spun Afghan wool, nettle, jute, linen, Tussar silk as well as cork, wood, raw wool, and raw cotton, all carefully sourced, all the items in the collection focused on tactility, materiality, craft and quality.

Wellbeing Collection natural textiles by Ilse Crawford for Nanimarquina — Ilse Crawford for Nanimarquina

Australian company Pampa is another pioneer in this area. The rugs, runners and cushions in their Undyed Collection embrace the colours of nature. From creamy white to cloudy grey and charcoal-chocolate, a medley of heathered shades give their textiles an organic, elegant charm. Each piece is woven with yarn that is raw and one-of-a-kind, softly flecked with natural variations.

“Pampa pays attention, treasuring small details like sacred objects. The knot of a thread, a subtle shift of sand, the worn, lined hand of the weaver - each of these as magnificent and essential as the other.

It is simply, eternally, in awe of the universe.”

— Pampa manifesto

Monte cushion Undyed collection by Pampa — Undyed collection by Pampa

More inspiration from Denmark? It seems undyed textiles are a true feature of Scandinavian design! The Escape Kelim rugs by Space Copenhagen for Massimo Copenhagen are also woven from 100% undyed natural wool, and come in eight design variations, all in neutral hues of light grey and beige. On top of being one of the most renewable materials on the planet, did you know that wool is also naturally biodegradable and fire-resistant? It offers a greater level of fire safety than other fibres, removing the need for artificial (and toxic) fire-retardant finishes.

Escape Kelim natural undyed rugs by Space Copenhagen for Massimo Copenhagen — Escape Kelim by Space Copenhagen for Massimo Copenhagen

Shop the look:

Here in Israel, iota has taken inspiration from nature to create its own version of undyed textiles, with a hand-knitted swing made from cotton and oak. Great in a living room or bedroom, this fun alternative to traditional seating contains over 90 wild and fantastical elements in different patterns, shapes, and sizes.

Meanwhile, Kristina Dam Studio’s monochrome collections of soft accessories can be found at Prat Living. Pictured here, the Arch cushion cover translates the brand’s sculptural minimalism into delicate textiles with soft arches, while the Oru rug draws inspiration from the traditional Japanese Tatami mat. The woven fibers of wool and jute add a warm tactility to living spaces while retaining the subtle elegance of Japanese aesthetics.