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Writer's pictureAngela Boswell

History of Hues: Natural

Updated: May 31, 2022

In this edition of History of Hues, we will be talking about natural, not just as a type of fabric but as a color as well. Does the term natural bring bland and boring to mind, or does it make you think of an unfiltered Instagram post? At the drape when we say Natural, we think about a color that will add a nature-like quality to your windows, remain neutral, and let the rest of your décor shine.

Fabric in its natural state is called greige fabric. This does not refer to the color of the fabric, but the actual material. This fabric is woven or knit and has not been dyed or bleached. It's possible to purchase greige fabric, which can be beautiful, but it can also be irregular with changing shades.


Additionally, natural fabric can also refer to where the fibers come from. Examples of plant fibers (cellulosic) are cotton, flax, and linen. Wool and silk fibers are animal derivatives.

The first textiles were made from animal and plant fibers. They create yarns and fabrics that are excellent for economic consumption due to pliability and strength.


When commercial production of textiles changed during the Industrial Revolution, the quality of fibers that could be made into textiles expanded. Factories had the ability to source materials from a broader area and were not limited to plants and animals that were local to their region. The farming and breeding of plants and animals for optimum fiber output also took off during the Industrial Revolution.


Natural fibers for commercial use are still dyed and printed. Natural materials take dyes better than synthetics. The color of natural is a grayish color with warm brown undertones. Dyeing fabric natural is very common so that in a commercial setting, the fabric has consistency.

The drape offers two natural fabrics in a natural color. the linen and the cotton canvas are both available in the natural color. The cotton canvas natural is a slightly heavier fabric than the linen. the linen natural is woven with a yarn that has a slub. This means that the yarn is not always the same size.


These two curtains in natural are fantastic for the windows in a room with lots of color. It is a way for the windows to blend into the wall and let your décor be the standout. Conversely, if you have a lot of white and neutral colors, the natural curtains can soften the space and bring warmth to the room. Since natural is a beige/grey color with warm undertones, it looks good with warm and cool colors. It truly is a versatile color.

The linen blend sheer is a combination of natural (linen) and synthetic (polyester) yarns. The natural quality and slubs of the linen yarn stand out. This is an open weave fabric and allows a lot of light through.


Selecting a sheer curtain for the windows in your room allows you to control the light without making the room dark. If you enjoy the view from your windows, but like a little bit of privacy, this is a good choice.


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