Indigo

Cloth dyed with plant indigo, from deep navy to pale blue.

What it is

Indigo dyeing (aizome in Japanese) colours cotton and linen with a plant dye in repeated dips. Each dip makes the blue deeper.

Indigo cloth has long been used for work clothes, curtains and bedding, and it is a familiar material of mingei (Japanese folk craft).

Where it works in a home

Doorway curtains, cushions, bedding, table runners and wall hangings.

Sample photos for reference. They are not rooms we have furnished.

Choosing it

Plant or synthetic dye

Both are sold as indigo. Ask which one was used.

Cotton or linen

Cotton is softer for cushions. Linen is cooler for summer bedding.

Colour depth

Deeper blues take more dips and cost more.

Care, and a piece that travels

Wash it on its own

New indigo can release colour. Wash it separately in cold water with a mild detergent.

Dry it in the shade

Direct sun fades the blue. Dry indigo cloth indoors or in shade.

Expect it to soften

The colour and the cloth soften with use and washing. That is part of the material.

Store it dry

Damp storage can bring mould to natural fibres. Keep cloth dry and aired.

Other materials

What else a room can be made of.

Rooms that use it

Sample rooms where this material does the work.

Tell us about the home

Send the area, the rooms and when you next visit Japan. We reply within 24 hours.

A reply in writing, with a few questions about the rooms
A first plan for your rooms, with no obligation
You approve every piece before anything is ordered