Answers for a most common questions

Capiz is both a geographical location and the name of a shell that is used largely in interior decorating and for decorative gifts and accessories. Geographically speaking, Capiz is a province of the Philippines facing the Sibuyan Sea to the north. Capiz shell, which is used for decorative purposes, is the outer shell of the marine mollusk, Placuna placenta, found in the shallow coastal waters of the Philippines.

Capiz shell is a flat, semi-transparent shell with a pearlescent appearance. Capiz is often used to create lampshades or other luminescent objects, such as candle holders, because of its striking appearance when light shines through. However, it is just as common to see the bases of lamps crafted with capiz shell. Capiz is also frequently used as an accent to many household and fashion accessories. Capiz is generally considered to be elegant and formal.

As a decorative item for interiors, capiz is often found not only on light fixtures and furniture, but also on walls. Many upscale hotels feature capiz panels on the interior walls of their lobbies and hallways. You might also find capiz in the showers and bathrooms of such hotels. Capiz might be used in homes, but it is generally reserved for formal areas only, though a more casual look can also be achieved with capiz.

Capiz is also used in jewelry, especially necklaces and bracelets, where it can stand alone or accentuate mother of pearl. Capiz can be found as accent trim on leather handbags, watches, and even shoes. It is not uncommon to find giftware made with capiz as well. Dishes are another item that might incorporate capiz to create an elegant, one-of-a-kind look.

Essentially, the use of capiz shell in decorating and fashion is unlimited. It can be difficult to tell the difference between genuine capiz shell and a synthetic shell, but generally, synthetic versions are cheaper. Capiz shell products can add a look of elegance or formality to a room or object, but they can also be used to create a breezy, coastal feel. The decorative purposes of capiz are virtually limitless, and the look it gives depends largely on the quantity used and the accompanying materials, with silver or gold being the most formal and wood being a more casual material combined with capiz.

Linen is one of the oldest woven fabrics in human history. Made of fibers from the flax plant, this material was once considered suitable only for royalty. Purple linen was the material for a king’s robe. The Bible mentions linen coverings used in the Tabernacle and the Temple, and references to “fine linen” are found throughout.

Linen is an expensive fabric to manufacture. Flax is a temperamental plant to grow, and the quality of the finished linen depends largely on the quality of the plant itself. The flax fibers are found in the stalk, which is picked by hand to preserve the fibers’ integrity — another reason flax is expensive. Separating the fibers is also a long and tedious process if performed correctly. Some flax is processed on cotton machines, but this results in a lower-quality finished fiber. Most fabric flax is grown today in Western Europe, and the finer quality linen comes from there, as well.

Good quality linen is soft and largely free of the “slubs” or small knots often associated with it. Slubs are only found in lesser quality fabric. Linen is moth-resistant and repels dirt, as well. Linen can absorb and lose water quickly, and it can also help “wick” perspiration away from the skin — although sweat can damage the fabric. This quality has made it popular in hot climates, such as that of Egypt, for thousands of years.

Modern garments made from linen are expensive because of linen’s expensive manufacturing and weaving process. However, the fabric readily accepts dye, so it can be manufactured in many colors. Linen is a lightweight fabric, which makes it suitable for spring and summer wear. It looks crisp, cool and neat, even on the warmest days. Most linen can also be washed in a home machine.

Linen is not perfect, however. One of its worst traits is the tendency to wrinkle. Sit down in linen slacks, and horizontal creases appear across the front.

Not only is linen wrinkle-prone, but ironing linen is a great deal of work. The iron must be very hot and should have a steam setting. Otherwise, the person ironing the linen will need to spritz the fabric with water to create steam. Linen can also be ironed damp from the washer. A light spray starch can also be used on linen, and linen must be ironed on the wrong side of the fabric, or using a pressing cloth, to prevent shiny spots.

Although durable, linen garments should be hung in a closet, rather than folded away in a drawer. Linen fibers can break if folded in the same place too often. Linen also tends to soften with wear and washing, so any roughness in the fabric will usually smooth out in time.

Slacks, dresses, suits, sport coats and blazers are all common clothing items made from linen. However, linen was used for sheets many years ago and is still used for items such as tablecloths. It even has industrial uses for luggage and upholstery. With its versatility and beauty, linen will certainly continue to be a widely-used fabric for the foreseeable future.

Toile, which is short for Toile du Juoy, is a pattern used in home décor. The repeated pattern is traditionally set on fabric with a white or cream background, and printed most often in navy, red and black. The pattern is traditionally a one-color pastoral scene that tells a story. Due to toile’s recent rise in popularity, it has found a place not only on the traditional fabric, but also on wallpaper and clothing.

Toile, which is a French word, translates literally to 'cloth'. Its origins can be traced to Jouy-en-Josas, France, where the first commercial plant to mass produce it started production in 1760. Despite its very proper reputation, toile had a decidedly illicit beginning.

Christopher-Philippe Oberkampf, who had previously been producing toile using an expensive, laborious process, uncovered secret etching techniques in England. This technique used copper plated rollers, which would make producing toile much easier. He spirited the secrets out of the country and went on to receive the Legion of Honor distinction by Napoleon himself for his efforts. The French obviously took their toile very seriously.

Toile aficionados love the pattern for its formality, its regal tone and its ability to dress anything up. While some find toile’s patterns overbearing, stuffy and old-fashioned, most find toile charming for its old-world sensibilities. Toile fabric was typically used on nearly every surface in the room, including the upholstery, curtains, walls, bedding and lamps, but now it is used more often on a smaller, more focused scale on lamps, dog beds and baby linens, for example. Teapots and housewares are popping up in toile decorated china and enamel. Clothing lines and accessories using toile in a variety of colors and patterns are becoming more popular as well.

Traditionally, toile depicts French provincial scenes, seasons, forest scenes, stories depicting Roman gods and sea adventures. Originally, toile was meant to tell a story, but now the patterns can include anything from florals to circus scenes and animals. Yellows, greens and pinks have replaced the traditional white and cream backgrounds, making toile a decidedly more funky and eclectic option in home décor.

Hay is the general name for a number of dried grasses, flowers and other plants used as off-season food for horses and other animals. Hay producers usually grow rye grass, oats or alfalfa in large open fields and wait until the leaves have reached a specific maturity, generally just before their flowering stage. The grasses or plants are then cut with machinery and left to dry on the ground for several days. At this stage in hay production, excessive rain may be problematic. Some hay growers will turn the cut grass over for more even drying, a process called tedding.

Once the grass or alfalfa has dried sufficiently, it is gathered up mechanically by a machine called a baler. The rear section of the baler creates rectangular or round bales of hay held together by wire. These bales are left in the field until other laborers can collect them. The traditional rectangular hay bales are generally stored in special barns called haymows or hay lofts. Modern round bales are usually stacked together in a dry outdoor location and covered with a special plastic tarp for weather protection.

Fresh hay bales continue to dry in place for several months. Because the bales are relatively heavy, compression force may help the bottom hay bales dry even faster. One problem hay farmers face is the excessive heat generated by the compression of wet grass in the center of the bales. For this reason, most haylofts in barns are airy and open. If the hay is stored in unventilated areas, the excessive heat could actually combust and cause a fire in the loft.

During winter months, or in areas where fresh grass is not readily available, ranchers and farmers typically rely on hay to feed their horses. Hay is not always as nutritional as regular feed, but it does have enough vitamins and roughage to keep animals healthy for a few months. It might help to think of hay as a form of granola or breakfast cereal for horses. Some hay supplies may rot or ferment, rendering them useless for feed but ideal for garden mulch.

Since rye grasses and alfalfa continue to grow throughout the year, hay producers may be able to cut the same field up to three times before the winter freeze. This can prove beneficial for the local farmers and ranchers, since hay supplies can run dangerously low at times. Some hay sold as emergency or low-cost feed can lead to malnutrition and other problems, so hay producers who can provide high quality bales in bulk are usually very popular in agricultural circles.