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Archive for the ‘Interior Design’ Category
Bedding image: The Finley Collection by Sferra; Inset image by Down Inc.
The anatomy of a luxury bed has evolved over the past several years. Once a show of excess, a well-dressed bed would include a plethora of pillows, layers upon layers of sheeting, coverlets and duvets, and enough down to make a flock of geese jealous. As the trend towards simplicity continues, we are seeing less pillows and elaborate adornments and are focusing on the basics of a comfortable, yet stylish bed.
Layering is still used for modern or contemporary beds, but the lines are crisper, the top-of-the-bed designs and patterns are simpler, and certain components are eliminated altogether.
Traditional rooms, however, still utilize the full gamut of boudoir fashion, so we will explore the basics of bedding with that in mind. Each area will be covered in more depth in subsequent articles.
1) The Foundations
As any woman knows, the secret to looking and feeling amazing in a sexy new dress hinges on the undergarments she choses. The same thing applies to the bed…what you put beneath the sheets is as important as what you see.
The well-dressed bed includes:
• Plush mattress pad or featherbed
• Down or down-alternative comforter
• Euro pillows
• Standard pillows
• Sleeping pillows
The contemporary room may opt to skip the standard pillows for decorative shams and only display Euro shams and sleeping pillows. Or, choose a down-filled mattress pad over a featherbed to ensure a crisp look.
2) High Quality Sheeting
Understanding the differences of the different types of sheeting can be confusing. Terms such as percale and sateen describe how the sheeting is woven, and can define the sheeting’s hand, or how it feels to the touch. The most common fiber used is cotton, but there are differences even in that category. Alternative fibers, such as modal, bamboo are also alternatives that are gaining popularity due to their supple and silky softness.
More on sheeting and how to choose what’s best for you will be covered in a following article.
3) Cohesive Design and Aesthetics
Dressing the bed in layers creates that soft, comfortable, inviting look that dares you to abandon your day and jump on in.
The well-dressed bed, from back to front, features:
• Euro shams
• Standard shams
• Sleeping pillows in coordinating pillow cases
• Lightweight coverlet
• Removable duvet cover
• Dust ruffle or bed skirt
• Accent pillows
Again, a simpler design will forego the number of pillows or even variety in patterns used. A complex and beautiful traditional bed ensemble can feature at least five different patterns and fabric textures in the top-of-bed alone! Add features such as ruffles, trim, sequins or fur and the bed is truly an elaborate and exquisite focal point to the boudoir.
Coming up, we will discuss what comprises the different aspects of the well-dressed bed, which will help you make an informed decision on how you can have the most beautiful bed and best night’s sleep you’ve ever had.
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THE GUIDE TO THE WELL-DRESSED BED: The Foundations—Featherbeds, down comforters and oh so many pillow choices…
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THE GUIDE TO THE WELL-DRESSED BED: Sheeting basics—Sateen, percale, cotton and alternative fibers
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THE GUIDE TO THE WELL-DRESSED BED: Bedding design—From simple to elegant, the décor of the boudoir
Years ago, I was introduced to the concept of being intentional about bedding. Sure, I had coordinating shams and comforter, but how intentional is a bed-in-a-bag? I mean, does that really provide a quality nights sleep, or a place that you look forward to falling into night after night, or give you that “I don’t want to leave this” feeling? Splurging on high quality sheeting was so frivolous…so expensive…so unnecessary.
Then, I became aware. You know—one of those “Ah Ha!” moments. I slipped into a bed that was like a cloud. The soft featherbed wrapped around me with silky-soft Egyptian cotton sheeting and my eyes were opened, even as they were quickly shutting to get the best sleep in a long, long time. In short order, we made some changes in how we dressed our bed and it is now affectionately known as “The Cotton Ball.”
Later, coincidentally, I worked in a luxury linens boutique for several years and learned even more about the elements to the perfect bed. The quality and composition of the foundations, the linens, and even the accessories all add to the overall sleep experience.
It is indeed an experience…it’s tactile… it’s emotional…it’s completely sensory. We spend 1/3 of our lifetimes sleeping. Lack of, or even unsatisfying, sleep has been known to cause a multitude of illnesses, mental issues, and relational problems. Why not pay closer attention to the environment of sleep—specifically what we choose to sleep in and on?
The next few articles will break down the essential elements of a luxurious, well-dressed bed. Like most things, there is quite a range in quality and price of each of the elements. You could spend $50 for a king-sized Egyptian cotton sheet set from a big-box store, or you could spend $500 for a similar set from a luxury linens manufacturer. Yes, there are differences—it’s not just a label game. The whole bed (not including the mattresses) can cost around $300 for low-end products to over $5,000 (easily!) for the true, luxury bedding ensemble.
Take the information and make it yours and in your budget. Start with sheeting. Buy the best you can afford or even slightly above. They will last longer, feel better and you are worth it…but more on that later.
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THE GUIDE TO THE WELL-DRESSED BED—DAY ONE:
The basics of a well-dressed bed
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THE GUIDE TO THE WELL-DRESSED BED—DAY TWO:
The foundations: Featherbeds, down comforters and oh so many pillow choices…
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THE GUIDE TO THE WELL-DRESSED BED—DAY THREE:
Sheeting basics: Sateen, percale, cotton and alternative fibers
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THE GUIDE TO THE WELL-DRESSED BED—DAY FOUR:
Bedding design: From simple to elegant, the décor of the boudoir
I can’t think of a better way to instantly change a room’s look for little effort than adding or updating the area rug. Whether it’s bold colors and graphical prints, or subtle tones and a traditional pattern, an area rug can anchor your conversation area, provide zip to a neutral room, or be the one change that you can make until a full room makeover is in your budget.
Here are a few of my favorite new releases for 2013!
Capel's "A'lhambra" flat-weave, 100% wool rug shows a graphical Middle Eastern print in dark chocolate and salmon tones.
An interesting take on the leather rug—the "Appalachian" by Surya features a 100% leather hide, bound in strips and mitered to form a neat, clean, natural pattern.
Combining two of the most popular patterns—Chevron & Ikat—Momeni's "Baja" rug is suitable for indoor and outdoor use!
This cool 100% wool Jaunty "Metro" rug in Shadow show the hottest trend in color: ombre stripes of blues and teals.
These aren't your preschool carpet squares! FLOR offers customizable area rugs that are combinations of color and texture using simple carpet squares. "Made You Look" is made of recyclable materials and brings the spectrum of color to your interiors!
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All of the above rugs are available through Gina McMurtrey Interiors.
For pricing and availability, contact us today!
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