SWEET DREAMS
Experts suggest you should dress your bed according to personal tastes, not trends
Prints and casual looks may be popular bedding options, but these are based more on clients’ preferences than on specific trends dictating what is “in.” Homeowners want bedding that looks decidedly relaxed, but is made from opulent yet comfortable materials.
“As far as trends are concerned, it’s never one thing but a bunch of different things,” explained Stan Leibner, owner of Linen Chest. “It used to be that a lot of embroidery was being used in bedding, but today we’re moving back toward prints, and a lot of them are very bold with strong, vibrant colours like bright greens, oranges, turquoises, and even pomegranate.”
Consumers are also seeking out textured fabrics in a movement toward casual looks.
“Yarn- dyed fabrics in plaids and stripes are very beautiful, and linen is becoming a lot more popular in naturals and greys,” Leibner said. “Hotel looks are still around, but they’ve morphed into more sophisticated types of patterns with a lot more embellishment, like satin ribbons.
“And when it comes to sheets, it’s all about high thread counts in 100 per cent cotton — and even other materials, such as bamboo.”
Joanna Goodman, owner of Au Lit Fine Linens, said she has seen a huge surge in pre- washed textures.
“It started with pre- washed linen, which in the past was very crisp and wrinkly,” she explained, “but at some point, Italians innovated these pre- washing techniques where everything is softened — and it really took off.
“We’ve been selling that for several years but now it’s all about washed cotton, linens, and blankets — every type of washed texture.
“In fact, this year about a dozen
of our collections are ‘ washed.’ It’s a beautiful look and very livable and casual, but it’s sophisticated and it can be done very contemporary and simple. Now it’s cleaner, simpler and easier to care for.”
So what is the best way to “dress” a bed?
Well, gone are the days of complicated beds with layer upon layer of
accessories. In most cases, homeowners are forgoing the traditional bedskirts, numerous blankets and countless pillows for something a bit more streamlined.
“Start from the inside,” Goodman said. “The philosophy is: get good pillows and a decent duvet, because it goes such a long way.
... This year about a dozen of our collections are ‘ washed.’ It’s a beautiful look and very livable and casual, but it’s sophisticated and it can be done very contemporary and simple. Now it’s cleaner, simpler and easier to care for.
“A good duvet should last you about 10 to 15 years — and when you have a real goose- down duvet, you really get what you pay for.”
Once pillows and a duvet have been chosen, Joanna Goodman suggests investing in a sheet set where you love the thread count, which she said is a personal choice.
“One- hundred- per- cent Egyptian cotton is the best cotton in the world for the softest and most durable fabric, but anything above ( a thread count of ) 200 can be decent,” she said.
“You want to pay attention to the country of origin for weaving, and then you choose the thread count. This will create the foundation of your bed.”
In the end, the main rule when choosing bedding is: there are no rules.
“Do you like prints such as florals? Pick your favourite calming colour, and look for some amazing decorative cushions that add a punch to the room or a seasonal touch,” Goodman said.
“Fall in love with something that you love, and don’t fall for a passing trend.”