3 Gorgeous Bedding & Linen Collections for Holiday Gifting

Zicci  Bea is a relatively new entry to the linen and bedding market, but their arrival has been spectacular. Zicci Bea’s Allison luxury bedding collection (pictured above) is an elegant stunner, and even more stunning is that this quality, luxe linen comes with a price tag that won’t break the bank. A queen set (includes duvet cover, two pillow covers, one sham, and a fitted sheet) retails for $249. 

I saw the de Medici’s Leonora bedding collection  while at High Point this Fall, and I was just smitten. The textiles are sumptuous, the design is an ethereal, timeless classic which works in contemporary and traditional settings, and the tailoring reflects a delicate feminine styling. Oh, and did I mention the monogramming-attention to detail-so much to love?  Retailer locations.

Paisley patterned Amethyst Amore Bedspread from Le Attiser. Love that Le Attiser linens are steeped in artisan tradition. Their textiles are printed individually by hand using cut wooden blocks – a tradition hailing from the Thar Desert of Rajasthan in India. The queen size version of this bedspread retails for under $70.

Lulu DK for Matouk The Tiger Lily Bedding Collection

Can’t get enough of gorgeous Orange this year? Neither can we – we’re loving Orange with a passion at The Decorating Diva.com. 

Brighten your bedroom with touches of vibrant Tiger Lily orange and milk whites.  Lulu DK is a bedding collection collaboration between mega style designer Lulu de Kwiatkowski and premier luxury fine linens purveyor Matouk.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: Lulu DK Matouk

Modern Upholstered Bed from B & B Italia by Antonio Citterio

This modern bed with upholstered headboard by Antonio Citterio for B & B Italia 2009 Collection (Febo Apta Maxalto) has an elegant upholstered headboard and the added comfort of two backrest cushions. The modern styled bed is dressed in the 2009 hot color family: purple (deep rich plum and a full-bodied red wine ). This  Antonio Citterio  designed bed is elegantly modern, sexy, and very feminine. He has been able to skillfully interpret classic design styles with contemporary flair.

We like this bed in modern styled homes as well as homes or bedrooms looking for an updated Hollywood regency style.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: B&B Italia

Palladio Bedding Collection by Anichini

The Anichini Palladio bedding collection is a 200 Thread count percale fabric with a very, nice tailored, crisp white with black trim ensemble that coordinates perfectly with modern, minimalist interiors.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: Anichini

Yves Delorme Colibri Bedding Collection

Colibri by Yves Delorme (another name synonymous with luxury linens) skillfully marries the clean lines of modern design with the traditional art of embroidery, creating a unique and artful modern rendering of romantic style. Retail prices from $145 to $725.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: For retail locations see yvesdelorme.com.

Cuddledown Organic Bedding: Seashell Sheets & Estrella Comforter Cover

Cuddledown known for it’s eco friendly, organic bedding and healthy, hypoallergenic linens easily pleases those seeking a healthy home and a healthy planet.

The 300 thread count Seashell Organic Bedding Collection is an organic cotton percale created from low-impact dyes and 100% certified organic combed cotton.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource:  Cuddledown

Ann Gish Bedding Collection Mariana

Ann Gish, known for her exquisite eye for detail ( and as the bedding designer (Ready-to-Bed line) for SATC’s Charlotte’s bed upholstery – a little, fun interior design trivia for "Sex and the City" fans), brings us exotic details in her poppy and ivory silk charmeuse bedding collection, the Mariana. Available at fine linen stores and Neiman Marcus. Retail prices from $200 to $810.

Images copyright of respective companies.

How to Buy the Best Mattress: 5 Tips to Guide You to a Good Night’s Sleep

Studies show that we sleep approximately two-thirds of our life (eight hours out of 24 hours daily), so it makes perfect sense to approach the purchase of a mattress from a well-researched position.  It’s also reasonable to understand the fear some of us have when shopping for a mattress. First, there’s the cost – buying a mattress is not cheap (at least not a good one; they carry hefty price tags). Then there’s the very real fear of buying the wrong mattress.

The wrong mattress can be the wrong size,  too hard, too soft, too tall, or too short. Whatever may be wrong with the mattress usually results in a bad nights sleep. And study after study has shown that not getting enough of “good” sleep will affect other aspects of our lives negatively. So choosing the best mattress really is a major decision. We’ve prepared a quick guide to mattress buying that will help you make the best decision when you’re shopping for a mattress.

1.   Get the Right Size: If you have an existing bed, then measure your current mattress (assuming you got the right size to fit your bed originally) and take those measurements along when shopping for your new mattress. For a new bed, also measure the bed for the box springs as well as the mattress, as you will most likely be buying a mattress set (mattress and box springs).   Measure for depth as some mattresses are very deep (plush pillow tops) and may not fit your bed well. Another thing to keep in mind if you have an existing mattress set – is to consider whether you will be replacing the box springs in addition to the mattress.

2.  Take the Mattress for a Test Sleep: Don’t bother wasting your time at bedding or mattress stores that do not offer generous “test” periods. There is absolutely no way, really no way, in which you can tell if a particular mattress is meant for you by testing it for five minutes or so. Just not going to happen. The  store environment makes it impossible for you to relax enough to let your inhibitions rest as you contort your body into your natural sleep configurations (and in some case you may not even be aware that you flip or switch sides during the night). 

Ask for a 30 to 90 day test period with full refund if you should decide the bed is not for you– if they don’t give it to you, leave and find another mattress store that will. 

3.  Not all Mattresses are the Same: Let me bust the myth that all mattresses are equal and buying the cheapest one is just as good. No. No. No. We get hundreds of email questions on mattress buying and one of the the running themes is “I read that you can buy a $200 mattress that feels like a $1000 mattress – is that true?”. The answer always is, “perhaps”. There’s mattress clearance sales in which old or discontinued mattress models need to be liquidated to make room for new mattresses. Then there’s the possibility that a mattress store is going out of business and needs to sell all products at clearance prices.

However, the above scenarios depict quality mattresses being sold below value for a variety of reasons . but it is extremely rare to pickup a truly cheap mattress, not a $1000 mattress on sale, (say in the $200 to $400 range) that in anyway, shape or form meets with the quality of a $1000 mattress.

Having said that, I also believe that you can be happy with a less expensive mattress because in the end it’s not simply about the price tag or prestige associated with the mattress that matters. Comfort is king, and if a $200 mattress fits your needs than why spend $1000?

4.  State Your Mission: Don’t let a mattress salesperson pin you down to a price range – let them know that all you care about during the test period is comfort, warranty,and, of course, a store that offers a generous mattress testing period. 

5. Focus on the Important: Keep in mind that the mattress will be part of your home and life for a substantial part of your life. Buying a cheaply made, uncomfortable mattress is bad for your health in the long run. As with any household product that will last for several years, buy the very best you can afford now – otherwise you may find yourself shopping for a new mattress sooner than the “new one’s” end of life.

As was mentioned earlier, you can buy high quality, high end, even luxury, mattresses on sale at various times of the year. Once you know what you are looking for in a mattress then it becomes easier to take advantage of seasonal bedding sales, where you can get incredible deals and savings.

How many layers should a latex mattress have?

“Ask The Decorating Diva”

Dear The Decorating Diva,

I’m looking to buy a latex foam mattress and after reviewing all the available mattress choices I’m having a hard time figuring out if there is any benefit to buying a latex mattress that has one, two, three, or more layers. Is it worth the money? These mattresses are kind of steep price wise and I don’t want to spend money on a feature that isn’t necessary.

B. Steele in Austin, TX

B.,

Most eco-friendly bedding, including mattresses do tend to carry a much higher price tag than it’s less environmentally friendly siblings, so I can understand your desire to obtain some savings by carefully weighing your mattress buying options.

Typically latex foam mattresses are constructed from either two, three or four layers, with the softest layers on top of more firm layers beneath. In the two layer latex mattress you can expect to find a thin layer of foam laid atop a much thicker layer of latex foam. The three layer latex mattress follows the same layer recipe as the two layer – and then adds an even thicker layer at the bottom which will provide a nice and firm sleeping surface.

The best method to determine which layered latex mattress best suits your sleeping needs is to try them out.  A mattress is a major expenditure and many mattress and bedding companies allow “sleep trial” periods.

Best,
Carmen Natschke
Editor, The Decorating Diva LLC

5 Tips for Buying Luxury Linens & Bedding

1. Thread Count is typically listed on the packaging. Thread count is determined by the number of threads per square inch of fabric. The higher the count the softer and more silk-like the material. It is important to note that as the thread count climbs, so does the thinness of each individual fiber packed into that square inch of material. Therefore it is imperative that high-thread count fine linens be laundered with care.

2. It Takes Three – it’s a good idea to purchase three sets of linens (sheets: flat and fitted), six pillow cases and at a minimum two duvet covers, coverlets, or comforters. Having three sets of linens will ensure that your bed is never bare. You can have one set on the bed, one set being laundered and another set in the linen closet as a backup. Those of us who have children and/or pets understand the necessity of having backup linens at the ready.

3. Size Really Does Matter - Unless you like to spend your free time standing in the returns/refunds line than you should measure twice and write it down (memory is such a fickle thing). Measure the length, width and depth (which is very important for pillow top mattresses). A fitted sheet should tuck under the corner not ride the middle of the mattress which I have seen many times because 14″ pocket fitted sheets were purchased for an 18″ pillow top.

4. Get Your Fiber - linens are produced from various fibers and materials (both synthetic and natural), with cotton being the most popular. The three cotton varieties are:

1. Egyptian Cotton - this cotton is grown in the Nile Valley and is well known for it silky luxurious feel. Egyptian cotton can be blended with inexpensive fibers resulting in a less silky blend. The best advice is to seek out 100% Egyptian Cotton. This cotton can be expensive.
2. Pima Cotton – is primarily grown in the Southwest United States. It has a nice smooth texture, is durable and is reasonably priced. Pima cotton is also grown all over the world, including Peru, Israel, and Australia (thanks to Jay Gunter).
   
3. Standard Cotton produces decent quality linens however they lack the luxurious tactile hand of either the Egyptian or Pima cotton. This cotton is also the least expensive.

5. Get Touchy – Shop at a “bricks” store first and if you want you can buy online later. Why? We are human and we like to touch. We want to know how those 1000 thread count sheets feel as our hand glides across its smooth surface. As much as I love the internet – it does not allow you to experience before you buy therefore I don’t recommend online shopping until you have made your final decision. NOTE: Some online shops do provide small fabric samples but I still hold firm on linen shopping off-line first, find the bedding you absolutely love and then if you want proceed online for the transaction.