Daydreams of relaxing spas and weekend getaways can be put to rest by simply transforming a commonly used room within the home into a retreat: the bedroom. Building the perfect, personalized bed can create a five-star experience every night. After all, says Wendy Dowling of Bed and Bath Affair of Lancaster (www.bedandbathaffair.com), "You sleep eight hours; make your bed refreshing and comfortable."
A Common Thread
Thread count has become "over discussed" and can frequently confuse customers into thinking higher numbers mean better quality or serve as justification for larger price tags, says Dowling. "More important," she advises, "is the origin of the product and overall quality."
Higher thread count can also mean a "coarser," less breathable material. And whether someone sleeps "hot or cold" can factor heavily. "To help you regulate body temperature, sheets must breathe," says Ben McClure, president of Gardner's Mattress & More in Lancaster (www.gardnersmattressandmore.com). He adds, "a true 300 or 400 thread count sheet set is much better at doing this than any 800-plus thread count sheet set."
Clients in search of bedding should evaluate the texture and feel to choose what appeals to them the most. Of all the layers, the sheets are the foundation, the one upon which there is the most direct contact, making both the material's texture and its ability to create a cozy climate of paramount significance.
Cut From the Same Cloth
Cotton grown in the United States and Egypt may share a name, but it is, in fact, two different plants, growing from different seeds in differing climates. Higher-end bedding is often made from Egyptian cotton, as the Nile River Valley allows for a longer staple, meaning a longer fiber, which produces a softer, suppler weave.
All of Dowling's purveyed products are made with Egyptian cotton on "old machines" in Italy using traditional methods. Luxury linens, while not for everyone (many other great materials and products exist) do possess significant differences. "More expensive bedding often offers denser, higher-quality textiles; and more colors, textures and patterns; as well as more refined tailoring and trim details," says Hans Gehman of Gehman & Co, Mount Joy (www.gehmanandco.com). Damask patterns are incorporated into the weave (not printed) to enhance the luxury of the textile.
From cotton alone, various fabrics expressing unique characteristics can be created, such as percale, sateen, linen, or Giza. In addition, certified organic cotton offers its own distinct layer of comfort: sheets from Savvy Rest (sold at Gardner's) are made from cotton that is unbleached and undyed—available only in its original, natural cream color- made from a quality, long-staple cotton.
Steps to Layer it On
Not all layers are created equal, and while sheets are an important investment because of their proximity to the body and their sustained wear, they do not create a sleeping oasis alone. "Each top-of-bed layer serves a distinct functional and aesthetic purpose," informs Gehman.
1. Ben McClure recommends starting under the sheets with a mattress protector to "ensure a sanitary sleep environment" and to potentially assist with regulating body temperature, depending on the material. Easy to throw in the wash, these protectors create an effective barrier between the mattress and the sheets.
2. The layer with "comfort" in its name: the down comforter. Dowling's shop carries sumptuous, hypo-allergenic, light-weight options that provide a worthwhile return on investment, offering an inimitable sleep experience.
3. Duvets serve more for decorative purposes; they are "highly visible, but they often don't touch the skin while sleeping," says Gehman. "A duvet protects the comforter, so it needs washed less," adds Dowling. Duvets can be pulled over other layers for an extra warmth barrier and can easily be changed out according to the style changes of the room or season.
