The informal sophistication of this bedroom is enhanced by the use of luxurious fabrics. The mixture of classic patterns and solid colours brings a modern look to the composition. The blanket determines the look of the bedroom regardless the use of earthy materials in it. Fabric big pillows and blanket: Besarabia C/05; Fabric cushions: Murano C/06, C/22 and C/19 and Venus C/11. Aberdeen collection by Lizzo. Photography courtesy of Lizzo.
After a long day, full of responsibilities, tiredness, chores and sometimes problems, the vision of a comfortable bed seems to be either a reward or the place where consolation seems to be embodied in the shape of comfort and cosiness.
This is why beds are so important in our lives. The presence of a bed makes of a room a bedroom, Does that seem obvious? The moment we place a bed in a room, we need that space to be personal, warm, intimate and of course inspiring. How it is designed shows how much appreciation, love, care and respect we have for ourselves at the moment when we are by ourselves or alone with our partners. It is the ultimate moment of intimacy, even more than what happens in the bathroom. In the latter we are conscious of our bodies, in the former of our souls, desires and deepest thoughts.
For more contemporary solutions, like in this case, the head board, the bed skirting and the bed base are one piece which gives this impeccable look with a taste of nostalgia but definitely a today’s answer to the current life style. Fitted sheet, flat sheet and oxford pillows give a minimal and elegant touch. The beautiful throw, blanket and cushion arranged in a relax way offer a warm welcoming. Melissa bed from Falegnami. Photography courtesy of www.puntoit.co.uk
So it is important to have a bedroom whose style reflects who you are; it is important to have a bed that matches that style; and it is absolutely vital that you chose wisely your mattress (please do not try to save in this) as it means care for your body and therefore your health. Is that all? I don’t think so. Would you then, put a worn sheet and a tasteless blanket on it, matching the vision 2 impersonal and shapeless pillows? I’m sure you do not want that. Perfect! We agree. What you want is the perfect beddings on it. Isn’t that so?
This is what we are going to talk about. How we dress our beds: styles, looks, small details that pay attention to the fabrics and designs.
There are two circumstances that have changed the way we dress a bed today: thermal comfort and a dynamic contemporary lifestyle (for many of us it includes … no maid to make the bed) so we need to make it easy and beautiful.
Would you say this bed is irresistible? Comfortable?. I would say here is beauty in its slightly careless arrangement. The plane headboard and the bed linen are part of the scheme given to the room, chromatically speaking. The final effect is a peaceful and cohesive proposal. The soft fabric of the blanket, the beautiful throw and the cushions were made specifically. Bespoke is always the ideal option when after a unique outcome. De Le Cuona fabrics: Blanket: samurai gull; throw: feather cashmere; Head board: cape twilight; Cushions from front to back: opera opal in Mali, pintuck design, liquid pewter, samurai gull and opera opal. Photography courtesy of De Le Cuona.
Let’s see how many layers of fabrics are recommended in general for dressing a bed correctly:
Bed skirt, mattress pad, mattress cover, the fitted sheet, the flat sheet, a blanket or quilt, and the duvet (in its duvet cover of course). We are talking of 7 layers. Should we use all of them? The answer is not necessarily, but the answer depends on the type of bed you are using and how keen you are on appearance and hygiene. Let me go quickly through them.
Impressive headboards like this one demands special attention when choosing the bed linen. In this case the opulent look is smoothed by the impeccable and austere design of the flat sheet and pillow cases. The bed skirt in slate grey is neatly balanced by the white of the flat sheet. The grey strips in it confirm the informal elegance of the composition. Tobago Collection from Evitavonni. Photography courtesy of Evitavonni.
Bed skirt: recommended if you have a base as the bed skirt hides it and makes the whole thing look nicer and tidier.
Mattress pad: is put on the top of the mattress to make it softer and if an “accident” happens you do not need to change the mattress but the pad.
Mattress cover: it looks like a fitted sheet and protects the mattress. It can be used instead of the mattress pad or as well as it.
Cushions are a key element for giving individuality, colour and focal point to a bed. Use them wisely, chose the right fabrics and colours depending of the bed linen you have and the mood you want. Do not forget they are going to advertise how good your taste is. De Le Cuona fabrics: Fab Silk velvet teal, silk velvet ruby and samurai sun. Photography courtesy of De Le Cuona.
The fitted sheet: it is the fabric that is going to be in contact with your body all the time. It could be in cotton, silk, linen, nylon or polyester. The quality will determine the final look and feel.
The flat sheet: is the fabric between your body and the blanket or/and duvet, as easy to wash as the fitted sheet.
The blanket or quilt: ( its thickness according to the temperature in your room) should be one of the prettiest things in your room in my opinion.
Duvet: I understand that due to the lack of storage space in our homes, this has become an important part when dressing a bed. I find it really not very attractive as its fluffiness is never going to make the bed look impeccable, but there you go – it is a clear example of how practicality surpasses perfection. Some people prefer the use of blankets to duvets and vice versa. It is a very personal decision. If using a duvet, please choose the right size, so it falls at least nicely at each side of the bed and does not become the “hat” of the bed – not a pretty image!.
For a more informal and playful look this bedding form Harlequin offers a lively solution. The fitted sheet and the pillowcases in turquoise are a nice background for the colourful duvet cover in stripes matched by the Oxford pillows. The buttoned and knitted cushion adds depth to the arrangement. Having chosen a modern and linear bed helps when using bold colours. Collection Bali Stripe – Peony and Lime from Harlequin. Photography courtesy of Harlequin.
The way you display and combine the fitted sheet, flat sheet, blanket and duvet is going to determine the look of the bed. You can mix colours, textures; you can show them or hide them, etc.
Once these decisions have been made, there are the pillows, decorative pillows, shams, cushions and throws that complement and enhance the look of the bed, and those are going to make it look not just beautiful but totally irresistible.
Throws are not just beautiful elements to be used when that delicate touch is required, they are very practical as well, offering a sense of immediate comfort and relax. These ones in Lambswool angora fabric by Josephine Home are the perfect complement for that sumptuous or informal look you want for your bedroom. Photography courtesy of Josephine Home.
So pamper yourself and your partner, I believe completely that when you go to bed everything that touches your body should appeal to your senses and thus become the perfect surroundings for your dreams… or your witnesses.
Have a good night.
This is another contemporary solution where the bed as a whole unit works as a neutral background for displaying cushions/pillows in different fabrics and colours, a more playful attitude is the rule, however knowing when to stop this solution keep it elegant and correct. Ellelle bed from Falegnami. Photography courtesy of www.puntoit.co.uk
