Jen's looking for some shopping advice: I've been reading AT for quite a while, but I lurk no more. I recently moved into a standard suburban apartment (re: very boxy, white and beige). I also upgraded from a twin sized bed to a queen sized bed, thus I have no bed linens that fit beyond basic white sheets.
I'm excited to dress my bed, but I can't decide how to go about it. I have the typical first-time renters' issues: tight budget (IKEA, Target and major bargains), unable to change the wall color from cream to anything else, etc. As if that's not enough challenge, I'm slightly color-blind. No, really; red-green...
I had originally thought of going with a simple dove gray duvet and accenting with light turquoise/sky blue and sunny yellow.
Unfortunately, I'd been anticipating my bed being closer to black than it is and gray is going to clash horribly with my bed color (shown in the small swatch in the corner of the photo).
Since the bedding itself is going to be my most expensive investment, I want to stick to something pretty versatile that I keep even if I change my mind about color scheme. I like solid colors and simple, graphic patterns. I want to stick with a combed cotton feel for my top layer. I bought these great Russian posters on my recent trip to Ivanovo and Moscow that I want to incorporate. I really hope that somebody out there can make sense of all this, because I'm not having much luck. I've been keeping an ideas blog that might offer a further peek into my style.
Quick facts about me that may prove insightful:
zoologist working in a chemical company product support call center
speak English, Spanish and Russian
love to travel
love to read
quirky and eclectic
laid-back
Please help, AT!
Our first thought for a color that would go with both the dark wood of the bed frame, the white/cream colored walls and the Russian poster was navy blue - especially paired with white. We'd suggest patterned sheets mixed with a duvet cover or matelasse quilt in a solid accent color, so you can switch out the accent seasonally or when you need a change. We went on a search for well priced, quality sheets that have the graphic pattern that you said you would like...
We found the Jonathan Adler "Hollywood" sheet set (shown above and left) on sale for $119 (with free shipping!) from PillowsandThrows.com. It includes top and fitted sheets and two pillowcases in 300 thread count cotton - and while it's a bit too much with the matching duvet, the pattern on its own is nice.
These sheets would work with lots of warm colored solids for the duvet cover or quilt - from the bright yellow you mentioned to golds, reds, pinks or oranges.
That's just one idea - calling AT design brains! Can you help out with more bedding suggestions?
Related Links:
Dwell Bedding: Chinoiserie Collection
CB2 Bed Linens: Larch Design
Dressing the Bed for Fall
You should check the Clearance part of thecompanystore.com. They have great variety of patterns, simple stuff in tons of colors and killer markdowns.
view Lady J's profile
$119 for sheets is considered a good deal for someone on a tight budget citing IKEA and Target as price ranges? Try again, I think.
view chellebird's profile
I said the *Clearance* section of the website. The prices range from $2.99 - $64.99 and on one set the top price is $172.99. There's plenty for her to choose from in a reasonable price range.
http://www.thecompanystore.com/dept/Bedding/7510/1/listall/
view Lady J's profile
Hey guys! Thanks for the comments so far, and thanks for remembering my poor budget! :) I like the suggestions that AT provided so far, keep 'em coming readers--I need help!
view hooshotjr's profile
I'm a big fan of Macys.com for bedding - they frequently have sales and the thread counts are high while the prices are pretty reasonable.
view Sweeneybird's profile
I have no advice on what to buy but have you check out Homegoods?
view chris's profile
Check EBay!!! Whenever I find luxury bedding I have to have, I can find it much much cheaper on Ebay (this includes Calvin Klein, Donna Karen, Polo, Hotel Collection, etc). Also Overstock.com has 400, 800, and 1000 count sheets super cheap. Plus they also have a reviews and rating system, so you can see how other customers feel about those sheets. Oh and finally, don't forget about TJ Maxx. They often get high end duvets/ comforters in... and also sheets too (like Hotel Collection). Hope that helps and congrats on your new bed.
view Julia at Living Luxely's profile
How about some thoughts on this one from Ikea?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90125637
Kind of like the Jonathan Adler one (drool!), but not navy. I'm thinking of trying something other than blue for once.
Thoughts?
Jen
view hooshotjr's profile
I saw that Adler one on the Clearance rack at Bed Bath & Beyond last night. Have you checked their website to see if it's on sale?
That IKEA is a sort of Pop Mod versus the Adler which is a Moroccan Mod.
And I second HomeGoods/TJMaxx/Marshalls. They get in very interesting patterns and things like Adler at a heavy discount. There's one above an NYC BB&B that often has their old merchandise at a steep discount.
view Lady J's profile
I was at Target the other day and they had a black and white bed in the bag set that was somewhat similar to the one in your picture. Queen size was $99.
http://www.target.com/Contemporary-Home-Black-Geometric-Bed/dp/B000Q5TBRC/qid=1196436264/ref=br_1_3/601-0539409-4804910?ie=UTF8&node=331061011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1
view chairgal's profile
I really like how the Jonathan Adler duvet is sophisticated, but not stuffy. I even like the navy and white combo that AT suggested, except I'm possibly moving away from all blue all the time. If only it came in another color and wasn't that expensive! For the price, though, the Ikea duvet (or quilt cover, whatever it is they call it) is pretty cool. Not really sophisticated, but still fun. I could always get the Ikea one now and save up for the Jonathan Adler one. The one from Target is really nice too, but I'm not sure the black is going to be good with my dark brown bed frame.
Keep it coming AT!
view hooshotjr's profile
Sorry, Lady J, my comment was directed at the original post, not your helpful comment!
I really like that black one from Target. If you have a dark blanket, you could try a test run on how the dark will look on the bed. Good luck!
view chellebird's profile