Good Questions: Help With Bed Linens?

AT, Ideas wanted!! I am overhauling my bedroom and have finally found what I think is the perfect headboard for two inherited pieces -- a clawfoot side table and a bombe chest (attached is a photoshop rendering). But I am having an impossible time with linens!...

... On the one hand, to really show off the curvilenaer shapes I'm thinking a solid duvet with bold printed skirt & shams. On the other hand, this is a great opportunity to go with a funky/fussy look using a colorful applique quilt from Anthropologie. I've been looking at the great 'modern' linens offered at Area Inc, and Room and Board, but they seem to clash.

Fabric restriction: solid-white and silk fabrics are out because my cats lounge on the bed (brown cat hair), and one likes to kneed as she falls asleep (silk is very durable, but claws puncture it easily).

Colors I like: teal, verdegris, and celedon green/blues; poppy, tomato, and tangerine orange/reds; buttery yellows, chocolatey browns.

I am at a loss for how to dress the bed without making it look like a meringe pie or as it's been shoehorned it into modern linens that that are clearly wrong for the style.

Thanks for the help.

-kimg924

Anyone?

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Comments (14)

What about the West Elm cotton pin-tuck bedding? solid but still 'fussy'.

Williams Sonoma Home and Lands' End Home have many choices that would look appropriate for your situation.

I'd start with hotel-style color-banded bedding - and either put a bed scarf/throw at the foot of the bed for the cat to sleep on, or kick it out of the bedroom completely.

What color are your walls? To keep it basic, I'd go with a coverlet that is neutral (beige, brown or simple pattern) and then add color with a throw and pillows. I have found coverlet quilts to be the easiest and cheapest way to completely revamp a bedroom.

Wherever you get it from, I think a matelasse coverlet would be a wonderful addition. They have a terrific classic look that wouldn't be too modern for this furniture.

Good luck!

Go vintage, and mix things up for a French boudoir look. You can find wonderful embroidered linens, trapunto coverlets, handmade quilts and more on eBay. A clean-lined modern just look isn't going to look "right."

http://www.reprodepotfabrics.com/mk54488820.html

make pillow shams with this, and add a teal cording around the edge. or...

http://www.remodelista.com/category/fabrics-linens/

this link has several links to beautiful linens/fabrics. especially like the limonta group, which you access after clicking on your language choice, and dragging the corner that appears.

I hate West Elm's linens. The pin tuck feels like sandpaper and the tucks easily tear. I recommend Frete. They are having a fantastic sale right now and they truly are the best and most luxurious linens in the world.

these are nice leads, thanks all. I was hoping for more specific suggestions. Like, which quilt or duvet with which sheets, skirt, etc. :-)

My walls are white at the moment and could be painted any color.

LOVE the textiles at Lulu -- I'd have to get linens custom made though.

I think a paisley duvet with coordinating striped, plaid and/or herringbone print sheets would like great. I am thinking Scottish highlands with a funky twist. I have 2 cats and, trust me, paisley prints really hide the fur! Ralph Lauren makes some nice paisley bedding that's easy to mix and match. I have an older set with really rich colors, including teal, that I pair with orange corduroy pillow shams.

Good luck!

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/1000-TC-Egyptian-Cotton-Striped-Sheet-Set/2941327/product.html?
sheets in gold...and look at other sheetchoices while at their website.

solid for bedskirt: tailored, maybe corner pleats
http://www.luludk.com/sol02f.htm

print below: for duvet cover or scallop edged coverlet
http://www.luludk.com/flor03b.htm

and, an idea i saw years ago...may have been andree putnam's. instead of decorative pillow shams, just place a piece of hemmed fabric (maybe 30 inches?X the width of the duvet/coverlet)over the everday pillows...quickly made bed. this could be made of another solid color from Lulu.
specific enough? years ago i had a custom bedskirt made because available choices were too fussy...stil using it, with different coverlet.

Aww, don't kick the kitty out! I think a matelasse bedspread of some sort would be perfect-- sturdy, modern and clean looking, yet very feminine depending on what weave you get. Pottery Barn often has good ones, though nothing that great right now alas, but if you keep an eye out they often have good sales. We have our couch covered with a cotton matelasse slipcover and the kitty fur doesn't stick to it and it's super durable. But if you did that with a sort of celadon or pale teal coverlet, maybe cream-colored or pale yellow sheets... and oops, I just saw someone else advocated matelasse earlier! But I think those colors, plus maybe a vintage feel bright patchwork throw to add a little fun/color, would be perfect and wouldn't necessitate painting your walls or anything!

http://pillowsandthrows.com/modern-bedding-porridge-home.html

design sponge posted a link to this company, and i think you'll find everything you need, here. no need for custom-made, or creative angst.