Now is the time for a cozy bed, and the all white sheet lineup just doesn't do it for me. During the cold months I like to transform our bed with rich and dark colors as well as the occasional fuzzy flannel sheet. When you're buying sheets to do this, however, it can be tricky and I've had a number of clients who have bought and returned many sheets before getting it right. So I thought I'd put down a few thoughts on how to get a good bedding mix for a winter bed and show off a bunch of inspirational pics to help visualize the solution....
1. When buying colors, don't buy all the same color; mix it up. Two or three colors at a time work well and you can always use them in many different combinations. Matchy sets are boring.
2. Don't abandon white. White sheets and pillow cases create great contrast with dark sheets and duvets, so consider them a part of your mix.
3. Copy what you love. The first colorful bedding I ever bought was a slavish copy of a picture in The Company Store catalog and it was a mix of brown, cream and white flannel sheets (above). Putting the bed together was a great firsthand experience in seeing how it worked.
4. Start simple. Here's a really simple starting combination that I've used a number of times:
• Medium color - top sheet and two pillows
• Dark color - duvet and bottom fitted sheet
• Light color - White or off white for two pillows
5. Go warm or cool. Mixing these two groupings of colors (warm: reds, oranges, yellows, etc cool: blue, grey, green, etc...) can be tricky, so keep it simple and choose combos of either warm OR cool colors.
(pics via Living Etc, Environment Furniture and The Company Store)
what a great post. thanks for the tips!
view tenderleaf's profile
Love the colors of the second and fourth pics. Though I tend to limit my pillows to about four--anything over four is just superflous, in my opinion.
view bookgirl's profile
Yes, I wouldn't have noticed the details enough to figure out which shades should go where on a bed. Now, what do you do with the sheets in the sets that you don't use? Guest Bedroom?
view racheloncegentry's profile
My curtains are white with a graphic celery green leaf outline pattern.
In the summer, I use a coordinating duvet cover and accent with pink pillows and shams.
For the winter, I have a navy duvet cover with a similar green organic pattern and use darker pillows and shams.
I like that I can easily change the whole feel of the room and it only requires storing an extra duvet cover and shams.
view Enamorada's profile
I'm feeling inspired!
view Jen C's profile
Saw this in the newsletter yesterday - thanks for such a great post! I love how you break it down into easy to follow steps in #4.
view allijean's profile
Where is the side table (or stool?) from the top pic from???
view ridge_van_winkle's profile
(damn, I just noticed the photo credit ... it's likely not available in the states, then) ;-(
view ridge_van_winkle's profile
My bed goes with chocolate brown, burnt orange and cream in the winter. It even sounds tasty, doesn't it? And it's not too dark-- otherwise I feel no reason to get out of bed on a grey January morning....
view 212gretchen's profile
OMG those owls on the nightstand in the first picture....!
view Ermu's profile
I love how that first bed looks so "rich"!!
view SweetChicEventsChicago's profile
Pretty effect with that white on white headboard -- it would be lost with white bedding.
view SherryBinNH's profile
I love the navy blue(?) knit/crochet bedspread in the last photo. Well maybe it's more like an indigo blue. Perhaps I will be inspired one day to make my own!
view casafroggy's profile
I love, love the plum grey together.
On my bed now.
view dewi's profile
Heh, that top photo is essentailly what my bed looks like. Purple-fuschia reversible quilt and plum sheets, with scarlet and lavender pillows. Topped it off with a rainbow (but mostly scarlet) serape. In an otherwise neutral room it feels wonderfully rich and indulgent.
view Tar and Violets's profile
i have a rust matelassé bedspread topped with a duvet that is covered in a burgundy and gold jacquard cover. most of my sheets are ivory and high thread count.
it's toasty!
view rouquinne's profile
@ ridge_van_winkle
that's a nendo cappellini ribbon stool.
view matthew w's profile
Love the white on white art work above the bed in the first photo. Does anyone know where to get that or something similar? I need something large.... Thanks!
view mose 's profile
I love going to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to look at their beds. They look so inviting...Does anyone know the formula for them making their display beds so good!!
view MSMILLA914's profile
I saw some REALLY cool beds at www.wakeupfrankie.com .. Check it out!!
view jenny5669's profile
(forgot to include the link in my other post)- http://www.wakeupfrankie.com/
view jenny5669's profile
mose,
I have a simple DIY idea for you to try -- inexpensive, with the same look as the "headboard/ artwork" in the photo.
Purchase a pre-gessoed, stretched canvas from an art supply store in the large size you want. Then, attach multiple plastic doilies (plural of doily?), layered on top each other for a 3-dimentional look, with craft glue or a glue gun.
Or, use plastic leaves or flowers (dismantled and attached).
Spray paint white ... and instant art!
view Mikaelb2's profile