Off the shelf or custom made?  When it’s time for a bedroom face-lift, sometimes it hard to figure out where your money is best spent.  With lots of options for ready-made bedding and window treatments, it can be tempting to go that route because it’s quicker and cheaper.  But is that really going to give you the look you desire?  Well, yes and no.  Even high-end designers use some items off the shelf.  On the other hand, certain items are worth the additional investment of going custom made.  Here are my best tips for incorporating both options. These will help you spend your money wisely while achieving the bedroom of your dreams.

Off the Shelf = Less $$$ Out of Your Pocket

Bedspreads, coverlets, comforters and duvets 

Any type of bed cover takes a lot of fabric, so this is definitely a chance to save big. The key here is the flexibility to make affordable changes from season to season and items that can be easily laundered.

Newgrange Matelasse from Linen Source is very affordable ($89 for a queen) and machine washable.

Designer Picks

• For warm weather months or climates - A matelasse coverlet or light quilt will do.  Linen Source seems to always have a great selection of washable matelasse covers on sale.
• For cold weather - Down or Hypo-allergenic comforter with a duvet cover is your best bet.  The Company Store has a broad offering of weights and duvet covers in many colors.

Decorative Pillows

Another place where custom is totally unnecessary. There are so many great places for designer pillows at half the cost of custom.

These four pillows came from the "Blue-Turquoise-Teal-Lavender" category.

Designer Picks

• European Squares (26″x26″) are much more stylish then queen size shams. And King size shams can get super awkward.
• Beautiful Pillows and Home offers collection by color so you can find items that are complementary but not to matchy-matchy!

Custom Made = Style Where It Counts

Window Treatments

While having a designer come to your home may be too costly, custom draperies ordered online are more affordable than you may think.  And adding custom details and beautiful hardware will make them show-stoppers.  Consider choosing a neutral tone drape that will transition nicely when you are ready to make a change.  And a good quality blind will work as a seamless partner. 

These pinch-pleat draperies from The Shade Store are bone-colored suede fabric with a terracotta edging. Classic and flexible.

Designer Pick

The Shade Store offers great options for blinds and draperies.  I would go with a neutral silk for simple elegance.  Woven Wood Shades offer great textural contrast.

Bed Skirt

An off-the-shelf bed skirt often fits like old pantyhose.  No matter how many times you tug and wiggle, it just doesn’t work.  Many people don’t want to spend the money because it’s far from the main attraction but I am telling you….IT IS WORTH IT.  I will repeat my mantra ad nauseum:  Good Design is in the Details!

Smith + Noble Bedskirt - Inverted Pleat in Linen/Natural (1622)

Designer Pick

Smith + Noble makes great custom bed skirts with lots of options and they help you measure so you get it right.  Go with tailored or pleated if your style is simple, ruffled if you like a softer look.  There are over 800 different fabrics to choose from!  Again, go with a neutral tone for longer-lasting style.  These will blow an un-lined, off-the-shelf bed skirt out of the water.

I hope these tips make it much easier for you to plan where to devote your decorating dollars in your brand new bedroom.  Enjoy your investment pieces for years to come and don’t hesitate to change it up with new pillows or artwork.  You will be amazed at the difference!

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Organic sheets may be the key to a more restful sleep.

There are many people who suffer from allergies that range from a slight sniffle to life-interrupting symptoms.  We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors (at work or at home) and about a third of our life sleeping.  This means we really need to assess everything we bring into our homes and furnishings (especially those in the bedroom) are a substantial player. 

Allergists know that the bedroom environment is a key factor, so for years allergists have touted the benefits of keeping areas dust and mite-free by washing sheets in hot water, using mattress and pillow barriers and minimizing the use of fabrics and carpets in the home.  Many find great relief from these tactics but now we have come to find out that many people (mostly children) who are suffering with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD’s) experience improvement in symptoms when they reduce their exposure to certain chemicals that are already in the bedding, even when it’s new. 

When I read an article today about a 12-year old child with autism who experienced substantial relief when his parents replaced all his bedding with new organic alternatives, I wanted to share some tips and product suggestions with you.  By choosing organic items for your home you are reducing your exposure to certain chemicals, heavy metals and pesticides that can have serious implications on you and your family’s health. 

Bedroom Tips

1. Choose Zero VOC Paint l Mythic Paint
2. Remove carpeting and replace with hardwood flooring l Eco Timber
3. Get an Organic Mattress l A Happy Planet
4. Purchase Organic Bedding l Kush Tush
5. Consider eco-friendly furniture l Vivavi

Start the babes off right with a safe crib made of non-toxic materials.

There are many long-term advantages of creating green habits, but these are wonderful short-term choices that may benefit someone you love.  So please share the information and consider starting your own green movement in your bedroom.

To learn more about green home furnishings options be sure to visit my friend, Jennae at www.greenyourdecor.com.

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At the end of the day, there is nothing more inviting than a beautiful, luxurious bed.  Think soft satin sheets and a comfy mattress sitting atop a regal bed with the perfect amount of pillows and blankets enveloping your body in comfort.  What?  That’s not your bed?  Well, then I am going to give you a crash-course in boosting the sleep-appeal of your roost!

While a new bed frame, mattress and sheets would be grand, they can be a substantial investment.  I am happy to say that there are great economical alternatives to give your bed a facelift.  By considering the different features of your bed from the floor up, you can quickly transform it into an ethereal escape.

Great Legs - We reviewed some Unusual Headboard Options  last month (and another great one shown above) but how many times have you banged your toe on that horrible metal bed-frame?  Yep, it’s that sturdy, yet ugly frame that came with the mattress.  There is a way to upgrade the legs of your bed with Bed Boots.  They are small decorative, hardwood boxes that are designed to cover the legs of most metal frames.  They come in five different finishes.  This eliminates the need for a bed-skirt or at least the need for one that reaches the floor.

Lift me Up - Do you like the regal feel of being a bit higher off the ground?  There is a kid-like joy to jumping into a high bed.  Many bed and bath stores, including Linens and Things, carry adjustable bed risers that increase the height of your bed; as well as the storage space beneath.

Cover Me - If you decide to forgo the bed-skirt, then you want to make sure you cover that naked box-spring.  Just buy an additional fitted sheet and I promise that you will love the tailored look.

Mattress Revival - Hour for hour, you mattress is the hardest working furnishing in the house.  It may not be as comfy as the day you met, but that’s no reason to kick it to the curb.  An affordable visco foam mattress topper will surely put a spring in your step.

And now that you don’t have to buy a new bed and saved all that money, spoil yourself with opulent bedding in My Secret Database.  Sweet Dreams!

One of our readers, Lauri, wrote in and asked:

“Do you have any unusual ideas for “King” size headboards, other than just the traditional ones the stores offer? Thanks! I just recently discovered your website and I LOVE it!”

Thank you, Lauri, for asking a great question.  I am happy to help you come up with some unique solutions to your dilemma.  Our vendors offer a lot of lovely headboards, but I think it’s great that you want to try something fun and unusual.  First of all, let’s think about the function of the headboard.  While exploring your options, keep a couple of things in mind:  Headboards provide support when sitting up in bed as well as a nice decorative touch to balance out your room.  With that in mind, here are some fun choices.

Paint or Paper - A simple trick that you see a lot in show houses and magazines is to paint or wallpaper something directly onto your wall. Here is a post a while ago about wall decals.  The options are unlimited and it’s an inexpensive way to go. A large photo of a flower has big impact!

Found Objects - You can use virtually anything you can find at a flea market or antique shop.  Don’t worry about it being exactly the right width, though wider is better than smaller.  An old door on its side, a beautiful screen, or even a surfboard makes some surprising and fun headboards.

Artwork - Sometimes you don’t need a headboard at all.  A nice collection of well-framed artwork against a dramatic wall color is a showcase in itself.  Just make sure you hang it high enough so that you are not leaning against it. 

Shop for Paint, Artwork, Wall Decals and Room Screens in My Secret Database!

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day bring family and friends traveling from near and far.  Is your guest room ready to do its job?  When they arrive on your freshly swept doorstep, welcome them with open arms and a well-appointed space they can call their own (for the weekend:-)).  Beyond decorating the bedroom with your personal flair and style, think about furnishing your guest room with the same consideration you give to your own bedroom.  Carefully contemplate how the room will be used and by whom.

Here are a few Back-to-Basics suggestions:

• Cradle them in Luxury- A good foundation is critical, so why not go all out on the bedding?  Purchase 400+ thread count sheets and some wonderful pillows and a comforter that suits your climate.  Make them feel like they are at a luxury hotel.
• Wake them up Gently - Put an alarm clock with a CD player in the room and leave them a variety of Cd’s.  Soothing tunes to fall asleep and something upbeat for during the day.  Why not burn a CD with a mix of songs you know they will like and let them take it home as a gift?
• Remember what they Forgot - Put an extra robe in the closet and extra toiletries in the bathroom.  They will really appreciate not having to ask for these items.
• Make Room - Make sure your closet and drawers have extra space for their belongings.  Nothing says “we are happy you are here” like some extra space and a few empty hangers.
• Stay Tuned In - Whether you like having a TV in your bedroom or not, most guests appreciate one.  They may use it to go to sleep or just to take a break on their own.
• Creature Comforts - Put a glass of water by their bedside and let them know where they can easily find a snack in the kitchen. 
• Light the Way - Make sure the room is well lit for safety and comfort.  Do they have a good light for reading?  How about a night light to the restroom?  It’s best if you have a light that can be switched from the doorway and the bedside.

The best way to assess the comfort of your guest room is to  spend a night sleeping there yourself!  You will be amazed at the small things you notice.  This is the easiest way to get the full experience; giving you time to replace lumpy mattresses and stale towels before your guests arrive.

There are many people in our lives that we wish we could see more often.  It’s great to show them how much you care through the little things you do to prepare for their visit.  Just like a gift, it’s the thought that counts most.

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Boutique hotels provide wonderful interior design inspiration.  Unlike large, chain hotels, the interior designers are often encouraged to focus on ambiance above all else and make the guests feel they are enveloped in luxury.  Occasionally I will show you some great hotel interiors that deserve your attention and give you some insight as to why the design works and how they pull it together.

The photo above is from the Setai in South Beach, Miami.  Their motto is “Be embraced by Serenity”; and you can certainly see they live up to this promise.  This bedroom creates a wonderful mood and achieves a delicate balance.  Let’s start at the bottom and make our way up.  The flooring is a combination of teak and slate.  The combination of flooring gives you a nice balance of warmth and coolness as well defining the spaces.  The simple linens on the bed are graceful and crisp.  This is a look that it is easy to create in your own bedroom.  The wall color is creamy and warm.  Nothing too bold to take away from the beautiful wood.  Lighting, now this is critical.  They have used 3 different types of lighting in this room.  An overall light from the ceiling that highlights the bed and could be used for reading.  The sconces add drama and ambiance along with the floor lamps which are a good idea for a small spaces where nightstands are a squeeze.  All lights are controlled from switches beside the bed.  There are a lot of straight lines in this room but the central focus is on the soft, light colored bed that softens the space and balances the feel.   Overall a great design.

Make sure to explore the Exotic Style in My Secret Database!