My new obsession is bedding. I need a big warm, fluffy duvet for my bed.
Something tells me that a winter spent in this poorly insulated house with original windows will require lots of cozy coverings. And sweaters. And thick socks. And cocoa.
For some reason I seem to be commitment phobic when it comes to new bedding. I find something I like but when it comes down to it I just can't push the buy button.
This is probably because spending a lot on bedding for a king size bed a) isn't in the budget and b) doesn't make sense when it's a good possibility that we won't have room for our bed in the house we buy. Finding something I love that isn't expensive has been an elusive dream.
I love a mix of pattern and color on a bed. I don't like for everything to match. That is kind of the theme for how I decorate the whole house. Blend but don't match. Now that I think of it, that may be the theme for my
life.
Sweet Hubby requests whatever I buy not be pink or overly floral and since he makes so few requests of my decorating, I want to make him happy. I want something cottagey that goes with my khaki bedskirt and works with my blue accents. Also it must be at least 106 inches wide to cover my monster mattress, won't show every speck of dirt from 2 girls, 2 cats and 1 dog plus it must be budget friendly.
Now you see why this is so difficult? So I wonder, what's on your bed?
I made a duvet cover out of two sheets. The back one was solid and the front was a gorgeous print one. I sewed the sides and the bottom together, then I did button holes and buttons across the top. I've also see it done with simple ribbon ties across the top. The duvet was one I picked up at Big Lots for around $30 - I did splurge a bit on the top sheet - high thread count - Ralph Lauren. But it was still cheaper than buying the one I'd been drooling over and it's nice to be able to change it out - since I'm a commitment phobe when it comes to bedding.
ReplyDeleteI have the Target Simply Shabby Chic white matelasse quilt and a vintage eiderdown....
ReplyDeleteI saw that Target is getting the new Shabby Chic fall colors in and they have a beige matelasse now... might have to grab that for fall!!
I have light cream on dark cream on creamy beige.I have a heavey white on white quilt that I have folded across the bottom of our bed. I know it sounds a bit boring but it works. MyHero doesn't like florals AND he doesn't like patterns (much). I did get away with ShabbyChic ruffled sheets (thanks to Debbie @ lakehouse for encouragment to try them). MyHero likes those because they feel so wonderful next to the skin. However......If it were up to him everything would be sky blue or brown...end of story.
ReplyDeletePicking bedding is one of my hardest decisions- bedding. I think, because once you make the investment, you are stuck with it for a long time. I have a King sized bed too and linens are never cheap. Hugs and good luck hunting- Diana
I know that whatever you do, it will be beautiful. I have just a simple plain matelasse coverlet in beige, but I was thinking could you make a coverlet out of drop cloths or similar material, and add accents to go with it?Just an idea. How bout a duvet cover made out of sheets? Can't wait to see what beautiful things that you come up with. Jackie
ReplyDeleteSweaters, thick socks and cocoa sound divine to me!
ReplyDeleteOn my bed I have a white duvet and a golden yellow toile quilt. But, I don't have kids, dogs or cats.
Hugs,
Penny
nothing pretty that's for sure. i need new bedding too buy cannot find anything i like. kind of frustrating.
ReplyDeletei noticed you are reading the help. what do you think? i loved that book.
A very important decision indeed! I have a Waverly quilt from Target. I love it - but after sleeping in the Fox Room with a cushy duvetey kinda cover, I too am becoming obsessed with me bed. I can assure you that sleeping in an old poorly insulated home, you will need everything you can get, and cocoa too.
ReplyDeleteI'm a TOTAL duvet girl. I've had the same down comforter for 15 years! It may cost you, but invest in a good one and it will pay for itself. It's so easy to change out the duvet, make new covers and whatnot.
ReplyDeleteIKEA's textiles are very durable, affordable and usually their "white" line is very pretty as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd I say white because with cats and dogs, I'd want to see every speck of dirt so as to wash it more frequently!
Right now I have all white...the duvet cover is from Ikea. I like the simpleness of it and with a little bleach it is not too hard to keep clean.
ReplyDeletexo,
annie
I would love to hire someone to do it for me (if I had enough $, that is!). I can no longer make design decisions - DEFINITELY commitment phobia with house stuff now that I'm in a modern home, less amenable to cottage design...not my pick, can you guess? LOL
ReplyDeleteCan no longer FIND what I like in NC (moved from NY), and refuse to buy bedding online. I must touch it. I had some wonderful 600 thread count sheets, but no longer made. Everything is imported (from China and less developed countries) now, and I do not like the quality. Shrinks, pills, doesn't fit my pillowtop even if the description says it will or doesn't feel as luxurious as I need. I have sensitive skin and sleep much better with wonderful sheets. REALLY. I wish antique linens could fit my bed...
Warm bedding, sweaters, thick socks, cocoa....don't forget the Keurig! I kind of wish I had come through for you in breaking the coffee pot - I'm usually better about making people's dreams come true!
ReplyDeletei live in a 1930 bungalow with drafty windows & very little insulation...layers are a MUST on the bed at night!!!
ReplyDeleteI did what mamamonki did, i used two flat sheets and made a duvet cover. Easy peasy!
hi jen,
ReplyDeletei have been nodding my head in agreement through this entire post!
currently on my bed are 2 shams my friend sewed for me from tanya whelan fabric (valance, too) and a tiny pillow from cabbages and roses but covering the bed is my quilt flipped to the white under-side because it sort of works and a new something just isn't currently in our budget either.
love all the inspiration pics featured.
xo
elyse
White...white is on my bed. And a huge fluffy down comforter with a linen duvet...but it stays folded up at the end...and huge european pillows and a big lumbar pillow in a worn tapestry...that is what's on our bed.
ReplyDeleteI made my bed this morning and then looked at it in disgust. Sheets the color of sh** (they were supposed to be cocoa), and aging white blanket, mismatched pillowcases because my husband can't decided which pillows make his neck feel best.
ReplyDeleteAfter you figure yours out, please help with mine.
Jen- I've been on the hunt for some cool, fun flannel sheets, let me know if you run across any!
ReplyDeleteTwo words: E. Bay.
ReplyDeleteI found two PB duvet covers (one brand new in the package!) there for a fraction. It's worth a looky-loo!
OK...you don't want much out of your bedding do you??? Make it....get fabric you love and make a duvet. It is easy....use velcro & ties. By the way....I was just thinking of you!!!!
ReplyDeleteTarget Shabby Chic. I have almost all her duvet covers and sheet sets, it's an addiction, budget friendly, soft and they hold up to many, many washings!!!
ReplyDeleteFor the past couple years I have been using a simple white coverlet. I still love it. For winter I just pile on the fuzzy blankets underneath and it still works. If I need a splash of color I pick up a new twin size quilt or blanket to drap at the foot of the bed. Coverlets come in a large range of colors - I have a red one in mind that I think will look fabulous at christmas time. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteI love bedding, too. We just got a king size bed. Our first. Not sure what we were thinking. Although it is really comfy we have spent a small fortune dressing it in just the basics. I bought the duvet at Penneys (they usually have good sales) on sale - I think it was $107 or so. I bought a white down one that I can cover with different covers when the mood strikes - who am I kidding - when I have extra $. I got a white duvet cover for $99 at Pottery Barn - their essentials line - I thought that was a good price considering what others cost. I know you don't want white but they might have other colors. Even just looking for white it was hard to find something reasonable. Sometimes Linen Source has some cute, resonable things - & LL Bean.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. Can't wait to see what you do!
You are so right! I always opt for the discount stores: Tj Maxx, Marshalls, Tuesday Mornings, Home Goods!
ReplyDeleteWe gave away our down comforter and I think I am going to invest in another one because we are living in a very drafty room. I love to mix and match also, no matchy-matchy for me!
Right now? White matelesse coverlet that doesn't quite cover the mattress on both sides and duvet with white cover(from IKEA). It's just been too darn hot for color. I think I have an obsession with switching up my bedding. I'm still looking for perfect. My hubby doesn't go for too feminine, but I do have a small floral on white background duvet cover that I use in winter with my red quilt. For warmth in a house with drafty windows, i recommend an electric blanket to preheat the bed, covered with a substantial quilt, then covered with a warm duvet. And sometimes I wear socks to bed too. And I live in the south. Can you imagine me in the frozen north?
ReplyDeletei'm still looking for the perfect bedding...I'm hoping it will be a life-long search :-)
QVC great deals :great quality. I got a king -sized comforter (brown floral), shams , dust ruffle for $99 and then mixed with a quilt I had, plus other vintage pillows I already had. I, too prefer a mix and blend bed over a matchy one any day. In the fall and winter I change out the pillows with a heavier look and add a fur throw. None of these are necessary though b/c we put in a wood boiler outside that heats with water so, it is beyond warm but I like the cozy look even if I am sweating! haha
ReplyDeleteLiving in Florida, I don't have "too much" bedding, but for summer, I have a sheet, then a light comforter.
ReplyDeletePresent one is a sea shell design of blues and beiges and white. The reversible side is all a sea-coral design.
Now winter is coming in before we know it, and last year we were very cold, broke low temps, even!
I'll be going shopping for my "wintery country style" bedding. I'm all excited about this, and first will be searching online....for just the right combinations.
I love what you have done, and it's always a treat for my eyes when I stop in here!
I am the same way with bedding. I think I look for like 6 months and keep going back to styles I picked out. Such hard decisions!!
ReplyDeleteBristol
Jen,
ReplyDeleteI have a wedgewood blue feather duvet. In the winter, I put on a warming blanket (not a heating blanket, which is much hotter). I live in Minnesota in an old house and this is so yummy. It heats up, then goes off in the night. You awake as it is still warm. Don't ask me how! I got it from Linensource and am really pleased with it.
Are those Cath Kidston? The wonderful pile of patterns? Do you have that or know where to get it, other than in England?
Suz
We have layers...right now just a thin quilt. In winter we add a "down-alternative" quilted blanket (doesn't "down-alternative" sound nicer than polyester--some marketing genius was on the ball with that one!) The blanket is super warm and fits under our current bedding...in very cold winter, we add another blanket in our uninsulated attic bedroom.
ReplyDeleteIf you really want a duvet, I'd also recommend finding sheets you love and making a cover for a plain white comforter from Ikea or another inexpensive source. I've done it before and it is super easy.
Pretty photos! Can't wait to see what you come up with. We have a Rachel Ashley's matelasse comforter, not a duvet, and no flowers were my husband's request. He hates a duvet because no matter how much I try to get it to stay in place he's such a restless sleeper the down comforter ends up at the end of the duvet!!
ReplyDeleteI always have quilts on my bed. I love a cozy quilt. I have ones I've made that I don't use because I don't want them to wear out. So I buy the ones for the bed at JCPenneys usually. Right now I have a solid indigo blue one on there. And a quilt I made on the wall behind it.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I hear you. I'm running into the same problem. Everything I've purchased for our bedding has been filled with burgundy, gold and sage green. I'm tired of it. I want something lighter, less "heavy" feeling. Yet...I can't find what I want. I've been looking for a year now and have yet to find something. A frustrating struggle to be sure!
ReplyDeleteWe just recently changed our bedding and I love it! We purchased it from PB and although that's not a budget friendly store I am so happy we spent the money to get something we both love. I am having issues with the duvet staying in our duvet cover properly. It's driving me insane.... I hope you find something you and the hubby both love! And I'm sure whatever it is it'll be gorgeous like the rest of your home.
ReplyDeleteMy bed needs a makeover too! I love my Down Duvets... now if I could only find the softest... black and white cover for them!! ha ha!! I have cheap IKEA bedding... not soft... I love soft... so we sleep with the duvets without the covers... *sigh* not pretty ... but cozy! ;)
ReplyDeleteI had the comfy duvet in one of my favorite Ralph Lauren florals, but with a dog, cat and sand, it was such a hassle to remove the comforter, wash it and put it back on. New bedding was not in the plans so I shopped my own house. I had a yellow & white polka dot quilt set in the cupboard for guests. I put that on our bed and layered it with a Moda red dot twin comforter and a special quilt in red and white I splurged on years ago. Pillows start with our red check pillow cases, next some Tommy Hilfiger cottage striped pillow cases in red, yellow, blue, green & white. I made the bedskirt out of the Tommy Hilfiger sheets. It is much easier to keep clean- just thrown the quilts in the wash. It has made me happy all summer and the extra layers will be help as we move into winter. Big change for absolutely $0.
ReplyDeleteI love all the images you have shown- especially the last one. I do love beddings and like to change the for the seasons- my favorite is from target- they have a shabby brand and just recently had had some amazing clearances so I am so excited to see what they bring in new. good luck!
ReplyDeleteHow about Home Goods or Tuesday Morning -- I don't know if these stores are near you but they carry great bedding, often with big discounts. Can't wait to see what you choose.
ReplyDeleteBarbaraG
I have kind of an eclectic look but mostly in shades of blue and green in consideration of my hubby. I have a blue and green floral Sheridan doona cover, a blue chenille cover under that with fringing that reaches the floor, a folded raggy quilt at the end of the bed for extra warmth. I love vintage pillowcases and that's where I add a bit of colour and pattern.
ReplyDeleteI have not read all teh comments but I know SOOOO well what you are talking about with bedding!!! Get yourself a GREAT BIG down comforter (overstock has GREAT BUYS) I found one that is 110x108 (I think, LOL) and then get a duvet in a cream or offwhite ( they are washable!!) and then LAYER ON whatever other fabrics, pillows you name it! There is NOTHING like a big, downfilled bed! And overstock has a down mattress PAD (not a feather bed, LOL) for your mattress right now for around $34.99!!!! Can you tell I'm down obsessed??? Start clickng to overstock my friend :)
ReplyDeleteKristi
i had similar problem b/c we wanted to move our furniture and basically just change our look I posted my bedroom on "Rate My Space" and received several great suggestions. One of them suggested the Ralph Lauren Adriana bedding because of the floral/menswear plaid look. Here's the link: http://www.home-decorating-co.com/ralph-lauren-adriana-bedding.html?utm_source=froogle-home-dec&utm_medium=bluebarn&utm_campaign=ralph-lauren-adriana-european-shams-028828603005.
ReplyDeleteI leaned more to the Chaps Summerton look though because of the colors. And the floral with menswear plaid on the reverse was what I was looking for to please my husband. The RL Adrianna look has the blue and the taupe that you are looking for and might just be the ticket. We use a lightweight down comforter (got it as SAMS) under the Chaps comforter because we don't like a "heavy" comforter laying on us at night. Of course you can place a duvet over the comforter if you want to "lighten" it up for summer or just to have a change.
Hey, Jen! I just came across that last picture when searching for bedroom photos on the Internet and ended up here. Funny. I am kind of in love with that last photo -- do you remember where it came from? It looks like maybe out of a magazine or something. I tried searching online and couldn't find it. I love all the colors and the natural elements with the bird art. Sigh! ~Angela~
ReplyDelete