Fall is barely here, but already I feel winter breathing down my neck. This makes me want to go straight to bed. Make some tea, grab my book (decor magazine actually, but let's say book) and crawl in between the covers... Covers.
Bedding. LOVE me some cozy
linens. This season though, the look is not so much cozy as it is bold. Lots of strong colour --
rust is big and
purple is back --
patterns, and even
bold texture (yes, bold texture.) There is, however, always an alternative to the dominant trends and if you're not so much into strong statements, the washed-out,
natural look that took this summer by storm is still a welcomed trend in bedding, right into next year.
Graphic
In the neutral graphics, this primitive pattern in particular -- "Kajsa Sten" from IKEA; "Totem" from West Elm (right) -- is popping up everywhere. It's like a polka dot, but with a tribal twist.
Bold Colour
A lot of dark colours abound in bedding. Murky organic patterns, deep fuschia florals and masculine geometrics. But I find these: the "Tanja Brodyr" set from IKEA mixed with ethnic pattern and Marimekko Seireeni Rust Linens from Crate & Barell -- to be the most contemporary incarnations. They remind me of the Retro linen wall hangings that were an integral part of the Mid Century modern look -- perfect for the due-MidMod direction in which decor trends are still sailing.
Bold Texture
My colleague Jessica and I saw these at Anthropologie just the other day, and ended up standing beside them, squishing and pawing their tactile plushness for a good 10 minutes...until we got stumped on how to wash them. The duvet cover from the "Rosette Bedding" set at Anthropologie needs to be dry cleaned, however both the pillow and duvet cover of the "Pin-tuck" set from West Elm can be machine washed.
Around-the-World Pattern Mix
STILL going! But I have no problem with it. It's a rich, interesting look that offers a lot of freedom to scour discount homeware stores for mix-and-match pieces. This Indian bedding from designer John Robshaw is my personal favourite (they ship to Canada). Hand-block printed in India on gorgeous, soft cottons, the patterns have an authenticity you can note instantly, when compared with the ubiquitous imitations.
Natural Luxury
Organic cotton "Candy Stripe", Toast (UK)
Even Style at Home remarked on this: it's next to impossible to find French-style washed linen sheet in Canada! I mean, if you search you will find, but it will take a chunk out of your patience. Thankfully, Restoration Hardware has some great linen collections this season, that you'll pay any money for after you realize the scope of the search you'll have to perform to find a bargain. I hold the Eileen Fisher (left) and Toast collections as my eternal inspiration.
Which bedding beckons to you?
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