White Bedding Ensembles
There is nothing quite like white bedding when it comes to a simple yet effective bedding color scheme. If you bedroom is made up of cool colors you can look at pure white bedding ensembles and if it is decorated in warmer tones you could choose the simplicity of an ivory or cream bedding set instead.
By cool colors I mean very clear colors – pure sky blue, white, gray, clear pink or fresh green whereas warmer tones have a hint of yellow and are colors like beige, peach, caramel or cream.
In either case, whether you choose a pure white or a cream bedding ensemble, you will simplify your decorating choices as you can not go too far wrong with these colors. One thing will be important in your choice however. Your bedding will stand or fail by the quality of the fabric because this will show up very clearly in white.
The fabric could be plain smooth quality cotton with just a slight sheen, a pleated design, a jacquard fabric (which is a self-colored pattern woven into the fabric) or textured weave or it may be rich with embroidery to add a touch of luxury to your ensemble.
White Bedding Ensemble (click image for details)
The bedding in the picture is a pure high-thread count cotton with a stripe built into the fabric – a pattern without adding color. Although this is a luxury bedding ensemble in terms of quality it is heavily discounted to make it affordable.
A texture in the fabric helps prevent the bedding looking too plain and boring but if you have chosen a plain white or cream fabric it is easy enough to dress your bed up with accessories to match the remainder of the room decor and add a lot of interest that way.
If you have patterned curtains you could have some cushions made in the same or toning fabric to create a coordinated look or, if you also have plain cream or white curtains consider adding a matching trim to cushions and curtains.
Alternatively pick out colors from a bedside table cloth, paintings on the walls or a colorful rug. The kind of accessories you can add along with standard cushions are bed skirts, bed runner, bolster cushion and throws.
There is a time when too many accessories are not needed and that is when your bed is the focal point of the room. If you have a wonderful canopy bed, a carved wooden antique bed or a bed that is contemporary work of art you do not want to detract too much atention from the bed itself. In that case leave your beautiful white bedding ensemble to stand alone with maybe one simple colorful throw and no more.
Luxury Bedding Ensembles for Less
If you want only the best luxury bedding ensembles for your home then it is no good going to your local bargain basement bedding store and expecting to find high end bedding. You need to know the right places to look.
Many of the top home designers bring out a range of luxury bedding each season and they are sold only in exclusive home stores and top department stores as well as through their own outlets. The sale of designer bedding is strictly controlled so that the designs are not devalued. You are paying for exclusivity after all. You don’t want to pay for an expensive bedding ensemble only to find your bedding on every bed from one end of the state to the other.
Now however you might very well find luxury items online (although quantities and outlets will still be limited) and that is the best place to start your search. You can find what you are looking for without having to go from shop to shop (or even travel to a different city).
Luxury bedding in blue silk
You can see standard prices online and if you can’t get a discount, you can wait for the items to go on sale at the end of the season. Luxury bedding ranges normally change twice a year in line with sale time – although you will often find mid-season sales these days.
There is a danger with this strategy in that you might find that your chosen design has sold out by sale time (as so few of each design are made) but if you want to pay less than the full price then you may have to wait and hope that the bedding you have your eye on is not sold out.
If you don’t have your heart set on a particular range of luxury bedding you will find things a little easier. You can often pick up beautiful luxury bedding sets in the factory and designer outlet malls so it can help if you are flexible. The discount bedding ensembles offered there are likely to be less popular designs from the previous season but all the designs will be stunning in any case and will offer you the luxurious touch you won’t find from standard run of the mill bedding.
Actually my favorite way of saving money on luxury bedding is to pick up ideas from the top of the range bedding ensembles – especially those displayed in the top department store in my area and in online stores. Sometimes you can save money by buying top quality non-designer sheets which tone in with your bedding and by choosing the pieces which are on show or make the set distinctive from a luxury bedding ensemble range. (Most designer bedding ensembles are sold as individual items. That may be so that you are lulled into a sense of false security about the price and don’t get a chance to add it all up until you are at the desk to pay for it!) You can decide for yourself which parts of the ensemble give you the most impressive bedding for your money. It actually depends on the range. In one ensemble the bed skirt will be something magnificent you don’t want to give up. In another you will know where to get some beautiful pillows that will replace the expensive bedding and add a unique touch to the bed ensemble without adding hugely to the price. Sheets can nearly always be obtained at lower prices however. In this way an expensive bedding ensemble can be put together more cheaply than if you bought the designer sheets along with the bed runner and everything else in between. You may even have money left over for some luxury down pillows which make such a difference to the comfort of your bed.
If you’re not sure where to start, luxury bedding ensembles to look out for include the European ranges such as Yves Delorme and Descamps as well as designers in the US such as Ralph Lauren.
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