Beds and Bedding

The bed is a natural focus of the bedroom. Therefore, great attention should be paid to the type of bed that is selected; the place it is given and the way it is adorned.

Throughout the ages, many beliefs and superstitions have surrounded the subject of the bed. Its position in the room is often an especially great concern. Several theories as old as Antiquity recommended the head should face north, and the foot south. The ancient Chinese science of feng shui, the study of the magnetic field and your biology, reveals that a badly placed bed can cause discomfort and sickness. A host of other recommendations have been inspired by the subject of the beds environment. These include keeping the bed at a distance from any pieces of metal, magnetic material, water pipes, or electrical wires; avoiding intense humidity, or heat that is too strong or to dry; and minimising materials that produce a lot of dust.

The bed is a place to dream, to reflect, to build an imagined future, to remember. The more space around it - the more freedom, air, and openness -the better. It is a strategic point, a nerve centre, telephone, papers, pens, all of the tools of daily life should be at hand.
Selecting a bed is always a personal choice, the marriage of aesthetic and practical considerations. As decorative furniture, it can be a symbol of self image, character, and personality. Comfort and health must also be addressed, starting with a good foundation be it a box spring or platform. A good double or single bed mattress should be firm, but still have a certain elasticity in order to support the spine. So the skin can breathe and the blood circulate. There are mattresses of coconut fibre, sisal, wool and cotton; the best of the natural fibres is horsehair, particularly the horsehair from cold climates like that of Argentina. The long ends of the tail are cut, spun, and plaited to create a maximum of elasticity. There is no more precious padding than horsehair, though one unique mattress is the Symonds beauty rest. It's individually pocketed coils allow great comfort and support of the body.

A bed lends itself to such a range of decorative treatments that it can give an entire room a very distinctive atmosphere. It is impractical to change the decor of a room-the wallpaper or furniture or draperies-with every change of season ; but by focusing on the bed, a very potent effect can be obtained.

Through styling, a single room can create the feeling of any climate. It might give a sense of the rich, shady redwood forest or the lush tropical Everglades is just outside the window. Or it might suggest a cabin in the outback or a beach house by the Sea, snowy ski lodge, or a ranch in New Mexico desert.

Treat the seasons as an inspiration. Let them influence the choice of bedsheets and covers, textures, colours, and styling touches. The current season can be reflected using this palette; and always feel free to recreate the mood of one season, even in the midst of another, through the styling of the bed and its surroundings.

Spring might inspire the use of personal colours, a desire to bring a sense of freshness into the air with tulips or flower buds-real or, if necessary, artificial-or the distinctively springtime scent of lilac. If a masculine mood is desired, the look of the bed clothing might be more tailored, a Brooks Bros style using mostly whites and blues, white stripes or pinstripes. A feminine look could be more adventurous in its array of colours and prints. It might include a blend of pastels, or bold floral print, scarf print, or even an animal print. Beautiful designer sheets are very fashionable in any season, of course, and it is hard to resist the urge to use them to make the bedroom a pampering, elegant environment.

In summertime, when the heat begins to swell and the sun rises earlier, more vivid colours may be apropos. With a selection of cool colours, the bed will be a respite from the heat; while dressed in floral prints, it will share a sense of the bounty and fertility of the season. For hot nights, linen sheets are cool and delightful their natural fibres are a pleasure to the skin. While they do require the extra care of ironing, they are well worth it for the luxury they provide. The distinctive off-white, creamy colour also gives a sense of the old-fashioned, the turn-of-the-century, when they were at their peak of popularity. Fresh lavender sachets between the bedsheets will give a wonderful flowery scent, while also helping to deter moths, and the fresh scent of cut flowers can fill a room. For the occasional cool night or a chilly summer rain, a wonderful summer cotton blanket can be kept on hand. To cover the bed, a light cotton bedspread from Italy, or an Indian silk bed cover adds an excellent touch to the room.

As the leaves turn, gorgeous colours emerge; the autumn air becomes crisp, tempting one to add weight and deep, rich colours to the bed. Autumn weather can be unpredictable, which makes the layering of blankets wise. An extra stack of blankets placed on a bedside chair is a warming sight. To augment the rustic feeling of the room, try a beautiful Amish quilt or an American Indian antique blanket. Reflect the harvest season with dried leaves or gourds at the bedside. Eucalyptus is a wonderful, refreshing scent and sight for the fall, and has long been believed to have a therapeutic effect. Place several branches in a dry bedside vase and activate the aroma every few days by gently brushing the hands upward along the leaves.

As the snowy season takes over, blankets satisfy the desire for warmth and comfort-be it a classic heavy wool blanket, a cashmere plaid from Scotland, or a guanaco fur blanket from Argentina. The same degree of warmth with a lighter, more summery weight can be obtained from a goose down comforter. Change the colour of the duvet cover to suit a variety of moods and occasions.

The festive air of the holiday season makes it enticing to experiment with stronger colours and exotic scents. Essential oils can be burned on light bulbs or candles, and a spicy scent enriches the atmosphere. It is always nice to light a scented candle to fill the room with aromatic spray. And a pomander in the linen closet is exquisite.

The seasons themselves need never restrict one's choice of bed clothing. It is the needs of the weather and the mood being expressed that take priority. A classical bed styling can be austere, impeccable; but the temptation to create a more seductive environment sometimes arises. Silk sheets, candlelight, luxurious textures, fragrances, and a soft and inviting look can all be given special attention. When we enter a room, the scent and the sight go hand-in-hand, we experience both immediately. Upon reaching the bed, we can touch its fabrics and textures before partaking of the full comfort and sensation to be had under its covers. Treat the bed as a piece of art. Put your heart into it, allow it to reflect your moods and sentiments. Whether it is the sleeping place for you, for a member of your family, or for your guests, it can be an expression of your caring, your love. The bedroom, year-round, can provide an experience to be savoured.