Spring is when color returns to our lives. We use a brighter color palette when designing outdoor landscaping and indoor home interiors; it’s a breath of fresh air after the dull hues of winter landscapes.
The on-trend approach to working with color when it comes to home décor, particularly in the world of bed linens, is to mix it up, according to Pamela Diaconis, co-owner of Kellijane in Philadelphia. “Playing with different colors, textures, and patterns is what pulls a room together,” says Diaconis. Not everything needs to match, she says, nor does it need to be perfectly symmetrical; the overall goal is to have a blended look. “The ‘bed in a bag” look is out,” she says.
The red-hot color of the season is purple, Diaconis says, but she is quick to add that whites, ivories, and beiges will forever be the mainstay when it comes to sheets. “Accent pieces like pillows and throws are where you can get more creative,” she says.
Starting with a duvet or comforter, such as the purple Taffeta Shot Pinched Duvet in 100 percent silk by Anichini and building on that element is easiest. Adding a patterned blanket cover, a coordinated solid blanket, a collection of throw pillows and other pieces with varying hues and textures will layer the look.
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Of course, the buzzword when talking about bed linens is “thread count.” Luxury has become synonymous with 400, 600, and even 1,000-count sheets, which simply refers to the number of threads, both vertical and horizontal, in a one-inch square of fabric. Diaconis explains, however, that thread count is not the “end all and be all” to defining quality. “The Italians do not even discuss thread count,” she says. “They simply base their opinion on the origin of the fabric, how the fabric is treated (combed, for example), and more importantly, how it feels to the touch.” Diaconis also explains that thread count can be misleading. A fabric that is labeled as having a 600 thread count might actually be a three-ply of 200-count fabric. A 360 thread count is the highest you can have using single-ply thread, so Diaconis warns us to read the fine print. Belgian linens, Egyptian cotton, and sustainable bamboo are often recognized as top-of-the-line.