Here at GlamNest, we are a bit obsessed with bedding: plush, ultra-refined linens, organic floral-print pillowcases, mod graphic duvets–count us in for anything fabulous that inspires a comforting, snuggly, and preferably 9-plus-hour sleep. (Some would argue that I have an unhealthy attachment to sleep; I would counter that sleep is the only thing that keeps me healthy when totally stressed out!)

My current obsession? Nancy Koltes Fine Linens. I pass her Manhattan boutique (one of seven across the country) often, popping in to marvel at the beautifully squishy beds, piled sky-high with pillows and poufy-plush duvets, and thinking comforting thoughts. Textile designer Nancy Koltes, who produces her exquisite products in Italy, can always be counted on for lively conversation and an insider’s view of the industry, including the impact of extra-thick mattresses on linen manufacturers (everyone had to resize their sheets!) and the thread count marketing myth (note: luxury is less a matter of threads per inch than the quality and treatment of the threads themselves).

Last week I checked out some of her newest designs and fell for the restful blues and soft pinks of the Asian-inspired Dogwood (Italian-made percale duvets and shams) and two pretty Madras prints–Joy and Gypsy–made from supersmooth chambray in warm citrus hues. Just writing about it makes me want to sink into a deep, dreamlesss sleep….zzzzzzzz…

Ooops! Dozed off there for a sec. What was I was saying? Ah, yes–Nancy Koltes. Check out both her retail and wholesale websites (a great designer resource) for more comprehensive info, including helpful linen-care tips that are applicable to anyone who wants to ensure the comfort and longevity of their sheets: Never ever use bleach, don’t overdo the detergent and–this is key–do not fry them in the dryer or you’ll bake any lingering detergent right in.*

(* FYI, this last point is especially important for eco-obsessed clean freaks, who spend a gazillion dollars on organic cotton sheets, over-soap them, and dry them on a high setting, thus ensuring a not-so-healthy snooze in a detergent bath–not a good idea for anyone with chemical sensitivities!)

–Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: Nancy Koltes Home, best summer bedding, luxury Italian linens, floral-print sheets, colorful pillows, thread count myth

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

by Erika Lenkert

Over my 15-year travel-writing career I have tested the full range of beds, from sagging sponge-like mattresses blanketed with scratchy, stiff sheets to the finest pillow-top palaces draped in gazillion-thread-count imports of luxury properties. While I can grin and bear the basics with the best of ‘em, I have come to appreciate that given we (hopefully) spend one third of our lives in bed, luxury beds and bedding are one of the most practical splurges out there. Hence, my rationale for buying the Ritz-Carlton mattress and Kashwere blanket that tops it.

Ironically, unlike Jessica Simpson who famously touted her $1,500 splurge on bed linens, and two of the nation’s top interior designers, Emma Jane Pilkington and Jamie Drake, who declared sheets are one thing you should never skimp on when decorating, the notion of actually owning exceptional sheets eluded me.

But that was before I had the opportunity to test out the new SFERRA Giza 45® sheets.

Made from a super fine yarn called Giza 45—the crème de la crème of Egyptian cotton exclusively allocated to one of the world’s finest Italian shirt makers until now— SFERRA Giza 45® sheets don’t boast their impressive thread count, but its glorious feel. Light and silky, dare I say almost buttery, these sheets never feel cold at first touch and have an indulgent quality that literally makes me notice and relish them every single time I get into bed.

Now I truly understand why Pilkington and Drake consider great sheets a must-have. Not all home splurges need be trumpeted to every visitor. In this case, private indulgence is even better. And if you’re going to go the designer distance on your bedding, it doesn’t get any better than this.

The Details
Available in percale, sateen and jacquard in Ivory or White finished with SFERRA’s classic hemstitch treatment.
Prices range from $250-$1,120.
For more info visit www.sferralinens.com.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Why of why is it so hard to find a stylish glass bedside carafe set with matching tumbler? Dunno. But I’ll make your life a little easier by sharing the results of my own recent carafe research:

1. Clio’s Hargreave carafe, $220. (above)

2. Global Table’s Hakbijl night carafe, $18.

3. Esque’s handmade recycled-glass Off pitcher and cup at Branch Home, $189.

4. POSH Chicago’s French bedside carafe, $50.

5. Juliska’s Isabella carafe set, $112.

6. William Yoeward’s cut crystal Victoria carafe, $295.

7. Tord Boonjte’ classic Artecnica carafe, $48.

8. CB2’s Cora tumbler, $9.95.

9. Marcel Wanders’ still excellent Cristal carafe from Matter, $55.

10. Abbott’s pink-glass carafe, $19.

Drink up! –Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: bedside carafes, modern carafes, contemporary glassware, bedroom accessories, Marcel Wanders glassware, Clio home, Global Table

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Pottery Barn’s spring/summer catalog arrived in my mailbox yesterday. While I’m usually a little eh over their offerings—which are always solid but never a great thrill—my interest was piqued by many cool new items. I’m thus inspired to inaugurate the first in a highly subjective series: shopping my mailbox. Here, my five top picks—and why I think they’re covetable (feel free to disagree):

1. Woodland duvet: I flipped for the springy floral/tree motif, whose girlishness is tempered by a dose of mod. And in eco-friendly organic cotton to boot! Just the thing to brighten up my blah sleeping quarters. $99 for full/queen.

2. Taj stool: This great little side table/stool is made of cane laced with hand-woven spun rope in sun-kissed colors. I love that you can drag these lightweight pieces in and out of the house with ease, injecting a bit of island living. And they appear to have a nice handcrafted look. $79 each.

3. Leaf outdoor rug: A graphic print splashes across hand-tufted, mildew-resistant polypropylene. It’s made for the outdoors but I’d place it in the bathroom for a little liveliness that will stand up to wet feet. $169 for 3 by 5 feet.

4. Potrero collection chaise (top): No! Stop! So cute! Especially in that graphic crab-print terry chaise cover ($55 extra).

5. Andron dining chair: Normally I am not a huge fan of Mediterranean/French-ish metal chairs—I find them a little cliché. But I couldn’t resist this in turquoise. And even though the metal is weather-resistant, it’s pre-aged with a lovely patina. $499 for set of 4.

Happy shopping! —Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: Pottery Barn catalog, summer furnishings, colorful outdoor furniture, French bistro chairs, water-resistant carpets, crab-print fabric, mod vintage-inspired bedding

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Everyone’s abuzz about DwellStudio’s just-launched bedding collection for Target, and for good reason. The sheet sets, duvets, and baby linens exhibit the same adorable but not-too-sweet graphic quality for which we covet the main collection–at a fraction of the cost.

But I received DwellStudio’s current catalog this week and had to take a moment to a) drool and b) extoll the fabulousness of their entire home textile line, which includes bedding, accent pillows, and tabletop items like runners and napkins. The new Botany collection is abloom with flora and fauna, from fluttering watercolor birds to abstracted foliage. All of which, I just learned, are printed with eco-friendly pigments that are low-impact and non-toxic.

So lovely and plush you’ll just want to crawl in and take a nap. Or better yet: go shopping.

Technorati Tags: DwellStudio, Target, bedding, linens, napkins, eco-friendly pigments pillows

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook