Cozytown Linens Blog

It’s time to add some color to your bedroom.

Pantone has released their color of the year.

Things are looking “bright” and it’s time to bring some new life into the place where you lay your head each night.

The Pantone Color of 2012 is Tangerine Tango. The color is a mixture of red and orange. The orange tones have a subtle pink tone as well. The color is soft yet bright enough to bring some life to common every day textiles.

The new Pantone color is a reminder that it’s Ok to add color to your life.

And that includes in the bedroom, the place where you spend much of your life.

Common colors for bedspreads include your whites, off whites and light colors in blues, greens and soft reds. These options offer neutrality in the bedroom where it can be a daunting task to design a room that is beautiful and bold.

The Pantone color shows that it is all right to add some non-traditional colors to your bedroom. Imagine walking into your bedroom after a long day at work and seeing a beautiful bedroom setting complete with tones of orange in the sheets, comforter and pillows.

Bed sheets are one option for adding some color to your bedspread. You can also consider adding color with a comforter or pillows. There are also options for adding color to window treatments or perhaps even a new cloth headboard.

If you’re looking to add color in an even more bold way there are also options available in satin sheets. This would really add flavor to your bed and add some energy.

The colors don’t necessarily have to be tangerine either.

The Pantone colors are a nice guide. They represent a certain personality, but there are other options. This is simply a reminder that it’s Ok to add some boldness to your bedroom.

There are bold reds, deep blues and luscious greens as options as well.

The bedroom doesn’t have to be stuck in neutral. There are options available to add a splash of color. Bold colors bring energy and excitement to the bedroom.

The sun is shining on 2012. The color of the year is Tangerine Orange.

If you’ve ever woken up in the morning and noticed how the sun shines orange across the bedroom then perhaps it’s time to bring more of that color into your bedroom.

Add some Tangerine Tango to your bedroom for a delicious splash of bedroom color.

Bowl of Tangerines courtesy of itdoesnthavetobebeautifulunlessitsbeautiful

You have probably seen the organic labels on food in the grocery store. You know that eating organic food will prevent you from ingesting any residual pesticides or herbicides and can be better for your health. But perhaps you’ve noticed the organic label on clothing or other non-edible products and wondered why you should buy an organic version of something you won’t eat. There are a number of reasons why it is a good idea to invest in organic products, including the ones you don’t eat.

Conventional Cotton

According to Stanford University cotton is the “largest revenue-generating non-food crop” in the world. It also consumes some of the greatest amount of resources. Stanford states that conventional cotton production accounts for 10 percent of all water used for agriculture and 25 percent of all pesticides. Pest and weed management for conventional cotton is very intensive. It requires a large amount of chemicals in order to grown on such vast tracks of land. These chemicals are often applied by crop dusting or aerial drop. The chemicals directly and indirectly (run-off in water) effect the health of people and wildlife.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is the alternative to conventionally raised cotton. Organic cotton meets very strict regulations that don’t allow the use of any insecticides or herbicides. These restrictions also prohibit the use of Genetically Modified Organism or GMO seeds.

According to AboutOrganicCotton.org, practices for raising organic cotton are very different than conventional cotton. Weeds are removed by hand, instead of with chemicals. Harmful pests are kept in check with healthy soils and biological controls. Biological controls include introducing insects that are natural predators to the pest insects. And, defoliation, a necessary process for harvest, is prompted through natural changes in temperature or water management, rather than chemically induced.

Caring for People and the Environment

These practices conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of cotton. Reducing the amount of energy and water used to grow cotton is healthier for the planet. Reducing the amount of chemicals used to grow cotton is healthier for people as well. Fewer chemicals circulating in the air, ground, and water means less people suffering from the ill effects of pesticides and herbicides. While you don’t eat T-shirts and bed linens, you can still protect your health and the health of others by choosing organic cotton.

Photo “Cotton Bolls” courtesy of anita.french

Herbal tea that naturally lacks caffeine can be an excellent bedtime tradition. Warm drinks can help calm and relax your body and prepare you for sleep.  Some teas have benefits that go beyond just relaxation. Peppermint tea is one tea with a number of benefits that make it a great pre-sleep ritual.

One great sleep enhancing advantage of peppermint tea is that it assists with indigestion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats. As a result, food passes through the stomach more quickly.”  However, if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, you should avoid peppermint at night because it relaxes muscles in the stomach and esophagus and can induce reflux.  There is also some research that shows peppermint may relieve symptoms of irritable bowl syndrome (IBS).

The same muscle relaxing tendencies mentioned above can also bring relief to minor tension headaches. The article mentioned above also suggests peppermint as a cold remedy. Peppermint contains menthol, which is an effective expectorant. Holding your head over a steamy cup of peppermint tea can relieve stuffy noses and congested chests.  Doing this before going to bed can improve your sleep when you need it most.

All of these benefits can be experienced from just a few peppermint leaves steeped in hot water. You can pour hot water over fresh leaves and let it steep for awhile, or you can place dried leaves in tea ball and allow it to set in hot water. If you want your own peppermint plant, it is an herb that is very easy to grow. Transplants are commonly found at nurseries. The plants typically run rampant once planted in a garden or landscape and will quickly take over. So, if you are starting from scratch you may want to plant your peppermint in a container to prevent its spread.

If raising your own plant doesn’t excite you, peppermint tea is easily found commercially in tea bags.  Be sure to check the ingredients to ensure there is nothing caffeinated or even decaffeinated black or green teas listed as well. The best peppermint teas will have only one ingredient, peppermint.

What are your favorite bedtime teas or drinks? Have you experienced the benefits of peppermint?

Photo “coffee and peppermint tea in bristol” by Crafty Fox

Carpet is typically the go-to material for floors in bedrooms, while hardwood is often reserved for kitchens and sometimes living rooms or dens. Carpet is warm and soft, but there are some distinct advantages to using hardwood in bedrooms.

1)   Allergies

The most obvious and probably the best reason for hardwood in bedrooms is the reduction of allergens. Dust mites and other allergens thrive in carpeting. Hardwood floors don’t have the fibers that can hide all of the things that make eyes itch and noses run. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, “Bare floors with small, washable area rugs are much easier to keep free of dust mites than carpeting.” If a stuffy nose has hindered your sleep, you may want to consider replacing your carpet with a smooth surface, such as hardwood floors.

2)   Cleaning

It is much easier to clean hardwood floors. Simply sweep or mop and you are done. How is it different than running the vacuum? The vacuum only does part of the job for carpets. Areas of high traffic will absorb dirt, pet hair is hard to lift  and stains from spilled items will linger. All of this will require shampooing and spot cleaning with chemicals to keep your carpets looking fresh. Carpets also maintain smells, especially pet smells. Spills and accidents can be easily wiped from a hardwood floor with a damp cloth.

3)   Style

Hardwood floors are classic and timeless. They match anything, and anytime you want to redecorate your room, you won’t have to start with replacing the flooring. Rugs can be easily swapped to match the latest style. And, unless it has an incredible amount of wear, you won’t have to replace your hardwood floors in order to sell your home.

All that said, there are advantages to carpet. If you live in a cold climate, it is nice to wake up and put your bare feet on a warm, soft carpet. Carpet is also a great, soft play surface for small children.  In addition, carpet reduces noise in a room by muffling footsteps and absorbing sound waves.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of both carpet and hardwood floors can help you determine the right style for your bedroom. What is your favorite flooring choice?

Photo “apartment” courtesy of Justin Leonard

The bedskirt is something often forgotten.

When picking out new bed linens we consider the comforter, the sheets and pillows.

The bedskirt can be overlooked, but it really is one of the details that can tie a bedroom together. You don’t want to have a beautiful bedroom designed and furnished only to have the unsightly image of that brown metal bed frame visible.

That’s where the bedskirt comes in.

There are a few important things to know about the different kinds of bedskirt options. Here is a rundown on everything you need to know about bedskirts.

How to Pick the Right Bedskirt

The traditional option is the ruffled bedskirt. These are common on most bedskirts and have been for years. Even today, the ruffled look is something that can be appealing for traditional bedroom designs. For a look that is classic and dressy, a dark colored ruffled bedskirt is a good option.

There are ways to make the ruffled bedskirt casual as well. Plaid patterns are one option. This can bring in a few color variations and can make a casual bedroom feel welcoming and calming. Those are two important qualities in a good bedroom.

A second common choice is the tailored bedskirt. This has a more modern, sleek look. If the overall look and feel of the room is to have dark or light colors with focus on items like the comforter or curtains, a solid color tailored bedskirt will work well.

The tailored look is becoming a popular choice today. The straight lines of this bedskirt gives people the chance to cover up the bed frame while not brining too much attention to the floor. The bedskirt typically isn’t the focal point of the bedroom so something that seems “in its place” will allow people to glance over and look at the main features like a comforter or headboard.

A few other options for bedskirts include eyelet bedskirts. There have even been more innovations like the upholstered box spring. That’s a pretty neat idea. It looks great and you can save some cash.

Quick Note on Material

The fabric material for your bedskirt should match the linens or at least be similar. You want the colors to match as best as possible. Having the bedskirt fabric match the rest of the bed will help make the appearance as “together” as possible.

Summary

Bedskirts don’t have to be overlooked. When you’re ordering custom sheets and other elements of a custom bedroom you will want to make sure to pay attention to all the details.

Understand the few different types of bedskirts and you should be ready to complete your bed set.

Bed Frame courtesy of frenchfinds.co.uk

The sun is shining.

The green grass is starting to grow.

The days are getting longer. Summertime is coming.

It’s exciting each spring to think about the upcoming changing of the seasons.

We think about the warmth of the sun on our skin.

As the sun shines, we dream of days in the yard and trips to the beach with family and friends.

The changing of the seasons also means a change in the bedroom.

As the cold days of winter subside, it’s time to bring out the warm weather bedding.

Summer Bed Linens

Bed linens made of lightweight natural materials are best for summertime. It’s essential to find quality bed sheets for summertime because there is nothing worse than feeling hot and sticky when you crawl into your bed.

One of the keys to a good night’s sleep is to stay cool. In fact, between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended for the ideal sleeping temperature. This can be difficult to achieve in the summertime.

Cotton Bed Sheets

Cotton is a common bed linen material. Cotton is natural and breathes well. You’ll notice that most summer clothing is made of cotton or a blend of cotton and other natural fibers.

Cotton feels comfortable to the touch, which makes it comfortable for sleeping. The fibers in the cotton allow air to pass through allowing the fabric to stay dry, clean and refreshing.

This is the ideal situation for summertime sleeping.

A high thread count cotton sheet is ideal for warm weather sleeping. Sheets with 600 or more thread count are perfect for comfort and coolness.

Bamboo Bed Sheets

Another option for summertime sleeping is a set of bamboo sheets.

You might not have heard of these. They are not as common as regular cotton sheets, but they offer even more soft and smooth than the finest cotton. Bamboo sheets breathe easy and have the natural ability to wick away moisture.

For those that need a cool place to sleep in the summer, bamboo sheets could be a worthwhile investment. Consider how good it feels to wake up after a comfortable night’s sleep. There really is no price tag to put on waking up full of energy.

Summary

As the season changes to summer, it’s time to clean the house and change the bed sheets. You can put away the flannel and bring out the summer sheets.

Take off the down comforter and replace it with a more summer-friendly textile such as cotton.

And consider bamboo as an option this summer.

You’ll thank yourself when you’re sleeping sound in your cool comfortable bed during the hot August summer night.

Sunny Window courtesy of Anemone Jones

Brrr…

Winter weather is still here for most of us. The ground hog saw his shadow and promised 6 more weeks of winter. It’s good for the skiers and snowmobile riders, but bad for those of us that like to stay warm.

For anyone that lives in the northern part of the country you know that February, March and even April can have their share of surprise snow storms and cold spells. This means that you’ll be looking for ways to keep warm and that includes nighttime.

Here are a few tips for staying warm and cozy for these last few months of winter.

Winter Weather Bedding Tips

Winter bedding is something people love. A cozy, warm bed is something to look forward to when the weather turns cold and nasty.

Chunky Fabrics - Heavy blankets that are chunky are great for winter bedding. You can really feel the texture and comfort with blankets that have some density to them. It’s a great way to get warm and comfortable when you lay down in bed.

Layers - Layering is important when you venture outside in the cold, but it’s also perfect for inside. Use layers of sheets and blankets and comforters for your winter bedding layout. Go from the thinnest material all the way up to the chunky, heavy material on the top. A soft linen covered by a heavy comforter can really feel wonderful and it will keep you warm throughout the night.

Bamboo Sheets - In the hot months, it’s important to have a bed linen that wicks away moisture. Bamboo sheets are great for warm weather climates, but the same elements that make bamboo great for summer also make it great for winter. By allowing any moisture to wick away from your body, bamboo sheets can keep your skin comfortably warm in the winter. As you sleep, especially under heavy blankets, you can get a little too warm. To ensure comfort throughout the night you can use bamboo sheets to keep your body temperature regulated throughout the night.

Summary

Even though the groundhog says more winter is on the way there is no reason to be let down. It means you can enjoy a few more weeks of comfort in bed. There are some great ways to stay warm in bed during the winter and some even prefer the cozy feeling of big, chunky blankets.

They’ll keep you warm until springtime.

DoginBlanket courtesy of jafsegal

Egyptian cotton is about quality.

For decades, even centuries, people have dreamed of having the finest quality bed linens and Egyptian cotton is often a sought after bedding material.

But is all Egyptian cotton created equal?

And is it really worth paying more money for Egyptian cotton?

Here are a few tips on how to choose the best bed linen material for your bed. It might be Egyptian cotton, but make sure you’re looking at only the best of the best.

How to Purchase Egyptian Cotton

Egyptian cotton has historically been the highest grade of cotton in the world. It will rank right above Pima cotton, which has become another popular material.

There is a reason the idea of Egyptian cotton in the bedroom has brought about visions of peaceful and comfortable sleep for generations. The cotton tradition in Egypt is distinguished.

Cotton in Egypt and other areas of the world was handspun for thousands of years until the development of spinning machines in the 1700s. Throughout the 1800s, Europe was in need of quality cotton. The commercialization of the Egyptian cotton industry occurred and the branding began. It was quite the amazing feat to become a worldwide standard for quality in a product that is now a commodity.

Over the years, many merchants have begun selling cotton branded as Egyptian cotton. As with most successful ventures, there are always impersonators. It can be difficult to know you’re getting the best quality when purchasing Egyptian cotton today.

Much Egyptian cotton is imported from other countries. The branding machine of Egyptian cotton has made people believe all cotton from Egypt is the best.

While Egyptian cotton is still the best, it is important to pay attention to the common items you would with any bed sheets: thread count, durability factor and even price. The price will often be the determinant, but verify other factors including the country of origin of the cotton on the purity of the cotton in the linens. Blends care popular, but 100% cotton is often the best and softest you will find.

For quality cotton sheets you are likely looking for something with 500+ thread count with origin and manufacturing country in Egypt. Look for cottons with minimal dyeing and other machined items. This will ensure the best sleeping experience.

Your comfort is important. Egyptian cotton sheets are still the best. As long as you are aware of a few key decision points you will find that Egyptian cotton sheets are a valuable investment.

Cotton Field image courtesy of subarcticmike

Sealy has made an innovation in mattresses.

Sealy, one of the world’s largest mattress brands, has made another breakthrough in sleep comfort. The company is planning to release a new gel memory foam mattress that will keep sleepers nice and cool.

From Sealy Expands Posturepedic Line With New Gel Option:

OptiCool™ gel memory foam is fused with OUTLAST® material, which is more effective for removing excess heat during the night.

This new mattress technology promises to provide a cooler sleeping situation for customers. In the past, memory foam mattresses have had a tendency to retain some heat. As sleepers rest, they give off body heat and memory foam mattresses would retain some of that heat.

As a result, sleepers could become too hot causing some discomfort. This was only a small issue with memory mattresses, which have been extremely popular in recent years. Memory foam provides a comfortable sleeping mattress and eliminates most of the toss and turn from a sleeping partner in the night.

But the heat has been the one small issue with memory foam. Now, Sealy has improved on the memory foam mattress by eliminating some of memory foam’s heat-retaining ability. The new gel solution promises to keep people cooler, which could lead to even better sleep.

We’ve mentioned before here on the Cozytown blog that the ideal temperature for sleeping is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature allows the body to rest comfortably while allowing a person the best chance to sleep a full 8 hours.

Memory foam has been popular in the mattress world for about 15 to 20 years. Before becoming popular as a mattress solution, memory foam was developed back in the 1960s as a way to improve cushions for various vehicles including the space shuttle and airplanes.

Today, memory foam remains a popular solution for various consumer goods, but the mattress is one of the most popular.

With the various solutions, sizes and styles of memory foam offer something for everyone; it can be difficult to find sheets for memory foam mattresses. Custom sheets can go a long way to topping off your memory foam mattress purchase.

The sheets may not be as important as the mattress, but you want to make sure you’re taking full advantage of that mattress when you lay down to sleep.

If you plan on investing in one of the new Sealy gel foam mattresses be sure to report back.

We’re curious to see how effective it can be at keeping things cool.

Fan courtesy of ToastyKen

How often do you change your bed sheets?

Changing bed sheets is something most people don’t like doing.

Yet when it’s done we love the feeling of crawling into a fresh, comfortable bed. There is just something delightful about feeling the soft texture of fresh linens on your body.

The question is – how often should we change our bed sheets?

How Often to Change Bed Sheets

If you’re like most people, you had a mother that got you ready for laundry every Saturday morning.

In most houses, it seems, Saturday is laundry day. Everybody is home from work or school and it’s the perfect time to rally the troops and clean the house.

Changing bed sheets weekly is the best. It can be easy to get into a routine like changing the bed sheets every Saturday or Sunday or any other day of the week that works for you.

The reason weekly changes are good is threefold:

1. Your Body

You spend nearly 8 hours each day in your bed. That is one third of your time each week spent in bed. This is a lot of time and your body will naturally shed skin, release oils and cleanse itself of other items like hair and bacteria.

Changing sheets each week is a good way to cleanse your bed sheets of the items your body discharges each week. Your body knows it has to clean itself. You can do the same each week with your bed sheets.

2. Dust

Dust settles on the floor and on your bed. If you think about how a table or surface looks after just one week then you will realize what your bed likely looks like after the same amount of time.

It’s good to clean your sheets to keep this dust, which is often an allergen, off your body and away from your respiratory system.

3. Bacteria

Bacteria can form anywhere in a short period of time.

It’s good to wash your sheets weekly in hot water to ensure that all bacteria are killed. Most bed sheets today are designed to withstand hot washing cycles.

By using the hot cycle with a good detergent you can ensure all bacteria that forms on your bed throughout the week will be eradicated.

From there, you can make your bed with fresh sheets and rest in peace tonight.

Clothes Pin courtesy of Cyron