I was inspired by the sleepy heads at Parachute Home, a premium luxury bedding brand, to share what I adored about my bedroom. Clearly, Parachute knows my love to design boudoirs and my infamous nickname ‘bedroom eyes.’ All kidding aside, as a virtual reality interior designer, I’m thrilled to work with a global real world brand and share my bedroom essential list designed to create the best (and most relaxing) nights sleep.
Parachute Home was founded by Ariel Kaye after her trip to the Amalfi coast in Italy. When Ariel returned home to Los Angeles, she went in search of the “sumptuous sheets that were softer than anything she had ever experienced.” Guided on the belief “buying bedding should be as enjoyable as your best night of sleep,” Parachute is known for quality, using the finest Egyptian cotton and a natural dye process surpassing the highest safety and environmental protection standards. Parachute luxury linens are manufactured in Tuscany by artisans whose craftsmanship is demonstrated through their attention to detail and impeccable workmanship. Bedding is sold as a set, separates, or inserts with all natural down duvet comforters and 100% hypoallergenic down alternatives. Comfort and thoughtful design details are the foundation of why Parachute is the premium quality bedding delivered to you at an accessible price.
When I cuddled into bed last night I thought about what elements assisted in maximizing my sleep and comfort. I compiled a list of six essentials every bedroom should have.
1). Structure: After all it’s the foundation for everything
If you select a padded headboard, or a four-poster bed, source a product that is well crafted and proportioned accordingly for your room and needs. Do you recall in the 2000’s era when mega-mansions demanded furniture manufacturers design huge oversized items that dominated the bedroom space? One needed a step-ladder to climb into bed! Now space is limited and micro-housing is emerging as the new normal. Purchase a bed frame that will last a lifetime and evolved with your every changing lifestyle.
2). Mattress: Dreamy nights start here
No one should spend up to $500 per night to experience the renowned Westin Heavenly Bed. There are more and more mattress makers with exceptional quality at numerous price points. According to the Sleep to Live Institute, a mattress should be replaced every 5-10 years, so keep in mind to rotate your mattress turning 180 degrees and flip it over, always using a bed frame with a center support. I personally love a pillow top with an added foam topper insert and a dreamy mattress pad for that extra bit of relaxation.
3). Goose Down Pillows: You can never have too many fluffy pillows
Yes, there are gimmicky pillow manufacturers that promise to relive back and neck aches, or stop snoring, but sleeping on hard foam doesn’t sound restful (or the least bit appealing). I believe one should have at least 3 pillows; one king sized, one regular and one firm. If you have a partner, they will also need 3, no one likes a bed hog or worst a pillow hog! I sleep on Ralph Lauren Home Supreme Down & Feather Pillow with 50% white goose down feathers, 50% white duck feathers, and an Arctic Fresh fill eliminating odors. I like very puffy pillows so I fluff my pillows in a no heat dryer every other day and replace them every year.
4). Percale Egyptian Cotton: Hello seasonal change
I prefer percale over sateen because I find it lasts longer, the color doesn’t fade in the wash and is durable. Percale is cool to the feel and when you sink into bed, you know you’ve arrived to the comfort zone. It’s a perfect luxury product and very few brands are offering real percale. They are doing thread count as a marketing device, which has nothing to do with quality of the sheets. I fell into that thread count hype and was so disappointed when my new 1000 count sheets were in no way comparable to my percale sheets. My advice is to buy percale while it is still available.
I love to change my bedding with the seasons using an airy crisp white duvet set for the warm summer months and heavier black velvet comforter for the chilly winter nights. Autumn brings a glow into the BR, with a copper sateen duvet with flocked velvet leaves. It is lightweight for the Indian summers, and a good transition into fall. My sheets are always dynamic with either a print or stripe pattern, I love the surprise of pulling back the covers, smiling, and dreaming of new adventures. To say the least, I don’t own a set of boring plain white sheets, why be boring when you crawl into your haven. Don’t be timid to mix it up and throw navy with white, beige with cream, black on black, dots on stripes. It’s your retreat, so be your own best adventurer and make the space yours.
5). Drawers/Bachelorette Chest: A modern twist on tradition
Mix it up and select a bachelorette drawer chest as an alternative to the traditional night stand. The surface top is larger, holding more essentials I may need that evening, and the drawers conceal necessary, but unattractive items. My top drawer contains my phone, tablet and chargers, as well as prescriptions and personal items I may want within fingers reach. The bottom drawer is for extra storage for a cashmere throw, heating pad, etc. Years ago, when I purchased my current bedroom furniture, the bedside night stand had a glass top, open shelf and 2 drawers. The salesperson called it a Bachelorette Chest and I guess the name stuck. The open shelf option on my bedside table is perfect, I’ve tucked away a clock radio (back up to my phone and ipad…it takes a village to wake me lol) and some extra design magazines, gaining storage.
6). Declutter Table Top Space: Ready for sweet dreams
Finally my bedroom essential list is almost done, one last item every sleepy head needs; an empty table top space to place a reading lamp, carafe of water, picture frame, box of tissues, and magazines/good book. I also like to have alarm clock in case your tablet or phone battery dies, flower arrangement, and in a small basket; sleep mask, cough drops, chap stick (personal fave of mine in the chilly months). If your allergic to flowers, silk will do, or a graceful orchid. Don’t forget to add your personality to the room incorporating treasures, mementos and keepsakes. Lastly, I like to hang a mirror behind the lamp, it makes the space feel larger.
I hope some of my tips are helpful in creating the ideal dreamy sanctuary. As a virtual reality interior designer and blogger, I’ve styled a 4 seasonal bedrooms emphasizing my 6 essentials needs. An in-depth blog with style card will follow this post. Thanks for taking the time to read my list and check out Parachute Homes linens.
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Gloria Silverstone 