what is all the ruffle about?

topic number three: mattress magnetism

I love a great night's sleep, don't you? Having it means there is a better chance of waking up in the morning truly ready for a new day. It is my ongoing fondness for my bed and all its attributes that speak to me night after night. Short of saying just how much so, I only wish that all beds could exude such magnetism.

Before pulling out those special sleep accouterments whatever they may be--cozy pajamas,a satin eye-cover, teddy bear or a hot toddy or two,(my daughter is reading this)--a good bed is important. However, mattress shopping? Not fun. No, for me, bouncing from one extra firm to the next does not accomplish much. In fact, I put it right up there with shopping for...sponges. Lucky for me, with one telephone call to the Four Seasons Hotel concierge, all mattress searching and shopping was eliminated with a brand new Four Seasons bed delivered directly to our home.

Please know that the "under pinnings" of a bed if you will, are just as important as the quality of the mattress itself. Sealing both the mattress and the box spring with hypoallergenic zippered fabric sleeves is a must. Not only does this lay the foundation for everything to follow, it protects against, deep breath here, dust mites. I chose not to go with plastic sleeves, as the thought of plastic on my bed, well, was disturbing. I don't know if it was my knowledge of the way plastic feels or how it smells that did it. Mind you, direct contact was not at issue. Still, it was too close for comfort. And after all, shouldn't a great sleep experience prevent one from tossing and turning?

A good night's sleep also has to do with knowing, really knowing that your bed skirt isn't slipping right before your own eyes...closed or not. Fighting with dust ruffles, pleated bed skirts, the sizing issues that follow and the costly gadgets claiming to keep everything in place can lead to sheer mayhem. So I now use, simply, extra large safety pins. With a perfectly positioned skirt laid out on the box spring, I space the safety pins (about four to five per side) parallel and two inches in from the outer edge of the bed before the mattress is placed on top. Freshening the bed skirt and removing all wrinkles can be done with a steam iron once the skirt is attached to the bed. This eliminates pre-ironing which is entirely a big waste of time. What was I thinking?!

But lastly (I have already confessed to a few family members and friends), I triple sheet my bed. Yes, three fitted sheets instead of one. For those who need a rationale besides pure comfort, think of it as tripling your thread count!

Exhausted? Well, that is why I will save pillow talk for our next blog. Until then, sleep well.

p.s.-for more on ordering a Four Seasons bed, please see link under the "Your Search is Over" sidebar.