pillow talk

topic number four: protocol for pillow prosperity

Pillows--specifically for one's bed--are relatively easy to understand when it comes to form and function. So one may argue that my "preferences" are only to help pillows so that they may fulfill their purpose. This is to provide a place to rest one's head. And in case you haven't already surmised, resting my particular head can be a bit challenging at times.

To start, a hypoallergenic zippered sleeve to seal the pillow is required. This is a must not just for the pillow with head privileges, but for all the pillows sharing nearby space, shams or no shams. I have never understood why anyone would encase their mattress and box spring, but leave their pillow or pillows vulnerable. Think about it...a real head scratcher!

Soft or hard, pillow preference is personal. For those of us who appreciate options, why not have both? I keep a set of each on my own bed as well as on the guest bed for visitors. I do not believe I have ever encountered a bed with too many pillows, but unfortunately on occasion, found too few.

When placing the ironed case (or two) over the sealed pillow, do so with the case opening resting on the same side as seal zipper. This leaves the other side of the pillow completely smooth; an important element of a good night's sleep. Better yet, not waking up in the morning with wrinkles and zipper imprints across your forehead is most helpful to one's well being. Just a suggestion.

Ever important is scent. Although all are white, I NEVER wash my pillow cases with my husband's t-shirts or our kitchen sponges. It matters not whether the washing machine water is hot or cold, the detergent is hypoallergenic, unscented or mountain fresh. No excuses.

Regarding scent, years ago my friend Jen introduced me to Bath Junkie's custom scented "domain spray". I use it religiously on all my linens and is by far the best I have found. Find yourself counting stinking sheep? Try a hint of lavender on your pillow instead.

invasion of the throw pillows

After their first month of college, students look forward to "little touches of home" arriving with mom or dad on Parents' Weekend. For some, it's delicious homemade baked goods, like the ones my roommate received. For others, it's more clothes, like those my friend acquired after underestimating the weather. For me, it was throw pillows. 

That's right. Throw pillows.

My mother fluffed up the four large, white pillows, arranged them, and then looked at my bed with discontent. Something was missing. Later, more beddings had materialized including a white fleece, a blue afghan, and a furry white throw to match the pillows. God only knows where my mother found these additional items; my college town is only three blocks long. But in true Perri-form, my mother convened with the spirits and found appropriate bedding.

I wasn't ungrateful, but I didn't really get it at first. Throw pillows? At school, I barely had enough energy to pull back the sheets when I got in at night. With additional hazards like books, coats, and the occasional person ("oops! wrong bunk. No, wait, wrong ROOM! Sorry, dude") it was a miracle I slept at all. 

But I'm starting to understand slowly, especially after the latest in the throw pillow saga. On another bedding outing at IKEA this summer, my mother was pressuring me to buy more pillows. I may or may not have given her sass about it as we were on a specific quest for a comforter (my old one was too . . . blue). Then she showed me a picture of a pillow adorned with a ladybug, which was my childhood nickname. And then I got it. A little touch of my mother, and a little touch of home.

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.

breaking nails making beds

Have you ever broken a nail making a bed? You're probably thinking, "What is this girl talking about? Bedding is soft as a rule. Not possible." Well, in my world, not only is it is very possible, but breaking a nail is a lurking danger. And I'm not talking about that nonsense when the prissy teenage girl chips her manicure, either. I'm talking about bloody, ripped down quick nail-breaking. Not fun.

A word of warning: My mother's trick to pin the dust ruffle in place works wonders. Really, it makes bed making much more worthwhile. However, snagging your finger on a safety pin can lead to breakage and a world of pain. So if you undertake this endeavor, proceed with caution. That means slowing down and being more thoughtful. Yet, with or without pins, I think Perri would agree that a bed should be made calmly, carefully, and considerately in the first place.