The Simply Luxurious Life®

First Step In Creating A Beautiful Sanctuary

We spend approximately a third of our lives sleeping, so it is of importance that our bedroom (our private sanctuary) be adorned in such a way as to invite peace and a restful night’s sleep. As I suggested in my quarterly newsletter (sent out on January 1st) on how to create a simply luxurious year, why not turn your bedroom into a welcoming escape, your personal luxury sanctuary that beckons you to dive into bed?

With all of that said, the first step in creating such a bedroom is to make a beautiful bed. There are many suggestions on how to go about making your bed in the morning (some mornings, just making the bed, no matter how neat and tidy it is, is an accomplishment, I realize this all too well), but when you have five minutes, take the time to make a beautiful bed that will make you smile when you come back home at the end of your day.

Here is what works for me (however, I’m still looking for the right accent pillows):

Materials:
2 Euro pillows
2-4 standard pillows
2 accent pillows
duvet
a beautiful silk blanket
favorite sheets (Egyptian cotton)

Steps:

1. With blanket over sheets, lay out on top of your mattress, then turn back the top 6-12 inches. Tuck in all sides, except (and my mom doesn’t like this) I do the “no-tuck” and a double hotel foot fold at the end so that you can easily slide your feet in.

2. Fold the duvet and place it at the end of the bed.

3. Prop two Euro pillows up against the headboard

4. Stack (in two piles) two standard pillows

5. Place two accent pillows in the front of the stacked pillows

To see a video of Nate Berkus demonstrating for both duvet, quilts or comforters, click here.

Images: (1) French Bedroom Company (2) Source (3) Helen Green (4) Source (5) Source (6) Decor Pad (7) Elle Decor (8) Source (9) Elle Decor (10) Source (11) Source (12) House of Design & Style

Labels: bedrooms, How To Make a Beautiful Bed, Nate Berkus

Morning Task, Evening Pleasure

Often times, the smallest effort can generate the greatest peace in one’s already overscheduled day. Something my aunt suggested quite some time ago, has become a habit that I keep on a daily basis. And while at the time, it seemed almost tedious, it has proven to be a source of calm at the end of any given busy day.

Making one’s bed in the morning only takes but two minutes, however, brings a wonderful closure to the end of a harrowing day. Feast your eyes on the many bed ensembles below that gently whisper sweet dreams to anyone who slumbers in them I’m sure.

To all of my readers, I truly am so glad you continue to stop by, and I hope you have a grand extended weekend and a lovely Valentine’s Day.

(Elle Decor – Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos’ home)

(Elle Decor)

(Room Envy)

(Elle Decor)

Labels: bedrooms, sweet dreams

A Chandelier Where?

I’ve been meaning to enter HGTV’s Dream Home Giveaway, but as I write this, I haven’t yet gotten around to it. However, as I was walking away to exactly where I was on my treadmill, I watched the tour of this gorgeous home and one design idea caught my eye. While we so often see chandeliers above beds, we don’t too often find them used as a replacement for sconces above the night stand. Original and creative idea. Here are a few photos.

However, the old standby is still quite breathtaking.

I’ve recently added a non-electric chandelier above my bed and am glad I took the risk. What are some new ideas or risks you have tried in decorating your boudoir?

Images:(0) HGTV’s 2010 Dream Home Master Suite (1)Cottage Home Decorating (2) Country Living (3-7) DecorPad (8) Cottage Home Decorating (9) Shelter Pop (10) Courtesy of Dixcot Locations (11)

Chateau De Barres located in France’s Loire Valley (12) Simply Luxurious photo

Labels: bedrooms, chandeliers

Restful Slumber

Waking up and going to bed in a lovely, welcoming bedroom is one of the best remedies to either starting the day off on the right foot or forgetting your troubles all together at the end of a tumultuous one. These particular images instantly invoke a calming sigh to escape my lips.

I am constantly looking for ways to create a more calming environment in my bedroom. Maybe that reveals more about the elevated stress in my life recently than anything, but either way, when I focus on the things I can do, it helps to forget about the things I can't. Hopefully you will find some inspiration and a calming place in either your own boudoir, these pictures, or both. Sweet dreams.