Saturday, January 13, 2007

and so to bed...



The weather has been so awful just lately hasn't it?! Gales and rainstorms have lashed us from all sides and it's been so dark and dreary! I must admit, I've found it very hard to leave my bed in the mornings. On one such typical morning this week, as I was lying there with the sheet pulled up under my chin listening to the rain lashing against the window pane, I found myself musing about bed linen...



For some time now, especially since I've been buying and selling textiles, I have been using vintage linens, eiderdowns, blankets and quilts on my beds. The 'continental duvet' has been cast out and I can honestly say it will never return! There is nothing nicer than climbing into a freshly-made bed when you have crisp cotton or linen sheets and pillowcases - it's just delightful! I have never been warmer and cosier since layering the bed with Comfy quilts and Witney blankets - ooh such comfort! Even the bed in the guest room enjoys the same vintage warmth!



Eiderdowns are perfect for those really chilly nights and layering with sheets, blankets and quilts mean you can quickly adjust to the changing temperature of our fickle English weather!





All that talk of bed and cosiness has made me quite sleepy! I think maybe an early night is in order. Now, where's that hot water bottle...?!


Sweet dreams everyone!


33 comments:

  1. Clare, your bedrooms are JUST GORGEOUS!!! I love those fabrics, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

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  2. Hi Clare - Just so everyone knows, I can confirm that your rooms look exactly as they do in the photos!!! Thanks for your hospitality today - I was ready for that coffee, to say nothing of the naughties!!! Sue x

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  3. Your bedroom is lovely! I love all the fabrics! Enchanting and so cozy!

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  4. The vintage stuff is awesome! We do have the dreaded duvet with the down comforter stuffed inside...always slipping from it's corners. We have had just quilts in the past, but they seem rather bulky compared to the lightness of the down. And with the hot flashes I get...well, the lighter the better!!!

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  5. What a timely post. I am getting so tired of my duvet,and had been trying to talk myself into something different.I have some vintage pillow cases and even an Edwardian pillow layover, I think I'm going to start enjoying them. Your rooms look delightful, and I love the wall colour in the larger room.

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  6. Your room is so pretty! I love the wall color and your luscious bedding...so sweet!

    Oh, and your precious kitty looks exactly like mine! I had to do a double take when I saw your photo, lol! Ours was a stray and at first we placed an ad in the paper to try and find her a new home...but then we fell in love with her and decided to keep her as our very own. We call her "Sweet Pea" now. Here's a pic:)

    http://www.onewomanslife.com/cat/winter15.jpg

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  7. Ooh you have some beautiful eiderdowns!I have a few but mine are very well loved and slightly shabby!At least I don't have to worry about the kids ruining them though!Glad you de-lurked so I could find your blog xxx

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  8. Hi Clare, Your photos are wonderful, so colourful and cheerful - just what is needed during this dreary winter we are having.

    I love my down filled duvet I must say, because I don't like the heavy weight of blankets on me at night, but during the day it is hidden beneath an antique patchwotk quilt and a beautiful red eiderdown....well noone needs to know ...do they?!!
    Niki.X
    (I'm off to study your photos again for inspiration!)

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  9. Oh you are so right nothing beats blankets, sheets and eiderdowns.

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  10. Ooooooh look at all those lovely textiles and I see a barbola too!!

    I love your blog ..... yes it has made me a little sleepy ..hmmmm....
    zzzzzzzzzzzz ... good night.

    Peaceful wishes from Ginny

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  11. how lovely - can i sleep at your house!!

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  12. Beautiful beds Clare. :) l grew up using eiderdowns. Your mix of colours are stunning- even the bedroom decor. l have to say that even with my duvet l have not wanted to leave my bed these morns- this weather has been awful.
    Bests

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  13. Those colours are amazing !!
    I collect welsh wool blankets. I usually pick them up for about £8.00 each in charity shops. The quality on them is amazing and they are so heavy.

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  14. I can see why you would not want to get up on a cold rainey day. All of your bed linens are lovely and it looks like a lovely way to spend a cold day...with a good book.....oh yes.

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  15. Your beds look absolutely gorgeous. I love all the eiderdowns and linen. I would love to make up my bed like that but at the moment I just don't have the time to make them properly in the morning. For now I have to stick to the duvet with my vintage eiderdowns laying on top and over the headboard.

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  16. Beautiful linens! I wish I had something so wonderful and cozy on my own bed but unfortunately my bedroom always seems to fall last on the list! Jen

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  17. Thank you everyone for your comments, you are too kind! Sue, you can always bank on some yummy nibbles when you come here!! Farmgirlcyn, lots of thin layers can be a bonus - you can throw one or two off as required! Sheila, I hope you will share photos of your new vintage bed when you're ready! Sadly, I couldn't follow your link Kim, as the address was cut short in the message box - hope to see Sweet Pea soon! Yes Fiona, making the bed does take longer these days, but if the cat has got there first then I have to leave it unmade! Clare xx

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  18. Gorgeous rooms - and doesn't your beautiful black cat look stunning!

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  19. Oh my what do I see ...a black cat! Did you kidnap my Paisley or Babie...come see my *CaTs RuLe* post!
    Mine also LoVe the clean bed linen particularly any that are quilted! NG

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  20. My favourite word is eiderdown!


    Cherry xx

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  21. I feel like just diving onto that bed. Here I go ... BOINK! Jeez, now I have to clean this nose smudge off of the monitor.

    How did my cat Lulu get on your bed?

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  22. Hehe, so funny! Sweet Pea, Dennis, Lulu! All of our look-alike kitties!

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  23. I'm really glad to read what you said about the bed Clare. I have always prefered the layers on the bed rather than just one quilt, I sort of felt old fashioned in my way of thinking so it's refreshing to find someone else with the same desires. Its a lovely bed too. Bob.

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  24. Those beds and colours and everything are just so wonderful and perfect. The cat though that made me smile so much, it was like my painting had taken a life of its own and become reality.

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  25. Oh, Clare, those beds look divine! Can I come stay with you? I bet you have so many guests not want to leave because your beds are so cozy. They look so comfy!

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  26. Clare, your bedroom is a dream, it is a typical british bedroom like I see it whem I'm there at holidays. And the colours are beautiful.

    Sigrun

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  27. You have very nice bedrooms, they seem to come out of "Country Homes" or magazines like that. Everything is perfect!

    Best regards from Germany,
    Monika

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  28. clare the rooms are so lovely
    the colours are just perfect look what I got today http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/wawa24/hampers/DSCF0050.jpg

    carol

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  29. Clare, your blog is a present that I give myself every time that I visit ~ it is truly just SO lovely and dreamy. This post is no exception. I love the wall color ~ delicious, and all of your florals...thank you for sharing all of this prettiness with us.
    xo,
    Kim

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  30. Oh how comfy your rooms look. Just so beautiful and warm and cosy.

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  31. Sheila mentioned you in today's post (Wed Jan 24) and I just thought I would drop by and see your bed...it is indeed very lovely and the kitty looks like it is in heaven!!
    :-D

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  32. Oh!!! I love all your beds!! I love brass and iron beds!! And the eiderdowns are scrumptious!!
    My bed is a very similar style to your bed isn't it (except mine is pink!!) I really like the straight brass bar that goes across the top!!
    GORGEOUS photos!!

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