17 May 07 - 11:31Tips for Towel Shopping

For most people, shopping for towels typically involves trying to find the right colors to match the bathroom tile work. But learning a few tips and knowing the basics about terry cloth, gram weight, fiber-type and yes, even color - can help turn the casual consumer into a near expert on bath linens. (more)

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17 May 07 - 11:30Getting Comfortable With Down Bedding

Summer is around the corner, and soon people will start peeling off layers of their beds to make sleeping more comfortable in the warmer temperatures. Duvets, or down-filled comforters, are popular bed coverings, but can offer too much insulation in milder weather. What consumers may not know is that duvets come in different weights and with different 'fill-powers' - and knowing which is best for a particular climate or season can help shoppers find the best fit. (more)

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17 May 07 - 11:28Bamboo Sheets Grow in Popularity

In the last year, the popularity of bamboo sheets and other bamboo products has shot up almost as quickly as the plant itself. This versatile natural fiber has many qualities prized especially by the linens industry - including antimicrobial properties and 'breathability.' As customers spring for more eco-friendly products, bamboo has found its way not only into sheets, but towels, clothing and flooring as well. (more)

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17 May 07 - 11:27Online Retailers Take Advantage of Valentine's Day Shopping Trends

As the 2006 holiday shopping season comes to a close, retailers look towards Valentine's Day as the next big gift-giving occasion of the New Year. Several online market surveys show that consumers plan on spending more this year on their Valentines due to the Internet. For those stores not offering traditional gifts like flowers and gift cards, efforts are made to attract consumers with unique gift ideas and the added convenience of online shopping. (more)

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17 May 07 - 11:25'Compact Spinning' Technology Makes Sheets with Superior Smoothness and Strength

Newer technology in textile manufacturing, called "compact spinning," has given rise to smoother, stronger sheets. Compact yarns not only make sheets more resistant to wrinkling and pilling, but the process of making them is more efficient and environmentally friendly. Linenplace.com, Inc., an online linens retailer, has taken advantage of this technology and is offering a compact yarn sheet as part of the Echelon Home Collection. (more)

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17 May 07 - 11:24Online Bedding Boutique Adds Comprehensive Ratings for Their Sheet Sets (and Thread Count Doesn't Even Make the List)

In the world of online shopping, finding the perfect tactile product -- like a sheet set -- can be a guessing game. Various product guides and industry jargon glossaries can help, but ultimately shoppers need someone to be their hands for them. The bedding experts at Linenplace.com have put their extensive knowledge of textiles to good use by creating a comprehensive sheet rating system that is straightforward and intuitive. Their vice president also explains why thread count isn't the be-all and end-all of bedding.

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02 November 06 - 18:31BBRRR, it's getting cold. Warm Bedding Options!

It’s really feeling like Fall is here now that it is November and we woke up here in Manhattan to our first really chilly day of the season.  It’s the perfect time to go through your blankets and duvets and decide if you need to replace anything, or if you’re furnishing a new house or apartment, it’s the right time to think about what cold weather bedding you need.

Here at Linenplace, we are crazy about down duvets.  They are great because they provide a lot of warmth but are super lightweight. Our deluxe duvets: Heirloom and Mirage are filled with Hungarian (Heirloom) and Polish (Mirage) white goose down.  These are super premium down qualities with fill powers of 650+ and 700+ respectively.  Higher fill power downs are loftier; meaning that 1 ounce of the down will fluff up and fill more space than a lower fill power down.  Higher fill power downs also trap more heat, so they are warm and light!  For example, a duvet with 50 ounces of 575+ fill power down will provide the same warmth as a duvet with only 30 ounces of 700+ fill power down. That is 40% less weight on top of you, but the same warmth… talk about luxury!

Wool is also a great option because of wool’s wonderful thermal properties.  It draws heat away from your body and allows it to be released into the air instead of getting trapped in your bed.  Studies have actually shown that people sleep better under wool because their body temperatures stay more stable.  Our classic merino wool blanket is a great choice, but we also have wool filled blankets that combine the comfort of a cotton covering with the benefits of wool.

If you’re in a warmer climate a cotton blanket like our Peacock Alley Natural blanket may be an adequate extra layer of warmth.  Or if you love down, our Heirloom and Mirage Summer weights are the perfect way to have your cake and eat it too.

Stay warm and enjoy the beautiful Fall season!

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27 September 06 - 16:50Thoughts on an All White Bed

I absolutely love the look of an all white bed.  It has a clean, chic look and it's so inviting - like sleeping in a big white cloud.  All white may sound boring, but it needn't be.  Adding texture and layering adds the needed visual interest.  

The place to start is with sheets, some deluxe options are Virtuoso or Lyric in white.  Some other great options are 600 Egyptian Sateen and Duet.  Then add a coverlet with texture like Vienna, Vienna Tailored, or Duet Quilted.  Then for the layering effect, top this with a puffy duvet and duvet cover.  For duvets, my favorite is the Heirloom, with its super soft and silky ticking and lightweight Hungarian white goose down fill.  Then choose a duvet cover that will create contrast to your coverlet.  For example, if you have a Vienna coverlet, you can contrast with either a stripe or solid.  With Duet Quilted, contrast with a solid duvet cover.  This is more interesting than having everything on your bed the exact same style.  Then I also always recommend extra pillows: Euro shams for sure, and why not a boudoir pillow!  Our Rio white linen is a perfect complement to nearly anything because it has a plain weave but the distinctive texture of linen.

Worried about keeping your white bed clean?  Good concern!  Common sense is all that needs to be employed, certainly your dog can't jump on the bed and you can't spread out your newspaper on it!  Simple solution: toss a throw blanket (not white) on top of your bed if you're putting anything on it that might rub off.

A white bed also reminds me of some hotels where I've stayed.  The Boulders in Carefree, AZ is one of those.  They make their beds in white Italian sheeting by Mascioni.  (p.s. we're getting Mascioni sheets in stock at Linenplace very soon!) Their beds have really thick mattress pads, Mascioni white solid sateen sheets, and a light and fluffy down duvet in a Mascioni white striped duvet cover.  This was a truly sublime bed!

White beds are not just for Summer either!  You can have a white bed any time or all year 'round if you want.  Just like "no white after Labor Day" for apparel, there are no rules anymore; it's just whatever you like!

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