Our Marco bedspread from Sferra has a small diamond pique pattern that is simply classic. What is pique, you ask? Sferra explains:

Piqué (pronounced “pee-kay”) fabric is characterized by raised designs – cords, waffles, or patterns. Technically, piqué fabric is known as a double-cloth, with the unique texture achieved by weaving two layers of fabric, one above the other, on the same loom. The piqué weave creates more body and crispness than a plain weave.

Here is a close-up image of the Marco bedspread, showing the diamond pattern:

Hemstitching is a very elegant addition to many types of linens, from bedding to tablecloths. Sferra explains the technique:

A hemstitch is a decorative drawn threadwork technique. A section of parallel threads are removed from the fabric and the remaining perpendicular threads are grouped together with additional thread to make small ornate holes. Despite its name, a hemstitch is not limited to the edges or hems of fabric — it can be used as an ornamental stitch anywhere on the fabric.

Sferra’s Festival Table Linens are a great example of hemstitching:

The Bennett Tablecloth actually has 17 rows of hemstitching:

Sferra recently sent us a great explanation on this popular accent to bed linen pieces:

A flange is a classic decorative accent, typically added along three sides of a duvet cover and on all four sides of a pillowsham. A flange extends beyond the dimensions of a duvet or sham, creating a large, elegant flourish. The finest linens use flanges, as well as hemstitching, to create the signature look and soft drape of luxury bedding.

Here are some examples of flanges:

When looking at measurements of duvet covers and shams, remember that they are of the interior of the piece.  The overall dimensions will be larger, to include the flanges on the outside.

Both herringbone and chevron patterns have been very trendy lately.  Long used on hardwood floors throughout Europe, they are also very popular in textiles because the subtle weave brings a sophisticated edge to every piece.

Can you tell the difference between the two?  Here’s how we keep them straight:

– In a chevron pattern, the ends are cut at an angle to create a continuous zigzag design.

– A herringbone pattern breaks more abruptly, resulting in a broken zigzag pattern.

Make it easy on yourself by remembering that chevron = continuous and herringbone = broken.

Do you like this pattern?  Check out our Tesoro bed linens, Alpaca throws, Chevron table linens.

 

 

Sferra, known for their fine bed linens, recently sent us some great information on the best way to care for your linens. Luxury bed linens are an investment – keep them in top condition for years with these tips.

Most bed linens are made from natural fibers such as cotton or linen. These are designed to be washed at home for ease of cleaning.

Pre-wash your linens before the first use. Separate your linens from other items in the wash, especially those containing polyester, which tends to create pilling, and items with heavy zippers, which can damage the fabric. Separate light and dark colors.

Avoid overloading the washing machine, which can cause fibers to break down from excessive abrasion and agitation. You can wash most linens in warm water on a gentle cycle with a cold-water rinse, but be sure to check the care label.

Use a mild detergent without added bleach, whiteners, or fabric softeners. Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; rather, add it to the water as the wash tub fills or dilute detergent with water, then add linens. Unless linens are very soiled, you only need to use half the recommended amount of detergent.

We recommend LeBlanc Linen Wash and The Laundress Signature Detergent. Both are concentrated, so you use less than regular detergents. The are made from natural ingredients and safe for use in newer, high-efficiency washing machines. And they smell wonderful.

If your bed linens need bleaching, it should be done with care. A good alternative is a special detergent for white laundry.

Chlorine bleach will weaken fibers and cause the fabric to yellow. If white fabrics need bleaching, use only an oxygen-based bleach. While line drying outdoors is gentle, safe, and imbues linens with the fresh scent of the outdoors and natural bleaching of the sun, it is not always practical. You can machine dry most linens on low heat, but be sure to check the care label.

Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Never use a high heat setting, which will weaken the fibers, damage the fabric, increase shrinkage, and shorten the life of your linens. Remove items from dryer promptly, while still damp, to minimize wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with an iron, if desired.

Ironing is optional. Linen bedding, like this Classico Vintage, is designed to have a relaxed look, and doesn’t need ironing to look great.

Check to make sure your steam iron is clean – mineral deposits could cause brown spotting. Iron linens while still damp. To restore the lustrous face of sateen fabrics, iron on the reverse side. For embroidered linens, iron them on the reverse side atop a towel to preserve the three-dimensional effect of the embroidery. Use a press cloth to protect delicate lace and cutwork.

We love to use scented linen water for ironing – it moistens the fabric to make ironing easier, and it makes linens smell fresh.

All natural fibers will shrink to some extent, but in most instances we generously overcut our products to allow for shrinkage. Do not wash or, especially, dry linens on a hot setting, which is most likely to damage the fabric and intensify shrinkage. Always follow instructions on care label.

Store bed linens in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Linens stored long-term should be wrapped in white cotton, muslin (old pillow cases work well) or acid-free paper. Avoid storing linens in plastic bags or boxes, which can cause permanent yellowing; natural fibers need to breathe. Cedar chests can also yellow or streak fabrics.

A great alternative is to use cedar scented drawer liners – the cedar chips are enclosed in a layer of natural fabric, so they won’t harm your linens but will keep moths away.

It’s easy to care for your fine linens, and it will ensure that they stay luxurious for generations. What are your linen care tips?

Do you love the way it feels when you walk into the Ralph Lauren store and everything is organized just so?  How the clothes just hang beautifully, and it always smells clean and inviting?  I do.

And although we can’t all move into a boutique on Madison or Rodeo, you can easily recreate the look at home.  With a few simple steps, your closet can feel extraordinary and your clothes can look as good as the day when you first purchased them.

– Organize everything by color and season.

 

 

– Invest in a good set of hangers.  Not only will they help keep the shape of your clothes, they will also instantly upgrade your closet.  There are wood hangers to fit every style:  dark stained woods for an English paneled feel (Ralph Lauren), light blond woods for a natural look (Calypso St Barth), painted black for a modern look (Tom Ford), and painted white for a clean, minimalist look (Calvin Klein).  Dry cleaning hangers are meant to be temporary.

 

 

– Outfit your drawers, shelves, and hangers with delicately scented liners to naturally protect your clothes from pests.

 

 

– Treat stains as they appear.  The sooner you do this, the easier it will be to remove them.

 

 

– Sort your laundry properly.  You know what goes where, so make this a breeze by placing a simple set of bags nearby.

 

 

– Place a small chair or bench nearby.  You’ll need this to put on your shoes, and it will make make your closet feel like a dressing room.

 

– Add a light scent.  A diffuser is a great way to make your closet feel fresh and inviting.

 

 

And finally, a fresh flower arrangement!

 

Here’s our first Gracious Style Lookbook, The Beach House, created just in time to get you and your home ready for summery beach house style!

Want to capture this look? Here are the items featured:

*Casual-chic Lacefield Casablanca Throw Pillows in Midnight and Geranium.

*Kim Seybert‘s Coral Branch Napkin Rings are a fun accent for any table.

*Lance Wovens Classic Navy Tote is a best bet for beach trips.

*Games of all kinds bring fun into your home, like our Barbara Cosgrove Dominoes with Box.

*To complete your summer table try adding Aladdin Antique Taupe Flatware by Vietri.

*Make guests feel right at home with the cozy Slipper Chair from oomph.

*Pamper yourself with Claus Porto Blue Guest Soap Pastilles.

*The Taboret table from Bungalow 5 in Light Blue adds just a touch of seaside color.

*Dine in style with playful tableware by Caskata. We love the School of Fish Blue Platter.

*And last, but definitely not least, don’t forget soft, luxurious beach towels, like the Bali Batik Indigo Beach Towel from Fresco.

Find these great beachy finds, and much more, on our site.

Toothpaste…it’s not just for teeth anymore! We love our Marvis Toothpaste because of the tempting flavors, but the traditional formula is also good for many other household uses. The innovative folks over at Esquire put their toothpaste to the test. Read about the Nine Exciting Reasons to Buy Old-School Toothpaste.
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Porcelain is a material that is perfectly suited to everyday life. It can safely be put in the dishwasher, which will not hurt the decoration, but give it a radiant shine. Great care must be taken when putting a porcelain dish in the oven. 1400°C fired porcelain can withstand your oven's 300°C, but not thermal shocks. When you take it out of the oven, do not run cold water on it and avoid putting it on a cold surface, lay it on a wooden or material-covered surface, or on a cloth. As for microwave ovens, you must make sure there is no metal (gold or platinum) on the decoration - Raynaud does not today make decorations with microwave-proof fake metal. Only white or color decorations can go in the microwave. Be creative in your use of the various pieces, for instance... a presen- tation plate can be used as a single-dish dinner plate, as a cake plate, a cheese plate... the dessert plate is perfect for an appetizer or cheese, the fruitcake dish is ideal for "pâté" and also "canapés", "petit-fours" and smoked salmon. The soup tureen is today used for soup, "consommés", "bouillabaisse", "pot-au-feu", pasta... all the convivial and generous dishes. Salad bowls are also very practical for pasta, risotto... sauceboats can be used for fruit sauces. Exotic cuisine is very fashionable, and if you don't have a Thai dinner every night, remember that the bowls will look lovely filled with "hors d'?uvres" or sauce, and the cups can turn into sugar bowls.

In L.A., wearing jeans is practically a requirement.  We invest a lot in our denim, so we’ve learned how to care of it.  Here are our tried-and-true formulas.
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