Octavia Dickinson is one such example. ‘I am a firm believer in white bed linen. There are very few exceptions to this rule, usually limited to children’s linen which can take a small decorative motif. I tend to look to The White Company, Cologne & Cotton, Porthault or Maison T, but the overall look should still feel fresh and white.’ From there, Octavia will layer a variety of textiles on top. ‘I adore an old-fashioned eiderdown, but they can feel a bit much over a duvet. They are, after all, essentially another duvet. In those cases, I prefer layering with bedspreads and throws. A vintage American red-and-white eiderdown is impossibly inviting, but often very expensive. I love collecting bed textiles so I can swap things in and out as the seasons change. If you find a beautiful bedspread, snap it up—they’re surprisingly hard to come by at a good price.’
Laura Stephens is in agreement. She likes to keep things relatively simple so that making the bed is less of a struggle. As such, she recommends choosing one large quilt or bedspread in addition to a duvet cover. This breaks up the ‘vast expanse of white’. ‘I tend to simply fold the blanket down and place it two thirds along the end of the bed. If sheets are white I like to use the quilt as an opportunity to enhance the room scheme, so pull out a colour from the headboard, wallpaper or window treatment to keep things cohesive. Niki Jones does the highest quality softest velvet bedspreads which are backed with linen. When they’re turned down it looks like there’s an extra layer of a different fabric which is a nice touch and adds a relaxed feel to the bed.
Rémy Mishon generally uses plain bedding in a good colour as a base for sheets and pillowcases. ‘Once Milano, By Molle, Bed Threads, Designers Guild and La Redoute all come up trumps. For crisp white cottons with smart edging or pretty detailing then I try The White Company or Cologne & Cotton. I can be partial to a pattern, though often that lies in a good stripe from Toast or Piglet in Bed.’
She continues, ‘If you have a patterned headboard or bed hangings, adding a simple complementary throw that picks up on a less obvious colour from within your pattern is an easy win. Add some cushions in a different scale pattern, or a lovely texture in your colour palette and be done. If your bed is more exposed or has simpler textile surroundings, you can have some fun with bolder patterns: you could add a beautiful embroidered quilt with some big cushions in a punchy colour and a single, small, pretty in front. Alternatively, mix a patterned quilt with a contrasting throw, or a mixture of patterned cushions with some plain.’
Christopher Horwood
Where to shop
Rémy loves makers and smaller brands such as Lora Avedian, Repose, Montes & Clark, 510 Laundry, Sarah K, JP de Meyer, Haines and Nushka. For effective throws, quilts and cushions that plump up your scheme, she recommends trying Zara Home and Caravane. For children’s bedding, Angelica Squire loves The White Company, Cologne & Cotton and Maison T.
Laura Stephens says, ‘Friends of ours who run The Beckford Arms in Wiltshire once told me the secret to their fantastic bed sheets which are crisp, wash brilliantly and easy to iron is Richard Haworth. He supplies to hotels but you can also buy single quantities of bedding. It’s my ‘go to’ for high quality, reasonably priced bedding which lasts for years. In addition to Niki Jones, Toast does great quilts and I’ve purchased some lovely, pretty bedspreads from Zara Home over the years, plus sleep dohars for summer instead of flat sheets from Shades of Cool London. Octavia Dickinson uses a ‘wonderful supplier called Glanmar, also known as EPOC Beds, who offer a brilliant range of bases and mattresses, and can also make bespoke pieces for four poster beds.’
MAY WE SUGGEST: Dear Fiona: does preferring a duvet make me a sloppy housekeeper?