If after scouring department store shelves and leafing though hundreds of pages of catalogs, you still haven't found exactly what you want in a duvet cover, coverlet or bedspread, then maybe you should consider having something custom made. It could be easier and more affordable than you think.
"It amazes me when people don't consider custom-made items for their beds because it just makes so much sense," said Joe Ruggiero, an internationally-recognized home furnishings designer. "When you see the colors and patterns of all of the fabrics you have to choose from, it gives you such wide choices for decorating your bedroom."
A growing number of homeowners are beginning to turn to custom sewing for their bedrooms. Not only do custom-made top-of-bed linens open up a new world of decorating possibilities, they also guarantee an exact fit.
"Some homeowners may think they can't afford custom-made bedding," said Jan Jessup, director of communications for Calico Corners, a leading decorating and furniture retail company that offers custom-made home furnishings. "In fact, custom-made linens are very competitive with upscale manufactured products and can actually be less expensive. Best of all, you get exactly what you want in color, design and fit."
With virtually unlimited fabric choices, many consumers are opting for performance fabrics, such as the Sunbrella brand. The styling of performance fabrics has improved markedly in recent years with the introduction of jacquard weaves, chenille, velvet and damask. Best of all, performance fabrics won't fade from extended sun exposure and are easy care.
"When you have your duvet cover made from Sunbrella fabrics, you don't have to worry about kids, pets or spilled cups of coffee," said Ruggiero, who has created his own line of Sunbrella fabrics available through Calico Corners. "Just pop the duvet in the washer with a cup of bleach and all is forgiven."
Other advantages of custom-made top-of-bed linens are the ability to change them out with the seasons, or as your tastes evolve. Using different fabrics on each side of a duvet cover makes it reversible, and custom sewing makes coordination a snap.
"When you go custom-made for top-of-bed, it is much easier to coordinate with what you have in the rest of your room," Ruggiero said. "Draperies, upholstery - everything can be coordinated for a great look. If you have a four-poster bed, you can create bed hangings of fabric."
The ultimate in bed décor today is the upholstered bed, which is increasingly popular for people who enjoy lounging in bed while reading or working on a laptop. An upholstered headboard makes a comfortable back support. Calico Corners offers 13 styles of upholstered bed frames and headboards.
"The sales of upholstered beds continue to grow each year," Ruggiero said. "The fact is an upholstered bed is so much more comfortable to read in, and there is really no comparison to wooden or metal beds. Plus, an upholstered bed brings softness to the room and allows you to extend your color theme."
Overall, homeowners are placing greater emphasis on bedroom décor as they seek a refuge from hectic lifestyles.
"The strongest trend in bedroom décor today is the desire to make your bedroom a wonderful sanctuary," Jessup said. "For many women, the master bedroom is the only place in the whole house where she can make a private space for herself."
Calico Corners, the largest retailer of decorative fabrics in the country with 115 locations, is also one of the fastest growing retailers of custom upholstered furniture. Calico Corners offers custom workroom services for window treatments, slipcovers, upholstery, bed ensembles, pillows, cushions and tableskirts. On the Web at www.calicocorners.com.
Joseph Ruggiero & Associates, Inc. is a multi-media home design and television production company in Los Angeles. Ruggiero designs furniture for Norwalk Furniture, along with a complementary collection of Sunbrella performance fabrics and Phoenix trims. Ruggiero also designs a collection of casual furniture for Terra Furniture of California and a collection of wood furniture by Caperton Furnitureworks of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. On the Web at www.joeruggiero.com.
