SLEEPING BEAUTIES: STYLISH BEDDING GETS COLORFUL FOR SPRING

Crisp, pressed bedding is one of those things that I just adore. I have loved printed and patterned bedding from my first "big" bed all done up in Marimekko circa 1977. Beautiful bedding is a little luxury I enjoy more and more, especially as the array of prints and patterns get more sophisticated and exciting. This spring, companies are turning the color dial up a notch, so expect textile-influenced prints in bright coral, fresh turquoise, deep indigo, the perfect shade of lavender and more fresh tones that will look great in the sunny days ahead.

 John Robshaw's new collections included a lot of blue. Nazar, the bed above, features bold large scale feather-like diamond-pattern motifs in a wonderful shade of teal against a white ground. It is so lively and fun, but it looks even better mixed with a variety of layered patterns.

 The Pipal pattern showcases the impact of indigo and white with a continuous quatrefoil flower pattern. Block printed in India, his prints go away sometimes after their season, so get them while you can.

Mixing patterns fearlessly is one of the things Robshaw does best. This bed combines blues and browns with pops of pattern and geometric impact. The circular patterned Puffer pillow in front is sure to do well, it's such fun. If you love the headboard, either upholstered or in wood that's available too, through his website.

Mixing pink and yellow, a mandala pattern in the JR Collection's Nikolo pattern works with the zig zag hot pink and white Patmos quilt at the foot of the bed.

The ever-popular Lulu DK debuted her latest design for Matouk at the gift show.  A naturalized sprig of green and blue leaves, the loose watercolor quality is really unique and rarely seen in bedding. It has a wonderful free hand to it, and is reminiscent of a plant you might see growing wildly in the South of France. Captured on a white quilted ground, the print has a charming softness.

The entire ensemble feels very Provencal.

Matouk also showcased Lulu's Lyford pattern in a new spring green. Lulu's collections are always unexpected, fun and just what you never knew you needed, but all of a sudden, you have to have that print in your life. Her work just creates that need. The white tiny flower print looks like fireworks exploding while the new duvet and shams have an all-over pin dot sprayed pattern that becomes neutral next to a bold pattern.

Solid bedding with bright contrast trim also caught my eye at Matouk. They do great quilting, and these new white pique Boudoir shams are just the thing to calm a busy patterned bed, they add a dose of calm.

Sferra, the classic Italian bedding house also introduced fresh spring colors, which they haven't done for some time. Their new graphic patterns (finally!) are really in tune with what is happening in upholstery fabric prints. Chain links and interlocking graphic geos set this collection on an exciting new path. The dressy navy and white Andover link above is ideal for a seaside retreat or a crisp city bed.

Smaller curvy lines form a wonderful geo Andover mixes beautifully with coordinating solid shams with wide color-banded borders. The coral color is divine and I see this bed really taking off in warmer climes this spring.

Photo courtesy of Peacock Alley

Even Peacock Alley turned over a new leaf, showing classic old-school preppy flanges with brightly colored teal and coral borders with embroidered round monograms in the center. By mixing it with Eloise, a small ditsy impressionistic print, the ensemble takes on a younger feeling.

I found a company at the gift show, Stamattina, that  I was totally charmed by. Their blush pink and palest blue printed bedding had a sweetness and lightness to it that it stopped me in my tracks. Stamattina means "a fresh new day" in Italian. And every day is waking up to these sweet patterns that are printed in Italy, but finished in the US. Chiara is the tiny geometric pattern and it is mixed with Lucia, a large scale watercolor-effect damask on a white ground.

The Lucia and Chiara in the palest blue from Stammatina.

Photos courtesy of Julia B.
Custom embroidery and bright wavy borders on Paris, Julia B's traditional-with-a-twist pattern can be done in 23 linen colors. I know how many of you love orange, and this pattern reinforces that for sure. If you missed her at The New York Gift Show this year, she showed at Maison Objet.

 Adding variety to a scallop edge, Julia B.'s Calais has such charm with it's triple edge flange and embroidered dot detail. Add a custom monogram in a wide array of styles, and create something totally custom to your color scheme.

Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily

On the other side of the spectrum, bold sophisticated embroidery decorates the flange of Serena and Lily's new Savoy Link bedding in a rich purple. Since inspiration can strike anywhere, it is no surprise that the border motif came from a banister design the creative director spotted on her travels.  Shams tipped in matching purple tie the solid sheets together, making it a nice choice for the minimalist that appreciates a touch of color along with a dash of visual interest.