For classic elegance and a luxurious look and feel for the bedroom, selecting French bedding is likely to be the right choice.
Some of the most beautiful linens in the world come from France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. In this article, we’re going to focus primarily on bedding that is designed and/or manufactured in France. Included in the broad category of French bedding are sheets and sheet sets, duvet covers, pillows and pillow shams, comforters, blankets, throws and more. For blankets and throws, some of the more popular materials include cotton, cashmere, cashmere blends and baby alpaca.
For sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers and shams, the many options include cotton, linen, modal, silk and blends of these materials.
Many people are familiar with the decidedly French term ‘matelasse.’ The term means “quilted” or “padded”, although matelasse coverlets have no padding. For superior quality matelasse, one should consider yarn-dyed fabric. (In a yarn dyed fabric, the threads are dyed before the fabric is woven.) This technique gives the fabric a more three-dimensional appearance. In case this is your first foray into outfitting your bedroom with European bedding, let’s start with some of the basics.
Many of the European linens can be classified as ‘Luxury Linens.’ It is important to note that there is more to the definition than simply thread count. Thread count is the number of warp and weft threads in a one-inch square piece of fabric. (‘Warp’ means the vertical threads on a loom, while ‘weft’ means the horizontal threads on a loom.) Although a common misconception, thread count is definitely not the only indicator of quality. The quality of a fabric is determined more by the quality of the raw materials used (the staple length, luster and strength of the fiber) and the weaving and finishing processes.
Where luxury French bedding is concerned, you will likely find collections that range from 250 thread count percale to 1020 thread count sateen. With a sateen weave, the weft thread goes over more than one warp thread, resulting in a sheen or luster on the front side of the fabric and a satiny or silky feel. While taking a mini-course on cotton, we learn that the finest cotton yarns have an extra-long staple, natural fiber strength and high luster. Buyers for the major linen manufacturers give priority to these factors when purchasing their yarns. Inferior fiber strength leads to a weak yarn that will break or pill. The quality of cotton fiber is determined not only by the variety, but by the quality of the seed and soil, the climate and the method of cultivation. Note that a large percentage of extra-long staple cotton comes from the Nile Delta in Egypt. This makes sense due to the fact that the plant requires a hot, dry climate. However, not all Egyptian cottons are created equal, as there are numerous grades of cotton fiber that come from Egypt.
According to one U.S. distributor of luxury European linens, these are some of the main characteristics to look for when purchasing luxury bed linens. These features should allow you to get the maximum enjoyment from your new linens for years to come. Items are woven from premium quality yarns – European linen and Egyptian cotton being among the most popular.Colors should be dyed and patterns woven, not printed.High thread counts enable fabrics to be soft and comfortable, while still long wearing.Look for generous sizing with oversized flat sheets and fitted sheets with extra deep pockets.Duvet covers should be generously proportioned to fit a variety of duvet thicknessesBe sure that the design and finishing details are implemented to the highest standards.And, when shopping online for luxury French bedding, here are a few final pointers to remember: Purchase from a store with a knowledgeable staff that can advise you with your selection.Buy a brand that has a reputation for producing a consistently high-quality product.Look for manufacturers that still take pride in their finished products, such as Yves Delorme and a host of others.