Philip Hooper
Nothing beats a well-made bed. I always sleep best when I’m snuggled up in freshly laundered sheets and pillows. I remember returning to London after my first trip to India and the feeling of utter bliss to find brand new sheets on my bed, made four weeks ago. They were blue, heavy batiste cotton bought from Liberty a few years before Ralph Lauren started making them. This started my addiction to smart underwear.
Our American cousins make brilliant beds, they are like sleeping on a cloud. Monogrammed pillows stacked on top of each other, three high mattress toppers, duvet cover, clean sheets and blanket. My preferences at home are similar. I have three pillows, one down, one sheepswool (it’s cooler) and one big square for propping and reading, a mattress topper and a sheepswool mattress, the sheets and pillowcases are almost always linen with a pillar stitch detail as I like the feel. Pillows should match the size of the bed, regular pillows never work on a big bed, so buy extra long king size ones.
Bulky cotton is fine, but don’t go for too high a thread count. I made the mistake of thinking that a cable-edged set of a thousand would be the ultimate luxury, but unfortunately, a high thread count equals glitter and you end up rolling out of bed like you’re sleeping on an ice rink.
I love the top sheet under the duvet, it looks more comfortable when the sheet is folded at the top and allows you on warm nights to throw the duvet and sleep under a sheet. I always need to be cocooned in something. Pillowcases should be oxford type, or with a cord or column stitch detail. I’m not a fan of fancy details and contrasting colors, although C&C Milano did a colorful blanket stitch version that I loved, and Tomasz Starzewski works with Moroccan embroideries creating the most sublime cross stitch patterns. The smaller pillows can be monogrammed, I love it, although if you’re doing the main pillows, put a monogram in the corner or it’ll be embossed on your face in the morning! Decorative pillows are a must. I like to bring back the colors of the room with a few well-chosen examples. Not so sure about counterpanes, the jury is out. I love American beds without them, probably because everything in the exhibition is freshly ironed, while at home a bright bedspread usually hides the crumpled linen.
Nina Campbell
I like to sleep on a relatively firm bed mattresswith top mattress with silk filling from ginger from above. You feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud and sinking into it, but you’re still trapped. I know you can’t see it, but comfort is what matters.
I used to really dislike quilts and I was gaga fluff and sorting blankets. But now they are light as a feather. So many people don’t know about hospital corners and fitted sheets are a good and safe option. They keep everything in place. There is nothing better than pure cotton with a high thread count. I like the white underwearbut it might be nice to have some colorful embroidery to match the palette of the room. I love the Spring range from Monogram lingerie shop.
I like to put a bag of lavender on top of the pillows when guests stay over. Promotes sleep and has a calming effect.
Emma Burns
When it comes to mattressesbuy the best you can afford. A firm mattress with a bed top works well.
