“I have collected linens for the bed for many years—from markets in Provence to the finest Egyptian cotton linen from Cairo—and in my opinion, the three most important things to consider are colors, layering, and the headboard. The color of the linen should be a warm ivory white linen and not ski-slope white (Volga's linen is a beautiful warm ivory color); the layering should include a bold eiderdown in a printed linen or bright color; and for a headboard I would recommend our handcrafted 'Kokoshnik' headboard shape inspired by a Slavic headpiece.”

“I prefer a neat, folded hospital corner to a fitted sheet. It’s important to keep the linen taut and fold it into a pleat, then tuck it under the mattress tightly. I think elasticated sheets are generally more convenient so it's preferable for a child's bed for example. I would prefer a flat sheet on a master bed to give a more impactful look—the devil is in the detail!”

“Aside from insulation, the look is modern versus traditional. The designer Terence Conran revolutionized the sleeping experience with removing the top sheet in favor of just a duvet in the 1990s. Traditionally, a British bed was made up with a top sheet and a blanket or eiderdown. I like the blanket and eiderdown look but find the top sheet with duvet more practical and livable.”

“My most important factors are texture, seasonal layers, and color. No one wants to get into a bed that doesn't look inviting in terms of feel and mood. I like mine minimal but layered. I'm a big fan of fitted sheets layered with my duvet, blankets, and quilts during the cold months which gently get removed as the warmer nights creep in.”

“My grandmother was a nurse, so I'm firmly in the neatly tucked-in camp on the bottom layers, with draped quilts over the top. I want to feel tucked in!”

“I think that depends a lot on the person and what they find calming, but your bed should invite you in to slow down and relax. Personally, I have a mix of gentle cool and warm colors and I adjust them to my mood. I choose natural fibers that don't slip around—like linen and cotton—as you want your quilts and blankets to stay on the bed. Also, wool, which I use in the fill of my quilts, as it's great for keeping your body temperature regulated for a better night's sleep.”

“I prefer minimal for beds and bedrooms. I think they should feel like a blank space—a place to recharge—so I prefer not to make them too ‘additive’. Subtract, simplify, and create a calming environment. Life is crazy, and we need soothing, nurturing, and cooling bedrooms. I think blue is a great color to incorporate into bedrooms.”

“Yes. Mattress protectors are essential, and a feather topper adds extra comfort. For drop, it depends on the room and architecture. I tend to prefer folded sheets for platform beds and a drop to the floor if needed for the space. Sometimes, just above the floor works well too. No matter what, a big luxurious blanket at the foot of the bed is always a nice touch.” 

“I like four king pillows on a bed—two firm and two soft—with one big center body pillow to cover the gaps—cozy!”

“I’m a plumper—all the way!”

“Coming from this world, I always prefer a rich bedscape in terms of decoration, but there’ll always have to be a balance between the room and the bedscape. When the room is heavily decorated, we tend to prefer a bedscape where there’s a focus on an embroidery that takes inspiration from the decoration, without overdecorating it. The bedscape should always enhance the decor of the room, without overwhelming it. Equally, in a minimal environment, the bed linens should be equally perfectly integrated, but with a detail that stands out and demonstrates the sophistication of the owner's choice.”

“Flat sheets with hospital corner. They’re always more versatile and fit different sizes of beds. They’re also more practical in terms of care, because there’s no risk of getting the elastic ruined by using the bed set over time. Elasticated sheets are usually used in yacht or private jet projects, where there’s less room for a richer bed.”

“Our ideal thread count is 300 because it’s perfect for any weather or location in the world and it gives a very smooth feeling on the skin—it’s never too heavy, more like a caress. In any case, we work often with 500 TC cottons, and they are great for colder environments.”

“The duvet cover is always perfect for a house in cold weather—or just in the wintertime—while the combination of a sheet and blanket is amazing for a more summery place where you can use the blanket if it gets colder during the night. The second combination add also something in terms of texture of the bed and is definitely more versatile.”