HomeDesign Rules: Be bold and follow your heart, or, ditch your ego and preconceived notions
21. Oct, 2009 
11 Comments
I enjoy shopping for bedding because unlike the countless interesting things I covet at shops around Chicago, sheets are not an impulse purchase. I’ve never wanted to buy a comforter when I didn’t already need one, which means I don’t have to do mental gymnastics calculating if there’s space for yet another object in my already fully furnished and accessorized house.
And because I generally prefer neutral bedding, choosing sheets is usually a piece of cake. So I usually use process of elimination, buy the sheets and ultimately wind up sitting on my bedroom floor crying tears of frustration over my inability to figure out how to put the fitted sheet on the bed.
At least that’s how it usually goes.
But I found myself struggling this time I went shopping for bedding; everything seemed too bland or too expensive. I liked a few things but giggled when I saw the pitiful thread count. And despite the countless options, none of them put the fire in my loins. Because I spend a lot of time in bed and because a bed is, um, a bed, I’m inclined to hold out for the flames. After more than an hour comparing choices, I left Macy’s empty handed and found myself at Target (yes Target) where there was more of the same.
But just as I was ready to throw in the duvet, I spied a $30 red plaid flannel sheet set. Flannel? Too hot. Thirty dollars? Bad quality. Red plaid? They won’t go with my blue wall. But I bought them anyway, along with a simple cream coverlet. Guess what? I love them. Sleeping on flannel is very very comfy and not nearly as hot as I would have imagined. And the room has a flair, which it was lacking before. I even like the way they look with the blue wall.
As it turns out, I’ve always avoided buying patterned sheets not because I didn’t like them nor because I had any sort of governing design philosophy but because I was just following some kind of internal template about what constitutes me. Listening to my heart instead of my mind (or my ego) solved all my problems. What other amazing experiences and things am I missing because they are not me?
Interior designers often deal with clients who love their portfolio but who nix all their suggestions. Why? Ego. Their heart says they love the designers work, but their head won’t let the designer execute their vision. When this happens the resulting project, far from being a successful collaboration, is usually a watered down mess that’s not pleasing to anybody. So that’s it. Design Rules says ditch the ego and follow your heart.
What new experiences and things are you missing because something’s not you?
Flannel sheets make me itch. I used to have two sets of (probably 1000 thread count) Frette sheets that had been purchased by my mother in 1970 or so. They were the only sheets that were ever on my bed growing up, it was natural that they would follow me to my first college apartment. Around 1999 one of them finally met death when it got folded into the inner workings of a fold out bed…another one met its death when some sort of industrial strength ‘personal lubricant’ was spilled and dissolved the threads. I replaced them with a generic set of chocolate brown sheets and used to long for them again. I bought brand new Frette sheets with my ex soon after and was very sad; the sheets were ‘luxurious’ and thick but felt nothing like the transparent paper thin worn out sheets that I missed. Maybe taht was what broke us up…we decided to be friends and I went back to my generic brown sheets. He has washed, ironed, starched, and slept well on those sheets for almost ten years now and they are starting to get that transparent look and feel that only comes with age. I keep hoping that they will show up at my house in a box but I think that he realizes what an asset they have become to a good nights sleep.
Oh, and the thing that I long for but can’t have? One of those rubber backed woven acrylic rugs that go on the floor around the front of the toilet. That would be luxury in the winter!
Well said T8! I love the blue wall; what a gr8 way to have the cohesive feel of a headboard.
Your new sheets look fantastic – the pattern really accents the room. I love flannel sheets, except when I’m trying to turn over!
I adore flannel. Mayhaps I should by some for this winter . . .
Your point about following your heart is right on. I found this brown and teal damask large ottoman that I loved, despite the fact that neither of those colors existed in my living room previously. I bought it because I couldn’t walk away; now it’s my favorite piece of furniture, and it harmonizes well with the room.
Those sheets bring out the red in your lampshades.
Is this your place, Tate? The blue and cream together is beautiful. Please come over and make my bed anytime.
that’s one of the things we struggle with at our place, we can never get our bedding to look like that….that looks fabulous.
Hi, Tate, wow! The advantages of following your heart show clearly in this photo. Pure cotton flannel sheets are not too hot or itchy. People who say so must have mistakenly bought polyester-cotton blend sheets. Try cotton sateen pillowcases if the flannel ones get too warm, as they might every once in a while.
I have long since thrown off my “not me” attitude and my wardrobe, decor and personal relationships have benefited.
Have a great weekend! Sleep well!
Diana! You’re a married woman! Just kidding. Thanks for the complement.
Oh Dave. I don’t miss those toilet rugs. But I do miss Dixie cups.
I love the paneled out wall with the swing arm sconces – more room to stack books on the nightstand!