How to Make the Perfect Bed

Summary

Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: How to Make the Perfect Bed

Release Date: January 23, 2025
Hosts: Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall
Description:
In this episode of Dear Alice, interior design experts Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall delve into the art of making the perfect bed. Combining their extensive experience with a touch of personal anecdotes, they provide listeners with actionable tips and insights to transform their bedrooms into serene sanctuaries.

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1. Introduction to the Perfect Bed

Jessica and Suzanne kick off the episode by emphasizing the importance of a well-made bed, both aesthetically and functionally. They acknowledge the common struggle many face in replicating the showroom-perfect beds seen in stores.

Jessica [01:00]: "There’s a lot of ways to skin a cat, and we're just going to tell you our favorite way."

Suzanne reassures listeners that the method they'll share is simple and adaptable to various preferences, ensuring that everyone can achieve a beautifully made bed without the fuss.

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2. Personal Stories: First Bedding Experiences

The hosts share nostalgic memories about their first experiences with their own bedding, highlighting the emotional connection and personal significance of choosing one’s own sheets and blankets.

Jessica:
Reflects on the excitement of purchasing her first set of bedding, contrasting it with the often impersonal or mismatched items received in childhood.

Jessica [03:19]: "When you grow up, you're kind of just like. You get leftovers... but getting your own bedding was a big deal."

Suzanne:
Recounts her college days, detailing the challenges of staying warm in a dorm room and the overwhelming experience of choosing the right duvet.

Suzanne [05:25]: "I got buried alive in this thing. If you think about weighted blankets, that duvet was like a coffin on top of my body."

3. Choosing the Right Sheets

The conversation shifts to selecting the perfect sheets, with a focus on material, color, and durability.

Suzanne:
Advocates for linen sheets, specifically highlighting Libeco's Santiago white linen sheets for their softness and longevity.

Suzanne [10:07]: "We're getting white sheets from Libeco. They get softer the more you wash them and look great for years."

Jessica:
Shares her experience experimenting with colored sheets, advising listeners to stick with white for versatility and timelessness.

Jessica [10:39]: "Don’t do colored sheets. Feel free to add color elsewhere but keep your sheets white."

4. The Ideal Quilt and Duvet

The hosts discuss the layers that contribute to a perfect bed, starting with quilts and duvets.

Suzanne:
Introduces the Louisa Coverlet, praising its generous size and versatile design that complements various bedroom styles.

Suzanne [20:43]: "Louisa is really generous, and so you can actually tuck it in or let it drape beautifully."

Jessica:
Emphasizes the importance of choosing the right duvet insert, advocating for oversized inserts to ensure a full, fluffy appearance.

Jessica [27:21]: "You're gonna get it. They're called an oversized king or an oversized queen duvet insert. They fit perfectly and are really lofty."

5. Pillows and Decorative Shams

Pillows play a crucial role in the bed's aesthetics and comfort. The hosts elaborate on their preferred pillow arrangements.

Suzanne:
Recommends using oversized Euro shams combined with a lumbar pillow for a chic and functional look.

Suzanne [33:08]: "The Dutch Euros have quickly become the new it pillow for the bed. They’re so comfortable and cover the shelf of sleeping pillows beautifully."

Jessica:
Shares tips on stacking pillows to create a visually appealing shelf without overwhelming the bed with too many decorative pieces.

Jessica [38:05]: "Two sleeping pillows stacked too high and then we just have the lumbar in front. It's so chic."

6. Additional Bedding Tips

The duo offers bonus tips to enhance the bed-making process, ensuring both beauty and practicality.

Suzanne:
Discusses the Z fold technique for arranging duvets and blankets, making them easy to manage and aesthetically pleasing.

Suzanne [31:37]: "The Z fold is when you fold it in thirds. It allows you to easily pull it up and put it back without hassle."

Jessica:
Highlights the significance of a low-profile box spring in achieving a seamless bed look, pointing out that it often solves common bed appearance issues.

Jessica [41:21]: "If your bed isn't looking right, the wrong box spring might be the culprit. Opt for a low-profile one to fix the entire look."

7. Troubleshooting Common Bed-Making Issues

The hosts address frequently encountered problems, such as mismatched duvet inserts and the visibility of box springs.

Suzanne:
Explains the difference between standard and oversized duvet inserts, recommending the latter for a fuller and more luxurious bed appearance.

Suzanne [29:18]: "Oversized duvets provide the loft and fluff you need without the bulk that makes you feel too hot."

Jessica:
Offers a solution for duvet inserts that do not fit properly, emphasizing the importance of fresh down and proper sizing.

Jessica [30:58]: "Get yourself an oversized insert that fits perfectly. It’s a chore, but worth it for the comfort and look."

8. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Jessica and Suzanne wrap up the episode by summarizing the essential elements of making the perfect bed. They encourage listeners to invest in quality sheets, quilts, duvets, and pillows, and to pay attention to details like box springs and bedding arrangements.

Suzanne [42:40]: "It’s not difficult to make the perfect bed. You might just need the right box spring, new fills, or white sheets with a coverlet."

They also remind listeners about their ongoing Sweet Sale, offering 20% off on all bedroom categories, and invite them to share episode ideas and leave reviews.

Jessica [42:40]: "Check out Alehome.com for our Sweet Sale, everything for the bedroom is 20% off. Start your year right with better sleep."

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Notable Quotes

• Jessica [01:00]: "There’s a lot of ways to skin a cat, and we're just going to tell you our favorite way."
• Suzanne [05:25]: "I got buried alive in this thing. If you think about weighted blankets, that duvet was like a coffin on top of my body."
• Jessica [10:39]: "Don’t do colored sheets. Feel free to add color elsewhere but keep your sheets white."
• Suzanne [20:43]: "Louisa is really generous, and so you can actually tuck it in or let it drape beautifully."
• Jessica [27:21]: "You're gonna get it. They're called an oversized king or an oversized queen duvet insert. They fit perfectly and are really lofty."

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of Dear Alice serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to elevate their bedroom's comfort and style. By blending professional advice with personal stories, Jessica and Suzanne make the process of bed-making both relatable and achievable. Whether you're a design enthusiast or someone seeking practical solutions, this episode offers valuable insights to help you create the perfect bed and, consequently, a more restful night.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Dear Alice, a lifestyle approach to interior design.

[B]

Hi, guys. Welcome to Dear Alice.

[C]

Welcome. How you guys doing?

[B]

Good.

[C]

Good.

[A]

Good.

[B]

So good. I love today's topic.

[A]

Man, she's so good. I was just. Good. Gosh.

[C]

Well, I'm going to be a listener here, so. Because I'm not. I don't know. I'm not a bed maker.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

I'm sorry. I need to. And when you said it on Monday, I was like, yeah, I do need to make the bed.

[A]

What are we talking about today?

[B]

We're going to teach the people how to make a perfect bed.

[C]

I got ahead of it. I'm sorry.

[B]

Well, I feel like people want to know how to make their bed. We had somebody write in, and they.

[A]

Were like, a lot of.

[C]

Actually, yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

They were like, as much as I try to make my bed looks like. Look like the beds in the showroom, it just doesn't. So what are y'all doing? And we're like, we never talked about how to make the perfect bed. Now it's the way we make beds in all of our projects and in the showroom floor. And we've been at it for a while, and we found, like, the perfect fills. We found just the right sheets. It's a very Goldilocks situation for everybody individually. But I just want to say there's a lot of ways to skin a cat. And we're just going to tell you our favorite way, so you don't need to argue with us that we're doing it wrong. We're just going to tell you this is just how we like to do it. And with all of our ideas and opinions and different clients that we've been able to make things for, this was kind of the Goldilocks way to most mostly make a bed. There's a few little variations, but it's not complicated.

[A]

It's not.

[B]

So don't be underwhelmed when we tell it to you, because just know it's going to be really easy for you to do at home.

[A]

Whoever sleeps with you, they're going to be able to make the bed also. So good for you.

[B]

And all of these questions came in just in time for January, which is fun because we always do our sweet sale in January. Really, you see this happen across the industry, that there's usually some sort of white sale is what they've always called it. And it's a really good time, I think, to just get your own personal space pulled together so you feel like you can take on the rest of the year. So I love that this is happening in January and these questions came in, and it felt like kismet. So, guys, the suite sale has started on our website. So that means everything for your bedroom is on sale, every category, like rugs, lamps, night nightstands, beds, dressers, new bedding. So whatever part of your bedroom that you're working on, there's going to be a sale on it, and it's just a really good time to get it right. So check that out. Alehome.com and everything's 20% off right now in that category.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

Yes. And if you need help pulling your bedroom together, we have a free design service called Home Furnishings Design. You can find that on the design tab. And. And the free service is the Home Furnishings design. And we'll pair you up with a designer, and they can help you in your bedroom. They can throw your room in cad. They can tell you what can fit. They can get you the shortcuts to these bedding that we're going to talk about, or feel free to surf the web, because we're going to give you all of our favorites that's on there.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Yep.

[A]

Let's do it.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Okay. Before we get into it, I. As we started talking about this topic, I just, like, kind of went down memory lane, and I was just like, when was the first time I bought my own bedding? Like, I got to put my stamp on my space, and I got to get my own bedding. Because when you grow up, you're kind of just like. You get leftovers. Or if you have a thoughtful mom, you know, maybe she gets you an actual set. But a lot of times you're just kind of having a little quilt from here, something from here, an old pillow from your brother, whoever, whatever it is. So when you get to get your own bedding, like, that was, like, the biggest deal. So I want to know from you.

[B]

Fresh out of the wrapper, never been.

[A]

Used, the fold marks in it. It's the best. But I want you guys. What. When was the first time that you remember getting and getting to pick out your very own bedding?

[B]

Mine was when I went to college and I had a dorm room, and I was going to be in a twin bed, and I was going to Utah State, which was, I think, four hours north of where I lived at the time in Richfield. And all we knew about Logan, like, I had never even been there. All we knew about it was that it was freezing. There's. There's ski slopes up there. Like, it's really, really Cold. And everybody warned us about that. So my mom said, okay, we gotta get you something super warm because it's Antarctica, right? So we went to Eddie Bauer and we got. Oh, thank you for asking. The year was I graduated high school in 93, so that would have been spring of 93. So in like the summer of 93, when I'm getting ready to head up there, we go to Eddie Bauer and we look at the twin bedding. And my mom's like, you need to get what's called a duvet because it's like having two blankets with this cream filling in the middle that's going to really make you warm. So we got a flannel duvet cover. And the flannel was. Was made up of all these plaids, little tiny postage squares. Do you know, you know the madras print where they do it out of like stripes and checks and it's a summer thing. And they'd make board shorts out of it. Yeah, picture that. But with FL and plaids.

[A]

Delicious.

[B]

Mostly reds, whites and blacks, of course. Yeah. And the border was red. And then all these plaids in the middle, changing directions and doing things. And these little postage stamps of all these different plaids. And I mean, it was really pieced and sewn together. It was like a lot of work. Anyway. And then we got the heaviest crazy quilt. Yeah. And then we got the heaviest fill down feather fills. Cause you know, you can get different fill powers. So I got the heaviest one. Guys, I was buried alive in this thing.

[C]

Were you too hot?

[B]

I mean, it's like, if you think about, you know, how like weighted blankets are trending right now, that thing was like a coffin on top of my body.

[C]

Physically could not get out.

[B]

But I have to say, like, those, those dorm room windows were so leaky and cold.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

It genuinely did get cold in there. And I could sleep under all of that. But I'm telling you, come spring semester, forget about it. You were like sleeping with sheets only. And then I had all, all these feathers and this whole thing, like, it was not a seasonal situation, but for the winter, I survived. Yeah, she did.

[A]

Yeah. I had no idea what a duvet cover, like, insert was like when I was that age. So I love that she informed you about that. I know Provo grandma didn't do that. Anyway.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Corey, you're. You.

[C]

Mine's a very, like, vivid memory. My mom moved around. Like, we moved a lot as a kid. So like, when we finally like moved to springville, I was 14. And of course it's like this is the last time we're ever gonna move. That wasn't the Trut, but mine was, like. Because, like, you get to, like, pick out what you want to do with your room. Remember? I like painting the furniture and all that stuff.

[A]

Chrome.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So I picked out this bedspread with the Mervyn's. Yeah. Not Eddie Bauer Mervyn's.

[A]

I love it.

[C]

University Mall.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And, yeah, it was a. It's like a plaid. Like, black, white, and gray plaid.

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

And this is way embarrassing, but I, like. So I was 14 when that happened. Like, me just turning 14, I think. And I had that blanket, and I would use it and just pull it up over me. Like, I threw it away last, like, 20, 24.

[A]

No way.

[C]

So that was, like, 20.

[A]

Stayed with you for three years.

[C]

Yeah. And I just. I needed to let it go. Like, Mari's like, what are you doing? Like, throw this thing away. And I was like, yeah. And I'm not a sentimental person. That's not me. Like, I'll sell any. Like, I'll get. Throw anything away. It's okay. So, yeah. I don't know why I kept it for so long, but I did, and it's finally just time to go. So that's why I remember it, because I had it until last year. Embarrassing.

[B]

That's awesome. So was it. It was queen size, then?

[C]

Full.

[B]

Full, yeah.

[C]

And I would just use. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So it was cool, though. I. It made me feel like I had my own space, you know? That's when I kind of felt like I wasn't. It's kind of my own person a little bit, you know?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. So great age for it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Cool.

[A]

When I went also to Utah State, I was, like, getting my stuff ready for my dorm room, and I was very colorful. I love. I loved color then. I love it now. And you would go to Bed, Bath and Beyond, and you'd get a bed in a bag. Do you remember? Like, a bed in a bag? It was, like, marketed that way.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Yeah, Totally.

[A]

Bed in a bag. And they did a collaboration with mtv.

[B]

I just didn't know who bought them. I'm just kidding.

[A]

Yeah, they did a collaboration. All of them were, like, super lame, but then they did a collaboration with mtv, and, like, it was just all these, like, colorful stripes, and it just looked like music. And anyway, and so I put my bed in a bag and all the colors that I wanted. She had a matching comforter and a sham and all the things, and it was all same, all bought in. Super Cheap. But it, like, rocked my world. I was so, so jazzed about my mtv.

[B]

So cool. Yeah, for sure. MTV on it.

[A]

No, no, no. Maybe it had, like, a little tag or something.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I was, like, very, like, it's.

[B]

Just like, if, you know.

[A]

You know, laminate my concert posters and, like, put them everywhere, like. Yeah. So I was, like, all color, and I was just like, this is so much fun. I love space and so. And, yeah, cute. That was my first time having a bed. It was so fun to get into bed.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, and I still feel that way. And I'm so excited that we're gonna talk about this, because at the end of a day, you have conquered, like, all the things. Like, you've answered all the questions. The kids are in bed finally. Like, they have bottles. Everyone is quiet. It's finally still. And when I pull up my. I get into my bed and I pull up my comforter, and I, like, sleep with a lot of layers anyway. I get those, like, happy chills where you're just like. Like, it's just so good. Your body's acclimating to the temperature, and you're finally ready to rest. And so I'm so excited we're going to talk about this and our favorite way to make a bed today, 2025.

[B]

So drum roll. Drum roll. I'm excited.

[A]

Yeah. Let's start from the bottom.

[B]

The base layer. Yeah. Favorite sheets.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

We've talked about the favorite sheets on here. We'll give you a really quick synopsis. Suzanne's favorite sheets are the linen sheets.

[A]

Tell them it's from a company called Leapco. It's L, I, B, E, C, O, and they're out of Belgium, and I just love them so much. And I get the Santiago. I love a white sheet. You guys just do white sheets. Unless you like an exotic dancer or something, just do a white sheet. I one time did a colored sheet. I've said this before on here. It was like they were doing a promotion. We got them for free from a company. And I was like, oh, saffron, that's fun.

[C]

Did you choose that? Because that was the only thing left.

[B]

No, no. She already had white sheets.

[A]

And I was just like, why not? You know, like, we're. We're in. This is a choice.

[C]

I thought you were trying to just pump yourself up with the only choice that you had to make.

[A]

Absolutely not.

[C]

This was a choice.

[A]

This was a choice. A free choice, but it was still a choice anyway, so I was just like, I already have white sheets. Like, let's Try this out front. And so I got tell the people.

[B]

Wait, tell the people who can't picture what saffron is. What color is saffron?

[A]

It is just like a deep, deep, like Goldie marigold. Like yellow and ochre. And this isn't combined to each other.

[B]

This isn't your butter yellow. It's not butter yellow.

[A]

It is just like deep, like the darkest. Yeah, Saffron. Like if you look up the spice saffron, you'll see it like it is.

[B]

Yeah, super, super dark yellow with a little orange undertone to it. I got home, so that's what Suzanne chose in a spectrum of colors. She was like, I'm gonna try saffron sheets.

[C]

How long did you sleep in them?

[A]

How did you feel in the night? No, I didn't even like sleep with them. I put them on. I was just like, absolutely not. And I took them right off and put on my whites.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah, it just like, it was so. Yeah, it looked bad. Like with all my other white bedding and it was just like, it was really ugly. It looked like I was trying.

[B]

How did your skin tone look in the bed while you're laying there?

[A]

Did you take a selfie?

[B]

Yeah, like on your pillow.

[A]

You're like, tom, do I look pretty?

[B]

No.

[A]

I didn't even get that part anyway, so just keep to white bedding. Like that's, that's our.

[C]

I love that you made the mistake and you're like, I'm not even going to pretend that this I'm just getting rid of. Not even sleeping.

[A]

Like went to the camping box and I think that they eventually just got whatever. I don't know. They were nice sheets, but the color just really, it really, it was such a throw off. Guys like, don't do it. Don't feel like, oh, maybe this is my year color in your bolster. Get color somewhere else. Not on your sheets.

[B]

Yep. On your coverlet. Yeah.

[A]

There's felt like a lady of the night. Like, and it would not in a good way. In the worst way. Don't get sa.

[B]

I have to say, since we're talking about bedroom suites, that is exactly how I feel about towels as well.

[C]

Me too.

[B]

Because I got gifted some towels that were like the color of like a craft brown bag. Why?

[A]

Like poop brown? That's so ugly, guys.

[C]

Cuz they can't get dirty. That's why.

[B]

Also, you can't. You can't bleach that. Right.

[C]

That's 100.

[B]

They never smell right. Also hanging. Hanging on a hook. They just Already look dirty. Yeah, yeah. Just get white sheets and white towels. Enough said.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Suzanne's favorite sheets are the white linen sheets. Yes. Santiago from Libico. White sheets. They get softer the more you wash them. How long have yours lasted?

[A]

Gosh, forever. I can't even remember, like, when I have two sets that I like rotate between both the same Santiago white. And I've got it, like, probably like, the last, like, three years. Like, and they're both just totally fine. And they. Yeah. So I'm like.

[B]

They give you happy chips.

[A]

Maybe. Yeah. Maybe one of them is even longer. I don't know. But they still look great.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they're built to last, y'all.

[B]

Yeah, they're so good.

[C]

We did an episode with Lyrico Peeps years ago, so go check that out. They talk. They go in depth about.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Material that.

[A]

The power.

[C]

Flax. Yeah.

[B]

Power of linen.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

The power of linen. With linen. So good. I also really like a white Tencel sheet set. I like it better than cotton. I've slept on all different thread counts. We've tried a lot of things over the last 17 years that we've been in business and have to say it is not the same. I don't know. I know a lot of people can argue. This is very personal. This is like talking about your underwear.

[C]

Isn't the same as it was.

[B]

No. Isn't the same as cotton.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Tensile and bamboo can be compared.

[B]

They are the same. Yes. You. It's like, it's. It's tensils made from bamboo, so it's got a silkier hand to it. And it's just more swishy, slippery. It feels really nice on the skin. I also know that a lot of people are serious about silk pillowcases for their hair, for them to sleep on so that it doesn't dry it out. I feel like Tencel has a silky enough hand. I don't even think about needing a silk pillowcase. So I don't know. Do you guys use those? Your wife's a hairdresser.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

They say for, like, your skin and your hair and. Yeah, yeah.

[C]

She's like, I think someone gave. It's bright pink. I'm like, I hate. I don't say anything about it.

[A]

It's her saffron. She sat me up.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

She's. Great hair, though.

[B]

Yeah. So those are, I think, collectively. Do you guys. You feel the same? Do you, Cory?

[C]

You like Tencel for sure.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You sleep four times cooler than cotton in Tencel. And the linen is super Breathable. And I think when you get to be our ages, you just being too hot is really uncomfortable. Oh, so the breathability. Yeah, yeah. The breath is just really important. And I don't know if it's because we grew up with cotton, but I just haven't felt like it's special. So as we're making our own bedding choices, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I love, I loved discovering linen and sleeping in it on my own. It wasn't a choice that my parents made for me or that was given to me. It was like I discovered it and it's so magical. And tensile too was something newer to the market. I feel like in the last five or six or seven years. I don't know.

[A]

Yeah, like 10.

[C]

Yeah. I feel like I first heard about.

[A]

It when you worked.

[C]

When I started working here. So it's like 10. I've. It's been 12 years last week, by the way.

[A]

Excellent.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Happy anniversary.

[C]

10Ish years. Yeah.

[A]

Awesome.

[B]

Love it. So getting the sheets right, we're going to do the white sheet. We like a top and a bottom sheet. Usually your sheet sets are going to come with a set of pillowcases and they're going to top top and a bottom sheet. There are leap coast set is just a top and bottom sheet. And then you buy the cases separately. We always get a separate set of cases. We purchase those in addition because I think most of our clients we've ever worked for, ourselves included, we always like a second sleeping pillow stacked. We like to stacked behind the Euro.

[C]

Sham on each side of the bed.

[B]

On each side of the bed. Yeah.

[A]

This is something I think a lot of people are trained to like prop their pillows vertically. So it's like sitting up against a headboard. But I love that we've. I feel like we've done this from the very beginning where you actually have it in the sleeping position. Like you just like leave your pillows in like exactly how it would be when you lie down on them. But the reason we get extra set. So you're going to have four, like if you are on a king and you have king standard pillows, you're going to have that one set of pillowcases in your sheet set. Right. And then you're going to get one additional one because you want to have two stacks of two to kind of create this shelf for, you know, either one lumbar if you're more minimal or your euros. And so it just, it's really nice. I always sleep with. I like to.

[C]

Who doesn't sleep with two pillows? Do you both you guys sleep with two pillows?

[B]

Yeah, for sure I sleep with one.

[C]

Really?

[B]

However, I use that second pillow to watch TV in bed.

[C]

Okay. Because, like, a backrest type of thing.

[B]

Because, you guys know, like, me laying in bed watching TV is my version of taking a bath. It's the most. It's the most comfortable state I can be in. Is, like, conditions are perfect. I love how I have my bed made. I love my sheets. I love my pillows. I've worked hard on the fills. Like, everything's perfect. And I never got to watch TV in bed growing up, so it's just like. It's like eating chocolate in bed. It's the naughtiest thing I could possibly do, and it's the most fun. So I put that second pillow and lean up against it in my bed, and I, I. I watch until I'm too tired, and then I get rid of one pillow and lay down and fall asleep.

[C]

You don't have, like, you're not holding on to it.

[B]

Let me tell you a story, Corey Place. I sleep in a queen size bed. There's no room.

[C]

That's true.

[B]

For such things. There's, like, there is. There's barely room for. Oh. Sue also sleeps in a queen size bed. Yeah.

[A]

I'm gonna. Yeah. Isn't that funny that we are both in Queens?

[C]

I know that it's crazy to me.

[B]

But we are cuddlers. Yeah. It's the most fun. I don't know. Adam only sleeps with one pillow also. But we also have a little Lady Bennett that comes up kind of in between us. There's not room for extra pillows.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah, that's.

[B]

Yeah. She kind of comes and goes in the night. She just does whatever she wants. Mostly lays on Adam's head. They love it.

[A]

So also, the pillow thing is very personal. Like, you're either on one pillow person or two pillow person, but you know who you are. And either way, you're still gonna get. You're gonna have four pillows stacked up to create that shelf up there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyway, that is our rule.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Forever and always.

[B]

Moving on to blankets.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Guys, make your new year resolution to just sleep better. I don't know about you guys, but I require eight or nine hours of sleep to feel really, really good. And I have to say that sleeping on the cozy earth sheets has made a huge difference. There's something about the breathability of the sheet. You're going to sleep several degrees cooler. It's really, truly incredible. And I love the hand on the sheets. There's a reason why? These are Cozy Earth's best selling sheet set. It's made from 100 premium viscose from bamboo and they get uniquely soft after every wash. And get this, they're guaranteed for 10 years. Their durable weave fabric doesn't pill, so you're not going to get those little pillings that come up. It's just incredible, incredible product. You're going to love it. The other thing I love that helps me sleep better is their bamboo pajama set. They're timeless, they're classic. They have this stretch knit that features an enhanced breathability also. And then there's this great drape. So you look great in them, you feel great, and it's lightweight enough to allow you to sleep cooler than cotton. And you are going to regulate your temperature to help you stay asleep all night long. So a better year starts with better sleep. Wrap yourself in Cozy Earth. Don't wait. Head to cozyearth.com Dear Alice now and use my exclusive code, Dear Alice, to get up to 40% off. That's cozyearth.com Dear Alice, if you get a post purchase survey, say that you heard about Cozy Earth from the Dear Alice podcast. For me, I don't know about you guys. I'm a blanket or a coverlet on top of my sheets and then I'm a folded duvet at the bottom of the foot.

[A]

Agreed.

[B]

I don't pull the duvet up and sleep with that. So we can't. We have done that variation if somebody likes to sleep with a duvet. And then we'll fold some sort of blanket to kind of make a scarf at the foot of the bed. Because you just need a layer. So just know you can do this either way. Our favorite coverlet, we've been using this for, I swear, 12 years, if not longer. It's. It's called the Louisa. It is on, right? Is that what it's called? Yeah, Louisa coverlet. It's on our website. It feels like a high end sweatshirt on the inside. And I don't know what the fabric is. It's this large quilt. It can be modern, it can be transitional, it can go traditional. It does all the work. And we actually love a matching set of euros or Dutch Euros to go with it.

[A]

Yeah. And sometimes when we get to the euro conversation too, sometimes we match it to the quilt, but a lot of times we'll match it to the duvet too. So, like, this quilt is kind of like, I think the bridge between like your Euro shams and your duvet. That's at the foot of the quilt. So I think those two matching with each other. And then your quilt kind of sits on its own. But the Louis said another thing I'm gonna plug about it is that the size of it's really generous. So it sits. Yeah. You'll get. If you buy a less expensive quilt, it's just going to be, like, bare minimum dimensions, and so there's not, like, a lot of overlap to, like, really drape all the way until you might.

[B]

Be able to see your mattress and your sheets.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Louisa is really generous, and so you can actually tuck it in if you want to, if you want that really tight contemporary look, or you can let it drape, but it's so generous, and it drapes really pretty.

[A]

And it's a simple diamond quilt. So I feel like, again, it's like, it's easy enough that it's going to get along with traditional, transitional, modern, however you dress it and pair with it. Right.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And so I don't know if there's not. It's not like there's Lycra in it or something stretchy, but there's just like, something other than just like a straight cotton. Yeah. It is just a magic fiber. And we love the Luisa. We have for a really long time.

[B]

Unicorn. It's so magical, I have to say.

[A]

Get yourself one.

[B]

I got myself another Louisa this last year.

[A]

Good for you.

[B]

Let me tell you, It's. I can't believe how beautiful and white it is. I didn't realize that mine stopped being as white as it once was.

[A]

You're telling me mine's not white? I should go new one.

[B]

I mean, you could try the whole, like. Is it baking soda and whatever and. Yeah, just get yourself a new one. But what I'm telling you, though, is, is we could have got anything because there's lots of other options. This is still my true north. It's amazing, and I love change. So it's really hard to say that, but this was still the best. I actually went to market to go see what's new from them. Still like Louisa better than anything else. Yeah, it's great. Check that one out. Comes in both sizes. I think we have it available in more than one color. It's not great in any other color. Just get the white. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

If you want to fill color or something, you can do that in your duvet or your lumbar. But I think that quilt, the sheets, like, having that be white is so hotel.

[B]

Yeah. If you guys love that, are watching YouTube, I'm going to hold up a picture of a primary suite we did in Sugar House. This was in Utah. Yeah. This is the Louisa Euro Shams with the Louisa quilt on the bed. And then they have a really light, beautiful blanket at the foot. But looks really something.

[A]

So lovely about all white bedding. It feels so hotel.

[B]

Definitely.

[A]

I will say in all these, regardless of your style, be it like traditional, transitional, like, all the ingredients are the same, just like, minus a couple pillows. But the sheets, obviously you're gonna pick those out. The quilt is always gonna be there. We're always gonna have a duvet. Those three and sleeping pillows are all part of that, like, money equation, so. Yep. Okay, perfect.

[B]

Yeah. Other favorite blankets are the tar wick. Right.

[A]

Okay. No, this is for. That's for the end of the bed.

[B]

Oh, do you want to do that? No.

[A]

Well, no, let's. Yeah, let's do layers. So we got our sheets, we have our quilt. We love the Louisa. There's a couple other quilts on our website, too. And we only put stuff on our website that we've, like, experienced at market and we love. So if you don't love, you don't like the diamond pattern. There's some other really beautiful ones on there. But just a white quilt in general is like, what you're going to be looking for. So. And then on top of that, we'll do, like Jess said, the duvet at the end of the bed and. Oh, gosh, you guys, there's a lot. Let's talk about the duvet.

[B]

Let's do it.

[A]

Let's do it. Okay.

[C]

I have some questions too, so you keep going and I'm gonna jump in. Yeah. I'm not a duvet person, so I've actually never liked. So I. I wanna.

[B]

You like the look of a fluffy cloud at the foot of the bed.

[C]

I do. I do like that.

[B]

Then you can do that.

[C]

It's the most heat with the least amount of weight to me. So I'm like. I feel like there's nothing on me, but I'm burning.

[B]

Just take that fluffy cloud and you just lay it on your bench at the foot of your bed and go to sleep. And then put the fluffy cloud.

[A]

You wish it was, like, heavier.

[C]

I do.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Okay, so maybe that's what I was gonna ask you.

[B]

He says the most heat he wants.

[C]

But you're too hot. I'm cool with heat as long as it's, like, purposeful. It's like, oh, I can. I can feel that this should be.

[A]

Yeah, I'm. When I sleep with. I Sleep with my sheet, my quilt, and my duvet. I pull it up, I have off. Like, I know.

[B]

Seriously, what do you keep your house at, pray tell?

[C]

Oh, Mari. See, Mari's like the coldest person in the world. Ours is 72.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

Oh, I sleep with a sheet. That's it.

[A]

That's too much. Yeah, if it was 72, for sure, like, it would just be a quilt anyway. But to your point, like, whether you like, sleep hot, sleep cold, you just want something normal. Like, we have a really great insert for our duvets that you can, like, have all weather, like, for all the year. That's like a nice moderate downfield. We have one for a winter and we also have a summer, so you can have a summer weight. So if you're sleeping hot and you don't want it to be too hot on your feet, you know, if you don't want to flip it over on your bench, then you'll just get the summer weight.

[B]

Here's what I'll say. Most people just buy the all weather. Yeah, that's what we stock here in the store is the all weather. But if you already know, like my husband is, he's so hot. He just is so, so hot. So I know if I were to have a duvet at the foot of my bed, I would get the summer weight and keep it year round on my bed because I want the loft in the fluff, but I don't need the fill power that's going to make it feel so hot. I need it to be super breathable, light, airy, and summer weight. So that is also a key for you guys listening. There are different fill powers and weights for duvets. And if you know that you want that look, but you just can't do it because you're too hot, you're just going to get a summer weight, one which is really, really fantastic, and you'll still be able to get the loft. Here is another pro tip. Suzanne was just asking this as we were preparing this podcast. She's like, do you guys put two inserts in your duvet? In your duvet shell? You know, we're like, two inserts. Why? Why, pray tell, do you just want it so fluffy?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you used to. Because.

[A]

No, I only have one right now. And some a listener.

[B]

I thought you put two, two inserts in.

[A]

Well, I've asked you because this is. This is the conundrum that I've always experienced until I just barely found this out, which I'm so excited to tell you guys, is that I have a beautiful duvet. I have. Which one do I have anyway? Have one of the Brisbane. I have the Brisbane and it's so pretty. It's a beautiful linen with this little roughly great duvet.

[B]

Has a deckled edge. It's like a raw linen edge.

[A]

So beautiful. And so. And I get a. I have a queen duvet and so I get a queen insert. But. And it has like the ties on the corners, all those things. The duvet doesn't fit the damn insert. And so you have like, honestly, like additional 20 inches of duvet without an insert. And so like the less visible part of the bed gets the crappy part of the duvet. And so that's what I've been struggling with is like finding the duvet insert that will fit the duvet and like make it feel really, really fluffy. But, you guys, best news ever, and this is my pro tip for you guys, for myself, for everybody in the year of 2025, is that you're gonna get it. They're called an oversized king or an oversized queen duvet insert. We sell them on our website and I'm taking one home tonight.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Here's what it.

[B]

I'm going to tell you guys the difference between the two measurements because everybody's making different duvet cover sizes, right? They're supposed to be a standard size because they're queen or king. But some go a little bit more generous because you really do want it to hang over the drape and drape down. All of the duvet covers that we sell in the store at different brands are all more generous. And so we need the oversized queen or king. Oversized. We only have kings in the store. But the oversized king insert is all we use on every single brand that we carry across, like four or five bedding brands. So there is no need for us to buy just the king or just the queen.

[A]

Positive.

[B]

So here's the difference. If you're sleeping in a king size, a normal size duvet insert is 104 wide by 86 long. The oversized king gives you it's a 108. So four additional inches by 94. So a lot longer. So the oversized king is where it's at. Now here's the really cool thing. We've looked really hard and wide to find the best inserts on the planet. And we found this company out of New York and they make them all fresh as soon as the order gets put in. Like the turnaround time is only a week, but you're getting fresh down blown into these. And what Happens with down is when it's cold or it's old, it shrinks. It's kind of like popcorn. And it gets smaller and smaller and smaller. So if you haven't gotten a new insert for a while and you feel like your duvet has lost its loft, it's probably because it's time for a new insert. You need something with the fresh down blown into it. And as soon as your order gets placed, we make these and get them shipped right to your house. And you have not duvet inserts that have been sitting on our shelf for the last six months. You have a brand new one with brand new down blown into it. And it is absolutely magnificent. Fresh down is. And we don't. We don't stock any on the shelves because it comes like if we order it on a Monday, they make it on a Tuesday, they ship it out by Thursday.

[C]

So. Amazing.

[A]

That's incredible.

[B]

Yeah. And they drop ship to your house and so they're gonna come quick. You're gonna get the oversized kitchen or the oversized queen. It's going to fit perfectly and it's going to be really lofty. So maybe this year you're going to get yourself a new duvet insert that's going to actually fit your duvet cover. So that's great news.

[A]

It's such a chore to do that anyway. It's worth the chore, it's worth the labor because it's so beautiful and comfy. So I'm excited for you, Corey. I think this is the year of your duvet.

[C]

It's going to happen for sure.

[A]

But yeah, happy New Year for all of us. This is going to be so fantastic. That's like key takeaway.

[B]

Yeah. So good.

[A]

One thing that we do love, just like Jess said, like, some. Some of you will hike. Have your duvet pulled up when you make the bed. But a lot of times we just put it at the foot just to kind of fill that pillow at the base. And we love the Z fold. We have a YouTube video that just filmed. I don't know, it was a while ago, but it's still so informational to go back and look, the Z fold is when you. How would you explain the Z?

[B]

It's like you're gonna fold it in a Z. So you're going to. It's like thirds. Right. But that way when you're laying in your bed and you to grab the end closest to you, you can pull it straight up and you're pulling up.

[C]

2/3 on yourself and the 1/3 is staying.

[B]

Yes, exactly. So you're not folding this in a burrito fashion or in half. You're folding it so that you can easily pull it up and easily put it back. Right? Yeah.

[A]

Which is so nice for you.

[B]

Kind of like a jack in a box.

[A]

Right yourself. And for your guest bedrooms, just like everything paid attention to. Loveliest. When you go to a hotel or something and they've just like thought of all the tips and tricks to make your nights lovely. That is what we're giving you right now.

[C]

I love a process to it because just follow it. You don't have to like, know. You know what I mean? You have to know the science drill down to the science behind it. You just follow that process and you're going to be good.

[A]

But it's the right way to make it. And that's what we've learned over these many, many years. It's like you do the Z fold, so you're going to have a duvet at the foot of the bed. Should we talk about pillows now? I feel like we have all the layers that we're going to be sleeping with. And now how do we dress our beds, Jess?

[B]

Yeah. So we went through a long period where we would always do €3. Pro tip for you. A € sham is 26 by 26. We would always get the inserts made 28 by 28. You always go 2 inches larger on your insert because otherwise that 26 inch insert you still have. There's something about the pillow makers. They're making them just a little bit generous maybe, so you can get it in there really good. But then the feathers are all at the bottom of the pillow and then the top looks sad and that's the part that you see.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

So then you're shaking your euros upside down to get the fluff in the top and it's just kind of ill fitting. Once you finally get that 28 inch insert in your euro, everything's going to be cooking with gas. It makes life so much easier. So we can also do your inserts for you. Make them that same week, get them shipped right out fresh down. If yours are looking sad or, you know, a little wilted beyond the corners, it might be time for fresh. For fresh down. Yeah, yeah. So anyway, we have forever done like this. Look where we do €3 that hide that shelf of sleeping pillows.

[A]

Do you do €3 with a king and a queen? Jess?

[B]

That's a great question. I do.

[A]

You do.

[B]

Okay, yeah.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

Do you?

[A]

I do two. I just do like two. Like really clean stacks, and then I have a lumbar in front of it.

[B]

Yeah, that's it. Mine. You know what? Mine's kind of a. Yeah, mine's kind of a cheat answer that will confuse all of us. But I have. They're not quite a euro. They're 25 inch from Leapco.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And they're the Shetland. And so it's almost like a really large throw pillow for the sofa or kind of a slightly smaller euro. So I got those because I knew they'd look great on a queen. And I kind of like them on their happenstance. So they just sort of look chic, and they're like beautiful, natural taupe color with white sheets. So.

[A]

Yeah, okay.

[B]

But, yeah, I do. I really like that look. Or the other look. Oh. So what we love is, like. Like I was saying three euros and then we love a lumbar. We're not actually using decorative pillows that are like 22 and 24 inches and lumbars. And do you remember when, like, people were using 18 pillows on their bed?

[A]

Guys, we still go to market and some people are still doing it that way. And I'm like, there's a better way, y'all. Like, if you. If you want. Yeah. If you don't want it to be a chore to make your bed in the morning for you or anybody else.

[C]

Or to get into it.

[A]

Gosh, it's so much work.

[B]

So there's also this concept which, if you don't want to do the euro, the Dutch euro has quickly become the new it, the new it pillow for the bed. The Dutch hero can really only work on a king, in my opinion. This is a huge pillow, and you use two. And they're going to cover that shelf of sleeping pillows. And they're so generous. It's. When you lay back on it, it's like you're in a Lazy Boy. It is so comfortable, especially because they're all down inserts, and it's just really big and generous. And then we just stack a lumbar right in front, which is really beautiful. This is another example of that with the. The sleeping pillows behind you see two Dutch Euros. And then we've got a lumbar right in front.

[A]

You guys, should we share something really quick about the lumbar?

[B]

Please do so.

[A]

All right, Jess, as you guys have been developing product and things, we've found the exact equation, the perfect equation for the lumbar on this pillow, whether you're a king or a queen. And we have one that's a little Bit more voluminous. So if you like volume, like you grew up with a lot of pillows, but you're trying to pare down, but you still want a little bit of volume on that lumbar. Your magic dimension, which is really, really generous and gorgeous, is 52 by 22. And that's going to give you a nice, cozy, big lumbar, you know, in front of those Europos. I. We've been doing this zebra, this hair on hide zebra lumbar for gosh, how long? When did we start doing this? Like, it's got to be at least six, five, six years.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And I like, anytime this room is feeling still, I'm like, throw a tree or throw like some animal or something in it. Just like spice it up. It's probably that MTV bed bagging me. Yeah, exactly. So anyway, the zebra does so much work and it's been a bestseller of ours forever. I think it's feminine, it's masculine, it's all the things.

[B]

Guys, we just had three made. We're waiting on the zippers to get here. They evaporated like the day they came in. They're not cheap. They're over a thousand dollars. It's real hair on hide. It's huge. It makes the whole bed. I mean, if you have a tired bedroom, you just need this one pillow. It does so much work for you. They go so fast. I'm gonna try and get some more in here quickly, but if you're ever in Utah, stop by and shop these. I don't know if we have them online.

[A]

They don't have them online.

[B]

They sell so fast. But this is a hair on hide. We need to just develop this and get a lot in.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Because we're making them the hard way right now.

[C]

We are, yeah. Onesie twosie. Yeah.

[B]

With a local seamstress and brass zippers and. Yeah, but they're just, they're stunning.

[A]

These rooms that we're showing you are from, like the projects that we do at Alid and they're these like mostly beautiful, larger, grand, beautiful bedrooms. I don't have like a big bedroom, but, man, does my bed look good. So regardless of the size where you're at, you can make your bedroom experience extraordinary by these tips. And the zebra, I swear, does so much for a small bedroom.

[B]

Here's what I want to say on this bed. I'm holding up a picture right now where we have just the two sleeping pillows. So 2. A set of King size pillows on each side of the bed stacked too high and Then we just have the lumbar in front.

[A]

It's so chic.

[B]

It's very chic. We did the same thing on this bed. These guys have five kids. They're busy. They don't have a lot of time. They have two sleeping pillows, one beautiful lumbar.

[A]

I think a lot will be affected too, on the height of your headboard. If you have a really tall headboard and you need some, like, graduation. The euros are awesome.

[B]

Same thing here.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Both of these projects are alid so chic. Two sleeping pillows, a lumbar. Now, you can do, if you want for that top, what we're calling a sleeping pillow. You can do a beautiful decorative sham on that with. With some embroidery, with some fret work or whatnot to dress it up a little bit. And then that sleeping pillow is going to hide underneath it. And that pillow might be a little wrinkled. So having this top sham be crisp might be more to your liking. So depending on how casual sleep with.

[A]

One pillow each of you. Oh, right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

For somebody like people.

[A]

Yeah. For you, you should have a decorative sham. For me, I just have the. Yeah.

[B]

So that decorative sham in this case would be a king size sham and then a king size sleeping pillow hiding beneath it. But the big hero here is that lumbar like you're talking about. So we're done. Million pillows on a bed. We're using a lumbar all the time.

[A]

Yeah. And for that zebra, that magic dimension is 16 by 48. So queen, king, it's the same size. That's a little bit slimmer than the big voluptuous one.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

That big voluptuous size that came from a bed Suzanne Castler had made at market. And I grabbed my little ribbon tape measure that I always keep in my purse. Y'all, you guys that love design, just keep that little, you know, those little ribbon tape measure measures. Just keep it on you at all times. You're always going to need to be measuring things. I whipped that out and I was like, well, what's Suzanne Castler like to do? She likes to do the 22 by 22. That's her magic dimension. So we started making those big voluptuous one that size, and they look great on a king size bed. Yeah. So pretty.

[A]

So gorgeous. Cory, did we answer all your questions?

[C]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah. I have a little bit of R D to do, but it's gonna happen this year for sure.

[B]

One thing that I have to say is really important. If your bed isn't looking right, like some of you Wrote in and said, why is my bed not looking like your showroom? One of the things that really throws salt in your game is having the wrong box spring or lack of box spring. Almost 100% of the time when we're doing an install, we're like, oh, they forgot the box spring. Or we need. Or they have a tall one and we need another sheet to cover that. What we almost always want is a low profile box spring. It's only 4 or 5 inches tall. We have to send our delivery guys. Just go and get us a low profile at the nearest mattress store because it's going to fix the entire look of the bedding. We don't want to see your box spring at all. Its job is to hide under those rails. Your, your upholstered rails are going to come up so far and you could measure if you want to know how big of a low profile you want. But nobody needs that average size box spring. It might be the only thing that's wrong with your bed. And box springs are cheap. How, how much are they?

[C]

I want to say the last I bought low profile ones were moved. So like three years ago. It's a hundred dollars.

[B]

Yeah. So, yeah, yeah, it's. That might be the only thing wrong with your bed. I just had to say, while we're troubleshooting things for your bed in 2025, the. The box spring might be the thing that's messing you up. You do not want to see that box spring at all. So if you do see it, that's the problem.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Especially if you have like a pillow top, like three inch pillow, like, and you're like, whoa, you're four feet in the air by the time you're getting into bed.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll also say just give this hot tip because we've had clients are like, my husband doesn't really want to like spend the money on the whole bed, like with the rails and the headboard, all the things. Could we just do a headboard only with just like the metal kit. Right. That you can like hook onto it? We tried to do it a couple times. We've tried to do the bed skirt a couple of times and it just doesn't work. It just doesn't work. You're going to look for something that has upholstered rails all the way around that can hide that box spring and keep things tight and tight. Because the screw, it just starts to get sloppy every time you make your bed or shift or anything. Like, it just, it's made out of fab all the time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's a lot of work. So if you're not into high maintenance bedding, don't do it. Just like invest in a new bed this year and get yourself some rails. So.

[B]

Yeah, that's great. We actually don't even sell a bed like that. If somebody were just asked for headboard only, I'd be like, I don't know, you'll have to shop somewhere else. I. I don't even know where to buy that.

[A]

Yeah, I think most like places online will probably try and sell you a head only, but it's just a lot of work. You may think you're getting a great deal but know that you're going to have to like probably replace it shortly because it's going to be such a pain.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

To make. So. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, that's great.

[A]

Yeah. What else do we do?

[B]

It just want to make sure we're ask. Answering all their questions. I think so guys, I hope that was helpful. It's not difficult to make the perfect bed. The answer might be the wrong box spring. It might be you need new fills. It might be that you just need white sheets with a white coverlet. And then you can start to bring in pattern through your duvet and your pillows. It might just be that you need to make a lumbar, but the recipe is pretty simple. I hope that's helpful. Again, that white sale is going on for us right now. We call ours the sweet sale. Everything for the bedroom is 20 off. So go get yourself whatever it is that you're needing for your bedroom so you can start 20, 25 out. Right. If you guys have any episode ideas you'd like us to answer on a podcast, please send those to Dear [e-mail] and if you don't mind, we'd love it if you could leave us a five star review. Leave us some words, whatever. We love hearing from you and we will catch you next time. Hey, thanks for listening. If you like our show, please leave a five star rating.