If you only order one custom item for your bed, make sure it’s the bed-skirt. A lined bed-skirt is measured for YOUR bed which means that the drop (length between the edge of the box-spring to the floor) is accurate. Also most standard, store bought bed-skirts are too short (are not lined) and open in the corners to accommodate beds with posts, so if you don’t have that kind of bed, then you can see the box-spring as well which is not attractive.
Even if you stick to white duvet covers, coverlets and shams (like a hotel, which is a huge trend right now) your bed will look finished, like these from Phoebe Howard Design:
Bedskirts need a lot of fabric, especially if you are adding more pleats or ruffles like these two, above and below:
The bedroom [below] has a simple tailored, box pleat in the middle and the corners which is the most popular because it’s a great contemporary look and requires less fabric than the others:
This is a photo of a clients bedroom I snapped (I was there for another project) because I’d never seen a bed-skirt so full and voluptuous, like a ball gown!
So true…, and fabric stores like Calico Corners for example can do that for you.
Great advice and examples.
The ball gown was just something…
Wow, that last one is…. wow!! Although my favourite is the simplest one.
I’m helping a friend redecorate her guest bedroom. I’m going to tell her to read this post so she can see some style options 🙂
Kelly
that is so true!! my bed skirts are too short. i had to modify it a bit to make it longer.
oh, how do you paint the counter tops?? wouldnt you end up eating paint bc its so close to your food?
I certainly is worth the custom price! These are great…I’m really loving Phoebe Howard right now.
Ok – a topic near and dear to my heart – I had a bedskirt custom made last year for my bed, the linen is the same as the headboard. I measured properly, had an inspiration photo from a showhouse in Washington DC, the seamstress lined it beautifully and it is quite tailored. My mother-in-law, who is quite the critic when it comes to home decor (and she is coming to visit for 10 days starting Friday – I am literally hiding some of my decor purchases from the past 6 months in the attic), even commented how beautiful the bedskirt looks. When I get my new side tables and bench (it has been 12 weeks now…any day, right?), and my new bedding, I will do a reveal on the blog.
Speaking of linens, I have always, always loved the look of a crisp white comforter or blanket cover. When I first got married, I bought a comforter set that was all colors and swirls, and I quickly knew that it wasn’t me. I bought a new comforter set that was plain white with a little bit of periwinkle blue trim, and literally used that until it fell apart. So, I then replaced it with a white matelesse blanket cover. Now that I have a new headboard, I have ordered a new quilted blanket cover (custom) with a diamond pattern, scalloped edges, and three euro shams that are the same quilted diamond pattern, with the smallest flange they can possibly make but still have scallops. It will be part of the reveal!
I am trying to decide whether to order accent pillows in a blue pattern, a stripe then have mitered pillows made so the stripes look like squares, or go with the classic Southern monogram.
Sorry this was such a book! Hope you are having a nice week. I am TRYING to pick my ‘one picture’ and it is proving to be quite difficult, but fun!
that ball gown bed skirt is too beautiful! I have never seen anything like that before!
i love the ball gown skirt. it is so different.
does the counter top paint come off?? oh, i had asked if you wanted to guest post on my blog? i havent gotten an answer yet. if you dont want to thats ok. i dont want you to feel bad if you decide to say no. i am not easily offended
great post.
for the longest time there was a lack of stores that are specialized in linens in our country, so as desingers our norm was to have most linens, especially skirts made to fit which we took for granted as the only option available. Reading your post i realize how lucky we were. Of course now we do have linen stores that do sell the ready made pieces, but nothing beats the made to fit ones.
I love the look of crisp white linens and duvet over a colored bedskirt with matching headboard. You can’t go wrong with that look!
I agree, a bedskirt is so important. The last one is great, so different.
I do wonder why companies don’t make longer bed-skirts. I sew, so it doesn’t matter, but I have friends that wind up with short bed-skirts that don’t get anywhere near touching the floor.
Totally agree. I always have custom skirts made for other people, but a few times have gotten impulsive and ordered from Garnet Hill – nothing like immediate gratification, I say! Anyway, they have some lovely linens if one is in a time crunch, but length is always a challenge, especially with beds that sit higher- obviously you hit on a subject many of us think about, Thanks!!
Great advise! The perfect bedskirt is really hard to find. I like to look at Neiman Marcus for ideas.
Bed skirts are not my taste – but I love the glamour and opulence of the bottom one!
You are right! A bedskirt must be fitted like a suit….fit is everything!
I soooo agree…it’s all about the bedskirt! 🙂 Love the ball gown look…beautiful! Susan
great advice!! I had never thought of how important it was before!!
hear hear – soooo true! perfect post!
The “ball gown” is not a bed skirt at all. As it is attached to a cheap comforter. Hence the sloppiness.