Bedroom Retreat

Considerations & How To Create

Home: Alex Legendre. Images: Michael Sinclair. As featured in my book, Create.

As we find ourselves in the midst of a really cold spell, there’s no better time to transform your bedroom into a serene escape. A well-designed bedroom sanctuary is an essential everyday luxury that helps us to relax and rejuvenate, and at the end of the day is my favourite place to retreat to.

Choosing your bed and bedding suppliers wisely helps to maximise comfort levels. I hope these insights may help.

1. Choose the Bed Frame

The foundation of any great bedroom retreat begins with a comfortable mattress and an aesthetically pleasing bed frame. Bed frames are very personal - my favourite is to choose a high quality divan that comes with storage drawers underneath. It then leaves you with the flexibility to add a headboard or to keep things simple. We have a few divans from The White Company and they have been brilliant for the past 10 years.

Image copyright: Ali Heath

2. Select a Mattress

We are at the point of looking to replace our mattress and I have been researching the best mattresses on the market. These are the companies I have narrowed down our choices to and now it is time to go and test them out. Historically we have always had firm mattresses from The White Company (made by Hypnos) and they have been amazing, so they will definitely be on my list to go and re-test too. Others I want to try out are listed below:

- Tempur-Pedic: Renowned for their memory foam technology, Tempur-Pedic mattresses provide unparalleled support and comfort, conforming to your body’s shape for a truly restful night’s sleep.

- Hästens: For those looking for the ultimate in luxury, Hästens creates handmade beds that are crafted from natural materials. Their commitment to quality and craftsmanship ensures a sleep experience like no other.

- Vispring: With over 100 years of craftsmanship, Vispring produces handmade mattresses that are tailored to your specific needs. Their commitment to using the finest natural materials ensures a luxurious and restorative sleep environment.

- Emma Sleep: Combining innovative design with comfort, Emma Sleep offers award-winning mattresses that cater to all sleeping styles. Their products are also available for home trial, allowing you to ensure you find the perfect fit.

- John Lewis: A staple in UK home furnishings, John Lewis offers a wide selection of high-quality mattresses and bed frames. Their extensive range allows you to find the perfect combination for your bedroom retreat.

- Saatva: Combining luxury with eco-friendliness, Saatva offers a variety of high-quality mattresses, including innerspring, memory foam, and hybrid options. Their adjustable bed frames provide added versatility for optimal comfort. (US option)

If you would like more advice on experts who have tried and tested a number of options including those above I found this article from Homes & Gardens very insightful. Homes & Gardens Mattress Feature

3. Choose a Headboard

This is when it starts to get fun and is another reason I love to start with the foundation of a divan bed. It provides greater flexibility in terms of choosing or changing a headboard solution. In our bedroom at home we have added an antique French headboard (simply propped against the wall behind the bed). The look is timeless and it has been with us now for over 20 years. The original complete bed frame I have to admit was very uncomfortable, and the length of the bed with a foot board restrictive, as myself and my husband are both tall. But the sides and footboard were repurposed into other things, so not wasted.

Home & styling : Ali Heath. Images: Alun Callender. As seen in my book Curate.

Adding vintage panels behind the bed has added a quirky detail, to this classic bedroom scheme, and provides an unusual and highly personal alternative. Similarly, the vintage curtain used as a bedspread heightens the blend of old and new.

Home:Clarence & Graves. Styling: A Heath. Image:Emma Lewis. As seen in my book Create.

Adding a bespoke fabric headboard will add drama to the room and is a wonderful opportunity to play with fabrics and pattern. This wonderful headboard below was made by Lisa Mehydene - founder of edit58 - using a vintage rug that adds texture, colour and antique appeal to the guest bedroom.

Home: Lisa Mehydene. Styling: A Heath. Image: Michael Paul. As featured in Create.

To keep things simple - working with oversized back cushions (2 or 3, 60 x 60cm size - creates a simple, more minimal feel, which I personally love. As demonstrated in the images below.

Project: Marianne Evennou. Images: Gregory Timsit. As featured in Create.

Home: Ali Heath. Image: Alun Callender. As featured in my book Curate.

Home: Di Loone. Image: Marnie Hawson. As featured in my book Create.

Home: Anthony & Karen Cull. Image: Emma Lewis. As featured in my book Create.

Metal bedsteads provide simple headboard solutions - more industrial in feel and great for warm climates.

Home: Coombs Hill. Image: Marnie Hawson. As featured in my book Create.

Home: Di Loone. Image: Marnie Hawson. As featured in my book Create.

Alternatively fixed wooden headboards add a more structured, tailored look.

Home & styling : Ali Heath. Image: Alun Callender. As featured in my book Curate.

Whilst fabric covered headboards help to blend into the textural aesthetic, for chic, pared back elegance.

Home: Anna Unwin. Styling: Ali Heath. Image: Michael Sinclair. As featured in Create.

Home: Coombs Hill. Image: Marnie Hawson. As featured in my book Curate.

4. Quality Bedding

When it comes to bedding, quality is paramount. My top recommendations for luxurious linen bedding that will elevate your bedroom include Bedfolk, Piglet in Bed, Rise and Fall, Secret Linen Store, and Soak and Sleep.

For luxury, high quality cotton bedding my favourites are The White Company, Ralph Lauren, Toast and Frette. Internationally if you are ever in Paris, the bedding at lifestyle store Merci Paris is simply wonderful.

If you are looking for oversized linen bed throws - look to Libeco, Studio Oliver Gustav, Rise and Fall, and Cultiver.

4. Boutique Hotel Vibe

Once you have your bed frame, mattress and bedding sorted, it’s time to enhance your retreat with thoughtful accessories. These pointers are my go to for adding the finishing touches to a room. And whether for you or your guests it turns a space into something memorable to hunker down in:

For you:

• Dress the bed with an abundance of decorative cushions or a chic bolster

• Layer tactile, luxurious throws on the bed

• Add seasonal flowers to your bedside table

• Ensure plenty of soft, ambient lighting to create atmosphere

• Light a candle before bedtime to scent the room

• Consider black out blinds for heightened sanctuary

• If space add an armchair - it’s always lovely to have a relaxing chair to read or enjoy a quiet moment

• Make your nightdress or pyjama choices a thing of luxury. There is nothing lovelier than feeling good about yourself and slipping into something cosy or sexy. Your bed attire should make you feel as lovely as your day wardrobe

For guests:

• Curate a collection of interesting books and magazines relevant to your guest

• Add a water jug and glass to the room before bedtime - and an edible treat for them to snack on

• Taking the time to fill a special tray or marble slab with goodies - potions, lotions, toothbrush, a handmade soap (Bridie Hall’s intaglio soaps are my favourite), and extra pampering treats will make your guests feel special

• Hang a dressing gown for them, and add a little basket with hairdryer and slippers. I love to bring hotel slippers back home and add to guest rooms

• Ensure enough hooks - I love WoodEdit’s peg rails at home. Leave a few beautiful hangers ready for guests to hang their clothes. Also lovely to hang towels if bathrooms are shared

• Pre bedtime it is lovely during colder months to add a hot water bottle to guest beds and light a scented candle, to fill their room with a wonderfully relaxing aroma

I hope you have had a gorgeous weekend and these tips help. I’m looking forward to a late Sunday lunch and the promise of a good film (Conclave) by the fire, before an early night. As a night owl - trying to get into a new sleep routine is definitely helping balance my daily rhythm - but for anyone who usually burns the candle at both ends, you will get how out of character this feels! Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

With much love Ali x x

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