Getting Sexy Back

Experience has shown me that the master bedroom is typically the last room in the house to get any attention.  It’s the public spaces and kid’s rooms that get all the consideration. Which is odd, because in “real estate” speak, we all know it’s the kitchens and master spaces that sell homes. 

And, I think it’s pretty much a “done deal”  that we'll all agree that it’s the wives that make all the big buying decisions.  Yeah, wifey walks into the master bedroom and turns to the hubs and rolls her eyes suggestively, cooing, “Oh sweetie, look at this space, can you just imagine?”  And hubs, being the guy that he is, well, he knows exactly how to use his imagination.  The next thing he knows, the check's been written and the "Welcome Wagon" is pulling up to the front door.

But, what about that master bedroom, with that fabulous space?  It doesn’t look anything like what the hubs imagined.  It may be years before he err,  "it" sees any action…

So, how do you create that perfect space?  How do you get "sexy" back in the bedroom?

I say, start with the bed.  And rule number one- there is only allowed to be ONE bed in the room.  That's right.  If your kids been invited to Prom, they are too old to sleep in your room.

Let's start with the bed and the perfect sheets.  You want sheets, that you touch and fall in love with.  You want sheets you want to marry.  Vying for the title of the softest sheets you'll ever feel are Bamboo sheets. A 300 thread count sleeps like a 1000 thread count fine cotton.  These babies drape like a second skin.  Plus they are 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton, so you'll stay cooler.  One touch and you'll swear they're cashmere!  Check out Sleep Bamboo  or Green Earth Bamboo for these gems.

So what's up with thread count anyhow? Thread count is measured by counting the number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric. It can range from 150 to more than 500. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer and more comfortable the sheets. Although, in recent years thread count has become a simple metric used by marketing people to impress with high numbers. The problem with mass produced high thread count sheets is that to keep the price down, important elements of quality must be sacrificed, meaning in the end the customer gets a product with an impressive thread count but that probably feels no better (or even worse) than something with a lower thread count.  So I recommend you sneak your hand into those packages and "feel up" those sheets, before you purchase.

My motto is, "Put your money where your pie hole rests."  And unlike your bank account, you should be forbidden to allow your thread count balance go below 300.  And I don't care if the kids have to drink powdered milk for the next month, in my opinion, you shouldn't go below 300 thread count.  Call me a snob, call me a bad mother. 
Hey, just the other day my son told his girlfriend, "When we were babies, my mom only gave us skim milk."  I was appalled that he carried that childhood memory forward.  But you know what?  I can guarantee you that he has no memories of Barney the dinosaur sheets. Yeah, I knew where to draw the line. I am a good mom.  I am a good mom...

There are many great "discount" spots to get bedding.  A few of my favorites are Tuesday Morning, Home Goods and T.J. Max.   If you shop Bed,Bath and Beyond be sure to bring your 20% off coupon.  These coupons are good forever and if you forget, bring your receipt in later with the coupon to receive the discount.

But, before I start rolling around on my cashmere-like sheets, I layer my bed with a fabulous luxurious mattress cover.  Expensive, but, oh, so worth it.  Next come those sheets.  I personally like solid sheets.  It is my belief that half naked people just look sexier in solids.  And stay away from horizontal strips.  Yeah, they do make you look fat.  And we all know what happens when the wifey feels FAT.  "It don't matter what's on the bed."


Next up are the pillows- if you have a queen or king sized bed, (if by chance you are sleeping on a full sized mattress, just admit it, you are sleeping alone.) You need four pillows.  I don't care if you don't sleep with a pillow, you need four correctly sized pillows to properly dress the bed.  If you have a king mattress, buy king sized pillows, etc.  Pillows are personal.  So get what feels right.


I found a great Ralph Lauren cotton blanket that I love at BBB. I also saved big over the price listed on Ralph's site. My duvet is stuffed with a thin white down alternative fill.  I'm tired of picking feathers out of my pillows and bedding, so I opted for the alternative fill over the down.

Next comes the question, are you are duvet, comforter, coverlet or bedspread type?  I like a duvet, because it can be used unfilled or filled, so you can manage the weight of the top layer.  It doesn't matter what you choose, just get the right fit. For pillow top mattresses, you will need a "super" size duvet or comforter to completely cover the sides of the mattress.  Measure your mattress height and multiple that by two and add that number to the mattress width.  That is your minimum size. 
Once your choice has been made it's time to add pillows.  Below I've shown several examples of pillow configurations.  On a king bed three euro pillows (26" x 26") in the back row followed by shams and decorative pillows looks great.

Tipsy Tip:
The key for creating a sexy bedroom is layering. Layer, layer, layer.  Even a clean, modern look is layered.  Another "designer" layering tip is to add an additional duvet folded at the foot of the bed.  This can add a pop of color, or it can be tone-on-tone. Doesn't matter, it's the layering that gives the bed it's, "I just wanna dive into feel."  Also, grab a bottle of Downey Wrinkler Reducer and give the sheets a quick spray.  This stuff guarantees a crisp look and a clean scent.

Nothing says sexy like a well-dressed bed!

 Examples of a well-dressed bed by:   Pottery Barn West Elm  Ralph Lauren

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