What's going on between YOUR sheets?

I always tell my husband, I would much rather a set of premier sheets to jewelry, flowers or chocolate.  But with so many different options, how do you know which ones to choose?  I've been known to check the tags on the sheets in hotels to find out how I can get my own set of luxurious sheets.  (I may have a linen addiction problem)

Between choosing a thread count and picking fabric, purchasing bed linens can be a daunting task. Let’s break it down to make it more manageable. It really comes down to a few personal preferences: softness, breathablity, absorption, and the wrinkle factor. First up, let’s talk about the importance of thread count (or the lack there of). How is the thread count figured? The thread count is the number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch of the fabric. An uneducated consumer would assume that a linen with a 600 thread count is better than a linen with a 300 thread count. Although this may be true in some cases it is not true in all. The key factor is actually the quality of the fiber. A linen with a low thread count that has high quality fibers beats out a high thread count with low-quality fibers on grounds of feel and washability.

Now, there are many fabric options when it comes to bed linens. I’ll cover the pros and cons of the main stream varieties.

                     100% Cotton: Cotton is an all-natural fiber that is known for being cool, light, comfortable, absorbent, and breathable. It is also easy to clean and can withstand high temperatures. The down side to cotton is it wrinkles easily, shrinks with washing, and although it is easy to dye it is prone to fading with time.

                     Egyptian Cotton: Egyptian cotton has many redeeming qualities including softness, durability (lasts for years), very little shrinkage if any, breathability, and absorption. The one draw back is that it tends to wrinkle easily.

                     Cotton/Poly Blend: Cotton/polyester blends are very versatile. They typically retain the lightness and coolness of the cotton fiber while also having the durability and wrinkle resistance of polyester. Two draw backs to adding polyester to cotton is that it can cause the fabric to pill and also makes it unable to tolerate high temperatures. In addition it is not as breathable as pure cotton.

                     Modal Sheets: Modal is a type of rayon that is claimed to be more absorbent than cotton, easily dyed and washed, and resistant to shrinkage and fading.  The texture is smooth and soft but feels synthetic to some people. Modal sheets are prone to stretching, fading, pilling and often need to be ironed after washing.

                     Bamboo: Bamboo has a softness comparable to cashmere. It’s machine washable and gets softer with each wash, is pill resistant, breathable, and 3 to 4 times more absorbent than cotton. In addition, bamboo has antibacterial and anti- fungal properties and is also odor resistant. The draw backs to this fiber are that it can shrink and it requires chemicals in it’s processing stage.

Now you have some basic knowledge and a jumping off point to finding the right bed linens for you. Happy shopping!

Help! I've Never Worked with a Designer Before...

The thought of looking for an Interior Designer can be intimidating for numerous reasons.

Most of those reasons, however boil down to the fact that you are putting the design of your space into someone else's hands. Do they know what they’re doing? Do they understand what you want? Are they going to break the bank? All super valid concerns. The answer is simple. If you’re prepared for your own project and armed with the appropriate questions, it puts you in control. 

Let me explain. First, of all there are things that you need to be sure of before starting to look for an interior designer. Next, you have to know the right questions to ask to be certain   that the designer you choose is qualified for the project and a good fit for you to work with. And finally, you have to be willing to do a little homework.

OK, first things first....do you understand what you want to accomplish? If you don’t get it, nobody else will either. Have examples of things that are similar to what you are looking for ready to present to your designer when you find them. How much is it going to cost? DO NOT start a project without establishing a budget first. When planning your budget remember that you need to not only include expenses for materials and labor, but also for the unexpected. During the demolition process sometimes things are discovered that are more costly than originally estimated. It also often adds to the timeline. When something unforeseeable happens, be willing to compromise to keep the project moving  along and on budget.  At Symmetry Designs, we are happy to assist you with coming up with this initial budget as putting costs to paper can be overwhelming when you haven't done any design work before.

When looking for an interior designer there are a few things you need to know in order to make a good decision. You want to be sure that they are qualified to take on your project and see it through to the end. First, ask them if they’re a “Certified Interior Designer”. This is the only title recognized under California state law. You will also want to know what interior design education they have and which related examinations they have passed. Also find out how long they have been practicing interior design.

Lastly, do your homework. For larger scale projects (ie Kitchen or whole house remodels) ask for references and look at projects they have worked on.  When calling references ask how long their project took to complete and if they stayed on budget.

Once you have done all the work to find the perfect designer for your project don’t forget that you still  need to get a proper agreement or contract before starting. Ask your designer to prepare a letter of agreement or an interior design contract. Be sure that the agreement describes the scope in which the interior designer is to be involved.  It is also important that the agreement contains a dispute resolution clause between you and the designer. And it should clearly state the fees that will be owed to the designer, as well as, how and when they are to  be paid.  Now you and your new designer are set to begin your project. You’ve done the work to be sure that you hired to right person. Let them do the job they have been hired for and let them lead the way for you!

Caitlin Campbell of Symmetry Designs takes great pride in being very approachable and easy to work with.  I can work on any size budget so don't be intimidated by the imagined cost of hiring a designer. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about working with me.