Between the Sheets with Mrs. V

With a reputation for being particular about details, it should come as no surprise to anyone that I am finicky about my bedding.  Before we get too far into this thing, never fear.  This is NOT a promo.  This is a cry for help.  HELP ME, for cripes sakes!!!  I am on the hunt for bed sheets.  I have tried many types and brands only to come up unsatisfied.  Ever since redoing my bedroom, I have been looking to up my bed game.  The coral shams I used were merely a compromise because the set I wanted from Crane and Canopy was on back order, and I have never been happy with the stand ins.  As a matter of fact, the Vs have not been happy between the sheets for some time.  Lest you go calling Dr. Ruth, remember, we are speaking of sheets.

For some context, let's start at the beginning.  I made the mistake of purchasing a set of Egyptian cotton sheets with some crazy thread count, back in the day, pre-child, when I had some discretionary moola and no brains.  The mister was furious because they were very spendy.  But the joke was on him because they are most the comfortable sheets, EVER and have proven to be his favorite sheets.  They have become our gold standard for sheet approval.  I have supplemented the rotation with other sets, of similar thread count and touted quality as well as other more affordable options known for comfort and washability.  All of which, we hate.  They are either too swishy, or too rough, or too shiny, or just plain uncomfortable.  Problem is, 8 years later, the gold standard are kaput, worn out, and almost threadbare. 

I just scooped up a set of deeply discounted well-known ‘luxury’ sheets that were still very spendy with the discount, and I could not hate them more.  Swishy, shiny, and rough.  And I am quite convinced that the pillow cases are giving me headaches.  But then again, it might also be that extra glass of wine.  But that’s not the point, the point is, I need help finding a sheet set that will pass muster.  What kind of sheets do you swear by?!

These are the options that are currently on my radar:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

What is your favorite bedding and why?  Have you tried any of the above?  I need help because this bed needs some new love between the sheets...

All photos, styling, and layouts by Emily Vanderputten

kisses,  mrs. V

ORC Challenge - Project Chinoisy Safari Chic Master

It’s D-Day for us amateurs.  Today kicks off the 6-week ORC link up.  Hello and welcome to those of you who are new to Chez V.  Feel free to poke around and make yourselves at home.  You will find that I am a momma, a frustrated baker, an accidental DIYer, a lover of all things vintage particularly chinoiserie, an avid cook, a reluctant gardener, an obnoxiously loud laugher, and a boogie down queen.  Other than that, I divide my time obsessing over all things design related, entertaining at home, reading anything with print, watching one too many Bravo shows, and occasionally (read most evenings) enjoying a cocktail on my patio.  Welcome. Without further ado, I give you the scary larry BEFOREs of my much neglected master bedroom.

BEFORE
- a little too granny french country -

BEFORE
- shot from doorway showing other side of room with terrible, horrible, no good, very bad fan that
the mr. refuses to part with - silly him, it's donzo! -

BEFORE
- a minor attempt at zhushing the turd until makeover starts - pillow swap from other
rooms in the house and a 'borrowed' piece of art I commissioned from
MFAMB for my 5 yr old -

So I mentioned yesterday that I already tried to tackle the room I have chosen - my master bedroom.  I declared a self-imposed ORC in June.  I made a plan and even made some critical design decisions like paint, lighting, artwork, and rugs.  I committed myself to 6-weeks with a teeny budget.  All systems go.  Paint arrives and I announce, with gusto, to the mr. that I will be painting said bedroom the dark, dreamy, shiny color of my dreams.  To which he replied, ‘that will look like shit.’  Say what?!   As is the case with all of my best laid plans, the mr. is always the voice of reason and squasher of dreams.  He informed me that our plaster-ish pebbly walls with x-layers of paint would show every nook and cranny of a dark, shiny paint.  He said that we would need to sand the walls prior to painting.  Who sands walls before painting except when patching holes?!  I told him he was crazy talking. Whatevs, I said.  And promptly began painting some sample squares to prove him wrong.  See?!  Shit.  I just need to add a few more coats and NOBODY will notice.  Double shit.  What's with all these dimples? So fine, we need to sand.  I start with a block and heavy grit sand paper only to realize after 5 minutes that my arm has officially fallen off and landed in Australia.  I have covered approximately one square foot.  By this point the smug mr. is laughing and introducing me to various power tools of the sanding variety.  All of which sounds like blah, blah, blah, messy, messy, messy, blah to me.  After 3 hours with power tools, we had still only sanded one corner and inhaled our weight in dust.  At which point the mr. suggests that we should probably test for lead paint.  And boom, wheels are off the design train in week 2.

headboard | bedding | paint | chandelier | sconces | jute rug |persian rug | leopard pillow | floral pillow | mirror

So here I am again taking another whack at this master bedroom that has gone virtually untouched since I moved into this house 8 yrs ago.  EIGHT yrs ago.  Sads.  The plan is still sort of the same Out of Africa colonial vibe.  These items are wishlist items, most of which I can’t afford at the moment due to some extenuating circumstances that are too private and boring to discuss.  No matter.  I will be attempting a few DIYs and scouting is one of my favorite pastimes, so I will find affordable options even if I have to beg, borrow, or steal from family.  No shame in my game.

This is the plan I put together in June and I am sticking pretty close to the vibe of the original plan.  I do hope you will join me each Thursday over the next 6 weeks as this makeover progresses.  A huge thank you to Linda for extending the challenge!  Here’s hoping I at least get the damn room painted.

kisses,  mrs. V