OK…it’s time to get started…I’m assuming everyone has their mattress ready to start building a better bed, right?  Before we dress our bed, we must make sure that we have taken care of what is actually beneath the sheets…the mattress enhancers and pillows!

Peacock Alley has a well-rounded selection of both!  The mattress enhancers (which some of you may refer to as feather beds or pillow tops) are for those of us that may not have purchased as good of a mattress as we would have liked and need a little more cushion.  They carry three different choices from Ogallala.

Wool – The most popular choice for hot Texas weather, keeps sleeping bodies warm in the winter and cool in the summer, while providing firm support for the spine and neck

Bed Box Down – This choice is top of the line luxury with Hypodown 700 fill so you can truly be surrounded in comfort.  Sewn in a baffled box design (so the down doesn’t all end up at one end)  in a 300-thread-count.

Feather Bed – 230-thread-count cotton twill featherbed is stitched on the horizontal channels and generously filled with 75% Goose Feather  and 25% Goose Down.

The naked bed, found at Peacock Alley’s Design Studio, allows you to touch and feel each and see which is right for your body temperature and personal “firmness” needs.

When it comes to pillows, Merrimac Dillon’s The Pillow Bar is the creme de la creme!  Merrimac actually invented a “pillow-bar” that allows you to custom-make the pillow that’s perfect for you.  Filled with pristine 650-fill Hungarian goose down, these pillows are pure luxury and like no other!  The 300-thread-count cotton sateen cover can even be embroidered (so no one else in the house will try to claim it…) with whatever you desire and scented with your choice of herbal pouches.  Pure heaven!  You can get your custom pillow at Peacock Alley’s Design Studio or at several locations listed here.

There’s a couple of videos here that allow you to see the pillow bar in action!  I can’t wait to get one!

If you have allergies, Peacock Alley also offers a hypo-down version from Ogallala.  This company discovered a recipe for hypoallergenic down and uses this special mix in their products.  This secret ingredient?  Milkweed….who knew?

Mattress enhancers are not an essential part of your bed…more of a choice depending on how you like your bed to feel.  I’m going to start out without one, since I just bought a brand new mattress, and see how that works.  I can always add one later…

So, step one for me is snagging my perfect pillow!  And I’ve decided The Pillow Bar is the way to go.

Do you have any other questions about what’s beneath your sheets?  I’ll get the answer for you!  Can’t wait to hear from you!

You may want to pack your PJ’s when you visit the inviting Peacock Alley Design Studio…I found myself wanting to crawl right into one of the comfy beds piled with luxurious linens or wrap myself in a luxurious throw.

This 2,400 square foot space , located in the Dallas Design District, serves as a creative place where you can mix and match fine linens to your heart’s desire.  Most showrooms of this caliber are only for design professionals, but all are welcome here!

One of my favorite features of the showroom is the “naked bed” which allows you to play with different fabrics, textures and prints on a blank canvas and see what works best for you.  I’ll share my personal experience using the “naked bed” in a future post!

image via housesgardenspeople

Their white sheets and basic bedding are displayed in a way that will allow you to touch, feel and compare textures.  I learned so much from the staff about different sheeting options that I can’t wait to share with you in this series!

There’s professional designer tools and workspace to help assist design professionals and for those like me who need a little help, there’s a friendly creative staff there to help you build the bed of your dreams!  Thinking outside the box is encouraged at Peacock Alley.  The options for customization of size, monograming or creating a unique product with their fabrics are all available!

Go see the Peacock Alley Design Studio soon!  It’s eye and hand candy!  What a treat!

No…I didn’t forget…You still have one more day to comment on Part 1 or Part 2 (which ever you feel is luckiest!) of the “Build A Better Bed” series posts to win your chance at a luxurious resort throw!  Here’s how to snag your chance…

First, “Like” Peacock Alley’s facebook page.  Then, “Like” The Hidden List facebook page (you may have already done this, but I’ll be checking both pages to confirm the winner).  Finally, leave a comment about what you look for when choosing bed linens.  Do you simply look for color…pattern…design?  Or do you search for quality fabrics that feel the best to the touch?  Do you have a special heirloom that you build your bed around?

You have until 5pm CST on Thursday, July 28, to comment.  A winner will be announced on Friday!  Good luck!

I recently experienced a “life change” that had me shopping for a queen-sized bed just for me!  Buying a mattress is one of my least favorite things to purchase, so I went to Weir’s, took the advice of the salesperson on which would be the best fit and value for me and got out relatively quick…  Now?  On to the fun stuff!  Dressing the bed!!

About 12 years ago I bought my favorite bedding from Peacock Alley for a guest bedroom.  It has proven to be timeless and seems to get more soft and luxurious with age.

I chose a neutral color pallet and subtle pattern so that I could display one of my favorite possessions…a tatted coverlet that belonged to my grandmother…at the foot of the bed.  I love the way the patterns and textures work.  Peacock Alley linens are perfect for working together with that special blanket or throw you purchased on a special vacation or your own family heirloom.  The patterns used in their line are specifically chosen to work well with others so that you can change the look of the bed with the seasons… or your mood.

Peacock Alley Design Studio

At the same time I put together this bed, I also had custom bedding made for my own bed.  That custom-made bedding was sold at a garage sale several years ago and, although I spent a fortune on fabrics and labor, didn’t hold up well.  So, now that it’s time to “make another bed and lie in it” it’s a no-brainer to seek the help of Peacock Alley for luxurious linens that will last.

I was so excited to learn that Peacock Alley recently opened a design studio in the Dallas Design District.  It’s absolutely gorgeous and has all of the components of what you need to build a dream bed.  Next week I’ll show you more of their new digs and tell you about their “naked bed”.  Don’t worry…I’ll keep it G-rated…

To get this “bed building” series started, I’m giving away Peacock Alley’s resort throw…a $95 value.  These are so dreamy!  They almost melt in your hands…simply irresistible!  Here’s what you need to do to win!

First, “Like” Peacock Alley’s facebook page.  Then, “Like” The Hidden List facebook page (you may have already done this, but I’ll be checking both pages to confirm the winner).  Finally, leave a comment about what you look for when choosing bed linens.  Do you simply look for color…pattern…design?  Or do you search for quality fabrics that feel the best to the touch?  Do you have a special heirloom that you build your bed around?  Let us know…

You’ll have all week to leave your comments, we’ll chose randomly and I’ll announce the winner next week in Part 2, as we explore the Peacock Alley showroom and I share my experience there.

Good luck!