Can only remark on part of your post here.

I would not put the red on the windows. Instead, the white or cream, and then a band of the black/white check or houndstooth. I think the red would tend to sun fade very quickly, especially if it is also washed a lot.

The b/w check/houndstooth is fool-the-eye a lot and would tend to show less wear over time. But I'd buy some extra fabric to keep on hand, it is one of those fabrics with uses that just seem to keep coming and coming!

That bedding is very nice. If you decide on white stationary curtains I think the Ikea aina linen curtains at 49.00 for the set are very pretty. I have seen them on a window and they look good.

The only think I've bought from them is a matelasse and I was happy with it. I love the bedding and think you should go for it.

Laurie

I've bought sheets only from Linensource--I wouldn't hesitate to order again. My only advice: If you're ordering several things from the same pattern line, order it all at once, and if something is out of stock or on back order, get some guarantee from Customer Service that if the back ordered-stuff turns out to be not available, that you can return the other stuff easily, and not just for store credit.

The bedding is gorgeous!!!! I would use that in a heartbeat in my room. Very Ralph Laurenish. I think I would go for light fabric on the windows. I can't tell if it is a true white, or a cream in the bedding, but I would use something light.
I haven't bought anything from this company, but let us know what you think about the quality.
Keep us updated !

I've purchased their 100% organic white sheets and they are luxurious and are holding up well. I'd buy them again.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Lyban - Those curtains look nice. I don't have an Ikea near me (wish you could order online!) but I might take a road trip sometime. I haven't seen much in the stores around here for white or off white curtains.

Pammy - Good call about back order things.

Homebodymom - The description says the checks are black and white. The blankets are cream/tan. Of course you can never really be sure until you actually see the item. I really like how the red blanket is reversable and how it has a crinkle like texture.

Now I have to admit, I'm hesitant about the black duvet cover. I'm not sure I fully "get" the point of them. I never heard of a duvet until I came here and have never used one. Is a blanket going to flop all around inside and drive me nuts? Ha, I don't even know how to get the blanket in. You can use any type right? Says duvet cover has hidden button closure.

Like I said, as much as I really like the original red bedding I'm also concerned I'll get the whole room decorated around that fabric and 6 months down the road it will start looking shabby from the cats. They're not always on the bed but it seems to snag pretty easy. I'm also not sure if it can go in the wash.

Very pretty bedding! It would look lovely at WTs as well. I don't think you can go wrong with B&W houndstooth which can be paired with different prints.

I just switched DD from a comforter to a duvet. The duvet cover that I bought has ties inside that are used to attach each corner of the duvet. The duvet that I purchased also has loops at each corner that the ties loop through. DD has used it for a few weeks now (and is typical messy teen) and nothing floats around inside. I've also seen it where a small corner of the duvet is attached with ties. If ever you are in BB&B take a look at their duvets to see what I mean. Advantage of duvets are that for washability you only need wash the cover, not the insert (unless you suffer from dust mite allergy then you need to wash everything in hot water regardless); disadvantage is that you need to put it together and take it apart when you wish to wash it. If you are keeping it at the base of your bed, I would think you could wash it less frequently than if it covers the entire bed and you lounge on top of it at night. Another advantage is that you can invest in a good quality insert (such as down) and choose the warmth that works best for you and your DH. This can far outlast the cover so while initially, you will spend more since you are buying both an insert and cover, over time, it pays for itself since next time you want to change your bedding you need only purchase a cover. Next time I replace my comforter I think I will switch to a duvet.

For me personally, I use a matalasse coverlet (in ivory) with a comforter folded in thirds at the base of my bed. This works well for us since in summer the cotton coverlet is very light and that plus a sheet is all we use. In winter, I can add a blanket and/or pull up the comforter at night.

valinsv - So, is there actually something called a duvet that goes inside the cover? Do they sell those at BBB? I bought my 1st duvet last year and it actually came from BBB. I thought I was supposed to put a comforter in it, so I bought one of those and some of those plastic things to hold it in there and I didn't like it, so I took it back. The duvet was a queen size and I bought the biggest, fluffiest comforter I could find and it still didn't completely fill out the duvet. The one with the ties inside sounds like a better set up.

Laurie

Is it hard to get the comforter in the duvet? I bought a foam pad for on our spare bed awhile back and there was a snazzy cover it was to go in. I could not get it to work! I don't think it was the right size to begin with. Cheap.

It doesn't sound like this has ties. I could sew them in right? Geez.. do I want to do that?

I like both the red and black bedding but one honestly doesn't do much for me without the other.

I was just going to post the same directions as juliekcmo. Martha "told" me a few years ago on her show! Not all duvet cover's come with the ties inside...I wish they did! I use the clips on mine! I switched to a duvet when we got a king size bed. Washing a cover is sooo much easier!

You can use a duvet insert - they are thicker than a blanket but not thick as some comforters. I don't think a blanket would work inside a duvet. You can also use the duvet without anything inside, I have done this, just folded down at the end of the bed, like a blanket. It's never been a problem for us as we do not use our bedding to actually cover ourselves with. I'm sure how much you actually use it would have a bearing on how well it wears. But anyway, a duvet cover is much easier to wash.

I like the bedding. Also wanted to let you know - some items can be ordered from Ikea.

tina

Hmm.. currently we sleep with a sheet, vellux blanket, and I have a fuzzy throw blanket that mainly covers me and DH kicks it off. :) I'd have to use one of these blankets just for a the end of the bed. Maybe use the duvet down there for the fluffy look and have the red comforter turned down a little on the main bed to show the black and white check. Wonder if I'll be cold without my vellux. I've always used one.

I think I understand how to do this now. Thanks for the instructions Julie and Kmcg! I bet there's a youtube video out there I can watch too.

Tina - Is a duvet insert the same as a down comforter or down comforter alternative?

I had to look up what the clips were. It's good to know they make them.

They make clips for duvets? I always just use safety pins through the seams. Honestly, and it works just fine. Typically use IKEA inserts.

I heart duvets, both used as intended, and used empty as a bedspread.

Tina - Is a duvet insert the same as a down comforter or down comforter alternative?

A duvet cover is the outside. The insert is whatever you want. Some are down, some are down alternative, some are poly, etc. Think of a duvet cover as a slipcover for comforter guts, or an ugly comforter you would to give a facelift to.

Now on to some stuff posted earlier...

Bedding labeled as "machine washable" does not necessarily mean it is. Sure, you can toss it in and it will probably come out in one piece but I did that once upon a time with my first "real" bedding set (about $550) and ended up with a comforter that looked like a big sock full of melons. The filling balled up terribly, and I absolutely could not get it smooth again. Lumpsville! It wasn't unusable, but it was horribly unappealing.

Which is how I happened upon duvets. I ripped the top seam, re-seamed the two layers separately, pulled out the stuffing, added snaps and shoved a cheapo comforter inside.

And just in case someone out there doesn't know this, because of all the things the internet is not, phonetic ranks near the top...

...it's "doo-vAy" (rhymes with hooray) not "duv-it" (rhymes with covet)... as I smartly asked for once in a Pier 1 store. :(

Totally agree with avesmore. Washable really means nothing.
I have duvet from Pottery Barn and have it lined with a quilt.
It gets folded down everynight and I never, ever sleep under it and have never washed it. It looks great.

I've also seen first hand how fluffy comforters can get funky from washing and using.

I did find two youtube videos (sure there's more) on how to insert a blanket in the duvet. One was done a complicated way and the other was the way you guys described, which looks really easy.

Avesmore - I was pretty sure on how to say duvet but I can't get matelasse down. Also had to look up the word toile when I first came here.

So if I buy this, it's probably safe to say the black duvet will be just for pretty at the bottom of the bed. The red comforter will be on the main section, turned down so you can see the check. I was going to get two black and white check shams; should I get the square, red accent pillow or 1 of the black flowered shams for the decorative pillow? If the red comforter is the main blanket, for a lack of better words, maybe the red pillow will blend too much? Do you know what I'm saying? Which pillows do you think I should get? There's the option of buying different fabric and making one too but I thought it would be nice to coordinate with the ones they have.

Ooh, I say "matt-leh-say" but it has been a long time since I've taken French. I had to look up Dupioni tho (doo-pee-oh-knee).

The red comforter will be the visual anchor, so I see what you mean about the red pillow blending.

Notice what they've done in the ad picture: they follow a black, red, checked sequence starting at the foot of the bed and working bottom to top, left to right.

If you were to follow suit and start with a black duvet at the foot of the bed, you'd then go to red conforter, and checked pillows. Unless the comforter is reversible to check? I couldn't find any reversible information on the site you linked though.

I think I'd want at least one solid decorative pillow. My eyes keep looking for a place to settle, but can't find one. I think a solid decorative pillow would give such a spot. I think I'd do it in whatever color my regular linens were (assuming your pillowcases will be visible).

I think that'll then give you a good springboard from which to base any artwork or wall decor above the headboard.

Ha, I've been saying Dupioni wrong.

If you click on the link, you'll see where it says "click here to see the Sabrina quilt", which is the red one. It is reversable to the black and white check. I attached the link below.

I will have white or cream sheets so two of the pillows will be those. I wanted to get the black and white check for decoration. (I like that the red is on the edges) You're saying to use another solid decorative pillow in the white or cream infront? Something maybe with some texture?

Here is a link that might be useful: info on the cover.

I'm on a serious monogram kick. What about a monogram burlap pillow from etsy? There's a bunch to pick from. Maybe a white burlap (like in the link) or a darker one since there's tan/cream in the bedding.

Here is a link that might be useful: pillow

In Laurie's thread with her new bedding, Les brought up about the cover at the end of the bed possibly being too long and not giving the same look as her inspiration photo.
{{!gwi}}
I never even thought of this. I'm sure the sheets, plus main blanket, red blanket AND a duvet will be too much for DH at night. The duvet would be mainly for pretty at the end of the bed or maybe I'd use the extra cover on my side at night.

Our bed's a queen so does that mean I would need to buy the twin (68x86 size) instead of the full/queen 90x90?

Also, if you look at the stock photo for the black/red bedding I'm looking at, will the red comforter (full/queen 90x90) cover the bed skirt along the sides when on the bed? I'm assuming they just have it pulled more to the one side for the photo. I'm hoping the queen will look like the comforter in my 1st photo of the iron bed.
We have a hodge podge of blankets on the bed right now and I don't think any of them are a queen since we just got the new bed.

I'm probably putting way too much thought into this. I'm not interested in sending anything back though because I didn't order the correct size.

shee - I'm also guessing they pulledthe red comforter over for the picture, so I don't think you have to worry about that. I also wondered if the twin duvet would work for the end of the bed. I got tired of trying to figure the duvet thing out, so I bought a regular blanket to go at the end of the bed yesterday. It ended up not working, because the colorswasn't right, but the sizes were divided into twin, full, queen, king instead of grouping the full and queen together. I don't know if it's going to take a full size to look right or if the twin will work.

Trust me, you're putting just as much thought into this as I am :)

Laurie