Park City, UT (PRWeb) November 10, 2006 -- According to a recent study released by leading marketing information provider NPD Group, Inc., sales of soft home furnishings are commanding an ever-increasing share of the consumer retail market with bedding sales accounting for the largest growth increase by far. The rise of specialty bedding sales indicates a trend toward creating a more comfortable and fashion-forward home environment than ever before. However, designing a dream bedroom involves more than picking a color scheme and then finding bedding to match. The large variety of bedding choices available today make it essential to be well-informed before choosing the ensemble that will be right for you. A recommendation from one of the leading on-line luxury bedding retailers Elegant Linens suggests, "Before you buy, make sure you know what you're getting by familiarizing yourself with common luxury bedding terms".

Important terms to understand are:

Duvet/Down Comforter: A bed covering filled with duck or goose down. The highest quality down comforters are filled with the soft, white undercoating of the goose, which offers larger clusters that fluff up or "loft" to produce better insulation. Down comforters with higher thread count casings can better contain the contents of the down comforter, allowing fewer feathers to poke through the fabric. Elegant Linens offers only the best quality goose down filled comforters encased in the highest thread count fabrics; these can be seen in their Luxury Down Duvet Department http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/down-duvets-duvet.htm


Baffle Box: A type of construction for duvets and comforters consisting of three-dimensional fabric wall boxes sewn between the top and bottom layers of a comforter shell that helps to keep down evenly distributed, while still allowing room for the down to loft, or expand, fully.

Fill or fill power: A term that refers to the measure of the volume filled by an ounce of down, and to describe the weight, warmth and quality of a down comforter or duvet. The greater the fill power, the more the down will "loft" or expand and trap air to provide superior insulation.

Duvet Cover: Like a pillowcase for comforters, a duvet cover is an envelope of fabric that buttons, snaps or ties closed over the duvet, which can be easily removed for laundering or cleaning and to allow for changes in bedding and decor. Duvet covers are not only decorative, but also protect your comforter from dirt, moisture and body oils. They can be used in place of a blanket and/or top sheet. Elegant Linens carries over 90 different styles of duvets at their Duvet Cover Department http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/duvet-covers-cover.htm

Matelasse/Blanket Cover/Coverlet: The origin of the word "matelasse" is French and means cushioned or padded. This fabric is jacquard-woven to create a raised pattern with a quilted or sculpted effect and is often used as a blanket cover. A matelasse coverlet is usually smaller in both width and length than a traditional bedspread, extending to just below the mattress. It looks best when accompanied by a matching matelasse bedskirt.

Quilt: A coverlet or blanket made of two layers of fabric with a layer of cotton, wool or polyester batting in between, all stitched firmly together, usually in a decorative crisscross design. A lighter alternative to comforters, quilts often feature a decorative pattern or print. Elegant Linens has beautiful matelasses and quilted coverlets that can be seen at their Quilt and Matelasse Department http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/Quiltmenu.htm

Bed Skirt: A decorative piece used to cover the box spring and legs of the bed; also referred to as a "dust ruffle". Available in either tailored or gathered styles; it fits between the mattress and box spring and hangs to the floor. When discussing bed skirts, the "drop" refers to the distance from the top of box spring (or foundation), to the floor. The drop measurement determines the length of the skirt. A standard drop measurement is about 15 inches, and a panel bedskirt can be adjusted to fit a drop measurement of up to 22 inches.

Pillow Shams: Removable coverings for pillows that are finished on all sides with tailored or ruffled edges and/or trims, flanges, and cording. A pillow sham differs from a pillowcase in that pillowcases are open at one end, while pillow shams are fashioned with a French back or envelope closure. Pillow shams that are made from sheeting material may be slept on as with a regular pillowcase; shams that are purely decorative are meant to be removed before using the pillows for sleeping. Sizes for pillow shams include: Standard, measuring 20" x 26", King, 20" x 36" or the European square sham at 26" x 26". The European sham is also referred to as a "Euro Sham" or "Continental Sham".

Boudoir Pillows: Small rectangular decorative throw pillows measuring 12" x 16".

Neckroll: Small cylindrical decorative throw pillows.

Flange or flanged hem: A flat cuff or border that runs along the edge of a pillow sham or duvet cover, usually several inches wide. The flange forms a "frame" around the sham or cover to add dimension and a crisp finishing touch.

Welt: Refers to cording on a comforter, sham or decorative pillow. The term "self-welt" means that the cording is made from the same fabric as the main body of the item.

Fitted Sheets: The fitted sheet is also called the "bottom sheet". Fitted sheets usually have gusset corners with elastic sewn around the bottom edge to provide a snug fit over the mattress and prevent movement of the sheet during sleep. Fitted sheets are available in standard sizes; however, mattress sizes are variable and some pillow top mattresses can require sheets with a pocket depth of up to as much as two feet.

Flat Sheets: Also called the "top sheet", a flat sheet is placed on top of the fitted sheet and is typically tucked around the mattress at the sides and the bottom. See an extensive collection of fine Egyptian cotton flat and fitted sheets from Elegant Linens at their Luxury Sheet Department http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/bed-sheet-sheets.htm

Pocket Size: Refers to the depth of the mattress the sheet can accommodate. It's best to purchase a fitted sheet that has a pocket within 3-5 inches of your mattress depth to avoid slippage of the corners when too small and excess material in the middle of the bed when too large.

Gusset: Refers to the depth of the mattress. Most standard mattresses are 12", most deep-sized mattresses are 15" and extra-deep mattresses are 18".

Blankets: There are several types of Blankets to choose from when outfitting your bed. Blankets are available in sizes to correspond with the traditional bed sizes. Many bedding connoisseurs will use a double sheeted blanket in lieu of a duvet. Double sheeting a blanket entails placing the blanket between two flat sheets to provide insulation and protection for luxury blankets against body oils. Blankets come in a wide range of fabrics and colors and it is essential to familiarize ones self with the differences. To find out more information about blankets visit http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/Bedding-Blankets.htm

Cashmere Blankets: Cashmere Blankets are by far the most desirable. These blankets are woven using fibers gathered from the fleecy undercoat of Kashmir goats in the high desert plateaus of Mongolia, renowned for production of the highest quality cashmere in the world. Remarkable fineness and exceptional hair length produce a fabric so luxuriously soft and warm, yet amazingly lightweight that it is known as "The King of Fibers".

Wool Blankets: Why choose wool? Wool is nature's performance fibre providing you with the best environment for natural all round comfort and well-being. Wool is soft and fine and has the unique ability to breathe which helps to keep you warm when it is cold and cool when it is hot. Wool blankets are made In a variety of weights from ultra lightweight to extra dense qualities, providing options for all climates, seasons and sleeping styles. Wool is environmentally friendly, as well as being healthy in use, as it comes from a renewable resource.

Cotton Blankets: Egyptian cotton blankets can feel as soft as cashmere. Cotton is a season-less fiber, cool in summer, insulating in winter. Unlike wool and cashmere, cotton launders beautifully for easy care.

Deciphering the code of bedding and linens language is the key to locating the elements needed for creating a bedroom ensemble that will provide comfort and satisfaction for years to come. Elegant Linens offers top quality luxury linens guaranteed to bring elegance and style to the most comfortable room in your home. For more information, visit the Elegant Linens website at www.elegantlinenspc.com or call toll-free at 1-800-735-5541; a staff of experienced sales associates is available to answer your questions and assist you in designing the bedroom that is just right for you.