Last week I was experiencing a serious pressure related block up/meltdown, and pretty much as soon as I (you) gave me permission not to decide, I decided a whole bunch of decor related stuff. I also decided not to worry about the house so much anymore, mostly because I am now 35 weeks pregnant and I look like I swallowed a whale and I have a sad little waddle going on. Apparently a tiny human will be rocketing out of my hoohah in five weeks or less and I should maybe probably focus on preparing for that, too.

At least now Baby X won't have to spend his first month or two of life staring up at a patchwork quilt of peachbluegraypurple paint samples in the master bedroom, because that shit is DONE.

Sadly this is not our bedroom, but the color is a very similar medium purple gray. I took the advice of Anita and Christian and revisted my sample of Dior Gray. Sanders gave me his blessing (because Sanders is a saint and is totally allowed to bestow such things upon mere mortals), so we did the deed and it is good.

Climaxxx!

I also ordered some desperately needed new bedding... old bedding may or may not have gotten caught in the painting crossfire.

In a reversal of my usual hatred for contrast, I'm planning to go mostly light and bright against the moody painted walls. Like so:

Because a basic white quilt and shams can be dressed up in so many ways.

Pretty, simple pillows and ikat blanket.

I might have ordered some coral sheets...

And a giant faux fur blanket to cover up our new quilt, because kids and cats (and lazy parents) are murder on white.

Details and pictures to come when I can stand long enough to take them.

In the meantime, let us bask in the glory of my decisiveness...

because it won't last for long.

[Images via my bedroom files on pinterest]

When Karly asked if I would guest blog on the fabulous Design Crisis I was flattered beyond belief! It's not every day a little kid like me gets to play to with the big girls! And then, after having already committed myself, the reality set in; what the hell would I write about?....design expert I am not. Not even close.

quilt and bolster by john robshaw, hand made embroidered pillow, trina turk pink and brown pillow, koko euro shams

photo: anita davis

Having never attended any type of design-school, I'm learning as I go and making mistakes along the way. My classroom is Life -- my instructors are *you*, the design mags, and my go-to for everything in between: Google.

bottom quilt by denyse schmidt, sheet set and folded quilt by serena & lily

photo: anita davis

I have Googled my little business, Pillow Mint, into existence. I've never gone to Market (though hopefully make it to New York in February!) and did all my preliminary sourcing for the store on the internet. I have no formal education in either business or design, but I do know what I like and I know where my passions lie. When I was starting the business I would tell people I wanted to "spread the joy." I wanted people to be as happy in their bed as I am in mine. There is an instant sense of belonging when someone else gets my obsession. When a client comes into the shop and gushes and goos over the lines I carry and we talk "bed", I get happy; ecstatic really.

area duvet, pillows by thomas paul, and blue pillows by blissliving

photo: anita davis

I have learned, too that what one puts on their bed is so subjective. Some people can't stand sateen sheets, others can't stand getting hot at night, some people freeze and need warmth! and then there is my husband, who likes weight, and layers. It's all so very personal. Bedding is really an intimate subject - get to know someone's bedding desires and you know a lot about them!! Color, pattern, lots of pillows, cotton or linen, down or synthetic, silk or wool.....you must find your bliss and go there.

bedding by plover, organic cow by kallisto

photo: anita davis

I thought I would share some information that I received last spring in BlissLiving's newsletter. Finally someone spoke in plain language about thread count. I try to educate all my clients on the misconception that a sheet with a high thread count is a better sheet. Since the sheet is usually the item in direct contact with our skin, I think it's really important that it feels good! Good sheets do matter! Here is an excerpt from the newsletter:

The most important thing to understand about thread count is higher numbers do not mean better quality. In fact, there is an argument to be made that a lower thread count may be a more comfortable sheet.

thomas paul pillows, silk coverlet by koko

photo: anita davis

First you have to understand thread count. The right way to calculate this involves adding up all of the vertical and horizontal threads (warp and weft) in a square inch of fabric. There are only so many threads you can realistically fit into a square inch and generally speaking, anything over 300 is more perceived value than real value. Many companies exaggerate the number by counting the number of ply's in a yarn, so a 300 count sheet using a 2 ply yarn may be promoted as a 600 count.

inhabit coverlet, blissliving pillows, area pillowcases

photo: anita davis

The key element most people don't think about when purchasing sheets is how they sleep. Everyone perspires while sleeping, so ideally you would want a sheet that is breathable and absorbent, as well as being soft and comfortable. Higher thread counts mean a tighter weave and consequently a sheet that does not breathe as well.

Selecting a good quality sheet involves looking for a brand that uses 100% cotton. Cotton is still one of the best fabrics when it comes to comfort, durability and care. In August 2005, Consumer Reports issued a report about high thread count sheets from nationally known brands and concluded: "Two hundred is typical and perfectly fine; 400 my provide a finer, softer sheet. Above 400, the only difference is likely to be price.