FitSugar

Pillow Talk

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:15:00 PDT

Is your pillow over 2 years old? If yes, you might be sleeping with a veritable zoo of mold, bacteria and dust mites. Not exactly the kind of pillow talk you want to engage in, is it?

That fluffy bit of comfort on which you rest your head every night can be a hotbed for germs, and might contain even more germs than your bathroom. Yick! Pillows absorb germs from our skin and the air and since we rarely clean or replace our bedroom pillows, bacterias and molds are free to reproduce unhampered. This can become quite a problem if you have allergies to dust mites or mold since you are placing your head in the hot zone for 8 hours a night.

Experts suggest that you replace your pillow every 2 years. Since that can be a costly endeavor, you can try pillow protectors instead since they can prevent dust mites from breeding in your bedding.

Fit's Tip: One quick way to zap all those bacteria is to throw you pillows into the dryer for 20 minutes on high heat. Aim to do this at least once a month and at least once a week if you are experiencing severe allergy symptoms.

Sweet dreams....

How-To: A Budget-Friendly Room Revamp

Sponsor — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:00:00 PDT

It's important for your home to be a place of tranquility and relaxation - especially the bedroom. We've got a few quick tips for making the most of your space without breaking the bank.

Display items you already have around the house as artwork. Calendars and magazines have great images that you can crop to fit frames. Or for a high-impact effect, hang old records grouped together.
Mix and match your pillows and throws. Between all the couches and beds in a house, we've all got lots of pillows and blankets. Why not mix them up? Give your bedding a fresh look by remixing pillows used in other rooms. You might be surprised at how good the different patterns look together.
Bring in the outdoors. A little green will go a long way in making your room a retreat. Adding plants will connect you to nature and warm up the room.
Add a splash of color. Nothing says makeover like a fresh coat of paint. Whether you're painting an accent wall or the entire room, the color will help set the mood. Choose cooler, softer tones for a more tranquil vibe, or go for bold with vibrant jewel tones.
Find the right mattress for you and your budget. Your mattress is the foundation of a great bedroom. Don't sacrifice comfort for price. With the TEMPUR-Simplicity™ mattress, you get all the benefits of a Tempur-Pedic mattress at a price that's surprisingly affordable.

Click here to find out more about the TEMPUR-Simplicity™ mattress.

April Showers! 10 Ways to Let Clouds Shine in Your Nursery

Kate Stahl — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:11:55 PDT

April showers don't have to get you - or your lil ones - down. Just add a little cuteness to your babe's room with a sweet cloud and rain-inspired mobile or pillow. Or if you're really ambitious, take a tip from Elsie Marley, who used her kids' shared bedroom as an inspiration to create a floating cloud loft bed. Seriously gorgeous, and seriously, who needs sun when clouds are this cute?

How to Make Your Home Feel Like a Luxury Hotel

Laura Marie Given — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:00:59 PDT

There's something so calming about stepping into a fancy hotel - if only you could channel that same getaway sensation at home, right? Whether you long for a sleek, streamlined design or something more rich and elegant, with a few quick tricks, you can turn your home into a sophisticated haven. Interested? Follow these guidelines, room by room, to make your home feel more polished:

In the living room:

Make bold style statements, like choosing a gorgeous, grand chandelier over a simple lamp.
Step outside the box and consider an eclectic design for a more contemporary look.
Choose knick knacks wisely and be picky about which items are visible in the room.

Keep reading for more tips on how to make your home feel like a getaway.

Do You Replace Your Pillows?

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:00:00 PST

CasaSugar Community member Sherrilee recently wrote in the Organization Tips group, "I found it's worth it if you change your pillows often. I buy new ones when they lose their plumpness. They aren't sanitary anymore, and I feel safer as it prevents dust mites and other germs. It's worth investing in." Do you do the same? Do you swap in new pillows when they're no longer plump or clean?

Three Unique Alternatives For Decorating Above the Bed

Elka Karl — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 05:25:27 PDT

I'm often momentarily swayed by a gorgeous photo of a large-scale painting above a bed, or a series of framed black-and-white photographs. Then I remember that I live in earthquake country. And even if I didn't, I wouldn't want a hard, heavy object directly over my bed. Even the best hanging devices occasionally break, and getting hit upside the head with a pointy, acrylic-on-wood artwork isn't a nice way to wake up by any stretch of the imagination.

For those of us who live in earthquake zones - and it seems that due to fracking, many more of us now are - or who just prefer something a little softer above our sleepy heads, here are three alternatives to heavy photos or artwork above your headboard.

Paint a Mural

Want artwork without the frames, glass, or sharp corners? Apply paint directly to your wall. Hire a local mural artist to paint a unique, commissioned design for your bedroom, or head to a local craft store to pick up stencils and DIY the project yourself.

Keep reading for two more ideas for decorating above the bed

5 Ways to Prop Your Bed Pillows

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 05:00:36 PDT

Making your bed is like making a cup of coffee; some of us like cream and sugar, and some of us like three dozen throw pillows. If you're looking to freshen things up in the bedroom, considering rearranging your pillows in a different way. It'll make the space feel brand-new! Here are a few ideas.

Color Palette: Shades of Style From J.Crew Fall 2012

Stylelist Home — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:51:54 PST

I'm happy to present a story from one of my favorite sites, Stylelist Home!

Though the big trend of Fall 2012 Fashion Week seems to be models falling, we're talking about all the bright hues spotted on the runway. Exhibit A: J.Crew's presentation, which included this great look that combined colors like hot pink and soft gray. Though there's no argument that colors like hot pink, yellow and orange are lovely, we think their appeal is most apparent when combined with neutrals. The bold hues bring out the warm undertones hidden in a shade like gray, turning what could be severe and sad into something much cozier.

To get the paint swatches for our homes, we used 'Chip It', Sherwin-Williams' new color palette generator tool. From this palette, we went ahead and took a quick look at how these colors can really stand out in a room, from a dining room where pink, red, and white are used as dramatic bursts of color against dark walls to a gray sofa that has pink accent pillows, which are an unexpected but elegant touch in a living room. Another idea we stumbled upon is a bedroom that has painted pink walls and blush bedding . . . for a feminine but surprisingly interesting approach.

Want more color ideas? Flip through the slideshow on Stylelist Home for a look back at the spring designer collections that have been inspiring our home color palettes.

Beautiful Block-Printed and Hand-Embroidered Textiles From Allem Studio

Elka Karl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:46:29 PST

If you're on the hunt for beautiful block-printed and handmade textiles for your home, check out a relative newcomer to the market, Allem Studio. Founded as a design collaboration between friends Mitali Seth and Lovisa Shergill in 2009, Allem Studio creates lovely hand-embroidered and block-printed textiles for the tabletop, bedroom, and living room. Their collection of pillows, bedding, and tabletop items including napkins and place mats features vibrant, colorful designs that reference ethnic-inspired crafts with a modern twist.

Seth and Shergill work out of a studio located in Shrewsbury, MA, and source manufacturing of their products through socially responsible vendors, including SEWA, India, a women's only co-operative.

You can purchase Allem Studio's products through a variety of merchants across the country, as well as online. If you're in New York, make sure to check out Allem Studio at Booth 7962 at the New York International Gift Fair this weekend.

Two Quick and Easy Organizing Tips From Jillian Harris

Elka Karl — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:28:37 PST

I'm always on the lookout for easily integrated organizing ideas, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition designer Jillian Harris recently shared a few quick and easy tips pulled from her own home. The best part is, you may already own some of these items - you just need to organize and style them in the manner Jillian suggests.

Bedside Tables: "Always think about storage when selecting furniture. An extra drawer and a shelf can make all the difference for storing linens, spare vases, and bedroom essentials. Stacking seasonal throw pillows brings a pop of color into space and personality without appearing cluttered."

Vintage Suitcases and Chests: "They're not only super hot in a space, they tell a story, are eco friendly, and perfect storage solutions."

See more of Jillian as she hosts the new show Canada's Handyman Challenge this month on HGTV.