In Partnership with Rough Linen | Ethical maker of fine quality home linens made in the USA.
“Rest nurtures creativity, which nurtures activity. Activity nurtures rest, which sustains creativity. Each draws from and contributes to the other.” ―
Often times when we hear the word rest, our mind drifts to the longing we feel inside, wishing we had more hours to sleep at night, or more pauses during our day to breathe in and feel rested. Some today consider rest a luxury in the fast-paced world we live, having to leave home to experience it or take a vacation to reconnect with what it means to be still. Doesn’t this seem backwards to you? Shouldn’t home be where we go to be restored and recharged, not a plane ride away? Shouldn’t the everyday anchor in our lives, the places we return to, also be a place that offers us the renewal from all that has been consumed and downloaded throughout one’s day? But because our culture is one built around the false notion that faster is better, rest unfortunately gets neglected and bumped way down on the priority list.
However, what we sometimes forget to remember is that we humans are creatures who not only need rest to survive, but to thrive. Connected to the natural world and the seasons that surround us, rest is how we create and play and imagine and grow. Without it, the ebb and flow of life falls flat leaving us without vital energy and strength to move forward and live our best lives. Simply put, without rest, our time spent awake is far less fruitful due to the toll exhaustion and stress can take on the everyday moments our lives.
Thankfully, there are many places within the home that can help promote healthy rhythms of rest, and none more impactful than one’s bed. With the average person spending around 1/3 of their lives sleeping, it’s important to consider the where’s and what’s involved during that essential time. For example, is your bed comfortable? Do you find it inviting and beautiful? Does your mattress offer the support you need to sleep through the night? Do your linens compliment the season to ensure a deep and restorative sleep? These are simple questions to ponder as you set up your bedroom, and ones you’ll want to revisit throughout the season if you live where the weather tends to shift in extremes.
Here in the Midwest, we do life in layers. It’s not too uncommon to wake up with frost and slippers and end the day in shorts and sandals. Like our wardrobe, our beds function best when layered, and out favorite fabric to use year-round is linen. I have found that when we are intentional about the details of our living spaces, we can better tune in to the rhythms that give our lives meaning. Bedding is one of these details that invites this kind of mindful presence for me as I wind down at the end of the day.
Why linen? Beyond it’s timeless beauty—which, might I add, is also very important when dressing a bed—linen is a wonderful fabric choice when dressing a bed for a variety of reasons. One of the oldest fibers in the world derived from the flax plant, linen is very durable compared to its cotton counterpart, creating quality bedding that qualify as heirlooms you’ll have for years and years. I particularly like that it compliments the seasons, keeping us cool in the warmer summer months and warm in the cooler winter months when layered.
I believe sleeping with beautiful, well-made bedding can absolutely promote a more restful sleep. I quite appreciate that the talented folks over at Rough Linen sew everything in house, which is a rarity these days adding a thoughtful touch to your overall rest experience. I have partnered with them to share why I feel rest is such a valuable part of our daily rhythm, because I too value the work that they do and the ethos they stand for.
“We do what we do for the love of linen. Our thoughtfully conceived linen wares are small domestic luxuries meant to be loved and used every day. They satisfy a longing for simplicity, quality, and comfort, and they do this in a way that feels good in every way — from trusting our craft and believing in our ethical practices, to feeling that unmistakable freshness of linen against skin.” — Rough Linen
On our cozy bed you see above, I’ve chosen several types of linen fabric to create a cozy but crisp look that will transition well with us through the seasons. The sheets are classic white, and are unbelievably soft. The quality of Rough Linen’s fabric can be felt with the touch, but it’s really when you slip beneath the sheets that their luxuriousness shines. I selected the light linen summer cover in natural to be used as a second layer between the sheets and the duvet in the colder months, then as the top layer of our bedding in late spring and summer instead of a duvet cover. Because linen breathes beautifully, this layer keeps us warm without making us sweat all night. For the duvet cover, you cannot go wrong with the sturdy Orkney in white, a very durable weave that offers a bit of weight, feeling like a hug when you sleep. And because I am a side sleeper, especially while expecting, the long linen body pillow cover in natural is perfect support and lovely in the center of our bed.
There are many things nowadays we can do for ourselves in the name of self-care, along with many things we can do when needing to restore a bit of balance in our lives, and creating time and space to rest is an important one. Here are some simple ways you can create a more restful sleeping space:
- Light a candle and enjoy it’s warm glow
- Keep a soothing book to read nearby
- Diffuse, spray, or use essentials oils like lavender, chamomile, and cedarwood
- Keep your sleeping area without a TV
- Plug your phone in far from the bed
- Layer your bed with soft, cozy linens
- Keep your sleeping area minimal and clutter-free
- Make your bed each morning so it’s inviting at the end of the day
- Draw curtains or shades to keep the light dim
- Go to bed at a reasonable hour before you become exhausted
If you find yourself feel a bit off and in need of reset, consider making rest more of a priority in the rhythm of your day, and if you are looking for beautiful, quality made linens to cozy up with this season, consider the ethical and timeless company Rough Linen, crafted here in the USA. And if you have any questions about our linens or bedroom, ask away!
Ps. Rough Linen is offering Homesong readers a 10% discount using the code: HOMESONG – enjoy!
This post was sponsored by Rough Linen and all opinions, words, and photos are my own. I thank you dear reader for supporting the brands that help support this space. Because of my partnerships, I am able to make, write, and share with you!
Sarah - These are beautiful bed linens. I would love to add one of their linen duvet covers to my kiddo’s bed.. I’ve become a bit linen-obsessed recently, doing more sewing with it. It is such a pretty, timeless fabric and easy to work with. I scored a huge white linen tablecloth at an antique store a year or so ago, and I was able to cut and sew it into five standard size pillowcases. I love the way they look and feel!
Wishes for good rest for you, Amanda!
admin - Sarah, major score! I always keep an eye out for linen anything at the thrift *just in case*! Thank you for sharing. xx Amanda
Chris - I realize this post is years old and you’ve moved on to a different house (excited about the renovation series!) but I also just noticed these bedside sconces which are exactly what I’ve been looking for. If you recall the source, would you let me know? Thank you!
admin - Chris, hello! They are from World Market! Xx