January 2010 ~ Luxury Lingerie Blog

A few months ago we posted some of the most alluring and sexy bedroom styles for your boudoir inspiration. Today we want to share more tips from professional designers courtesy from Shelter Pop.

Bedding to Spend All Day In
Crisp white sheets in thread counts ranging from 450 to 650 create the sexiest tactile experience in terms of bedding. Keep the sheets plain; go no fancier than a top sheet with embroidery. And don't go overboard with too many pillows.

"Even if you're watching your wallet, the place to spend the money is the bedding." - Cathy Hobbs, founder of Aphereä

"People will over-pillow the bed," warns designer Eric Cohler, of Eric Cohler Design Inc. It's not sexy to have a romantic interlude put on pause while all the pillows are removed.

"For a two-person bed, you need at most two Euro-sham-size pillows (placed against the headboard), and four sleeping pillows." - Designer Rebecca Cole, Rebecca Cole Design

Seduction Must-Have: Pure linen sheets

Flooring That Makes You Weak in the Knees
Wall-to-wall carpeting, in either 100% wool, or a wool-silk blend, will give the most sumptuous landing to your feet-or to your entire body if the mood strikes.

"For anything but a beach house-where wood floors are fine-you should have wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedroom. - Harry Heissmann, Senior Designer, Albert Hadley Inc.

"A wool rug with silk in it will create a beautiful shimmering effect in candlelight." -Designer Amy Lau.

Seduction Must-Have: Sheepskin area rug under a chaise lounge

Window Treatments to Shut Out the World
For total relaxation-essential to romance-a bedroom should shut out the outside world, by way of blackout curtains or layered window treatments. A three-fold layering such as wooden blinds, topped by sheers, topped by floor-to-ceiling draperies will create the most soothing effect.

"I love the elegance of a whole wall of drapery, ceiling to floor." -Designer Rebecca Cole

"Blackout curtains are a must in the bedroom so you can stay in bed as long as you want." -Designer Eric Cohler.

Seduction Must-Have: Silk or matte velvet drapery fabrics

Come-Hither Lighting
Choose lighting from a mix of sources, including table lamps next to the bed, wall sconces, or chandeliers over a seating area (never have lighting directly over the bed-it makes a naked body look ghastly).

"The allure of the bedroom is in the lighting." -Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.

"Use gold paper on the inside of a semi-opaque or opaque lacquered paper lampshade, and it counteracts the unflattering glow of a compact fluorescent." -Harry Heissmann, senior designer, Albert Hadley Inc.

Seduction Must-Have: Dimmers on all lights in the bedroom

Color that Flatters
To create a womb-type nest, paint the walls a rich color, then keep everything else in the room light and neutral. Body-flattering choices for bedroom wall color include: pale hues of rose, blue, lavender or gray. Avoid green or yellow: No one looks good in a green reflection; yellow can make skin appear jaundiced.

"Go with your favorite color because a bedroom should have the things you love." -Cathy Hobbs, of Aphereä Design (whose own bedroom has burnt-orange walls)

"A wallpaper with depth and dimension can add color and spice to the bedroom." - Designer Amy Lau

"For the bedroom, I like a slightly shiny wall with a Venetian plaster finish."-Harry Heissmann, senior designer, Albert Hadley Inc.

Seduction Must-Have: Passionate sun-kissed reds or apricots for wall color.

Final Touches to Set the Mood

Music: Nothing says romance like the right kind of music, so create a playlist just for the bedroom. Says designer Robert Verdi: "Don't use your everyday playlist. And make sure it's a playlist that can go on for hours-there's nothing worse than having the music stop before you want it to."

Candles: A scented candle appeals to the sense of smell, which is key to intimacy and arousal. Choose a long-burning candle, and try different scents-from jasmine to pepper-to find what you like.

Serenity: "The bedroom should be a soothing place for a couple," says designer Eric Cohler. "No cell phones, no Blackberry, no TV, no computer."