The first thing I notice is texture. What do the sheets I’m waking up in feel like? And are they topped by luxury duvet covers? If it’s my bed, then you better believe it. But a luxury bed doesn’t start with just the linens. As with most quality things in life, what can’t be seen is just as beautiful and important as what can be.

The Bed
The foundation, of course, is the mattress. Try Royal Pedic’s Tufted Top Latex Mattress and Box Spring set with the added Royal Cloup Pillow Top that’s available in 2 – 5″ thicknesses. The 5″ is, of course, the creme de la creme in comfort. This set will ensure the best night’s sleep possible. Royal Pedic also offers plushness levels suitable for every sleeper. Wrap your mattress in a Scandia Down mattress pad and you’ll soon be floating in dreamland.

From the mattress we go to the sheeting. Personally, I find Matouk linens to be some of the best, especially their Nocturne sateen sheets. These sumptuous sheets are a 600 thread count Egyptian Cotton, making them extremely soft and luxurious. With 19 beautiful colors to choose from, Nocturne is perfect for any setting. The Matouk Nocturne duvet cover has the subtle sateen shimmer while keeping a warm, comforting touch. It looks great while feeling divine. The only thing the duvet cover needs is a Scandia Home down comforter to keep you as warm and snuggly as you want. I find the Vienna Down Comforter fulfills all of my down needs. And don’t forget to include the matching Nocturne pillowcases, sheets, shams and bed skirt. Once again, Scandia Home down pillows are the perfect filler for your cases and shams. My personal favorite pillows for sleeping are Scandia Home’s Prague down pillows.

Bedroom Furnishings and Accessories
I have to confess, I fell in love with the Gustavian bedroom set by Chelsea Textiles. The Caned Headboard, Side Table with Shelf, and Gray Bureau all have simple lines and come in a neutral palette that looks great with just about anything. I like to think of this collection as a touch of elegance, with provincial charm.

I like to dress up the side table with simple accessories, like a piece of Simon Pearce glassware. One of my favorite, timeless embellishments is the Woodbury Flare vase with fresh-cut flowers from the garden.

For some stylish contrast, I’ve added a Dransfield & Ross Abydos bench and matching Egyptian Chair. The combination of the light colored, clean lined Chelsea furniture with Dransfield & Ross’s darker, more detailed pieces add a fabulous transitional look that makes any bedroom look unique, yet lived in.

Every bedroom needs lighting, and I found the perfect lamps that tie in the eclectic look of Dransfield & Ross with the Scandinavian style of Chelsea Textiles. Barbara Cosgrove has been creating lamps of every style for years, from contemporary to modern to traditional to whimsical. The Pineapple Lamp is perfectly suited for my style of bedroom, with its playful fruit base and clean linen shade (not pictured here).

Having the right kind of textures in a bedroom is very important. I like to keep a few Bodmer Throws around the house to add more warmth to any room. The handmade Alpaca throws are so soft and great for adding a soft texture to a bedroom. I like the Textured White Over Blond Throw for its subtle shade changes in the threads, and the fact it can be used with almost any color in almost any room setting.

Bedrooms also call for flooring and window treatments, and artwork. Fortunately at The Picket Fence, we have a team of fabulous interior designers willing and ready to assist with creating the perfect ambiance for your favorite room.

Contact our designers to assist you in creating the immaculate space you’ve always wanted. 866.944.5511

Finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift can be quite a challenge. Our designers have picked out a few of their favorite items that will truly show mom how much she means to you. We’ve covered all the bases, from timeless picture frames to show off her beautiful family, to delightfully scented candles that help mom to relax after a long day.

Whether you’re near or far from your mom, a personalized picture frame is a fantastic way to be a constant presence in her life. Reed & Barton’s Hennell picture frames are designed with a classic look sure to compliment any photo without being distracting.

Give a flower that brings new meaning to the term ‘Perennial’. Keep that lively spring feeling going year after year with the Diane James Magnolia and Footed Glass Vase.

The B. Home Elise Bracelet is a great accessory piece capable of being dressed up or down. White is the perfect accent for just about any color.

Instill a vivid visual stimuli filled with blue skies, calm seas and exotic tropical woods with the exquisite scent of the Niven Morgan Blue Candle.

Every mother deserves a little pampering, and Niven Morgan’s Blue Hand Cream that tenderly soothes hands with active organic aloe vera and mango butter is the perfect hand cream for just that.

Need a chic tote to carry around that new Niven Morgan hand cream? Stephanie Johnson’s Main St. collection provides a simplistic yet stylish way to handle all those body care essentials.

For more inspirational ideas, visit us on our site for even more great Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Be sure to place your orders by Friday May 4th for standard shipping to ensure your items arrive just in time to make that special lady in your life light up. We can always overnight your gift for those of you who are last minute shoppers!

Pinterest Contest – Pin it to win it!

Build up your Pinterest boards, explore our website, and enter for a chance to win one of our great products. We’ve randomly selected one of our favorite items from our website and are giving you the opportunity to win it! If you pin the product that we’ve selected, then you’re in the running to win that product. The more you pin, the better your odds of winning become. Follow these simple steps for your shot at winning one of our favorite items.

• Make sure you’re signed up on Pinterest – if not, head over to www.pinterest.com to sign-up, and don’t forget to invite your friends.
• Browse our website, www.thepicketfence.com and pin your favorite products. The more you pin, the better your odds of wining become.
• If you pin the product that we’ve selected then you’re automatically entered to win it.
• If you’re the only one to pin the product, it’s yours! If there are multiple pins then there will be a drawing to pick the lucky winner.

The contest runs from May 1st – May 31st, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to call or email us. 1.866.944.5511 or ray@thepicketfence.com

One such neighborhood craftsman that has been gaining popularity for his unique home interior creations is Wes Walsworth of Walsworth Furnishings. Trained as a builder, Wes has always possessed the capabilities of building great furniture, but the real ‘aha!’ moment came while working at a winery in Australia. He saw beautifully crafted barrels just being tossed out once they were no longer needed, and soon an idea came to him. The French white oak wine barrels became Wes’s inspirational medium while tables, chairs, stools, and coat racks became his transformed works of art. Utilizing the natural curvature of the wine barrels along with their weathered, distressed surfaces makes for elegant, one-of-a-kind locally produced reclaimed wood furniture.

Walsworth also believes passionately in green design, and has taken his time to create the perfect finishes for his pieces.

In addition to carrying Wes’ furniture pieces, we’ve recently collaborated with him to produce several serving trays exclusive to The Picket Fence. We hope that you’ll check out his work!

To view the Walsworth Furnishings collection, head on over to our website.

For a greater grasp on Walsworth Furnishings, check out the 2012 April/May issue of Sun Valley Property News (SVPN).

How to Make Bed the Most Luxurious Ever

Reaching the luxurious bed status, you can rest assured that you have somewhere you can go to relax, somewhere you can go to unwind, making all of the stress from your day gently float away. With a little time and effort, you too can learn how to make your bed one that you may just never want to leave!

1. Mattress Choice. One of the most essential parts of making sure that your bed is comfortable is choosing a mattress that is just right for you. It is very worthwhile to do a little research in order to find out what type of mattress is going to be best for you when it comes to comfort and support. Royal Pedic is one such mattress company that truly offers some of the best beds on the market.

2. Linens. When it comes to linens, there is quite the selection. This makes it hard for many people to know where to start when choosing the perfect set of linens. A great way to start is looking through the large selection of premium linens sold by Matouk. Matouk linens are made with the finest materials and are a sought-after linen for those looking for luxury.

3. Comforter. A comforter is a very important part of making your bed luxurious. A premium down comforter is a must. Determining the right weight and fill power will bring you a balance of comfort and warmth throughout the varying seasons. Baffling is also a feature that you will want to look for, as this is a highly effective way of making sure the down is able to be used in the most efficient manner possible. Scandia Home is one particular company that has done an exceptional job at offering a wide variety of options and varying material qualities to suite just about any budget.

4. Duvet Covers. While the purpose of duvet covers is to protect your comforter, they can also be used to add your own personal style to your bed. Take the time to browse through some of the many luxury duvet covers that are available in order to find the one that is just right for you.

5. Pillows. Last but certainly not least, pillows add that last touch to a luxurious bed and add to the overall beauty. Although some pillows will be chosen for their appearance, the pillows that you will be sleeping on need to fit your particular sleeping style. Memory foam and down are two pillow types that are considered to be the most luxurious.

We hope that you’ll now be able to bring your own level of comfort and luxury to your own bedroom with these in quick tips. Check out our online bedding selections right here or visit our beautiful showroom in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Spring is here and our designers have picked out their favorite items to bring you out of from the winter hibernation. This seasons themes: fun colors, refreshing scents and classic designs!

1. John Derian - historie naturelle birds tray: $212.00

2. Anali - seafan linen guest towel: $40.00

3. Chehoma - lombardi large glass: $15.00

4. Chehoma - wine cork opener: $34.00

5. Eyebobs - ida slapter reading glasses: $75.00 (call store for details)

6. Niven Morgan - blue hand soap: $18.00

7. Niven Morgan - blue hand lotion: $18.00

8. B. Home - shagreen, green: $190, shagreen, turquoise: $162

9. Niven Morgan - rainwater candle: $43.00

10. Custom Pillow - picket fence designed: $83.00 (contact for more information or for any other design inquiries)

We hope you enjoy these must have spring items! Find all of these items in our Sun Valley, Idaho showrooms or call us to order, 1.866.944.5511.

Spring is here and and the time has come to spruce up your tabletop. To make things a bit easier on your pocket book, we’re offering our spring tabletop sale. You’ll find countless dishware, glassware, napkins, placemats and accessories from top name brands including Mustardseed & Moonshine, Bulgar, Dransfield & Ross, Kim Seybert, Niderviller, and Simon Pearce on sale at 30%-75% off.

This is a one time opportunity to get discounts this deep. Shop the entire sale selection by clicking here. Sale ends April 8th, 2012.

Join our Newsletter and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on sales, new product arrivals and other great information.

How about representing old-style Hollywood glam with the Lola Slipper in Leopard?

These are so much fun and make excellent gifts for your stylish girlfriends.

Perhaps you’re looking for something with a more sophisticated look. In that case, may I suggest the handsome Greenwich Slipper, available in, four perfect colors.

For my casual days when I’m home flipping through magazines, or catching up on laundry, I go to my Sunday Slipper. I love the simplicity of it, and pink and brown are a great color combo.

Finally, when I’m feeling extra luxurious, I slip on the Whistler Mink Slipper.

Made from reused mink fur, this extra cozy slipper is lined with soft shearling for the ultimate slipper experience.

We have other great styles by Patricia Green in our store. Feel free to call us at 866.944.5511 for more information, or click here to see what we have. A couple of these styles are on sale  too!

Matouk offers a very large variety in both of these departments. Whether you’re looking for a classic look that can blend with anything; a traditional style that’s sure to stay timeless; a casual feel for everyday life; or a contemporary style that will keep you looking on top of the trend, Matouk is your go-to. Matouk has patterns and colors covered as well, whether they’re for Matouk bed linens, or Matouk towels, making these essential household items not only a necessary part of maintaining a family home, but also adding some great style and décor.

The Matouk company has been in business since 1929, making it an established business that creates some of the most luxurious linens around. John Matouk, the founder, knew to pay special attention to every detail that went into his products, and that philosophy is still in practice today. Matouk offers hundreds of custom embroidery colors that can be made into intricate designs, while tape detail and design is flawless as well as beautiful. The quality Matouk offers can be seen in every style imaginable.

Matouk Bedding

Classic Bedding - The classic style is a look that will carry into any bedroom without upsetting the existing decor. Matouk has some great classic looks like Barcelona coverlets and shams, crisp Lowell percale sheets, silky smooth Nocturne sateen sheets (my favorite!), and the new Verdi collection.

Traditional Bedding - The traditional look is going to be a style that will dominate the decor in your bedroom and more than likely flow throughout the rest of your home. There tends to be scalloped edging, feminine shapes, lacy details, traditional fabrics like seersuckers, and a lot of perfection. Some of my personal favorites from Matouk are the new Ava collection, Block Island seersucker, Classic Chain, the bold Mirasol, and the beautiful new Olivia.

Casual Bedding - For a relaxed and informal, everyday kind of feeling, casual bedding is the way to go. Even though Matouk is a luxury linen line, they also offer simple items. A few that I love to use the most often are Ansonia, the new bold yet subtle Cosima percale, the sweet Diamond Pique, and the fun Serena with its pearl stitching.

Contemporary Bedding – While Matouk offers a lot in the way of soft, traditional looks, they also have some great contemporary options for the shopper looking for a clean lined, modern look. Check out the very-square Aria coverlet and shams, the new, angular Greenbriar, the clean lines of Marlowe sheets, and the softer side of Matouk, the Pearl collection with all of its color options.

Matouk Towels

Let’s not forget the towels. Whether your bathroom flows right from your bedroom, or is down the hall and around the corner, it’s nice to have a cohesive design feel between the bedrooms and bathrooms. Matouk towels are made, as are the bed linens, with some of the best materials that allow for both beauty and quality. You can choose from a wide variety of Matouk towel options that add both style and luxury to your bathroom.

Classic Towels - Classic towels are a great choice for the bathroom that looks effortless. Simple lines are one reoccurring detail in most classic looks. Matouk, of course, offers a couple of selections that can, and do, look great in any bathroom. The straight edged Cairo bath collection is number one on my list, followed by Matouk’s newest collections; Marlowe and Como (both of these are perfect for the master bath if you have the corresponding bedding to match!).

Traditional Towels - Matouk is a fabulous company for the traditional look, and to prove it, they offer a great variety of towels to work into this particular décor. One of their newest styles is the Fern bath collection. I just love the beautiful scroll pattern! If a little color is what you’re after, as well as a conventional look, I recommend the Classic Chain, Gordian Knot, and Providence collections. Each one is unique, yet gorgeous.

Classic Towels - We all want our homes to look their best, but with little ones’ sticky fingers, pets’ chewing tendencies, and life in general, that can be a challenge. As usual, Matouk has you covered! Their Milagro towels come in a plethora of colors, at a decent price, and are incredibly soft and absorbent. Their other classic style with lovely pastel colors is Matouk’s new Guesthouse bath collection. Another affordable, yet sumptuous towel.

Contemporary Towels - For those whose style can be found in the latest design magazines and love a modern feel, Matouk offers the Como bath collection which features a double faced pique patterned terry with a simply handsome tape border. Another great option is the Whipstitch style. It’s a simple, yet soft and absorbent, terry faced towel with great color options whipstitched along the border.

If these options still aren’t quite what you have in mind, don’t hesitate to contact us at The Picket Fence for more assistance.

A Little History

Laguiole knives are aptly named after the small town of Laguiole, which is located in Southern France. These exceptional knives have been made in Laguiole since the early 1800s, and are made with special care and methods passed down from generation to generation. This quality of craftsmanship continues to assure buyers the value they expect when purchasing a set of Laguiole knives, or any of their other cutlery pieces. In fact, depending on the item being made, there can be up to 216 intricate, steps for producing just one tool.

Most Popular Knife Choices

Sets of Laguiole steak knives are very popular, especially for giving a gift that is as unique as the knives themselves. One of their more exquisite offerings is the set of Polished Horn Handle Steak Knives that come in a set of six. What sets this set apart from other collections are the recycled, highly polished Horn handles. They are available in striking black colors, or stunning blondes. Special care must be taken to maintain the integrity of Laguiole knives. Never immerse the knives in water. Wipe the handle down with a dry cloth, and use a soft, wet cloth to clean the stainless steel blade. We at The Picket Fence recommend getting your Laguiole pieces sharpened by professionals to ensure the sharpest blade.

Authenticity

Due to the fact that the Laguiole name has never been patented, there are some companies who will make a knife which will look like a Laguiole, complete with the name and the French Fly emblem. In order to be sure that you are indeed purchasing a true Laguiole knife, look for the following key features that will help you determine its authenticity.

• Be sure the knife has been made in France. The country of origin must be engraved on the blade!
• Check with the company selling the knives to assure the absolute best steel is being used to make the blades. The Laguiole knife collections we carry are all made with 440 stainless steel. The knife should feel heavy because of the superior quality of the steel.
• Lastly, a bee, or horsefly depending on who you’re talking to, is often found on the top of the blade spring. The famous bee symbol is generally a part of the overall design on a piece of Laguiole cutlery. Some say the bee represents the reign of Napolean. Those on the side of the horse fly insist the Laguiole knife was originally the farmer’s knife. The little bug can also be copied, so make sure everything else is in order. You should also see the infamous Shepherd’s Cross on the actual handle of the blade.