MILWAUKEE — Is there anything more inviting than a night at a fine hotel?
Luxury linens, plump pillows, restful colors, rich wood? They all contribute to the appeal.
"I've traveled quite a bit, and today's boutique hotels are quite special," says interior designer Susan Stockton, owner of London by Design in Thiensville, Wis. "They offer a wonderful mood, an almost Zenlike feel. When we come home at the end of a busy day, it would be nice to come home to something like that."
Today, many people are choosing to replicate the look and feel of a fine hotel in their own homes.
What are some of the elements of hotel style?
Interior designer Erinn Valencich of Omniarte Design in Los Angeles says it is a look of contrasts: dark wood furniture paired with white or light neutral sheets; sharp-angled furniture lines paired with soft pillows; shiny metal accent lamps paired with elements of nature in wall art or flowers in a vase.
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"It's a simple formula," she says. "It's the contrast that provides the pop."
Valencich also says there are things you won't find as part of the look, such as floral prints, bright colors, draperies that match the bedding or entire sets of anything.
Clutter, too, is not allowed.
Furniture and bedding companies are very willing to help consumers achieve what some people refer to as hotel chic.
Diana Dashner, a project manager for Ethan Allen, says the look is a popular decorating choice for all ages, from younger homeowners just starting out to older consumers who may be downsizing and simplifying their lives by moving to condos or lofts.
Ethan Allen's Morgan bed, complete with night tables, provides a streamlined profile. The dark Espresso finish works well with lighter linens, and the bed is dramatic enough to serve as a focal point. It's quite fitting that the Ethan Allen catalog describes the look as "modern serenity."
Paired with the rich, dark woods are today's high-end linens with high thread counts, which have been gaining popularity for years at a variety of price points. Specialty linen boutiques have sheets in thread counts up to 1,000. Macy's has its Hotel Collection, as does Marshalls.
"We are seeing a definite trend toward bringing more luxury into the bedroom," says Michele Casper, spokeswoman for Lands' End, the Dodgeville, Wis.-based catalog and retail operation known for its quality bedding as well as its clothing for the family.
"Practically speaking, high-quality sheets can help you get a better night's sleep because they are softer and more comfortable. But we also are seeing the bedroom as a place to splurge, and what better way than in a set of sheets that envelop you all night long?"