Taransay Duvet Cover – c/o bluebellgray

Ombré pillow and teal velvet pillow  – c/o bluebellgray

With my many photos of Miku, Vester, Lacy, and Kitty Boos all snuggling in the bed, one of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “How do you keep your bed clean?” Well, part of being an animal lover is embracing the occasional stray hairs that choke you in the night and cling to your clothes – and investing in lint rollers and regular trips to the groomer. Oh, and let’s not forget Bobby’s at-home kitty haircuts…which our weirdo cats love. But beyond that, we wash our bedding frequently, and have multiple sets of sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers. Since we don’t have a washing machine, it just makes sense to have backups so we’re not at the laundromat every other day. We currently have three different duvet covers in rotation: the blue/grey and white set with matching pillows, all white, and this bluebellgray floral “Taransay” (named after an island in West Scotland) set, which was designed by Fiona Douglas in her  studio in Scotland. She hand paints every design, which is then digitally printed on her textiles. Naturally, I gravitated toward these oversized watercolor florals; don’t they look like something I would have tattooed on me?

Here’s what I love about duvets: it is so much easier to swap out the cover for a new look, without having to store a bunch of bulky comforters. Since I collect vintage and antique odds and ends, I get pretty attached to some things and don’t like to let them go. Much of my stuff has traveled with me since I was a teenager, with many more additions along the way, so instead of redecorating, I just rearrange. However I did buy a new contemporary bedside table which makes my room look modern, I love it! To tie in the floral duvet, I move some of my pieces from my mantle and shelves and add some bright flowers. I swap out pillows and store the alternates in a trunk, switch furniture between rooms, and frame inexpensive art that I can swap out at will (I love framing cute greeting cards and post cards to fill up space in gallery walls and shelves). And for those of you wondering what Bobby thinks of the florals and pinks, he couldn’t care less. I mean, this is the same guy who wears my sleeping masks. He just wants a comfortable place to sleep. Besides, Miku loves it – and let’s be honest, her opinion trumps all.

(p.s. See a full tour of my room, here.)