While both are luxurious and beautiful, percale and sateen fabrics can be distinguished based on the way the fabric is made. Here, our experts at Sferra Brothers explain this subtle difference:

A percale is a plain weave using a use a one-over, one-under structure. The percale’s weave produces a firm and smooth fabric with no gloss.

The sateen’s structure places more threads on the surface, producing the sheen and softer feel. A sateen uses of a different structure in the weaving process, usually a four-over, one-under.

Love the crisp feel of percale, or the soft sheen of sateen? Take a look at some of our favorites in these two sophisticated fabrics:

And if you’re looking for the highest thread count linens in each fabric, Sferra offers a 1,020 thread count sateen bedding collection called Milos, and an 800 thread count percale bedding line called Sereno.

To view our entire bedding collection, click here.

We’d love to hear what you prefer: percale or sateen?

Winding down the holiday season, it is time to think about your own needs. January is the perfect time to start those little changes that make a big difference.  Here are some New Year’s resolutions that will be the perfect treat for yourself:

Explore: Find new adventures in Graphic Image‘s 1,000 Places to See Before You Die…

…And bring luxury to any destination with sofiacashmere‘s Emilia Red Cashmere Travel Set.

Keep calm: Light Michael Aram‘s Ocean Coral Candle when you’re stressed. The soothing fragrance will bring peace and tranquility for the New Year.

Keep things clean: Doing laundry becomes a pleasure with the floral aroma of LeBlanc‘s Blue Violet Linen Care.

Stay organized: Selamat‘s Classic Large Desk Caddy will keep all your accessories neat and easily available.

Stay motivated: Be inspired each day with Natural Curiosities’ Quotes Collection.

Spend more time with friends and family: If you have a busy schedule, a cup of tea is the perfect way to catch up.

Inspired by the ornamental stone, the rich, regal color of jade can be added to your home to compliment any color scheme.

To see more throw pillows, click here.

There’s an amazing house in the December 2013 issue of Veranda magazine:

The owners have achieved an almost perfect balance of traditional yet modern design.  The columns, cornices, and arches remind us of the Spanish Revival style which are synonymous with California, but the doors, outdoor sculpture, and general brightness of the space make it perfect for today as well.

The dining room of the house strikes the same traditional yet modern balance:

So naturally we ask: How do you set this table so that is equally traditional yet modern, in keeping with the rest of the house?

We propose the Anna Weatherley Indigo Blue dinnerware.  Like the house itself, its traditional shape is unadorned in its modern simplicity, and it has an intense indigo blue to match the art:

Match it with Alain Saint Joanis’s Arabesque silver-plated flatware, whose Moroccan-inspired handles pay homage to the house’s Spanish Revival roots:

Finally, Varga’s Nouveau Simplicity stemware completes the traditional yet streamlined look, with carved petals inside the cups which echo the arches of the house:

To submit a room for our Instant Makeover, simply post a comment here or tweet us @GraciousStyle

With a new year fast approaching, we have everything you need to make your last party of 2013 unforgettable! Here are some of our favorite ways to usher in the new year:

Light your table or entryway with festive candlelight. We love the warmth and glow of Simon Pearce‘s Nantucket Hurricanes.

Make hors d’oeuvres elegant and easily available with sophisticated serving platters. Nambe‘s Scoop Server is a great way to serve chips and dip in one dish.

Add a touch of sparkle to your celebration. L’Objet‘s Pave Band Multi Crystal Napkin Rings bring just the right amount of shine to your table.

Incorporate some color on your table with bright linens. Vietri‘s Accent Chartreuse Medallion Napkins are the perfect pop in vibrant hues.

Don’t forget to toast! Moser‘s Poppy Champagne Flutes will keep the bubbly flowing.

For more great ways to entertain, click here.

Inspired by the beauty and mystery of the serpent, L’Objet‘s Snake Desk Accessories are unusual yet elegant. We are thrilled that Elle Decor highlighted these glamorous pieces in their November 2013 issue.

Made in Limoges porcelain with 24-karat gold plated accents, the Rectangular Tray, Magnifying Glass and Letter Opener could not have come at a better time for a holiday gift, or the perfect indulgence for yourself.

For more information on L’Objet‘s Cabinet of Curiosities, please click here.

Ever kick yourself for not, er, picking up a souvenir from that restaurant on your last trip?  Now you can do it legally with Vietri’s Metro Dinnerware:

This taupe plate brings back memories of The Big Apple, but there’s also London, Paris, Milan, Rome, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, San Lorenzo, Cortona, Seattle, and Oslo (yes Oslo!), all thanks to the worldly travels of Susan Gravely, the founder of Vietri.

Perfect for the traveler in your life, these are sweet reminders of all those places you’ve visited (or are dying to see).  And since they’re made by Vietri, each piece is handmade in Tuscany of Italian stoneware and is microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher safe.

Click here to view the full Metro Dinnerware collection by Vietri.

This room from Traditional Home was done up to the nines, with silk drapery, antique furnishings, and even a throw blanket for a spice of color:

But there’s one thing out of place here — the lighting fixture.  It’s too small, doesn’t fit the style of the room, and looks off-centered.

Fortunately, lighting offers a lot of possibilities, as many of the top interior designers and architects have created lighting fixtures that express their style.  Here are three possibilities based on the look of the room.

The Suzanne Kasler Michele Chandelier in French Gilt finish plays to its feminine and antique sensibilities:

Alexa Hampton’s Myrna Chandelier in Natural Brass picks up on the golden tones of the room while staying more neutral:

Finally, Suzanne Kasler’s Seymour Chandelier in Belgian White finish emphasizes the antique details found in the bed, side tables, demi-lune bench, and chair:

To submit a room for our Instant Makeover, simply post a comment here or tweet us @GraciousStyle

During this busy holiday season, we want to help you check everyone off your list! Here are some of our favorite ideas for gifts that will delight the men in your life:

For other great gift ideas for him, click here.

With Holiday Season in full swing, Architectural Digest Magazine is spot on with their creative gift ideas.

Here are some of our favorite gift suggestions:

For more Holiday gift ideas, click here.