We love our waffle weave fabrics, both for blankets and bathrobes. They have a neat, graphic look, but that’s not all. Waffle weave is functional, too. The experts at Sferra explain:

Waffle weave fabric, also known as a honeycomb weave fabric, is woven to produce a textured surface fabric with a distinctive grid-like pattern of recessed square or diamond shapes, resembling a breakfast waffle or a honey bee comb. In the weaving process, the ridges outlining the squares or diamonds are raised on all sides by floating both the warp and the weft, and gradually decreasing the floats moving from the ridges toward the centers.

Waffle weave fabric has thermal properties, providing warmth and insulation by trapping body heat and forming a warm layer next to the skin, thereby increasing heat retention. In addition, waffle weave fabric is highly absorbent and available in a variety of weights. These features make this fabric perfect for blankets and robes.

Sferra’s best-selling Kingston Waffle Weave Blanket has all of these great features. It also comes in seven delicious colors.

The Edison bathrobe is waffle weave for the bath. It is lightweight, absorbent and soft.

Established in Ireland in 1783, Waterford Crystal creates an extensive range of crystal stemware, barware and giftware that is highly regarded throughout the world. The company is committed to creating prestigious products for gift giving, entertaining, and home decorating, whose classic designs transcend time.

The leading brand of premium crystal, Waterford has become synonymous with the finest quality crystal sought after by collectors and connoisseurs around the world. Each piece of Waterford is watermarked with the word “Waterford”, a signature indicating the name of the finest crystal in the world.

The best-selling Waterford Lismore pattern was inspired by the gothic architecture of the 800-year-old Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland.  Created in 1962, Lismore is a stunning combination of brilliance and clarity. These surprisingly weighty glasses feature the intricate detailing of Lismore’s signature diamond and wedge cuts and are beautiful examples of stunning drinkware that defines traditional styling even while transcending it.

Today, Waterford crystal can be found at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Westminster Abbey, Dublin’s National Concert Hall, and the Australian House of Parliament.

To start your own collection, see our entire line of Waterford Crystal.

A brand new year, and we have some brand new looks for your table. Linen Way, a fair trade company that creates beautiful, eco-friendly linen tablecloths, has some lovely new introductions for the new year.

A beautiful jacquard in the jewel-like colors of sea glass characterizes the Murano Seaglass tablecloth, runner and napkins:

A classic, relaxed collection, Serenite highlights the beauty of natural linen. New for 2013 are a cheeky pink stripe:

and a soothing teal stripe:

Serenite is available in napkins, placemats, table runners and tablecloths. Also available in Ice Blue Stripe.

And for a classic neutral look, the Paisley table linens are now available in Ivory. This collection includes tablecloths, napkins, and table runners finished with hemstitched edges:

You can see our entire collection of Linen Way tablecloths here.

Question: What are Euro shams? How do I use them?

Answer: Euro shams, also known as European or Continental shams, are sized to fit a 26×26” European pillow. These pillows and shams are generally used for decorative purposes, but they can also be used as floor pillows or reading pillows. Euro shams are often designed with decorative trims or flanges, which add visual interest and increase the overall size by extending beyond the outer edge of the pillow. Unlike a pillowcase, which has the opening visible on the side, a sham has a hidden opening of overlapping fabric in the back.

The secret to setting a beautiful, luxurious bed ensemble is the layering of pillows with different sizes, shapes and patterns. In a pillow arrangement, Euro pillows are placed in the back, against the headboard, creating a background. You would generally use three Euro pillows on a king bed, two on a full or queen bed, and one on a twin bed.

In the image above, Sferra’s Euro pillows with Kendall shams are set in the back, with a layering of various styles of pillows and other sized shams in the front.

Here are a few more examples of this layering technique:

As you can see, layering with Euro and regular shams can create a lovely, textured bed ensemble. Take a look at all of our Sferra bedding options, and create a look that’s uniquely yours.

The editors at Bridal Guide put together a wonderful silver wedding feature, which includes our Bling Metallic Pillow by Lance Wovens.

Bridal Guide is one of our favorite bridal magazines. It is sophisticated, colorful, and full of gorgeous ideas.

Anna Weatherley is introducing three new dinnerware patterns for 2013. Featuring her signature, nature-inspired themes of flowers and butterflies, these lovely patterns are just perfect for spring and summer entertaining.

Butterfly Blue features a scattering of whimsical butterflies and other bugs with a blue border.

Butterfly Green features a green border.

Butterfly Floral features butterflies fluttering around Anna Weatherley’s signature florals.

Anna Weatherley’s designs are based on botanical sketches from the 18th century as well as Dutch still-life paintings. At home, we find her pieces look just as good on our tables as they do on our walls. View all of our Anna Weatherley dinnerware.

It’s a common problem.

You go to all the trouble to place the duvet in the cover and get it just right. Seemingly on its own willpower, it slowly shifts, until eventually the entire duvet is bunched up on one side.

Then your spouse accuses you of stealing all of the covers.

Luckily for us all, Sferra has solved the migrating duvet dilemma, ensuring domestic harmony will continue to reign.

Sferra’s down duvets have a loop on each corner and our duvet covers have ties inside at each corner. These loops and ties help keep the duvet from shifting. The duvet is inserted into the duvet cover through the opening at the bottom. The closure ensures that the duvet stays inside the duvet cover. Sferra uses buttons and buttonhole closures, as they provide a greater level of style and a more luxurious finish.

Here’s a picture illustrating the corner loop on Sferra’s Cardigan Duvets:

An ingenious solution, wouldn’t you say? Now if they could only come up with a way to get him to pick up his dirty socks and put them in the hamper…

This golden table setting is perfect for the holidays, including New Year’s Eve! It would also be just gorgeous for an awards dinner or an Oscar party.

Here’s how to get the look:

J.L. Coquet’s Hemisphere Gold dinnerware provides a sparkling dinner plate and bread & butter plate.

Raynaud’s Tresor dinnerware in brown is a lovely accent with the charger and coffee cup & saucer.

An amber wine goblet from Varga’s Imperial collection is a stunning complement.

We think this gold handled flatware from Herdmar would look great on this table!

The new collections from Libeco Home have us dreaming of lazy summer days on the beach. Inspired by vintage surfboards and coastal style, we think you’re going to love these gorgeous table, kitchen and bed linens.

Malibu is a beachy bed linen collection where blue is combined with red, green and sand-colored shades brought together in a summery check. The collection includes duvet covers, pillowcases and shams. It looks great with the new Biarritz, blankets and pillow covers in blue and red.

The Longboard is a 100% linen blanket inspired by vintage surfboards. Blue, red and ochre stripes run through the basic navy shade, lifting the darker base to create a blanket that’s just right for a cool summer evening. Also available in a decorative pillow cover with a zip closure.

The Lisbon collection of tablecloths, napkins and table runners brings together a playful vintage fifties look with fresh colors of rose, yellow and aqua. The darker accents lend a strong pattern.

Our best-selling Polylin table linens now feature three new summer-inspired colors: Lemon Yellow, Strawberry and Verde (a soothing aqua green.)

They’re a great match for the new kitchen towels, called “Waikiki“. As the name suggests, they have a young, warm and summery look inspired by the relaxed island life.

See all of our Libeco Home linen collections.

Skyros Designs loves combining form with function which is clearly evident in the Legado dinnerware collection. Molded in a fine, thin, durable stoneware, this engraved monogrammed dinnerware will become a family heirloom – it’s a wonderful gift for brides.

The salad plate, mug, and oval platter are available with or without an engraved initial. All letters are available except for Q, X and Z. The monogrammed pieces are all kept in stock, so you don’t have to wait weeks for them to be customized.

As functional as it is lovely, Legado pieces are freezer, oven (to 500 degrees Fahrenheit), microwave & dishwasher safe.