Perhaps the most essential item one could have in their bedroom to achieve the ultimate level of luxury and comfort, is a Duvet. There are a wide variety of duvets available, ranging from your average department store brands to luxury, bespoke brands like St Geneve. The more luxurious brands are made with very high quality materials and with meticulous craftsmanship which is why their bedding is sometimes referred to as heirloom quality. In other words, these products are considered timeless and something like a family treasure. In this article we'll discover the true magic of an heirloom duvet.
An heirloom is like a keepsake. Usually a household item of some significance that is treasured and cared for so it can be passed down from one generation to the next. When people think of heirlooms, they might not always think of duvets, but the highest quality duvets can last for many many years if cared for properly. They're specially crafted, sometimes by hand, with quality materials and skilled precision to ensure that the finished product will stand the test of time. When it comes to sentimentality, few keepsakes can offer more warm feelings of cozy memories than a soft blanket, quilt, or down comforter. This makes the duvet the perfect family heirloom. They awaken memories of home and special family moments while also being functional and luxurious for decades.
What Makes An Heirloom Duvet Different?
What makes an heirloom duvet different from your typical down comforter? Let's break down some of the key components.
1. High Quality Materials
Any high quality product starts with diligently sourced materials. Heirloom duvets are made with carefully procured natural fillings and fibers. Durability, breathability and loft are just a few important considerations when sourcing. Here are some of the most common materials:
Fillings: White goose down, eiderdown, merino wool, and silk are the preferred fillings for luxury bedding. Down is, of course, the gold standard for heirloom duvets, providing unmatched warmth while also being light and breathable.
Outer Shell Fabrics: The outer fabric of the duvet is often referred to as the shell. The best are always made with luxurious linens like Egyptian cotton, cotton sateen, or batiste cotton blends. These materials offer unmatched luxury and are also known for their durability.
2. Experienced Workmanship
Most heirloom duvets are made to order and crafted by hand with careful attention to every detail. There is a certain level of skill and experience it takes to construct such products with innovative techniques like double stitched edges and inner wall structures known as baffle boxes to prevent down from drifting and clumping inside the duvet. The most reputable manufacturers pay attention to every detail, down to the last stitch!
3. Durability
It wouldn't be an heirloom if it wasn't built to last. Everything from the quality of down to the thread used to stitch the shell is considered when crafting these duvets. Fortunately the most luxurious and comfortable materials are often the most durable.
4. Visually Beautiful
There's just something about a big puffy white duvet. It rests on top of the bed like a cloud waiting to envelope you. Just looking at a bed with an heirloom invokes feelings of blissful comfort and relaxation. Especially if it's been in your family for many years.
5. Produced Ethically & Sustainably
These days most things are expected to be made in an ethical and sustainable way. Bedding is no exception. Unfortunately many of the cheaper alternatives are made with synthetic fibers that are harmful to the environment. Heirloom duvets are made with natural materials sourced from ethical suppliers.
Why Buy an Heirloom Duvet?
Luxury bedding can be expensive but it is an investment in long-term quality and comfort. Buying an heirloom quality duvet has many advantages. Here are just a few:
Unmatched Comfort
If it's comfort you're looking for, quality materials are going to make a huge difference. Lush fillings like white goose down or eiderdown paired with silky smooth linens make for a whole new level of coziness and quality of sleep.
Lifespan
Because they're made with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, heirloom duvets are meant to last a long time. If care for properly and always protected with a clean duvet cover, they can last for decades. It's an investment that pays off in the long run.
Sentimental Value
Something as comfy and cozy as a duvet is the perfect household item for capturing memories and warm feelings. It's something that can be treasured and passed down from one generation to another.
Ethical & Sustainable
High quality duvets and the materials used to make them are often held to much higher standards when it comes to sustainability. Companies, like Luxury Sleep Shop, make sure their bedding is sourced from suppliers that follow strict guidelines for ethical and sustainable practices.
What to Look For When Buying an Heirloom Duvet
Making an investment in a luxury duvet is something to put some serious thought into. Here are a few tips to help make sure you get it right:
1. Reputable Brands
The best way to make sure you're getting a high quality product is to do a bit of research to find out which brands have a good reputation. Look for well established companies like St Geneve and Luxury Sleep Shop who are known for using only the highest quality materials and following the strictest guidelines for superior workmanship.
2. DOWNMARK® Certification
To make sure you're getting a genuine down product look for the DOWNMARK® certificate of authenticity. It's the best way to make sure the filling in your duvet is 100% down.
3. Down Loft & Fill Power
This is the best way to determine the quality of the actual down fill in your duvet. The higher the loft number the better. Anything above 600 loft is considered high quality.
4. Detailed Care Instructions
You don't want to play the guessing game when it comes to taking care of such a treasured heirloom. Make sure your new duvet comes with detailed instructions on how to properly care for your duvet so it lasts for years and years.
How to Care for a Duvet
If you want something to last a long time, you have to take good care of it and you have to be consistent. Here are the basic essential practices for taking care of your luxury comforter.
Use a Clean Duvet Cover at All Times
This is the most important thing you can do to make your duvet last. Changing the cover frequently will eliminate the need to wash the duvet itself, thus prolonging the life of the down inside.
Airing & Fluffing
Take advantage of nice weather by getting your duvet outdoors on a clothesline or a drying rack. A few hours in a shady spot with a nice breeze will do wonders for keeping your duvet nice and fresh. Giving it a good fluff up every time you change your cover is a great idea too.
Washing Instructions
It is ok to wash your duvet occasionally. If you're not absolutely certain about how to wash it, you should consult a professional cleaner. Not every duvet is the same. Look for your manufacturer's care instructions and follow them carefully. St Geneve care instructions can be found here.
Storing Your Duvet
When you're not using your duvet, store it in a breathable cotton bag to keep it from getting dusty but also allowing it to breathe and stay fresh. Avoid storing in plastic. Keep it in a cool dry area without anything stacked on top of it.
Where to Buy An Heirloom Duvet
There are a variety of luxury bedding retailers and boutiques both online and off that sell high quality products, made to last. One of the most trusted brands available today is St Geneve. Luxury Sleep Shop even sells the St Geneve Heirloom Duvet which is just one of their luxury products designed to last a lifetime.
So is the Heirloom Duvet Worth The Investment?
Our opinion is yes, of course it is. These stunning comforters are meant to last ages, and though rather pricey, they do pay off in the long run. Not only will they save you money by lasting for decades but over those years they will capture memories and sentimental value, making them the perfect treasure to pass on to the next generation. If you're looking for something your family can cherish well into the future, why not start your legacy today with a Luxury Heirloom Duvet.