Simply Elegant: Bed Linens that Add a Luxurious Touch

Even if you weren't born with a silver spoon, you can play the part of an heir or heiress in the privacy of your own home. New bedding transforms the bedroom into one corner of a great estate. What's hot now? You'll be recognized as a true socialite when adding these looks to the manse: Screening Room, Tack Room, Bungalow, Chalet, or Atrium. In all boudoirs, live flowers, original art, and strong draperies add elegance.

The Screening Room
Take cues from the starlets of the silver screen. The 1940's fashions are hot both on the runway and at home. Houndstooth, tweed, or bold black and white floral duvets and shams look smart with black shirting striped sheets. Get a pop of color from satin-backed velvet throws and pillows in a deep purple or bright yellow. Draped headboards add glamour and can hide recessed bookshelves. Complement the look with oversized black and white photography.

The Bungalow
Think of Thomas Crown's private stretch of beach, or your own favorite island vacation. Though you might work to create the ambiance, it should reflect effortless ease. Hang mosquito netting around the bed for a sexy hideaway. Use hemp, sand, and coconut cream shades for bedding, then add the tiniest touches of orchid brights. White, however, is always right. Combine several textures in white for a look that's both modern and romantic: sheers, quilting, white-on-white embroidery and open needlework. White shows well against dark polished wood bedroom furniture. Accent with tortoiseshell frames and polished silver tea service.

The Atrium
Be inspired by riches from 1920's Vieux Paris - feminine, intricate bedding, but pretty beyond pink. Seek comforters with faded tossed florals in shades of robin's egg blue, butter yellow, and rose. Keep patterns from looking too precious by alternating large prints with smaller tossed florals or pastel stripes. Break up floral bedding with solid flat sheets and cases in muted greens, creams, and even chocolate browns. Dressmakers' details - pintucks, pleats, and embroidery - are appreciated details. Add whimsy with needlepoint pillows, gilded accessories, and charming fleur-de-lis accents.

The Chalet
Get cozy with a mug of cocoa in bedding that's a sleek homage to après ski. Simply layer all-black bedding instead of white. Combine black cotton sateen sheeting with a black merino wool or cashmere blanket. No duvet or bedskirt needed. A single stripe of red, white, or yellow helps evoke the feel of high-performance skiwear.

The Tack Room
More polo player than cowboy, the equestrian bedroom is a modern classic. Dark tartan duvet and shams play against red, navy, and French blue monogrammed sheeting. Crest embroidered toss pillows look luxe. Buttery leather and suede Euro pillows in black, saddle tan, or navy replace the headboard. Indulge in a sumptuous throw blanket in camelhair or camel-colored cashmere. Art deco silver accents add to the trophy room appeal.