What is Thread Count Anyway?
Basically thread count is how many threads there are per square inch.
So if your sheets say 200 thread count, it means there are 200 interlocking threads every square inch. Sheets always use more thread count than shirts or clothing. A typical shirt is 60 x 60 thread count, or 120 thread count. The 60 x 60 means there are 60 threads going horziontally and 60 threads going vertically to form a sturdy construction. A typical flat sheet will have 120 x 80 thread count to make up the 200 thread count.
Generally speaking the more threads the better quality or softer the sheets. But a lot of overseas vendors are now splitting one thread and making it two, so your 400 thread count sheets may actually only be a 200 thread count. And if they use cheap cotton, the more thread count isn't always your saving grace. But for the most part, going by thread count is a fine way to pick the quality of your hawaiian sheets.
Below is the techinal definition of thread count:
Thread count is a measure of the coarseness or fineness of Hawaiian print fabric. It is measured by counting the number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric, including both the length (warp) and width (weft) threads. It is used especially in regard to cotton linens such as surfer bed sheets.
Thread count is a simple measure of fabric quality, so that "standard" cotton thread counts are around 150 while good-quality sheets start at 180 and a count of 200 or higher is considered percale. Extremely high thread counts (typically over 500) tend to be misleading as they usually use 'plied' yarns. i.e. one yarn that is made by twisting together multiple finer threads. For marketing purposes, a fabric with 250 yarns in both the vertical and horizontal direction could have the component threads counted to a 1000 thread count although "according to the National Textile Association, accepted industry practice is to count each thread as one, even threads spun as two- or three-ply yarn.
The Federal Trade Commission agrees and recently issued a warning that consumers 'could be deceived or misled' by inflated thread counts."
Dean Miller's beach bedding has never miss-lead or tried to deceive any of its consumers, and has always clearly stated that our cotton percale surf sheets are 200 thread count.
Friday, October 29, 2010
What are comforters made out of?
Comforter Construction:
Filling- Comforters are filled with layers of material such as polyester batting, down feathers, wool, or silk. The loft of the filling determines the weight as well as the level of insulation. The comforter is stitched or quilted to secure the filling and keep it evenly distributed. Dean Miller Surf Bedding uses a 12oz polyester batting fill, with a channel or diamond stitching to keep your comforter looking like it just came off the store rack.
Tropical Shell/Covering- The outer shells of comforters are typically constructed using cotton, silk, or polyester fabrics or blends, of varying thread counts. Comforter shells vary in design and color, often designed to coordinate with other bedding. Dean Miller's beach bedding uses 100% cotton outer shell or covering to give the user a super soft night's sleep. Dean Miller's Hawaiian print fabrics are usually 200 thread count, but we have been known to use even higher thread count in some of our surfboard sheet sets.
Filling- Comforters are filled with layers of material such as polyester batting, down feathers, wool, or silk. The loft of the filling determines the weight as well as the level of insulation. The comforter is stitched or quilted to secure the filling and keep it evenly distributed. Dean Miller Surf Bedding uses a 12oz polyester batting fill, with a channel or diamond stitching to keep your comforter looking like it just came off the store rack.
Tropical Shell/Covering- The outer shells of comforters are typically constructed using cotton, silk, or polyester fabrics or blends, of varying thread counts. Comforter shells vary in design and color, often designed to coordinate with other bedding. Dean Miller's beach bedding uses 100% cotton outer shell or covering to give the user a super soft night's sleep. Dean Miller's Hawaiian print fabrics are usually 200 thread count, but we have been known to use even higher thread count in some of our surfboard sheet sets.
What is a Hawaiian comforter?
A comforter is a type of "super sized" blanket. Beach comforters are intended to keep the user warm, especially during sleep, although they can also be used as mattress pads. Tropical comforters are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic insulative material and encased in a shell/covering. Dean Miller's tropical comforters have a 100% cotton shell or covering over the fill to ensure the user a nice soft feel.
Comforter sizes usually correspond with mattress or bed sizes, typically mattresses are sold as twin, full, queen, and king. Comforter sizes run slightly larger than actual bed sizes to allow for draping over the sides of the bed. Typical sizes in the United States for comforters are (and Dean Miller Hawaiian bedding uses these same sizes)
•Twin = 64" Width x 87" Length
•Queen / Full = 87" Width x 87" Length
•King = 101" Width x 90" Length.
A comforter is sometimes covered with a duvet (comforter) cover for protection and prolonged use. Duvet is French for "Down". Comforter covers are like a big pillowcase for your comforter, usually closed with zippers or buttons. Dean Miller has etched their logo into it's own wood buttons to firmly hold your comforter in place. Some customers prefer duvets over comforters or bedspreads because they are easier to wash, and can be easily changed out to give your bedroom a completely new look.
So when you are feeling a little tropical be sure to pull your Dean Miller duvet cover out of the closet and make your room do the hula.
Comforter sizes usually correspond with mattress or bed sizes, typically mattresses are sold as twin, full, queen, and king. Comforter sizes run slightly larger than actual bed sizes to allow for draping over the sides of the bed. Typical sizes in the United States for comforters are (and Dean Miller Hawaiian bedding uses these same sizes)
•Twin = 64" Width x 87" Length
•Queen / Full = 87" Width x 87" Length
•King = 101" Width x 90" Length.
A comforter is sometimes covered with a duvet (comforter) cover for protection and prolonged use. Duvet is French for "Down". Comforter covers are like a big pillowcase for your comforter, usually closed with zippers or buttons. Dean Miller has etched their logo into it's own wood buttons to firmly hold your comforter in place. Some customers prefer duvets over comforters or bedspreads because they are easier to wash, and can be easily changed out to give your bedroom a completely new look.
So when you are feeling a little tropical be sure to pull your Dean Miller duvet cover out of the closet and make your room do the hula.
Let the Aloha In With Some Beach Signs and A Raffia Grass Bed skirt
Letting the Aloha In with Beach Signs and a Raffia Grass Bed skirt - Decorating your home with beach signs and a raffia grass bed skirt takes a lot of thought and consideration. Dean Miller has a whole store full of beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts dedicated to helping you bring the aloha home. By simply adding new beach signs or a raffia grass bed skirt you can create an inexpensive way to re-decorate. With a wide selection of beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts to choose from, any empty wall space can have new color with the addition of beach signs.
Beach signs can be framed or simply hung with a nail and will compliment your raffia grass bed skirt. Bamboo frames for your beach signs will help keep your tropical theme consistent as well as coordinate with your raffia grass bed skirt. If you really want to highlight your raffia grass bed skirt, you can put a raffia frame around your beach signs for the ultimate thatched look. Beach signs come in all shapes and size, so you are sure to find a beach sign that suits your style. No matter what kind of bed you have, raffia grass bed skirts are available in all sizes.
Picking out beach signs or a raffia grass bed skirt shouldn’t be complicated, but rather a fun experience! I suggest picking your favorite color, and looking over all the beach signs to find which beach sign matches your décor. Fortunately a raffia grass bed skirt only comes in one color so you don’t have to fret about which raffia grass bed skirt you want, just what size raffia grass bed skirt will fit. Most beach signs are in color and depict scenes of Hawaii. Here is an example of a beach sign that has some palm thatching in it that will go great with a raffia grass bed skirt.
Beach signs can be used in your kitchen or living room. A raffia grass bed skirt can be cut up to make a window valance for any room, so your bathroom beach sign won’t be alone. Another idea to highlight your raffia grass bed skirt with your beach signs is to place some beach signs in a hallway going into your bedroom and leave your door open so your visitors can see your raffia grass bed skirt from the hallway. You’re sure to get many compliments on your raffia grass bed skirt as well as your beach signs.
Beach signs start around $ 13.99 to $16.99 depending on which beach sign you choose. A raffia grass bed skirt starts at $49.00 for a twin raffia grass bed skirt and about $5.00 more per size. All beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts are in stock at Dean Miller’s designer store, and all beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts can be easily viewed online. Raffia grass bed skirts and beach signs will offer your home a unique look that is sure to make your home stand out in your neighborhood. Let the aloha in with Dean Miller’s beach signs and raffia grass bed skirt.
Beach signs can be framed or simply hung with a nail and will compliment your raffia grass bed skirt. Bamboo frames for your beach signs will help keep your tropical theme consistent as well as coordinate with your raffia grass bed skirt. If you really want to highlight your raffia grass bed skirt, you can put a raffia frame around your beach signs for the ultimate thatched look. Beach signs come in all shapes and size, so you are sure to find a beach sign that suits your style. No matter what kind of bed you have, raffia grass bed skirts are available in all sizes.
Picking out beach signs or a raffia grass bed skirt shouldn’t be complicated, but rather a fun experience! I suggest picking your favorite color, and looking over all the beach signs to find which beach sign matches your décor. Fortunately a raffia grass bed skirt only comes in one color so you don’t have to fret about which raffia grass bed skirt you want, just what size raffia grass bed skirt will fit. Most beach signs are in color and depict scenes of Hawaii. Here is an example of a beach sign that has some palm thatching in it that will go great with a raffia grass bed skirt.
Beach signs can be used in your kitchen or living room. A raffia grass bed skirt can be cut up to make a window valance for any room, so your bathroom beach sign won’t be alone. Another idea to highlight your raffia grass bed skirt with your beach signs is to place some beach signs in a hallway going into your bedroom and leave your door open so your visitors can see your raffia grass bed skirt from the hallway. You’re sure to get many compliments on your raffia grass bed skirt as well as your beach signs.
Beach signs start around $ 13.99 to $16.99 depending on which beach sign you choose. A raffia grass bed skirt starts at $49.00 for a twin raffia grass bed skirt and about $5.00 more per size. All beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts are in stock at Dean Miller’s designer store, and all beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts can be easily viewed online. Raffia grass bed skirts and beach signs will offer your home a unique look that is sure to make your home stand out in your neighborhood. Let the aloha in with Dean Miller’s beach signs and raffia grass bed skirt.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Catching Waves While You Sleep
Re-decorating a bedroom with a beach theme takes a bit of creativity, and a little knowledge of where to begin. The center piece of your room is your bed, so you should always start by picking new beach bedding, and working in your paint color schemes and themes around the bedding.
I like to keep it simple with choosing my bedding, by first and foremost using my favorite color. Since you spend the majority of your time sleeping in your bed, you may as well go with something you like. In my case, it is the color blue, just like the ocean. Since I love Hawaii and how it conquers up warm memories for me of warm tropical trade winds, and swaying palm trees, I decided on a classic Hawaiian tapa print with a blue ground, and warm sandy hues. This design features lots of island motifs, and has a few other colors that compliment the blue to work with for the rest of the room.
For the top of the bed I decided on a comforter and sham set in the same design, then I added in a solid color printed sheet set with just a light texture on them to add some depth to my bedding. I also choose a fabric bed skirt in the same design as my sheets to highlight the Hawaiian print I chose. Using a coordinating bed skirt instead of the same design as the comforter aids with the flow of colors I will use for the rest of the room.
To have a nice full looking bed presentation, I recommend having four to six pillows on the bed, plus two or more smaller throw pillows. Two will be used to cover the pillows shams, and sheet set. Then I also like to have two more standard size pillows, generally with a third solid color that compliments your color wheel. This will complete your bed ensemble, and make your bedroom look like a model home.
I like to keep it simple with choosing my bedding, by first and foremost using my favorite color. Since you spend the majority of your time sleeping in your bed, you may as well go with something you like. In my case, it is the color blue, just like the ocean. Since I love Hawaii and how it conquers up warm memories for me of warm tropical trade winds, and swaying palm trees, I decided on a classic Hawaiian tapa print with a blue ground, and warm sandy hues. This design features lots of island motifs, and has a few other colors that compliment the blue to work with for the rest of the room.
For the top of the bed I decided on a comforter and sham set in the same design, then I added in a solid color printed sheet set with just a light texture on them to add some depth to my bedding. I also choose a fabric bed skirt in the same design as my sheets to highlight the Hawaiian print I chose. Using a coordinating bed skirt instead of the same design as the comforter aids with the flow of colors I will use for the rest of the room.
To have a nice full looking bed presentation, I recommend having four to six pillows on the bed, plus two or more smaller throw pillows. Two will be used to cover the pillows shams, and sheet set. Then I also like to have two more standard size pillows, generally with a third solid color that compliments your color wheel. This will complete your bed ensemble, and make your bedroom look like a model home.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Bedding on Success
They are bedding on success.
For The Guys
Newport Beach residents Doug C. Smith, 28, and Edward McLean, 27, are just two surfers trying to make a living. They never thought they would do it be selling bedding, though.
But six months ago, the former neighbors founded Dean Miller Hawaiian Island Prints, a company that specializes in Hawaiian-style comforters and tropical sheets.
“The whole company started as us trying to make bedding for ourselves,” Smith said. “You try to find bedding for guys and there’s nothing out there. You have two choices: solids or geometrical patterns.”
Nearly three years ago, McLean, who is an avid surfer, wanted Hawaiian-style bedding. He went to a fabric store, pinned some stuff together and took it to a dry cleaners to get it sewed up. Friends and visitors loved his creations. But McLean, who was working as a corporate trainer for bartenders and traveling a lot, just didn’t have the time to pursue the business.
That’s where Smith came in.
Yin and Yang
Smith and McLean had been neighbors in Newport Beach five years ago. They maintained their friendship, which was largely fueled by their mutual interest in surfing and other water activities.
McLean describes himself as the “ideas” end of the partnership. Smith, on the other hand, is the one that makes things happen. “It’s a yin-yang kind of thing,” Smith said.
One class away from his MBA at Chapman University, Smith said he’s always intended to go into business on his own. He describes it as an “entrepreneurial spirit,” but others might call it a “problem with authority,” Smith jokes.
They launched the company in January and began marketing their product two months ago. The bedding comes in 14 different brightly colored designs and varying patterns of surfboards, Hawaiian and Polynesian motifs and other symbols of surf culture.
Smith and McLean, of course, use their own product at home. Smith prefers blue dancing hula girls to McLean’s more wholesome red surfboards. Both of these patterns are limited edition, a unique characteristic of the business. The company also offers a full line of surf decor items for your entire house.
Who Is Dean Miller?
McLean and Smith hit on the name Dean Miller while surfing in Kauai. Locals there told them of the Hawaiian legend. And although McLean and Smith repeat the legend often, they won’t attest to its truth or validity, they said.
Miller, it was rumored, lived in the majestic beauty of Kauai’s rain forest. He hunted wild boar, fished the awesome ocean, surfed the mighty waves and bathed in breathtaking waterfalls.
But the clincher for Smith is that Miller reportedly slept on a bed of Hawaiian flowers. It was the perfect name for their product.
For The Guys
Newport Beach residents Doug C. Smith, 28, and Edward McLean, 27, are just two surfers trying to make a living. They never thought they would do it be selling bedding, though.
But six months ago, the former neighbors founded Dean Miller Hawaiian Island Prints, a company that specializes in Hawaiian-style comforters and tropical sheets.
“The whole company started as us trying to make bedding for ourselves,” Smith said. “You try to find bedding for guys and there’s nothing out there. You have two choices: solids or geometrical patterns.”
Nearly three years ago, McLean, who is an avid surfer, wanted Hawaiian-style bedding. He went to a fabric store, pinned some stuff together and took it to a dry cleaners to get it sewed up. Friends and visitors loved his creations. But McLean, who was working as a corporate trainer for bartenders and traveling a lot, just didn’t have the time to pursue the business.
That’s where Smith came in.
Yin and Yang
Smith and McLean had been neighbors in Newport Beach five years ago. They maintained their friendship, which was largely fueled by their mutual interest in surfing and other water activities.
McLean describes himself as the “ideas” end of the partnership. Smith, on the other hand, is the one that makes things happen. “It’s a yin-yang kind of thing,” Smith said.
One class away from his MBA at Chapman University, Smith said he’s always intended to go into business on his own. He describes it as an “entrepreneurial spirit,” but others might call it a “problem with authority,” Smith jokes.
They launched the company in January and began marketing their product two months ago. The bedding comes in 14 different brightly colored designs and varying patterns of surfboards, Hawaiian and Polynesian motifs and other symbols of surf culture.
Smith and McLean, of course, use their own product at home. Smith prefers blue dancing hula girls to McLean’s more wholesome red surfboards. Both of these patterns are limited edition, a unique characteristic of the business. The company also offers a full line of surf decor items for your entire house.
Who Is Dean Miller?
McLean and Smith hit on the name Dean Miller while surfing in Kauai. Locals there told them of the Hawaiian legend. And although McLean and Smith repeat the legend often, they won’t attest to its truth or validity, they said.
Miller, it was rumored, lived in the majestic beauty of Kauai’s rain forest. He hunted wild boar, fished the awesome ocean, surfed the mighty waves and bathed in breathtaking waterfalls.
But the clincher for Smith is that Miller reportedly slept on a bed of Hawaiian flowers. It was the perfect name for their product.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Tropical Bedding Makes a Great Bedroom Make-over
When it comes to decorating our homes with tropical bedding, we spend a lot of time and money on the rooms that your guests see first. Not on the bedroom that can be decorated with tropical bedding. Rooms like our front hallway, bathrooms, and kitchens where we do most of our entertaining don’t have tropical bedding. Obviously we can’t put tropical bedding in these rooms, but the most overlooked room in your house is the bedroom, and the tropical bedding we use in not only the master bedroom, but the tropical bedding + in the guest bedroom too. If you have an overnight guest, the spare room featuring your tropical bedding will be the room your guest will spend the most time in.
With no good explanation most people decorate their bedrooms and pick tropical bedding last. We find it hard to justify transforming our own bedrooms into tropical retreats with tropical bedding. You should make it just as special or unique as the rest of the house using your tropical bedding. You let your teen transform their room into their own space, they got to pick our their own kind of tropical bedding, décor, and plaster stickers all over their ceiling. So how come the rest of us settle for the same typical Laura Ashley floral bedding our parents used? Why not use tropical bedding?
It’s time to join the new generation and choose your own unique style to use your tropical bedding as a place you can retreat too, relax, unwind, and make it your own personal sanctuary. Nowadays it is so easy to shop for tropical bedding, and beach décor, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home. With just a few clicks on your computer you can have a whole tropical bedding ensemble delivered to your front door. Your dream tropical room is only a shipment away.
Dean Miller Tropical Bedding has so many patterns for you choose from, we offer everything from surfboards to tiki men to toned down tropical bedding. But we don’t stop there, we also offer all the complimentary surf themed décor for your tropical bedding, with rugs, window dressings, lamps, wall signs, your room will feel like an endless tropical vacation. Let Dean Miller help you make you feel like you are staying at a five star Hawaiian resort every night!
With no good explanation most people decorate their bedrooms and pick tropical bedding last. We find it hard to justify transforming our own bedrooms into tropical retreats with tropical bedding. You should make it just as special or unique as the rest of the house using your tropical bedding. You let your teen transform their room into their own space, they got to pick our their own kind of tropical bedding, décor, and plaster stickers all over their ceiling. So how come the rest of us settle for the same typical Laura Ashley floral bedding our parents used? Why not use tropical bedding?
It’s time to join the new generation and choose your own unique style to use your tropical bedding as a place you can retreat too, relax, unwind, and make it your own personal sanctuary. Nowadays it is so easy to shop for tropical bedding, and beach décor, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home. With just a few clicks on your computer you can have a whole tropical bedding ensemble delivered to your front door. Your dream tropical room is only a shipment away.
Dean Miller Tropical Bedding has so many patterns for you choose from, we offer everything from surfboards to tiki men to toned down tropical bedding. But we don’t stop there, we also offer all the complimentary surf themed décor for your tropical bedding, with rugs, window dressings, lamps, wall signs, your room will feel like an endless tropical vacation. Let Dean Miller help you make you feel like you are staying at a five star Hawaiian resort every night!
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