For a Happy Bedtime Story, Think Cool, Dark and Quiet

Rose Gilbert
Sun, 14 Sep 2014 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

Q: I am a terrible sleeper, three, sometimes four hours a night. I checked about sleep apnea — negative — but the doctors suggest one problem might be my bedroom, that I should look into things like the mattress and pillows. Exactly what would I be looking for? They seem comfortable enough to me.

A: Your mattress and pillows are only part of what makes a bedroom soporific or not. There's a huge body of information on how to choose the mattress and pillows that are right for you. One important source of information is the Better Sleep Council, a non-profit supported by the mattress industry that offers enough information to lull you right to sleep!

But there's much more to a happy bedtime story. Other sleep experts agree on three key factors that underlie a good night's sleep: Your bedroom should be cool, dark and quiet. Open the windows to fresh air. Banish all lights, including LEDs. Turn your clock to the wall. Prop a book in front of the phone light. Consider a sleep mask and earplugs — whatever it takes to evoke Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams (not from "The Matrix").
Updated: Mon Sep 15, 2014

Q: I am a terrible sleeper, three, sometimes four hours a night. I checked about sleep apnea — negative — but the doctors suggest one problem might be my bedroom, that I should look into things like the mattress and pillows. Exactly what would I be looking for? They seem comfortable enough to me.

A: Your mattress and pillows are only part of what makes a bedroom soporific or not. There's a huge body of information on how to choose the mattress and pillows that are right for you. One important source of information is the Better Sleep Council, a non-profit supported by the mattress industry that offers enough information to lull you right to sleep!

But there's much more to a happy bedtime story. Other sleep experts agree on three key factors that underlie a good night's sleep: Your bedroom should be cool, dark and quiet. Open the windows to fresh air. Banish all lights, including LEDs. Turn your clock to the wall. Prop a book in front of the phone light. Consider a sleep mask and earplugs — whatever it takes to evoke Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams (not from "The Matrix").

Interior designer Robin Wilson would add other considerations to the list. Known for her eco-friendly/healthy design esthetic, Robin's advice is nothing to sneeze at:

— Avoid allergens: Wash your pillow at least twice yearly and buy new ones every three years. Put a hypoallergenic cover on your mattress and wash it every two months.

— Use non-VOC paints in your bedroom. No off-gassing to trigger allergies.

— Nix carpeting. Hard surfaces like wood or tile catch less dust.

— Eschew cute bed decorations, like dolls and stuffed animals. Or — get this — stick them in the freezer for 24 hours to banish dust mites.

— Opt for blinds, shades or shutters instead of dust-catching curtains at the bedroom windows. Look for window treatments with room-darkening backings (for example, Silhouette A Deux by Hunter Douglas, a sheer shading that comes with a separate opaque roller shade).

Q: Who doesn't adore dollhouses?

A: They're not for children only. Ask the Dutch. The famed Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam may have the corner on Rembrandts and Vermeers, but another mega-draw for visitors is their collection of exquisitely detailed dollhouses. Mini-masterpieces from the l7th and l8th centuries, these small houses are finely furnished — think sterling silver teapots and tiny, hand-hooked rugs.

No wonder they cost a not-so-small fortune, as much as an actual house on a canal in those days!

Lovers of little houses are in luck, closer to home, come Dec. 5: Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, opens "A World Made Small," a collection of children's miniature buildings from the l9th century — dollhouses for girls, forts for boys, all enchanting for grown-ups, too. Open until Sept. 7, 2015.

Bedroom's a yawn, with dark walls and room-darkening shadings, just what the doctor orders for a good night's sleep. Photo: Courtesy Hunter Douglas.

Rose Bennett Gilbert is the co-author of "Manhattan Style" and six other books on interior design. To find out more about Rose Bennett Gilbert and read features by Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.CREATORS.com.