Category Archives: Things We Like
Sleeping in the Berth
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
As you’ve probably guessed by now, I like to explore alternative ways people sleep. Whether that’s on a block of ice in the ICEHOTEL, in a hammock somewhere tropical, or underwater, there’s a number of ways you can get a good (or at least novel) night’s rest outside of the traditional bedroom. This week, we’re headed offshore and I’ll introduce you to the idea of sleeping on a boat.
When you’re on a boat, the bedroom is referred to as the “berth.” According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word berth dates back to the 1620’s and refers generally to a “convenient sea room.” It’s of uncertain origin, but is thought to have come from a combination of the word bear (the verb) and the suffix –th, which is used to turn verbs into nouns. The use of the word berth has been extended to refer to sleeping quarters in all types of transportation, including: planes, trains, and automobiles.
Space on a boat is limited, and designers are challenged to use every available square inch inside a boat efficiently. Thus, the master bedroom (berth) on “normal-sized” boats are typically located in the fore (front) hull of the vessel. These types of berths are known as a V-berth, due to the shape of the interior. Since the front compartments in boats are irregularly shaped, mattresses in a V-berth must be specially crafted to fill in the triangular gap that would otherwise be present with a rectangular mattress. Larger vessels may feature additional sleeping quarters along the sides and towards the rear of the ship, and generally have more latitude in the design of the rooms. Check out the picture below: berths can be quite luxurious!
It’s up for debate whether the front of the rear (aft) of a ship is more stable for sleeping, but most of the ultra-mega yachts I’ve seen on television all feature the master suite in the front. You’re also likely to find the luxury suites on cruise ships at the front.
While sleeping on a boat isn’t for everyone (some people just aren’t comfortable being on the water, or get sea sick), many seafaring types find that sleeping on a boat is quite relaxing. In calm seas, the gentle rocking of the boat helps lull you to sleep (a similar effect of sleeping in a hammock). Additionally, boating imbues a sense of excitement for the adventures that lay ahead. You can also experience amazing sunsets that below the unobstructed ocean horizon, and views are simply unobtainable from land.
Have you ever slept in a berth? Do you prefer the fore or the aft of the ship? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Things We Like: Charles P Rogers Tansy Bed + The Good Wife
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
The CBS hit drama series The “Good Wife” returned for its fourth season on September 30. I don’t know about you, but we’ve been missing our weekly dose of Alicia and Kalinda. So far, season 4 has been off to a great start and we finally got to meet Kalinda’s ex-husband, Nick!!
From time to time, we are privy to some inside information here at the Charles P Rogers blog. This week, we have a hot tip and couldn’t resist sharing our excitement about an upcoming episode of the Good Wife. Episode 3, which airs THIS SUNDAY, will feature our very own Tansy headboard that was purchased by the set designer back in July. It’s absolutely stunning! Upholstered cream microfiber with hand-tufted buttons, it’s sure to add some style to the set. If you’re considering getting one of our Tansy beds for yourself, you can also get the headboard complete with matching platform; it looks even better in person!
We can’t give you many more details about the upcoming episode, but given what happened in episode 2, “50 Shades of Ice Cream” that some critics are calling it the most scandalous scene in the history of network television, we’re sure you don’t need any more reason to tune in this week.
If you catch our bed this Sunday, let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
Things We Like: Sleeping on Ice
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
Unless you’re an Eskimo, you’ve probably never considered the idea of sleeping on a bed of ice – at least not seriously. Why would you? An ice bed is only inviting backache, and frostbite – I’ll take my warm, down filled nest of a bed any day.
Despite the perceived pitfalls of sleeping on an ice bed, many travelers (perhaps gluttons for self-punishment) trek to the northernmost regions of our world to experience exactly what mankind has worked so hard to remove ourselves from: the unloving cold. However, modern man enjoys the cold a bit more luxuriously. Allow me to introduce you to the world of ice hotels.
Starting in December, dozens of “ice hotels” around the world open their doors for business. Since these hotels melt during the warm summer months, they must be entirely rebuilt every year in what is described as “one of the world’s most extreme building projects.” While there are several ice hotels to choose from, the most famous, and largest, of these ice hotels is none other than ICEHOTEL located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden (don’t ask me how to pronounce that).
The ICEHOTEL first opened in 1990, and has operated every year since from December to April. While sections of the hotel are open starting in December, it takes a full month before the hotel is complete. It’s built from over 9,000 tons of ice and can accommodate about 100 guests at full capacity. Each suite is a work of art of its own, as they are individually sculpted from renowned ice artists. If you watch the Discovery Channel or NatGeo, you may have already learned about the ICEHOTEL from one of several documentaries showcasing it.
While you do have to pack appropriately for your visit to the ICEHOTEL (think subzero temperatures), the stay can’t be too bad given that crowds of visitors wait patiently for the opportunity to stay at what has become one of the most extreme destination hotels on the planet. If you aren’t as eager to sleep on a blog of ice, but want to have an Iced Tea or other cold beverage at the ICEHOTEL’s ICEBAR there are “warm” accommodations available nearby.
Accommodations at the ICEHOTEL start at about $400/night (on top of getting there). So while it’s not exactly cheap (though it’s considerably less expensive than some of the Underwater Hotels), it’s one of those bedtime stories you’re sure to remember for the rest of your life.
Click here for more information about the ICEHOTEL.
Do you have any exotic destinations where you’d like to rest your head? Share your travel plans in the comments below.
Charles P. Rogers Organic Cotton Sheets – People Love Them!
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
I am fortunate enough to have a set of Charles P Rogers sheets. They are one of my all time favorite sheets, and it’s not just because I write for Charles Rogers. The sheets wash well, and the colors haven’t faded a bit. I’m actually a bit surprised since there are many weeks we wash them and put them right back on the bed. We like them so much because of their combination of softness and breathability. The bottom line is they are one of the best values in sheets I’ve found yet, and I’d definitely pay more than the current asking price for a set and still feel like I was getting a deal. My only regret is, that I didn’t go for the organic cotton sheets; apparently they’re the cat’s pajamas. Don’t take my word for it though.
Beth Bucynski of GreenUpgrader recently reviewed a set of Charles P Rogers organic cotton sheets. Follow the link to find out what she thought (spoiler alert: she loved them).
So, why organic?
Given the amount of chemicals and toxins we encounter every day, organic sheets should be a no brainer. Most people are worried about spending 10 minutes in a closed room with open paint, yet they’ll spend 8 or more hours every day sleeping between sheets of unknown origin dyed with who knows what. Which do you think is worse for you over time? Choose your sheets wisely.
Sheets start with the cotton, and Charles P Rogers’ organic sheets use cotton that is organically grown using low impact farming and harvesting methods. They are also made at a 300-thread count, which perfectly balances luxury with longevity.
If you’d like to read more about Charles P. Rogers sheets, you can also check out our interview with Sally Painter of LoveToKnow. You’ll get to read a little more about what makes our sheet so great, and why we make them the way we do.
Things We Like: Silk Pillowcases!
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
My girlfriend came back from her hairdresser a couple weeks ago with a new mission: silk pillowcases. She had just gotten some fancy hair treatment and was told that silk pillowcases are not only the pinnacle of luxury, but they will also help her treatment last longer. I was skeptical, and was sure that if you talked to the right person they’d also tell you silk pillowcases will do the dishes, mow the yard, and file your taxes… In any event, she was sold on the idea and the pillowcases arrived in the mail a couple days later. Let’s discuss.
Silk Pillowcase Benefits
In my research, I actually discovered that many people tout the benefits of silk pillowcases for hair. Apparently, the amino acids that are naturally found in silk help promote hair growth. The smooth texture of silk doesn’t pull on your hair like cotton pillowcases might, which helps keep more of your hair where it belongs: on your head.
One of the other popular benefits associated with silk pillowcases is for wrinkles. Evidently, dermatologists and plastic surgeons can tell what side you sleep on because your face gets creased and wrinkled from lying against a cotton pillow for one-third of your life. Silk is supposed to help reduce these creases. *Food for thought – most people will have slept for 20 years by the time they reach 60.
Silk pillowcases are also good for your skin for other reasons. Silk is hypoallergenic, doesn’t retain moisture, and contains some of the same amino acids that you’ll find in skin moisturizers. Silk pillowcases are also considered cleaner than cotton pillowcases, and are more resistant to mites. I guess I was overly skeptical of silk.
Drawbacks of Silk Pillowcases
If you like everything to match, you may have a problem with silk pillowcases if you’re just buying the pillowcase separately. An easy fix would be to buy the entire set of silk bedding, but not everyone likes to sleep in silk sheets because they can feel slippery. Silk bedding can also get expensive, but I guess that’s a potential drawback of any quality sheet set.
The Verdict: Silk Pillowcases Feel Great! Regardless of their health benefits.
The jury is still out as to whether face wrinkles are the result of the “harshness” of cotton. I think there are other factors at play like the type of pillow you sleep on, and it may just be that wrinkles are an unavoidable fact of life. However, I like to think that something as simple (and comfortable) as switching to silk pillowcases will help keep me looking sharp in my old age. Silk pillowcases put a whole new meaning to beauty sleep.
In any case, in the aftermath of the recent heat waves in California (it got to 100 degrees on the coast, with no A/C), I’ve been thinking silk is the way to go next summer. Silk is better at regulating temperature than other fabrics like cotton, and it gives us an excuse to try something new.
What do you think? Have you tried silk pillowcases before? Are they for you? Let us know in the comments below.
