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Into a Dream World
The Trend G team brings you a special issue on the art of sleep. The topics introduced here certainly won’t make you drowsy, though—they range from the significance of different sleep positions to a little glossary of bedding-related terms, not to mention an interview with a chiropractor...and much more. Happy bedtime reading! Christiane Germain |
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What Keeps You Warm at Night?
When it comes to sleeping soundly, many people swear by their duvet. It’s warm in winter, cool in summer and requires just a quick shake when making the bed. But how do you choose the right one? Should you go for down rather than feathers? Goose or duck? Down to Business Down duvets are more comfortable, because down allows air to circulate and absorbs moisture. Duck and goose down are the most common types, but the latter is preferable: temperamental though they may be, geese provide the best quality. But, you might ask, what about the famous eider down? It is of exceptional quality—but it’s also very expensive, as the eider duck is an endangered species and its down is gathered by hand directly from its nest. That said, you also need to consider the down percentage. High percentages are warmer, more comfortable...and more expensive. There’s no such thing as a 100% down duvet, however, because it’s difficult to completely separate down from quills, fibres and residues. A product is generally labelled “down” if it comprises at least 75% down. Sleeping Light… as a Feather Since feathers are flat, they don’t store up as much air as down and insulate less well. You also have to bear in mind the hard quills, which you can feel and which eventually break, possibly piercing the duvet cover. Feathers are heavier than down, too. Cocooned in Cotton It’s important to let down breathe, so it’s preferable to have a pure cotton cover with at least 260 threads per square inch, which prevents down or feathers from escaping. Give some thought to the type of stitching as well: baffle box, for example, will prevent the duvet’s contents from bunching up at the ends. Dream in Colour! Found your dream duvet? In that case, all that’s left to do is choose a duvet cover and pillowcases that match your decor, and then you can drift off in peace to la-la land. It’s important to be well prepared: after all, sleep is a serious matter that dates back to the awakening of humankind... 
Pillow Talk
Trend G met with Dr Marie-Hélène Boivin, chiropractor and executive vice-president of the Quebec Chiropractors Association, to talk about the importance of a good mattress. Prior to our interview, we invited Trend G — No doubt you would agree that a mattress is an important factor in terms of sleep quality... Dr Boivin — You know, human beings on average spend a third of their life—or around 24 years!—lying down. You therefore need to pay special attention to what could be called the ergonomics of sleep. No matter who you are, a quality bed and pillows are the most important elements of the sleep experience. Trend G — How can you judge the quality of a mattress? Dr Boivin — Buying a mattress certainly isn’t relaxing! But certain characteristics can make the choice easier. Above all, the mattress should be firm or semi-firm. Why? Because soft mattresses don’t give adequate support to the spine and the heaviest parts of the body. On the other hand, a mattress which is too firm can cause painful pressure points to appear. Mattresses with independent pocket springs enable a better distribution of weight and prevent you from being disturbed by your partner’s movements. They also have good ventilation. Trend G — What do you think of memory foam mattresses? Dr Boivin — Viscose or memory foam mattresses adapt well to the body’s shape by reacting to the heat released by the sleeper. One good option is to combine an upper layer of viscoelastic foam with a pocket spring mattress. This enhances comfort and creates a “sleeping-on-a-cloud” effect. The Germain mattresses available at La Boutique offer this double benefit, bringing together comfort and support. Trend G — Does a mattress require any special maintenance? Dr Boivin — Yes: in fact, it’s essential for extending its lifetime. A mattress should be flipped upside down and rotated end to end every month. You’ll be more willing to make the effort if you’re aware that a mattress which isn’t turned over lasts for 6 to 8 years, but one turned on a monthly basis can be expected to last 10 Trend G — What’s your advice on the subject of pillows? Dr Boivin — Regardless of whether your pillow is firm or soft, it’s important that your head and neck are well supported. When you’re lying on your back, your ears should be aligned with the centre of your shoulders, torso and hips. When you’re lying on your side, the centre of your head, the midpoint of your shoulder blades and your buttock cleft should form a straight line. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be able to sleep like a baby. 
G Discoveries
Marie L’Oie Puts the Luxury Back into Sleep Trend G would like to introduce you to Les Entreprises Plumes & Duvet Myland, makers of pillows and quilts for all Groupe Germain hotels. For over 15 years, Les Entreprises Plumes & Duvet Myland—better known by their brand name Marie L’Oie—have been designing beds, duvets and pillows of the highest quality. The products made in their workshop in Saint-Jerome, Quebec, are intended for retailers but also for large companies like Groupe Germain. Exclusive Products for Groupe Germain The goose down duvets found in the rooms of all Groupe Germain establishments are exclusive designs—just like those available at La Boutique. These items are hotel calibre—and thus more durable than normal—and can’t be found in stores selling other Marie L’Oie products. |
Tell Me How You
Sleep… … and I’ll Tell You Who You It seems that the kind of position you sleep in says a lot about your personality. Dr Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre in Scotland, analyzed six common sleep positions and related to them to various personality traits. See if you recognize yourself. The Foetus—People who sleep on their side, knees drawn toward their head, appear tough on the outside but are actually soft-hearted. They can be shy in the presence of strangers, but have a knack for quickly feeling at ease. The Log—This position refers to people who sleep on their side with their arms straight along their body. These individuals are said to be sociable, easygoing and into the latest trends. They trust strangers easily but also tend to be credulous. The Yearner—Those who sleep on their side with their arms stretched out in front of them are said to be open-minded, but also suspicious and cynical. It takes time for them to make a decision, but once they have done so, they don’t change their mind. The Soldier—These sleepers lie on their back, arms by their sides. In general, they are mild-mannered and reserved. They appreciate calm, but they are also very demanding of themselves and others. The Freefaller—These individuals sleep on their stomachs, arms around their pillow, head turned to the side. Often of a fiery and sociable temperament, they are sometimes irritable and thin-skinned. They don’t like criticism or extreme situations. The Starfish—These sleepers lie on their back, arms by their head. They make good friends, as they’re always ready to listen to others and offer help when needed. In general, they don’t like to be the centre of attention. Click here to see the illustrations of the sleep positions › 
Tidying a Messy Bed
Some Definitions to Help Find Your Way in the Land of Dreams... Do the labels on bedding products give you nightmares? Have no fear: Trend G has prepared a little glossary which we hope will demystify some of the more commonly used terms in this area. Bamboo: A naturally sleek fabric, exceedingly soft and exceptionally comfortable. Besides providing superior ventilation, bamboo fibres are antibacterial and eco-friendly. Combed Cotton: Cotton which has been combed to eliminate short or uneven fibres and residual debris, in order to obtain longer, more durable fibres. The combing process gives the fabric a more uniform, lustrous look. Damask: A reversible fabric with a woven pattern visible on both sides. Often highly detailed, damask is decorative even though it hasn’t been printed or embroidered. Egyptian Cotton: A cotton with very long fibres, known for its luxurious softness, its durability and its excellent absorbent properties. This cotton usually grows in the hot, dry climate of North Africa. Flannel: A cotton fabric, soft and supple to the touch, made fluffy by scratching or brushing one or both sides. Jersey: Knitted rather than woven, this close-grained fabric provides elasticity and comfort. Linen: A fabric made from cellulosic fibres obtained from the stem of the flax plant. Linen fibres are much stronger and glossier than those of cotton. Percale: A single-thread, plain-woven, tight-knit fabric, with at least 31 x 31 threads per inch. Light, soft and cool, percale can be made from 100% cotton or from a mixture of cotton and polyester. Thread count: The number of threads per square inch in the warp and weft of a fabric. The higher the number of threads per square inch, the softer the fabric. High-quality sheets have 180 threads per square inch or more. |
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Sleep Soundly
For a truly relaxing sleep, nothing beats the legendary comfort of a luxurious Germain mattress, manufactured exclusively for our boutique hotels!
• Handcrafted cotton pocket springs Until June 30, 2008 Mention promotional code MATELAS0608 Certain conditions apply. |