Today’s luxury featherbeds are not your Grandma’s featherbed. In her day it literally was a bag of feathers. There are many featherbeds available, the majority are made of 95% duck feather 5% duck down (not considered luxury). Feathers are flat with a hard quill, down is the soft undercoating from the bird’s breast. Goose down is better than duck down, the down clusters are larger, and at least 50/50 down/feather is better than mostly feathers, which are hard and “crunchy”, and they tend to leak out of the best feather-proof casing over time.

There are some truly luxury featherbeds available using white goose down and feather, with larger percentages of high fill-power goose down, and even all down. The fill-power is the measurement of the down cluster’s ability to loft up after compression. The higher lofting downs make puffier featherbeds. 650 fill-power or higher goose down for a featherbed is luxury quality. More down in your featherbed means a more luxurious look and a higher level of comfort. A down bed with all white goose down would be softer and the puffiest.

The most common styles are baffle box, 3 compartment, or channel . It is better to have a baffle box to keep the filling from unwanted shifting, and at least a 3″ - 4″ baffle.

Always use a featherbed cover to protect your featherbed or down bed. Choose one that will accommodate the baffle construction to allow the filling (especially if it is a high percentage of down or all down) to loft up, and with zippers on 3 sides for easy removal. Fluff up, and turn over your featherbed weekly when you wash the cover. Send your featherbed to a down bedding specialist for cleaning every 3 or 4 years and for renovation after 7 - 10 years. Another good idea is to invest in some extra deep fitted sheets so that you get the full loft of your featherbed. A too tight fitted sheet will pull the featherbed down making it flatter. This would defeat the purpose of having a high down content featherbed.

An investment in a quality featherbed or down bed is well worth it if your mattress is too firm or you just want a luxury mattress topper. You will find more choice from a down specialist plus their expertise in cleaning/renovation.

Lisa Stevens is a Comfort Specialist at The Down Store, 238 E.58th St. New York, New York 10022. Since 1973 she has been offering her expertise in the selection and care of luxury down bedding to all who visit or call 1-800-USA-DOWN. Look for future articles on down comforter care, choosing the right down pillow, luxury mattresses.
http://www.thedownstore.com

Share This

Business regardless of what type, will always be fueled by having the right people on the team. The biggest challenge many people face is where to find them. With the accelerated growth that the pet industry has enjoyed, luxury products for pets will propel the business to the next level. But once the products are in the store, it takes a talented team of people to understand how to sell the products to a high end client. The biggest challenge that many face is making sure that the team can relate to a luxury product.

The luxury customer expects to meet sales associates that are knowledgeable about the product and above all understands the client and how to cater to them. In business, there will always be tough decisions. No question that assessing your team is one of the toughest challenges when changes have to be made because of the direction that you are moving into.

Many business owners with pet boutiques are constantly challenged to find quality individuals that can assimilate into a pets business that is targeted to a luxury customer. In the luxury business, the relationship with the clients, the building of the relationships and referrels from clients will grow the business. A few things to note when staffing your store will make all the difference when running your business for profit.

1. Building your team will be inclusive of ensuring that the right personality and profile meet with the changing culture within your store. Interviews by other members of the team will help to determine if the potential candidate is a fit.

2. Your business is evolving into a luxury environment and you need to upgrade your staff. How do you do this? First look within your team and ensure that each one of them shares the same passion for the business that you do. Difficult to do? No. The leader always sets the example and passion, energy and commitment to the overall goal is contagious. If members of the team do not share the same passion, then they are working for the wrong store. Always remember, that the longer you wait to make the change, the more missed revenue you are missing. Does the image of your team attract high end clients?

3. Once you have assessed your team, train them. Bring in the vendors who always give great presentations because of their passion to host a morning meeting or give a product seminar. Knowledge is power and knowledge breeds confidence. Make the meeting fun. Treat your team as you expect them to treat the client. Bring in breakfast on a silver platter, serve them with a cocktail napkin under their coffee or juice. Set the example and they in turn will set the example for the client.

4. If you have determined a change may need to be made, hiring additional members of the team will be your number one priority. Where do you find them? Everywhere. If you are in business, looking for quality people is a 24/7 job. Even when you are fully staffed. Remember that each member of your team should always carry their business cards as often times they can be your biggest ambassadors to finding the right people. If you are moving into the luxury arena, then it becomes even more important to go after people that are currently working in the luxury sector.

5. Great people to hire are everywhere you just have to look and be aware at all times. People who are currently working in cosmetics, luxury boutiques, upscale department stores, etc. are excellent contacts because they already understand what it takes in working with a high end client. People that are working at 4 and 5 star hotels are excellent candidates to speak to. Sometimes, the best people to hire are the ones who may not have the most experience, but they look the part, understand the luxury client because maybe they are one, are passionate about the business and can cultivate clients. Networking should be a constant practice.

6. Be confident when you are out recruiting. After all, you have taken the big leap to start your own business and do what you love and are passionate about. People respect that and look up to people such as yourself. Often times, clients are great resources to tap into and get a referral as they understand what the business needs and what they want.

7. When you hire great people, they in turn attract great people because you have provided a fun and uplifting environment to work in.

8. Above all, always remember that the person that joins the team could also be the one that helps to train and elevate your team. Meaning that if she has a client following already, that means that he/she knows and understands how to cultivate relationships, how to clientele, how to take care of the client which sometimes may mean delivering to their home or hotel.

Where ever you are, remember that how you look, how you dress and how you carry yourself are important to attracting potential candidates. When you speak to people always ensure that you speak about your business with excitement and enthusiasm. Remember…….it is contagious. In life, people want to be a part of something great. That’s what you have to offer. More importantly, people who love animals want to work in environments where they can work with other like minded people. Above all, remember that your team is YOU.

Hedy Woodrow is the CEO of Designer Paws International. Designer Paws specializes in luxury pet carriers that look like handbags and are fashionable. The products are made of the finest Italian leather and hardware. Quality and workmanship of her products are a priority. Prior to starting Designer Paws, Hedy spent 20 years in the luxury fashion business as a Senior Vice President of Retail for a major luxury brand. Her broad retail experience included sales, marketing and advertising, working with buyers, visual teams and planners. She has traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe attending high profile celebrity events that have given her exposure to a very high end client. Her insights come from personal experience both as a leader in the fashion industry and as a client. Her website at http://www.designerpaws.com features luxury products that are unique to the pet industry.

Share This

Every woman loves to be pampered. And most of all, we love it when our men are the ones doing the pampering! If you want to earn a woman’s affection, the best way to do it is to make her feel sexy, relaxed, and loved. Here are seven sure-fire things you can do for your woman that are guaranteed to get you results.

How about a day at the spa?

Nothing gets a woman feeling relaxed and pampered like a day full of deep-tissue massages, mud baths, and facials. A spa visit is a luxury every woman can enjoy, and you’ll be a prince in her eyes if you surprise her with oneespecially during a particularly stressful time, like the holidays or during an anniversary. Believe me, she’ll be so relaxed and stress-free after you treat her to a spa day, she’s sure to want to make you feel as good as she does.

What about a Shopping Spree?

Most women love to shop. Especially if your wife or girlfriend doesn’t indulge herself often, a shopping spree will be a much-appreciated treat. But don’t just write your girl a blank check and send her on her way. Go with her and take an interest in what she buys. Lead her into stores she loves, but ordinarily wouldn’t buy a lot of items inmaybe because they’re a bit too expensive. Pick clothes out that you think would look good on her, and compliment her on the features they highlight. Buy her a few things that are completely impracticallike a skimpy negligee instead of a new sports bra, a pair of strappy sandals instead of practical shoes, or a beautiful cocktail dress, even if she doesn’t have any fancy events coming up. You’ll make her feel like a princess for a dayand she’s sure to appreciate it.

Give her a sensual dining experience.

Any guy will take a gal out to dinner once in a while. But an extraordinary guy knows the intimate link between sex and foodand how to exploit it. Don’t just take her out to a fancy placetake her somewhere that glorifies the sensual side of food. A great place to do this is a fondue restaurant. Fondue is a melted cheese sauce in which you dip bread, meats, and vegetables. There are also delicious dessert fondues, in which you dip fruits and candies into a warm melted chocolate sauce. Dipping anything is a sensual experienceso enjoy it! Flirt with her and feed her bits of food, and encourage her to do the same. Take your time over the meal, and you’re sure to get her in a romantic mood.

Get her motor running

Ever think naughty? Share your intimate fantasies with your woman and encourage her to share hers. If you’ve never done this before, start with your most tame fantasies, and let her know that sharing hers with you is safe and she won’t be judged. Take her into a store that sells sex toys and lingerie. Let her leadbuy her anything she takes an interest in. Listen to what she likesthis will send her the message that you care about her sexual needs and want to know more about her naughty side. After you’ve bought a bagful of new toys, take them home and try them out on each other!

Whisk her away

Every woman wants to be swept off her feet. Plan a surprise weekend getaway in a romantic bed-and-breakfast. Surprise her Saturday morning by waking her with breakfast in bed and a packed suitcaselet her go through it to make sure you didn’t forget anything important. Then get her in the car and don’t tell her where you’re goinglet it be a complete surprise. Make sure you pick a place that matches her interests and personalityif she’s a five-star-hotel kind of girl, don’t plan a surprise backpacking trip, for example.

Think small

It’s true that women remember the small things we do as much as the big things. Try to do one small thing every day that adds fuel to her fire. Buy her perfumed bubble bath and leave it in the tub with a note. Surprise her with her favorite candy for no good reason. Those little things you do don’t have to be expensive, eitherthey just have to let her know you’re thinking of her. Instead of pecking her on the cheek to say goodbye every morning, give her a passionate kiss. Send her a love-note e-card from work, leave a flower on her pillow for her to find, prepare a quick meal and serve it by candlelight, or wear a nice outfit for her “just because.” The little things you do will stay in her memory for a long time to come.

Give her a personal coupon book

Nothing says “I love you” like a coupon book of little favors. Give her coupons for a night at the movies, a sensual massage, or a homemade dinneruse your imagination, and don’t be afraid to get sexy! She’ll love this inexpensive gift idea.

Making your woman look and feel good doesn’t have to be hard. Some of these tips are more work intensive than othersso pick the ones that work for you. No matter which one you use, the woman in your life is sure to be thrilled.

Janette Vince is managing director of http://www.thanksdarling.com an online company offering a range of experience days for individuals and couples. For a range of enjoyable days out visit http://www.thanksdarling.com/categories/days-out.htm.

Share This