The second big development, after much discussion and planning, Soaring Heart now has its own organic fabric line for making decorative futon and pillow covers. There has been a lot of talking around here about the covers we use on our pillows and sofas. We always wanted to widen our selection of in-house covers, upgrading from the basic colors, but hadn't had the time to do so. Well, this week we finally sat down and did it.
Joey, our Production Manager, just got in bolts and bolts of sample fabrics and our seamstresses have been hard at work making up new designs and patterns. John, one of our top bedding consultants and showroom design guru, has looked them over and given his stamp of approval. As a result we are almost ready to introduce our brand new selection and we are very excited! The fabric is 100% organic cotton twill and it is super comfy and incredibly soft. Look for them soon in our store and online.
Don't worry, we know there are a few fan favorites out there; all the current fabric swatches will still be available. I have no doubt you will be able to find the perfect pattern or color to meet your design needs. However, we have all these pillows and zabutons in the store featuring covers not made by Soaring Heart. We want to highlight our new colors and need the room, so, as a result, all decorative pillows and zabutons with non Soaring Heart covers are now discounted! That's right, every pillow and zabuton not featuring a Soaring Heart cover is now 25% off! So come check 'em out in the store or take a peek online in the discount section. Have fun and sleep well!
Sorting through all the choices posed to us every day can be a bit challenging... It helps to have a system. That’s why we’ve just created five Collections of our most popular bedding to clarify how to combine our products best. We chose The Linden, Tamarack, Aspen, Madrona, and Willow to describe five of the six types of bedding we offer. Since many of our products are made from plant fibers, and trees are the elders of the plant kingdom, trees felt like a natural choice for the collections. It was also easy to pick out a few favorites, everyone on the team has a tree they dig... After all they are beings of elephantine proportions, out lasting many of us in life span, recording much of our history in their growth rings, times of famine as well as flourishing. They are kinda the essence of place.
In fact, come to think of it, when I fall in love with a
place it's usually because of a particular tree there.
Here in the Northwest we have the Tamarack Larch up near the Enchantment Lakes and Pacific Madrona down near the coastal seashores. In Germany the Linden tree is an icon, where it grows to be thousands of years old. Known for its heart shaped leaves, flowers used for tea and perfume, wood for making musical instruments, and bark for cloth, it was the center of much of the life of the community in that place. In fact people would gather there to dance and celebrate, as well as restore justice and peace. At one time it was even said that “the tree would help unearth the truth”. It wasn't until later, during medieval times, that the myth of the man Siegfried arose, who became invulnerable after bathing in the blood of the dragon. Yet while doing so a single Linden leaf floated down and stuck to him leaving a spot untouched by the blood. This one spot was where he became vulnerable. Much has changed since this time, but the Linden is still used for shade arching over boulevards to create a canopy where lovers amble hand in hand.
A touching image really since the Linden had always been known as the “tree of lovers”.
So much history is connected to
trees and the places they come from. The Linden is no exception. Words like
“willowy” help to describe the lithe spirit, a Willow embodies. While the
Aspen which grows from a small seedling into a large clonal colony through its
many roots is known for the sound its many leaves make in the wind. These
colonies grow up to a meter a year to eventually cover whole mountains, reaching as much as 80,000 thousand of year they protect complex ecosystems and allow them to evolve. Even an occational fire will only take down the
tops of the trees and the expansive network of roots give rise to new saplings
quickly. There is so much to explore and learn about the world. Great design solutions abound if you have an instinct to explore, think outside of the
box, and to solve problems. Here at Soaring Heart we like to think we sleep a little better knowing that we do business that makes more sense.
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When I was younger, I wanted most things that I saw. There was so much to look at! A chaos of wants and desires, an exploration, an adventure in haircuts and pegged pant legs. Yet beauty seemed so elusive. My eyes searching the horizon, head straining for something outside, beyond my body. Awkward attempts to trick the audience. This all changed about the time I got my first best friend. We would shop together at the Goodwill, a local thrift store. We honed our own style.
There was so much clothing to sort through though. I would run my hand along the racks of clothes and scan the horizon intermittently, lost in conversation and thought. I was shopping with my hands… and when we confessed we were both doing this it seemed like a sign of our kinship, and somehow subversive. Our hands were doing the choosing.
Choosing what felt right.
I find myself doing the same here as I organize the fabrics. No need to hold on to the things that don’t feel good. We have winnowed down the selection to the most touchable natural and organic fibers. As I’m doing this I briefly consider what combinations I would like to layer for myself. I want something simple and homely like a monks robe. I want textures and variations on patterns that are subtle, enchanting, and rich. I want Morrocan styling’s with layers of pillows cascading from couch to floor that pull you down to lounge and play wherever you might sit.
Consider this: your comfort is important.
We are approaching the season of lights! Star light, Arora Borealis, friendly fires, and candle light... Oooo it’s time to pull out the candles and some matches! Many of us are also preparing for guests visiting this time of year or wanting to give the gift of better sleep to a loved one. How do we keep the pursuit of the “perfect” Holiday from destroying the spirit of the Holidays?
There are a few stress busters I’ve deployed over the past few years. Buying small items months ahead and storing them in a large trunk. When the time came there were very few extra expenses for December, and I had the ease of mind to decorate the packages for pleasure. What I find ahead of time is also much more likely to be in my budget and the right gift for someone than a purchase squeezed in over a weekend of frenzied shopping. Gift cards also hit the mark. It allows your loved ones to pick out what they want, allows you to worry less about finding the “perfect” gift, and they get to do the shopping and walking around after the Holidays ;)!
I was enjoying chatting with a friend of mine who has had Soaring Heart bedding for years. And he mentioned that he had always wanted to buy a latex mattress but was anxious about the impact on his monthly budget this winter. When he took the price and divided it over a few months it felt equivalent to a telephone bill, but temporary. He just needed to think long range and spread it out over a few months. Many of our clients have enjoyed a lay away system in the past so we are reintroducing layaway to help everyone plan ahead without the hassle and added expense of a credit card. If you want a guest bed that you feel good about sharing with loved ones this might be a great option.
If you’re at all like me, a discerning shopper that always likes the best, the hand made products with natural and organic fibers that don't out-gas or cause health issues. Try giving yourself what you really want, but with a twist... Make a date with yourself to do some planning, then sleep on it. When you wake for your Holiday planning day, warm drink, pen, and paper in hand you will have had time to muse over ideas that you can add to the list. Then get the list on a calendar! It’s a relief to have a plan as well as to be able to focus on the people you love while they are with you. Enjoy yourself this season!
And light some candles on the road to a more peaceful Holiday.
Happy Halloween, Day of the Dead, or Fabulous Fall! The colors are changing… and our senses are peeked!
It’s a time for tricks, treats, costumes, and stories to frighten and inspire. It's a busy time, full of change. I'm pulling my big sweaters out of their boxes and trundling out to the garden to put the plants to bed for the winter. It’s time to get cozy inside now that it is cooler out there! Because of the temperature change we should be thinking about how we dress our beds just like how we dress ourselves. According to a recent study 34% of Americans are suffering from severe sleep deprivation at any one time. This is a pretty serious consideration when thinking about driving cars or any of the many important things we do every day. (Don’t be a zombie after Halloween…) So how do we make sure our sleep is really restful? There are lot’s of things we can do during the day (please follow our tweet if you’d like regular ideas and encouragement) but with this blog let’s start with making our bedrooms cozy and ready for serious sleep.
As temperatures change around us we wanna make sure our rooms are warm but not hot, about 60 -72 degrees (68 is a good happy medium). You don’t want your body working to maintain a proper temperature, otherwise your sleep cycle will be affected. Materials regulate temperature so seek out natural breathable products made of cotton and wool, instead of polyesters that will trap heat and moisture. (We actually lose about a quart of water every night.) Make sure the room doesn’t have lights or computer equipment that will keep your brain alert and not allow your sleep cycle to start ;) In addition to this go to sleep at the same time every night so that your body establishes its circadian rhythm and you’re sure to get deep REM. This is easy to forget with artificial lighting at our beck and call at any moment, but our brains need rythms to sleep deep. And last but not least make sure your room is quite and take measures to make it your peaceful kingdom.
Once you’ve got all the basics established it’s time to fine tune. Ask yourself if you are a side sleeper or back sleeper? Do you need a softer bed to ease up around the curves of your arms and side, and a large pillow that keeps your head in line with your back? Or do you need a firmer surface and smaller pillow for sleeping on your back? Make sure you like the feel of things. Shop by touching, laying down, and by curling up under products! Remember as you close your eyes for zzz’s it’s how things feel that is really important. And give yourself time to make the right choices. The body needs at least fifteen minutes to really relax on a new bed so that you know if it will be a good fit for your sleep habits. In the rush and bustle of modern life getting sufficient sleep requires being creative. Give yourself time to feel out what works, and add one sweet treat at a time to build your personal palace of rest!
Sleep on it! Dream on it… the next purchase will feel delightful for its relaxed pace and perfect timing.
I’m standing in front of a table with Dave our builder. We’ve pulled a large sheet of cotton from the storage and laid it on a Shikibuton cover. Like an open sandwich, three sides have a zipper and we are going to fill it with the sheets of soft heavy cotton. Zip it up, and sew it together with long cotton thread tufts.
Everyday our team is energized by the stories shared with us by happy customers. We're fortunate to have you engaged and we really listen to your feedback.
Our website is full of places where we can post your feedback and share it with other shoppers. Every one of our products provides a place for your input to be posted. It's super easy, just click at the bottom of the screen - pick the number of stars you want to award - and enter up to 1500 characters.
You're also welcome to send us photos for posting on our website's "Soaring Heart" corner. The scrolling photos you see in the upper right banner of our website are all actual Soaring Heart customers with their family and friends. Join us by simply sending your photo to soaringheart@soaringheart.com. In return, we'll send you a quick and generous thank-you!
What a great day. As part of our local United Way Day of Caring, our team at Soaring Heart volunteered to build more than 85 pillows for donation to Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center's Pete Gross House (for long-term residential cancer care), and Oxford House, which provides drug-and alcohol free housing for individuals in recovery.
We were lucky to be joined by students from the Pete Gross House school - who jumped right in to help make our wool bolus, chemical free pillows for family members in cancer treatment. The afternoon flew by with all their help and we were able to deliver our pillows directly to their families and neighbors in Pete Gross House by 4:00. We were grateful for their reception and many, many rounds of applause for these new, "scrunchably" soft pillows!
At Soaring Heart we really do believe we all sleep better when we know we're part of thriving, caring communities. We are grateful for your business!
Here are a few signs that it’s time to replace your mattress:
If you are in the Seattle area and experiencing any of these issues with your mattress, consider investing in a new mattress or futon from Soaring Heart Natural Bed Company. Whether it is a cotton futon or a plush latex mattress, we are passionate about providing you with the best options of bedding to ensure your good health. To have any of your mattress questions answered just give us a call at 202-282-1717 or 877-288-1717 today!
Buying a new bed can be a challenge, even for the most formidable shopper. There are many factors to consider before purchasing a bed, including affordability, comfort, and potential back and joint concerns. There is one other serious consideration to mull over before purchasing your bed, however: The question of what it is made out of.
The material your bed is made from may have a more powerful effect on your health and sleep than you had previously thought, which is why you should consider the differences between a regular bed and a natural bed.
The Materials
This may seem like the most obvious difference, but have you ever actually considered what a conventional mattress is made up of? Conventional mattresses are composed of man-made, synthetic materials that may lead to offgassing. Chemicals are often used to make the bed flame retardant. Natural bedding, on the other hand, achieves federal fire safety regulation using materials that come straight from the natural world around us, such as wool.
Breathability
In addition to the general holistic qualities associated with sleeping on natural fibers, natural fibers also have the ability to regulate the sleeping body’s temperature in a much more effective way. Because polyester and other synthetic materials trap body heat, our sleep cycle is often disrupted during its deepest periods because we simply cannot get comfortable. Natural fibers maximize evaporation of body moisture to allow you to get the peaceful sleep you need.
Spirituality
A natural bed promotes a better night’s sleep, simply by allowing you to sleep on something you know is closer to nature than a regular bed. When you lay your head down on a natural bed after a long day, you know you are sleeping free from chemicals and non-natural materials.
If natural bedding sounds like the right choice for you,check out our products page or contact us at 206-282-1717 or 877-288-1717 today.
When you bring your new-born baby home from the hospital, every decision counts. From diapers to bedding, you want everything to be as perfect and pure as your new baby. A great way to begin providing the natural and healthy environment your baby needs is by purchasing an organic crib mattress. Like all organic mattresses, an organic crib mattress is made with chemical-free, natural materials. So, when you lay your little one down to sleep, you’ll know he or she will be sleeping in an area as pure as they are.
Your infant will likely spend around 75% of their day getting much needed sleep. The environment you create in their bedroom is critical. Because we are still unsure of the lasting damages chemicals found in conventional bedding may have on child development, natural bedding is a safe and viable alternative.
The key to organic baby bedding is to keep it natural. At Soaring Heart Natural Bed Company, the building materials in our organic baby bedding are all natural and chemical free. We use latex cores for our mattresses that are 100% certified organic and extra-firm to provide your baby all the stability he or she needs to get a good night’s sleep. In an effort to keep your baby’s crib as natural as possible, we have also achieved federal fire safety regulations without the use of chemicals. Instead of flame retardant chemicals, we use a blend of all-natural wool and cotton to meet the fire safety requirements.
If you are getting ready to bring a new baby into the world or are looking to upgrade the bedding for your child, then be sure to visit us our Soaring Heart For Kids page or call at 202-282-1717 or 877-288-1717. We hope to bring you and your baby the sleep you both need… naturally.
The function of a mattress pad is to protect your mattress and keep you comfortable and dry. It is very important to use one that is made from natural fibers - such as cotton or wool - because these are very breathable and absorbent. Conventional pads made from polyester or poly-cotton blends are not as breathable or absorbent.
The mattress pad is generally the only washable component of a natural mattress (futon or otherwise) so you want it to be super durable and hold up to the frequent washing & drying that it should get. Our simple yet very comfortable and durable cotton pad was designed by Soaring Heart Natural Bed Company over 20 years ago and has really stood the test of time. We regularly talk to customers who are still using the mattress pad they bought 20 years ago. The zigzag stitching provides superior durability and the no-nonsense flat design allows it to be easily held in place by the sheets.
At Soaring Heart Natural Bed Company, we have the best 100% Cotton Mattress Pads for you to choose from. Visit our product page or call us today at 202-282-1717 or 877-288-1717!
