Dream Rooms

When it comes to bedrooms, we all dream of a restful, luxurious, romantic refuge. A master bedroom and its bathroom are the most intimate rooms in a house, the ones where you most want to relax, indulge your senses, and prepare for -- and let go of -- the day. Thankfully, that goal has become remarkably easy on the conscience.
Virtue and indulgence might initially seem strange bedfellows, but in linens, as in life, first impressions can be deceiving. Sheets that could get by on sheer sumptuousness, for example, may have the added benefit of being organic. In fact, given the increasing demand for all things eco, there's almost no aspect of the archetypal dream bed and bath that doesn't now exist in some natural, organic, or otherwise socially redeeming form. You don't have to change everything all at once; the ideas presented here -- some small, some large -- work individually or collectively. It's your choice. It should, however, be an informed choice, so here are some basics, keeping in mind that there is overlap among these categories.
Natural materials, as the name implies, are nonsynthetic -- they come from plants or animals, like the breathable, long-lasting, skin-friendly natural fibers for bed and bath here.
Organic materials, like organic cotton, are natural materials that have been grown free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and are often manufactured without chemicals.
Sustainable materials, like bamboo, are natural materials that regenerate at healthy rates, preventing resource depletion.
Socially responsible products and companies, if not always eco-fabulous, earn merit by reviving handicraft traditions, treating people well, and giving back to the community. In the bedroom, organic and natural bedding lends itself to a layering of colors and textures, like a striped linen blanket and an organic-cotton jacquard-weave blanket against smooth, white linen. A subtle mix of complementary colors -- the green tones inspired by spring -- gives depth to the room. The layering of subdued greens and blues starts with the carpet and connects the blue-gray trim of the bed skirt and the headboard with the tans and beige of the bed skirt, the duvet cover, and the chair. Green-gray walls and a natural-wallpaper "collage" tie it all together, while sheer curtains add softness and privacy. It's a combination of beauty, comfort, and consciousness --perfect for your body and soul.

Bathroom

If the bedroom is a sacred space in which to retreat and renew, the bathroom is its inner sanctum. And although getting clean may sound about as utilitarian as you can get, bathing also happens to be one of the best (and easiest) things you can do for your psyche -- especially given beautiful, natural surroundings, including a Belgian linen nightgown (hanging), a porcelain oyster-shell soap dish, a hand-knotted cotton towel, a functionally elegant wooden table, an organic-cotton bath rug, and a Belgian linen robe.

Furnishings

Furniture It's becoming easier all the time to find stylish sources for greener furnishings. Q Collection, for instance, a manufacturer of eco-friendly decor, was founded on the principle that serious design need not compromise the environment -- and vice versa. The company uses sustainably grown woods, natural fibers, and recycled glass to produce everything from the club chair at left to accent pillows and lamps.
Lighting One of the fastest ways to make your bedroom more environmentally friendly (and to reduce your electricity bill) is to install super-efficient bulbs wherever possible. Long-lasting compact fluorescent bulbs are now easy-to-find replacements for almost any standard incandescent bulb. For your favorite reading lamp, try a full-spectrum compact fluorescent, which mimics natural sunlight.

Fabrics

Silk, unwound from silkworm cocoons, is one of the world's strongest natural protein fibers. And it's one of the oldest textile fibers, long revered for its rich hand and luster. For function and form in the bedroom, whether in a comforter or adorning a reading pillow, silk is hard to beat. It's beautiful, durable, a top-notch temperature regulator, and soft as, well, silk.
Organic Cotton is an any-season favorite for bedding, though its light and cool qualities have special appeal in warm weather. In fact, more and more consumers are choosing ultra-breathable all-cotton bedding over standard cotton-synthetic blends because it's more comfortable. Make that cotton organic, and you'll rest, sleep, and breathe easier.
LinenNo wonder "linens" were once the ubiquitous bedding of choice. Linen's hollow-core flax fibers both insulate and wick away moisture, providing all-season comfort, and its smooth, buttery feel only gets better with use. Sleep on linen sheets and pillowcases or read and relax with a linen throw -- it's one of the nicest in-the-bedroom fabrics you'll find.
CashmereAccording to devotees, nothing is better to cuddle up with than this "specialty wool." Traditionally gleaned from the silky-soft undercoat of goats living in the high Asian plateaus of China, Mongolia, and Tibet, cashmere is one of the world's warmest natural fibers, but its high-moisture content allows insulation levels to change with relative humidity. In other words, a cashmere throw might be the perfect reading-chair fixture.
Wool's superior wicking and insulating abilities -- the latter due to an abundance of tiny air pockets that get trapped in its crimped fibers -- prevent over- and under-heating all year round. That's why wool historically has been used in both desert and arctic climates. And a wool blanket or comforter is a long-term investment -- the fiber's elasticity and resilience will buy you years of use.