Timeless goods: it’s the details

Lynne Taylor is a designer for Taylor Linens in Temecula, Calif. She began designing quilts 20 years ago; here, she answers questions about new trends in linens.

Question: What should consumers look for in linens?

Answer: If you want new and different all the time, then you might not care that much about quality. If you like things that are classic and timeless - and that will last for years to come - then you should look for the little details of quality construction.

If you look at a well-made quilt or sheet or even a pillow, you can see the little tiny tucks, the quality of the embroidery, the fine stitching that makes a big difference over time.

There’s now this big trend toward producing linens that have an upscale appearance but that aren’t upscale in terms of construction.

You can go to department stores and find bedding in classic designs and in all-natural fibers, but many of those products will not stand the test of time.

You can tell the difference between a well-constructed sheet and pillow just by looking at the lace and embroidery, looking at the tucks and the stitching.

Better pillows should be filled at least partly with feather or down, not just foam.