Monthly Inspiration
Join our family to be the first to receive our latest stories and inspiration.
In the summer of 2021, the Reed family journeyed north to the Scottish highlands in search of long walks, tranquil lochs and fresh air. They found exactly what they were looking for, and more, returning to London with inspiration for a beautiful new collection of bed and table linens.
The new designs, named Skye after the island whose natural beauty inspired them, offer a clean and contemporary take on the traditional technique of hand-stitched appliqué borders, and it’s clear how the design’s gentle waves draw upon the dramatic elements of this island steeped in folklore.
“During our stay at the wonderful Three Chimneys hotel last August, we took a cliff-top walk around Loch Dunvegan, and were stunned by the views overlooking the water,” says Karen Reed. “I was in awe at how the sky, sea and land seemed to overlap and merge as one, and the rolling waves as the loch met the Atlantic ocean. I know instantly that I wanted to capture this moment in a new design for the REED collections.”
I was in awe at how the sky, sea and land seemed to overlap and merge as one, and the rolling waves as the loch met the Atlantic ocean.
Back in London, Karen set to work on translating the drama of the Scottish highlands into a new silhouette that deftly fuses elements of contemporary and classic linen design.
The Skye table linen uses handmade borders to give a sumptuous and chic finish to this table linen. It is made with the company’s linen gaberdine fabric – a heavyweight blend of cotton and linen – and a luxurious fabric that drapes and folds beautifully, with the appliqué detailing accented by the contrasting border colours. The table linen design is available in three colours – striking Majorelle blue, shown here, olive green and bold ‘post box’ red – and runners of various sizes, with matching sets of generously proportioned napkins.
“Runners are incredibly versatile,” notes Karen, “and they feel at home in any situation, indoors and out, formal and relaxed. The Skye pieces really show off the quality of the cloth, too – our linen gaberdine fabric has a beautiful, rich texture and weight.”
“Runners are incredibly versatile,” notes Karen, “and they feel at home in any situation, indoors and out, formal and relaxed. The Skye pieces really show off the quality of the cloth, too – our linen gaberdine fabric has a beautiful, rich texture and weight.”
Fittingly, the outdoor dining images pictured here were shot on location in Scotland, a springtime Edinburgh garden momentarily resembling a sun-kissed Tuscan terrace.
Karen has also designed a beautiful Skye bed linen collection, featuring the design’s signature waved border applied to pillowcases, duvet covers and flat sheets. Skye bed linen is available in white with a contrasting border in either soft blush-pink or (naturally) ‘sky’ blue, and is made entirely in REED’s sumptuous 400 thread-count Sateen fabric. Like all the REED bed linen collections, Skye is made to order in any size, and the collection is also perfect for monogramming. To find out more, contact us – plus, to help find your perfect fabric style and colour, you can request up to five complimentary fabric swatches online now.
