Good Nights and Good Buys : Comfort Cocoon has reasonable prices all year on such fine linens as lace pillowcases and duvets, with even more savings through Tuesday.
The luxury of fine linens cannot be imitated, and finding fine linens at reasonable prices is not easy. Linen boutiques sometimes have sales, but on a year-round basis, bargains in upscale bedding are hard to come by.
At Comfort Cocoon, which opened early last year, the focus is on European-style luxury linens--square pillows, featherbeds and down comforters slipped into duvet covers. Through Tuesday, all merchandise is discounted an additional 20%, which means you can deduct that amount from the prices quoted.
Owner Steve Johnson carries only featherbeds by California Feather & Down, which he says are the best quality. Regular prices range from $49 for a twin, $59 for a full, $69 for a queen and $79 for king-size. Made of 95% feathers and 5% down, the featherbeds are made with three channels, which gives the center of the bed a nice, rounded, poofy look. Regular retail on the featherbeds ranges from $100 to $150.
The down comforters start at $69 for a lightweight, 40-ounce comforter of white goose down. Going up the price scale, a king-size 50-ounce white goose down comforter, box-stitched on a 300-thread shell, is $139, compared to $179 at many department stores. At the top of the price scale is the 60-ounce down comforter with an unusual 760-thread-count shell for $399, which another discounter sells for $499.
Comfort Cocoon carries a wide variety of duvets, which are mandatory for the European look. Duvets range from $29 for a 200-thread count in any size up to $249 for a 280-thread count. The styling is a minor factor in the price--it’s the fabric that’s everything.
One U.S. manufacturer, Charles Bay, is high on Johnson’s list, and many of the duvets are from this company.
Solids or prints, jacquards or damasks, even washable silks are offered. One king-size 100% silk duvet that sells here for $129 is sale-priced at one department store for $179.
There is a fine selection of Martex sheets in the very fine 225-thread-per-inch Egyptian cotton, softer and more durable than regular combed cotton. If you can find these elsewhere, they will probably be around $65 each. Comfort Cocoon’s price is $59 for a queen size.
We really love the 26-inch square European pillows. In 95% feather with 5% down, the price is $14, compared to $24 retail. The Battenberg lace pillowcases are $17.99, while top designer cases in jacquard cotton are $69 (retail $79 to $99).
To justify these prices for linens, all you have to do is feel them, look at them and ask Johnson to describe the content and durability. Over the last 27 years, Johnson has been a buyer of linens for two major department store chains in the United States and is knowledgeable on the subject.
Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Friday in Valley Life! Geri Cook can be heard from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays on KIEV 870-AM.
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WHERE TO SHOP
What: Comfort Cocoon. Location: 19350 Business Center Drive, Northridge. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa. Call: (800) 600-8898.