As the daylight hours recede, I find myself thinking about the cooler temperatures. It calls to mind layering with comfortable clothing, experiencing the robust flavors of rustic foods and that spicier, more complex red wine you&rsquo;ve read about. </p><p>This time of year also evokes nesting, an easy way to get warm and do something just for you. We spend a third of our lives in bed, so it&rsquo;s important to have a clear idea of how you envision your rest chambers. Is it sophisticated and alluring, relaxing and spalike, or sparse and silent? Answering these questions will help you develop your personal haven. </p><p>Your wish list should include a strong platform on which to build. I would strongly suggest not skimping on these items because they are the mainstays of a well-established bedroom: a sturdy mattress with a good inner-coil system; nicely stuffed pillows with good covers; and finely constructed natural blankets, duvets or coverlets.</p><p>Don&rsquo;t be shy to try bedding out in the store. Many stores are set up for customer testing, encouraging you to climb on the bed, lie on the pillows, cuddle with the duvet. Be smart and well-informed in understanding the materials and performance of the desired products. If you&rsquo;re unsure, read before you shop, and talk to sales professionals. Always use a dependable store that will stand behind the product. </p><p>Who knew Indian cotton is a higher quality than Egyptian cotton? It turns out that Indian cotton twists longer cotton fibers together to be more stable and can be woven as fine as some silks. Unstable construction of textiles can lead to a &ldquo;bad hand&rdquo; (lack of smoothness) and pilling. When yarns are double twisted, the fabric becomes pill-resistant and features a better finish or sheen.</p><p>If you&rsquo;re not careful with bedding, you could easily find yourself taken in by gimmicks. For example, thread counts were never qualities sought by European consumers. This was a marketing strategy employed by European mills hoping to capture the U.S. market in the 1990s because of shrinking demands for higher-end textiles. </p><p>I met up with international trendsetter Nancy Koltes during her recent visit to Scandia Down on the Country Club Plaza. Koltes, based in New York, designs linens, as well as other bed and bath products that carry her name.</p><p>&ldquo;Since natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk) are cellulose and basically the same as human hair, caring for these types of materials is just as important,&rdquo; Koltes said. &ldquo;You would no more wash your hair with a harsh detergent and bleach, then blow it dry on a high heat. So why would you want to do that to your linens?&rdquo;</p><p>Other tips Koltes shared:</p><p>&bull;European washing machines &mdash; but not U.S. machines &mdash; gradually bring up the water temperature, which is better for extending the life of textiles.</p><p>&bull;Milder formulated detergents should be completely dissolved before linens are loaded in the washer.</p><p>&bull;Allowing linens to air dry is preferable. However, most of us don&rsquo;t have the space or the time to do this. What you <em>can</em> do is dry the linens on moderate heat and not over dry them to a crispy consistency. Allow them to hold a slight amount of moisture. When they are removed from the dryer this way, even if the sheets are cotton, most wrinkles can be smoothened out. No iron required. </p><p>Building your bed can be like building your wardrobe. It may take time. But if you&rsquo;re smart about it, you can add things that complement what you have and that will last years to come. To help extend the longevity of your bedding, try rotating it with the seasons: lighter textiles and palettes for warmer months, then richer colors and heavier textures for the cooler seasons.</p><p>Items such as accent pillows and throws can be playful, trendy and easily switched out. But your mainstays should be of good quality and sustainability. Sleep well.