Sleep Talk
They take sleep very seriously at Carpe Diem Beds. In fact, these Swedish sleep experts have devised a whole philosophy centred around the bedroom environment, based on the principle that the space should be designed as a holistic concept dedicated to the art of sleep. This philosophy comes to life at their Wigmore Street showroom, where they offer a Sleep Consultation to help you create a personalised sleep environment.
It’s much more than just choosing a mattress. The store is dedicated to optimising the bedroom environment to create an oasis of calm, and visitors can experience the company’s ethos first hand under the guidance of manager Rui Franca. And while choosing the perfect mattress for you is at the heart of the experience, there’s a strong focus on bedroom design and streamlining, so that the bed you choose can be enclosed in an environment that’s conducive to optimum sleep health.
It’s a very calming place, and people are encouraged to take their time. The consultation involves trying every bed until you find the one you like best. “We like people to come and spend an hour or two trying the beds. We can provide sleep masks, lower the lights, and let people sleep,” says Rui. In the basement are various beds that are ready to lie in, all of them softer than you’re probably used to. There’s a widespread misconception that a firm mattress is better for you, says Rui. “But we believe that you should sleep in the bed, not on the bed, and our contour pocket system is meant to contour your body so that you feel you’re sleeping on a cloud.” Another way in which Carpe Diem Beds are different to what we’re mostly used to in the UK is that they don’t use the traditional mattress on a bed frame system. A Carpe Diem bed is a single unit made of several layers of pressure-relieving springs and natural materials supported on an integral base. Many of the beds are adjustable with a remote control, while some have massage functionality, and clever details include subtle under-bed lighting.
A curated range of 44 fabrics for bed upholstery from Designers Guild, The Romo Group, and Kvadrat can be colour-matched with carpets, cushions, and bedroom furniture. Rui explains: “In selecting the fabrics we look at colours that are neutral and subtle. Bright colours are energising and we need to be relaxed in a bedroom, so it’s all about neutral tones. Scandinavian design usually keeps tones neutral to create a sense of calm in the mind.” The look is luxurious but minimalist and the neutral tones are designed to be mixed and matched alongside lifestyle products such as kimonos, slippers, sleep masks, and scented candles, plus soft cotton sheets and Scandinavian-quality duvets.
Carpe Diem Beds was founded 30 years ago by chiropractor Börje Thuleskär in partnership with the Spinal Unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden. The company’s patented Contour Pocket System has a unique cushioning ability, which gently yields and supports at the same time, instantly moulding to your body’s contours. A Carpe Diem bed is a long-term investment, with a superking model priced between £4,500 and £30,000. If that sounds expensive, Rui reminds us that we spend a third of our lives asleep, and sleep quality determines much of our happiness. So if happiness is what you’re after, a trip to Wigmore Street is in order. Or visit the site to find a dealer near you.
15 Wigmore Street, W1; 020 3982 3252
carpediembeds.co.uk
