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with Kate Springer
We all know how important it is to get a good night's sleep. Clocking seven to nine hours a night on the regular can help boost your mood, sharpen brain power, regulate blood sugar, and improve physical performance - plus, it feels amazing, too.
As a new mother, sleep has been very much on my mind lately. And given we’ve collectively been more stressed out than usual during the pandemic, it’s no wonder that people are investing in their bedrooms.
The global bedroom furniture market is set to expand 30.4 percent from US$135 million to US$176.1 million by 2027, according to MarketWatch. But furniture is just the foundation - you’ll also need fluffy pillows, soft linens, soothing lighting, blankets, rugs and cosy accoutrements to create a slumber sanctuary where you can truly recharge your batteries.
I caught up with Adah Chan, the founder of sustainable homeware brand Baea (baea.com), who knows a thing or two about bedroom essentials as a busy entrepreneur and mother of three. She tells me all about her homegrown Hong Kong brand, the most calming details in her home, and what her dream bedroom would look like.
Photo: BAEA
Tell us about your family's sleep routine - any rituals you follow?
Adah Chan: I have three boys, so after usually a busy day of school, homework, running around, bedtime is about winding down and taking a moment to reflect on the day together. After a story or two, I love spending a few minutes to share what we’re each looking forward to the next day. They are usually the most relaxed once they are in bed and all tucked in.
What do you do to get a better night’s sleep?
AC After putting my boys to bed, I like to finish my day by reading to break from the day. I always put my phone outside of the bedroom and switch it to airplane mode which gives me a sense of closure to the day. Before lights-out, I put a few drops of lavender oil on my pillow, which my boys are now asking for too.
What kinds of materials do you use for Baea’s bed linens and cushions?
AC Some things were obvious - of course, the cotton has to be organic - and then we asked: what
Photo: BAEA
about the buttons on the duvet cover? What are the biodegradable options available to us? Our research led to an ingenious material called Corozo made from the nuts of the tagua palm. Interestingly, it’s not a new material and was actually known as “vegetable ivory” for decades. Our accessories - throws and cushions - are hand-felted in small patches made from naturally harvested and naturally dyed silk and wool. And all our packaging is made from biodegradable sources.
How do you make your home feel more soothing?
AC Over the years, I’ve come to realise that the things bringing calm and a sense of peace into our home are those gathered in nature. On a windowsill, I keep things like a beautiful stone that reminds me of a perfect day spent at the river with my family. Or sometimes, a simple arrangement of dried grasses foraged in late summer will cause me to stop and reflect on the tranquillity I felt in that moment. To me, these are some of the most precious things I have in my home.
What would your ideal bedroom look like?
AC My dream bedroom would have a view of nature: a body of water and a forest or an open meadow would be ideal. Large windows, textured white walls, a couple of favourite art pieces that bring in natural shapes and colours... plus a comfy upholstered lounge chair from modern solid wood furniture designers, De La Espada, alongside a couple of small ottomans or stools to place personal items. I’d prefer to have only lamps and floor lamps - no ceiling lights - for a cosier atmosphere. And on my bedside table? A small clock, some lavender oil and a handful of books.
COLOUR CODE
You’ve got a big cosy bed, soft sheets and natural accents - and for a finishing touch? Don’t underestimate a fresh coat of paint. According to British papermaker G.F. Smith’s 2019 ‘The World’s Favourite Colour Project’, which surveyed thousands of people worldwide, navy blue is hands-down the most relaxing colour for a bedroom because the rich hue recalls the tranquillity of water. Sweet dreams!
