White bedding...

... is a mainstay of many a stylish interior including most if not all of the best hotel rooms.

Some printed duvets and pillow covers are tempting, particularly those by designers such as Diane Von Furstenburg...

Paper Cheetah Duvet via dvf.com

...but it's hard to beat the versatility and the crisp, freshness of pure white bed linen.

Here are some of my current favourite bedroom images featuring white bedding.

above 4 images via Lonny

In these examples, simple white bedding is the perfect counterpoint to colourful and often patterned elements including cushions and blankets on the bed itself as well as soft furnishings, curtains and wall treatments.

The only drawback?  Keeping your whites pristine!!  However I recently came across this method for getting your whites really white.  Here's how it goes:

• Fill bucket/sink with hot water and add 2 tablespoons of washing up liquid.  Soak whites for 15 mins.  Remove and rinse with warm water.
• Fill bucket/sink with hot water and add 2 tablespoons of ammonia.  Soak whites for 15 mins.  Remove and rinse with warm water.
• Fill bucket/sink with hot water and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar.  Soak whites for 15 mins.  Remove and rinse with warm water.
• Put whites in washing machine on hot cycle (I also used a pre-wash) using your regular detergent and an oxy-action product.  Dry in the sun if possible. 

Et voila - even my yellowed pillow cases (yuck I know!) came out whiter than white and worthy of any 5* hotel room (if I may say so myself!).