Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Ready-Made VS. Custom-Made ???

There are a few things to think about when choosing the perfect window coverings. Well okay, there are a more than a few things...but one of the biggest questions we get asked is why custom? Why should we buy custom made window coverings when we can go to a big box store and buy those blinds that we can cut-down to size for way cheaper? Well, we say.... here's 5 things to compare when deciding between custom and ready-made window treatments.

1. PRICE. You get what you pay for. Yes, of course, ready-made window coverings are cheaper....but so is the overall product. These blinds are made with inexpensive materials that result in a product that will warp and break. Unfortunately, they do not come with a warranty, so you will be replacing them in no time. Custom window treatments are manufactured in North America and adhere to North American production, fire, safety, and quality work standards. These products come with exceptional warranties and will bring many, many years of service and reliability.

2. QUALITY. Truly there is no comparison between a ready-made and custom-made in terms of quality.

3. SELECTION. When choosing ready-made, your options for colour, texture, and product are very limited.

4. PRESENTATION. Unfortunately, ready-made blinds come in standard sizes. If you have a large window or an odd sized one, finding a ready-made to fit is very difficult. The result is poorly fitting blinds, large windows with multiple blinds, large side gaps that let too much light in..etc. Custom window treatments are made to fit your unique window needs in terms of both function and aesthetics.

5. ADVICE. When you choose a custom window covering, it comes with professional advice. We come to your home with our samples to assess your needs. We are trained how to measure, we are trained to troubleshoot, and we are trained to provide you with the best products for your unique windows.  We will also professionally install what we sell. When you buy a ready-made blind, you are responsible for the measuring, selecting, drilling the holes into your window frames and ensuring it fits properly. You are also on your own, and this can be very challenging.

So when it comes to deciding whether or not you select ready-made or custom-made window treatments, we hope you'll consider our advice. Let us help you make it easy...call us today for a complementary in-home consultation. Judy 250.782.4965 Robyn 250.467.3738

Friday, March 27, 2015

Flowers, flowers, everywhere

For some of us more fortunate Canadians, the daffodils, crocuses and colourful spring bulbs are finally bursting into colour. For the rest of us, there is hope. The sun is sticking around a little longer, the snow melting back further and further. While we are still far from seeing spring flowers, we can feel it. It's time to open the windows again. Time to clean the grime from the sills and chase winter away. It's time to breathe life into our homes again! Quail Cottage Amenities can help bring Spring in your homes with our lovely, fresh & floral bed linens from Cuddle Down.

The bright apple green print of our Organic Green Leaves is bright and cheerful. Made from 200 Thread count 100% organic cotton, it is soft, hypoallergenic and skin friendly, and produced sustainably.

qcamenities.com/catalog/Green_Leaves_Organic_Bed_Linens_165.cfm

For a softer take on Spring, our Organic Florina line of bed linens blends soothing hues of mauves, pinks, and meadow greens. 100% organic cotton and 200 thread count, ensure that these linens are soft to the touch and completely chemical free.

qcamenities.com/catalog/Florina_Organic_Bed_Linens_166.cfm

Lastly, our newest bed linens boast bursts of purple and yellow and truly capture the essence of Spring's bounty. Made from Cuddle Down's luxurious 200 thread count, 100% cotton percale weave, the Bethany line of bed linens are soft, long lasting, and very beautiful. Mix and match with our Percale Deluxe Solids to create your own fresh look.
 
To see all of our beautiful bed linens, please visit www.qcamenities.
 
From all of us busy little quails, we want to wish you a happy, bright, and colourful new season!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Company's coming....

It's getting to be close to that time of year again.... the time of year where guests outnumber available beds. Are you prepared? Where is everyone sleeping this year? Us quails have found the perfect solution, CabinetBeds! Made in Canada, CabinetBeds give you additional comfortable sleeping space for your guests. It's sleek, doesn't take up much space and is super easy to use. We have tested this product in the Cottage and have had rave reviews. If you would like more information, or would like to order one for your own nest, please give us a call 250.467.3738!



Sunday, November 16, 2014

Sheets... what you need to know about selecting the dreamiest of sheets.

Choosing the perfect bedding can be intimidating... thread counts, different weaves, cotton, bamboo, polyester, organic... so many choices. So how do you choose?

Popular belief leads us to choose our sheets based solely on thread count... the higher the thread count-the better, right? Wrong. While thread count does tell us the number of threads per square inch, it does not tell us quality, feel, or composition. There are actually 4 factors that we recommend you to consider when selecting the dreamiest bed linens for your needs.






#1. Type & and Quality of Fiber
      Of all the sheets out there today, most are made from cotton. The three types of cotton commonly used for bed linens are American Upland, Pima, and our favorite, Egyptian. American Upland Cotton is probably the most commonly used cotton today. Unlike the Upland Cotton, Pima is a finer, longer staple cotton (Upland is mostly short to medium long staple). The longer the staple of the cotton, the greater the fineness and the overall strength of the fibre. And the longer the fibre, the softer the weave. Egyptian cotton, grown in the Nile River Valley in Egypt,  is renowned for its long staple length soft and lusturious yarn it produces. Because of the Egyptian Cotton's fine yarn, more threads can fit per square inch, giving it a tauter weave that will last significantly longer than a regular cotton weave sheet will.

Organic? If you suffer from sensitive skin or allergies, or prefer green products in your home, organic cottons are grown, harvested, manufactured, and packaged according to strict guidelines. Our Cuddle Down Organic Bed Linens have been GOTS certified... from the soil-seed-weaving-finishing are chemical and pesticide free.

Bamboo? Bamboo fibers have millions of micro-sized gaps which enable it to "breathe" better than cotton. The fibres expand when warm to allow skin to breathe and contract when cool to create more warmth. By doing so they adjust to your unique perfect sleeping temperature. They are also extremely soft and have incredible moisture wicking capabilities. See our 300TC Bamboo bedding sets.

Polyester? Polyester is a synthetic (man-made) fiber widely used in bed linens. It is easier to produce (than cotton), durable, and extremely cost effective. Used alone, it makes a crunchy sheet that often makes for a sweaty sleep. However, when combined with cotton, the polyester yarn gives the cotton a greater degree of elasticity. This is what makes a poly-cotton blend sheet less likely to crease after washing. It also helps hold the linen's shape and prevents shrinkage. Poly-cotton blends are most commonly found in motels/hotels/lodges who need a cost-effective product that can withstand heavy usage. Our Hospitality line of polyester-cotton blends have been tried and tested in large-scale hotels...they can withstand heavy laundering and continue to feel smooth and look fabulous.

#2. Were it is Woven
 The best weavers in the world tend to come from Italy, Portugal, Germany, Israel and other European Countries. These weavers tend to have the loveliest end products: a softer and more durable sheet.

#4. Type of Weave
The two most common weaves are Percale and Sateen. No one is better than the other, it really is a matter of personal preference as to which one you like better.

Percale is a plain fabric weave where the warp and the weft ends cross over and under each other one at a time. The result? A tightly woven fabric with a fine texture and finish. See our lovely Cuddle Down 220TC Luxury Percale line of bed linens.


Sateen is a weave that produces a more luxurious look and feel as its warp ends interlace with the filling threads. Sateen weave fabrics have smooth, silkier feel. See our 500TC Egyptian Cotton Sateen bed linens from Cuddle Down if this is the type of weave you love.


#4. Thread Count
The most common mistake made when choosing bedding is that a higher thread count makes a better sheet... this is FALSE. Thread Count tells us the number of threads per square inch. And whether or not a 1000 TC is "better" than a 250TC pretty much boils down to personal preference. A lower thread count sheet (like a 220TC), produces a crisp cool sheet that will actually become plusher over time. While a higher thread count (like a 500TC), produces a lighter and smoother sheet due to the tighter packed finer threads.

At the end of the day, we spend a lot of time in our beds. Aside from looking fabulous, they need to feel fabulous. And if we are making beds for guests in our suites and bed & breakfasts, they need to be able to keep on being fabulous while enduring heavy laundering. Quail Cottage Amenities has so many fabulous types of bed linens to choose from...please contact us if you have any questions, or wish to see samples... we are here to help!





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Introducing our newest line of incredible linens, towels, duvets and pillows... CUDDLE DOWN!

We are so excited to announce that Quail Cottage Amenities is officially offering Cuddle Down Ltd. products for sale on our website www.qcamenities.ca. So, why are we so excited? Well, there are really so many reasons....
 
#1. Top of our list... they are Canadian and manufacture their products in Canada!
 
#2. The Cuddle Down Label stands for quality. Their linens are impeccable, the down in their duvets
       is the finest, and their towels are divine.  
 
#3  We know that many of you have an affinity for stripes, swirls, colours, textures and patterns and
       Cuddle Down products offer us so many lovely choices.









So come on over to our website www.qcamenities.com and check out our newest additions.... we don't want to keep these products just for ourselves (well, maybe some of them).

 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Wrap up in all things WAFFLE!


Fall is in the air for most of us Canadians and for some of us, it really feels more like winter (there are already snowflakes falling out the window). Which is why this chilly little quail is ready to hibernate and curl up with good books, mugs of steaming tea, and everything waffle.

To compliment our waffle robes, Quail Cottage Amenities is excited to announce that we have sourced a new supplier for waffle bed linens and the softest waffle/terry towels.

Made from 100% cotton woven in Portugal, and fabricated in Canada, our new waffle bedding is beautiful and classy. Available in white, cream or slate, our duvet covers, shams, bed skirts and blankets will give your guestrooms a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.
www.qcamenities.com



Also woven in Portugal, our new 100% cotton Waffle Weave towels are luxuriously soft and provide a classic spa, clean look.
www.qcamenities.com
Lastly, don't forget about our waffle robes and slippers. As our most popular robe/slipper combo, our waffle robes are soft and lightweight. They are the perfect backdrop for your unique logo and the perfect partner for our new waffle products.
https://www.qcamenities.ca/catalog/Bathrobes_4.cfm
So wrap and keep warm little quails... by the looks of it, it is going to be long winter!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Have guests but lack space? We have the solution... Cabinet Beds!

We have found the most perfect space saving sleep solution (at least we think so)! Unlike a wall bed, that you either have to have custom built or order a pre-made one that takes up an entire wall, Cabinet Beds are freestanding, compact, good looking, and super comfortable. They are the perfect solution for those of us who need guest beds and do not have a lot of space. Why else do we like them:

-No installation required. Freestanding.
-Transforms in 30 seconds.
-6" Trifold gel infused memory foam mattress for excellent sleeping comfort.
-All wood construction. NO MDF or particle board.
-High grade finishes with multiple stain and hardware options
-Large drawer for plenty of storage space.
-Supports up to 500 lbs.
-Queen and Double sizes available.
-Cabinet dimensions (closed)
 Queen 42.5" high x 66.5" wide x 25" deep.
 DBL   42.5"high x 60" wide x 25" deep.
-Made in Canada


 
If you would like more information or would like to order one of these sweet little units, please contact us.