Shop spotlight on the Secret Linen Store. This is the ideal place to buy bedding online. You’ll find everything from bedding sets, bed sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, bedspreads and throws, plus cushions. The business is owned by two sisters who bring you quality products direct from the factory to save you money. Their mission is to make your bedtime memorable with their 100% cotton bedding which is designed exclusively by them. They are obsessed with bedding and have an exceptional eye for detail. I caught up with the siblings to learn more about the Secret Linen Store.
Teasle Navy Bedding
Meet the Secret Linen Store Owners
This online shop is owned by sisters – Molly Freshwater and Harriet Mears. They come from a family of four girls, with Molly being the eldest and Harriet being the second youngest. There is a six-year age gap between the two. Molly is the company’s Creative Director, while Harriet is the Managing Director. Molly’s background is in textile design, and she has worked for various high street retailers designing and sourcing textiles. Harriet’s previous career was in marketing for furniture retail. She also has accountancy training, which is very well organised and good at keeping the business in check.
Molly Freshwater and Harriet Mears
Molly explains how the idea for their online shop came about, “I’ve been designing bed linen for fifteen years and knew that one day, I would have my label.” Starting up a business for the sisters had been on the cards for a long time, “we’ve always dreamt about working together and for many years have been discussing ideas and products. We decided that as bed linen was where our hearts were, our knowledge was and our favourite place is in bed, so it was inevitable that we would end up designing and selling bedroom sets!”
Tiny Dots Burgundy Bedding Set
They decided that becoming an online retailer was the perfect route for them, “being an online-only model seemed the natural thing to do as retail is changing. It allows us to sell luxury bedding for much less expensive prices than the high street equivalent. Our business was created to give customers fantastic quality bed linen at great prices. We don’t have a margin for fancy stores or a warehouse to enable us to do that. We aim to cut out all unnecessary costs. Being online, we can keep our overheads down and pass our savings on to our customers.” Coming up with the business name was quite tricky because they had many options. They explain, “as we are a direct source from the factory to our customers, we felt that finding us was like discovering a secret!”
Meadow Indigo Blue Bedding
The business suits their lifestyle as they are both busy mums. They have the flexibility to pick the kids up from school and enjoy family life. They enjoy making their own decisions, and although running their own business is tough, they feel rewarded when customers are happy. The operation is kept small with help from another mum on a part-time basis. Aside from that, the venture is down to the two sisters.
Secret Linen Store Collection
The sisters explain the store concept, “we sell sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, cushions and throws. We are in the business of dressing beds and making bedtime lovely. Our bedding is all made from 100% cotton yarns which are spun from a combination of Egyptian and other long-staple kinds of cotton. We design everything, so you won’t find these products anywhere else on the high street. Our collection provides something for everyone with a mix of classic and contemporary patterns alongside beautiful plains and a choice of crisp, soft or sateen finishes.”
White Stripe Bedding
Their products have been well thought out, and they tell me, “we use 100% cotton on both sides of our duvet covers so that the fabric close to your skin is nice and soft. Duvets come in a single through to super king with size labels to make everything easy. We offer three different sizes of pillowcases with a choice of Oxford or Standard edges. These all feature a central flap opening at the back, which is much smarter than the usual side opening. Fitted sheets are slightly deeper than the norm, and flat sheets accommodate all bed sizes. Our Jacquard woven sheets and duvet covers are all reversible, and this type of weave means that the pattern is part of the fabric, so you get the contrasting colour on the other side. Bed sets are also available and comprise of a duvet cover, flat or fitted sheet and two pillowcases.”
Teasles Teal Bedding
To give you an idea of what’s on offer, Molly and Harriet have selected five products for you to view. Molly originally painted the Splash Flower Cappuccino Duvet Set in watercolours. Her graphic floral design has soft edges, which show off the splash flower design. It comes in this creamy cappuccino to complement neutral bedroom schemes and wooden beds. With a premium 260 thread count, it’s lovely and soft.
The Splash Flower Cappuccino Duvet Set
The Jasmine Pale Blue Duvet Set is a dream for a pretty, feminine feel. A second colour has been introduced into the weaving to give a soft blue and textured oatmeal background. The 100% cotton fabric has a 300 thread count for a linen-like look and feels reasonably priced. It’s as soft to touch as it is on the eye.
Jasmine Pale Blue Duvet Set
The Ferns Graphite Grey features trailing ferns which have been inspired by Molly’s countryside autumn walks. On the reverse, you’ll find a darker contrasting colour for visual impact. The woven jacquard design is 100% cotton with a 260 thread count.
Ferns Graphite Grey Duvet Set
The Relaxed Denim Graphite Grey Duvet Set is bold and straightforward. Made from 100% cotton with a relaxed finish and signature denim weave. The 260 thread count brushed cotton effect provides softness and the ultimate comfort.
Relaxed Denim Graphite Grey Duvet Set
Gear up for the winter months with the Laundered Graphite Grey Throw. This has been made on a Jacquard loom and shrunk to achieve a textured finish. The 100% cotton fabric is so soft to the touch. It comes in one size of 150cm x 200cm and can be used to adorn your bed or casually draped over your sofa.
Graphite Grey Throw
Buy Secret Linen Store Products
If you’re after dreamy bedding at reasonable prices, do take a look at the webshop at Secret Linen Store. To give you an idea about prices, bed linen starts from £20 for a single duvet cover and pillowcases from £5, cushions from £10 and throws from £35. At the moment, they only ship to the UK. They can send you fabric samples to help you with your choice. The parcels are delivered hand-tied with undyed ribbon inside a paper potato sack. They also send you a recipe for breakfast in bed with your order! If you want to find out more about thread counts and fabrics, they have plenty of information on the website. Sweet dreams!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: SLS. Thanks: Molly Freshwater, Harriet Mears and Sophie Hughes.
