How to Style Sheets Like a Pro, with Fiona Gould

Welcome to the first instalment of our new Styling Series with Fiona Gould. For those uninitiated, Fiona is a Sydney-based interior stylist and all-round home décor whiz. Fiona has been creating beautiful spaces for over 10 years, and we can’t wait to share her expertise with you. Throughout this series, we’ll be bringing you bite-sized tips and tricks on how to style your home and elevate spaces like a total pro (as you may have noticed in the title of this blog).

For today’s masterclass, we’re talking about the power of sheets. If you’ve found yourself on this page, we’re guessing you’re already familiar with how quickly you can change up the look of your bedroom with only bedding. A new printed quilt cover or colour scheme can totally shift the mood of your space, but it’s also a sizeable investment (both monetarily and for your linen cupboard capacity) to switch out every piece of your bedding on a regular basis. But here's the good news: a new set of sheets is enough to make your bed feel brand-new. If you’re in need of some styling inspiration, Fiona is here to show you three distinct styles to test out in your space.

Each of the looks we’re styling today starts with the Reilly Stripe Quilt Cover Set in atlantic. Its pared-back colourway makes for a versatile base, finished in a classic stripe that gives us opportunities to play with pattern (but more on that later). Drawing on the cool-toned shade of our quilt cover, Fiona’s first look features our Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheet Set in the colour nocturnal, which Fiona describes as a “rich, moody blue”. Deeper shades absorb light, which makes them a perfect choice for creating a cosy look in your bedroom.

Dark colours can feel intimidating when styling a space — but here’s where we ask you to trust the process (and Fiona’s know-how, of course). By choosing a deeper hue for our sheets, we’re creating contrast between the layers of our bedding. This technique is perfect for adding dimension to our bed, making each piece pop rather than blending in.

Another thing to consider is the fibres and weaves that you’re working with. Our Reilly Collection is crafted from cotton chambray, giving it a matte finish and soft, relaxed feel. When layered with smooth and slinky Egyptian Cotton Sateen, these sheets really level up the look and feel, bringing a laidback, luxurious feeling to this bed.

If you’re a regular Life + Style reader (which we hope you are, and if you are, thanks!), you’re probably familiar with our affinity for styling prints on prints. It really is one of the quickest ways to style a statement look that feels totally custom in your space.

Here, Fiona is pairing our Reilly Stripe with intricate floral print sheets. A fellow advocate for mixing florals and stripes, Fiona says, “There's just something very 'French cool girl' about it, and more often the not, it just works.” Like with our first look, this technique creates that same contrast between layers. The combination of a classic stripe and the sprawling, organic shapes in the Fernbay Sheet Set makes for a high impact look that feels effortless to put together.

Bonus pro tip: Fiona styles her flat sheet with the print facing downwards, towards her fitted sheet. This way, when we fold our flat sheet over the top of our quilt, that stunning floral is on full display. Who doesn’t want to fold back their bed covers and find a gorgeous garden?

For the final look, we’re lightening things up a little. If you’re after a look to keep things feeling bright and airy, Fiona says “you cannot go wrong with a light neutral shade” — and we couldn’t agree more. When we think light sheets, we often go straight to classic white (after all, it is timeless). But for this look, Fiona is opting for our Bayley Washed Percale sheets in the shade pebble.

A light neutral shade “softens the whole look dramatically and feels beautifully fresh”, giving us that same brightness and light-reflecting quality as pure white, while maintaining a warm and inviting feeling.

Remember when we mentioned the impact that our choice of weave can have on a bed? Well, this combination of textures really elevates this relaxed, cosy vibe. Our Reilly chambray pairs perfectly with Bayley sheets, which are crafted from cotton percale and garment washed for added softness. By mixing two soft and matte cotton weaves, we end up with a bed that looks effortlessly stylish — and of course, feels incredibly comfortable.