For over 170 years, bed manufacturer Hästens in Sweden has been crafting superb beds and mattresses, drawing on ageless traditions of craftsmanship and sustainable materials that are toxin-free, robust and contribute to exceptional quality. It is not an exaggeration to say these are beds fit for a King or Queen, as the company holds a Royal Patent from the Swedish Royal family as the provider of mattresses, beds and cushions for the Royal bedchambers.
The mattresses combine wool, horsehair, flax, cotton and steel – no plastics or rubbers or chemicals. The bedsteads are crafted from slow growing, strong Swedish pine, with a distinctive padded and curved headboard that is ergonomically considered to be comfortable and supportive for sitting in bed reading, daydreaming or sipping a cup of morning coffee.
Because wellbeing when resting also relies on pure, pleasing bed linen and a serene ambience in the bedroom, in 2018 Hästens partnered with renowned UK-based designer Ilse Crawford, Founder of Studioilse, to launch the Being collection.
This exceptional designer linen has been imagined to complement the Hästens bed, aligning with the environmental, human health and quality craftsmanship fundamentals of the maker. Created in 100% natural linen and hemp, the Being range is both luxurious and conducive to sleep hygiene.
“Ilse has a unique feeling, understanding and appreciation for our craft traditions, which is the heart of Hästens. With Being Collection, she has created a beautiful collection, where quality and experience have been the focus, while Ilse’s unique and characteristic design language can take a prominent place” says Jan Ryde, fifth generation owner and CEO of Hästens.
The range includes a soft hemp cover for the headboard, hemp skirt for the bedframe, pure white linen quilt covers, flat sheets and Oxford cushion covers, and hemp cushion covers for the Ilse Crawford back pillow, which features 50% goose down and 50% goose feathers.
The hemp fabrics have been stonewashed to produce soft, muted ashy and earthy shades, and the linen is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, meeting exacting European standards for toxin-free fabrics and ethical manufacturing.
The skirt for the beds exemplifies the level of care and craftsmanship that goes into every item, with subtle kick pleat details and crisp, detailed stitching and a generous seam allowance and length that ensures it skims the floor elegantly.
For Hästens, careful attention to detail and a considered and uncompromising approach to materials, making and finishing of every product are fundamental. As a family-owned business that has passed down skills through five generations, the reputation of their beds, mattresses and bedding collaborations has been built through the experiences of customers who relish the exceptional comfort and quality of rest.
The collaboration was an opportunity that delighted Ilse Crawford, who was awarded an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to humanistic design.
“As we are discovering more and more, quality of sleep is an integral factor in our overall wellbeing,” Crawford said.
“We saw the collaboration as an opportunity to bring together Hästens craftsmanship and scientific knowledge of sleep and mattresses with our experience of interior design and human behaviour. Our designs will improve the whole experience of being in bed – not just when we are asleep – from a wellbeing, functional and sustainable perspective.”
