Find Your Fine Linens at Peacock Alley & Kathryn Leach Home
Time for new towels? Maybe you’re moving into your luxurious apartment home in Alpharetta, Georgia, at Belmont Park Bridge and need to stock up, or maybe you’re just ready to replace the ones you received as a gift a few years ago.
Either way, the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists ™ have got you covered.
In high-quality Turkish cotton, of course.
Bath Towel Basics
First let’s talk about what bath towels are made of—and maybe answer the question of why the ones we get at spas and hotels often seem so much nicer than what we have at home.
The folks over at the HGTV website put together a list of 12 bath towels for different budgets and styles, and included some important information about what makes a towel “good.” Namely, it’s GSM, or grams per square meter (kind of like the thread count of sheets). The baseline is 400, they say; anything less than that and you’ll be drying off with a scratchy towel that doesn’t do a very good job of absorbing water. If you get up to the 620-900 range, then you’re into the world of super-plush spa and hotel luxury linens.
The next factor to consider is material. While some towels are made of bamboo or modal, most are cotton. If you’re looking for super-soft, look for Egyptian or Turkish cotton with their long fibers. (Be a smart shopper and don’t get taken in by “Turkish-style” in the name—it’s not the same!)
Take yourself on a fun field trip to Peacock Alley in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC West) and feel the heavenly lushness that is a Diamond bath towel, made of 100% extra-long staple cotton grown in the Aegean region of Turkey. If you’re looking for something a little more mainstream, you can’t go wrong with the Wamsutta Classic Turkish in white, usually easily available from Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Clean & Pretty
No matter what kind of towels you have, the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have some tips on how to make them a pleasant part of your bathroom décor.
You’ve got towels that feel good; it’s important to make sure they smell good, too. Learning how to launder your linens is one key to achieving that “hotel towel experience.” Most resorts provide all-white towel sets, sometimes monogrammed. The standard color scheme means less sorting in the laundry, and white towels look crisp and clean when stacked neatly on the vanity or in the shower, or in a favorite basket or hamper.
The experts say less is more when it comes to detergent and towels, and instead of using bleach and fabric softener, use baking soda and vinegar for stain treatment and softness. Many hotels use HTD Heavy Duty Detergent, which is sold in bulk. If you’re not up for buying a 25 lb. pail of washing machine soap from Worldwide Janitor, though, other pleasant-smelling heavy-duty options available at the grocery store or on Amazon are Persil ProClean, Gain, and, of course, that classic: Tide Original.
Color & Convenience
Consider adding a pop of whimsy and color to your bathroom with some of the custom bath accessories offered by Kathryn Leach Home in Buckhead. You also can make sure your guests don’t have to fret about using “the good towels” after they wash their hands by offering them the convenient option of cloth-like paper hand towels, which come in so many colors and patterns, and can be personalized with your initials and more. You can find some steals at the Tuesday Morning in the Saddlebrook Shopping Center, and are guaranteed good quality if you go the online route with PaperStyle.
Seasonal Sales
It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes out for seasonal sales, not just the traditional January white sale. As summer winds down, beach towels of all sizes, shapes, and materials are on the offer. We’re particular fans of the Linum Home Personalized Alara Turkish Pestemal now marked down at Macy’s. The Strategist has put together a list of the best beach towels on Amazon “According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers,” if you’re looking for other ideas.
Out With The Old
Now that you’ve got your new towels nicely displayed in your powder room, what to do with the old ones?
If you’re in the mood for some simple arts and crafts, you can always cut your old towels into strips, braid them together, tie knots on each end, then pull the ends together and tie an overhead knot in the center: Voila! Homemade dog toy! Or use your old towels to wipe down your precious pup after y’all have been out to. Don’t have a fuzzy friend sharing your home at Belmont Park Bridge? You can always donate your old towels to the Atlanta Humane Society on Mansell Road.
