As an expat navigating the Czech bedding style, you might be puzzled by bedding dimensions, the idea of two separate duvets on a shared bed, or miss the comfort of a top sheet.
But when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, it’s hard to argue with science which continues to tell us that creating a comfortable sleep environment is vital to one’s overall mental and physical health.
We spoke to Terezie Täubelová, founder of Marieli, a Czech luxury bedding brand with a rich family history, about sleep-time culture clashes, how to set up your bedroom for an optimal night’s sleep and why it’s so important to do so.
"Anyone who wants to live a quality and full life cannot afford to sleep poorly. Sleep affects our entire day and our performance, both physically and professionally. And it starts in the bedroom," said Täubelová, a former diplomat turned entrepreneur who has made her mission in life to put poor sleeping habits to bed.
History between the sheets
Täubelová comes by her expertise in the linens space honestly. Marieli's story began with Terezie's great-grandmother, Marie Líkařová, who had her own bedding shop during the First Republic. The family trade was brutally brought to a halt when the communists seized her shop in 1948. But the family story and the bedding itself have stood the test of time.
"My grandmother slept all her life in the sheets that her mother gave her as a wedding gift. The quality was something else back then! That's exactly the quality I've decided to return to today's bedrooms,” Täubelová told us. Keeping with tradition, Marieli’s down comforters are produced in a small workshop from Czech farms.
“From the beginning, I wanted to build Marieli as a brand that would improve the world. That's why I was looking for ecological materials and ethical production. And I found a factory where people are happy to work and under fair conditions, and which produces top-quality and environmentally friendly cotton sheets with the Oeko-Tex certificate,” Täubelová said.
Sleep preference is a cultural thing
As a former diplomat – Marieli’s founder left a career in international relations to pursue her dream job as a sleep guru – Täubelová is the perfect person to moderate the debate on sleep.
A firm believer in the idea that bedrooms are strictly for sleep and sex, she approaches the “one or two duvets” argument from a scientific standpoint saying that while a shared duvet can promote intimacy and closeness, it can also disrupt sleep if you and your partner have different thermal needs.
"I've always been a big believer in the common blanket. But we have to take into account other factors important for a good night's sleep. Very often, we supply partners with duvets of different calorific values- overwhelmingly, men tend to be hotter at night and need a lighter duvet, and women tend to be more wintery and require a warmer duvet. With separate duvets, we can guarantee that everyone will be just right."
On the other hand, she admits that a shared duvet can promote intimacy and closeness. And what about the top sheet debate that has been making the internet rounds in recent years?
“The use of the top sheet is very much a cultural thing. In the United States, it’s almost impossible not to use this layer, but even there the debate is changing and the younger generations have stopped using top sheets. However, it's very much about personal preference.”
She says she’s more of a "sleeping without a top sheet" kind of girl.
“I get tangled up in it and it just bothers me. I don't buy the argument that it's more hygienic- since we have a duvet cover already in a sheet, and bedding should generally be washed once a week. If you sweat a lot, there is no need for an extra layer. If someone is using a quilted duvet without a duvet cover, like the host family I lived with in Tennessee, then yes, it absolutely makes sense to use a top sheet."
Why sprucing up your sleep space is a sound investment
High-quality bedding may have a higher upfront cost. However, it can be a more cost-effective investment in the long run since it lasts longer and won't need to be replaced as often as low-quality bedding.
“Investing in quality bedding is investing in the quality of life. A good night's sleep is essential for first-class performance, and any of our customers would confirm that with our goose-down duvets and fluffy sheets, it's not even a different league - it's a different sport," Täubelová said.
She says that despite the current economic challenges, the company’s customer-first approach and its focus on providing high-quality products have been key to its success.
"Our ultimate goal is to provide excellent customer service, offering fast and free shipping which is always on us, easy returns, and responsive support," Täubelová said.
Marieli’s high-quality bedding is made to last with solid stitching and durable materials.
For those who want to experience the Czech bedding tradition of Täubelová’s grandma – think goose down duvets and pillows in cotton percale, natural fibers, solid stitching, and durable materials – but don’t know where to begin, Marieli has a special "Ready to Sleep" package which includes a bundle of sheets and duvets at a discounted price.
Customers are the center of attention
Marieli takes a holistic approach to sleep and wellness. They follow the latest trends and aim to educate customers on how to optimize their sleep and promote the importance of a comfortable and inviting sleep environment.
"Because anyone who wants to live a quality and full life cannot afford to sleep poorly. Sleep affects our entire day and our performance, both physically and professionally. And it starts in the bedroom," said Täubelová.
At Marieli, customers are the center of attention. Despite the current economic climate, their focus on providing high-quality products and catering to their customer's needs has helped them succeed. "Our ultimate goal is to provide excellent customer service, offering fast and free shipping which is always on us, easy returns, and responsive support," says Terezie.
From navigating the Czech bedding style as an expat to upgrading your sleep setup, Marieli's products and philosophy are a perfect fit for anyone looking to prioritize their sleep wellness.
This article was written in cooperation with Marieli. Read more about our partner content policies here.
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