Pioneer Linens has serviced the elite with the ultimate in style and luxury for linens and accessories since 1912, catering to owners, captains and crew with superior “white glove” shore-based services from its flagship store on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach.  The company opened its second retail store in 2009, strategically choosing a location amid other global yachting companies on Southeast 17^th Street in Fort Lauderdale, from which it sells bed linens customized for yachts, as well as pillows, bath and beach towels, table linens and other elegant accessories for decorating onboard.

Miele, a German manufacturer, has offered high quality appliances since 1899. Miele’s range of exceptional consumer appliances includes laundry systems, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, refrigeration, wine storage and coffee systems.

Both Pioneer and Miele are family-owned, family-run businesses to this day.

“Like Miele, we work closely with yacht builders and designers throughout the world to ensure they have the best products for their new builds,” said Alan Murphy, Jr., vice president of Pioneer Linens Yacht & Estates Division.  “We are happy to now provide our clients with the finest appliances in the world for the care of laundry and tableware aboard their yachts.”

For more information, please visit http://www.pioneerlinens.com.

How do you begin the process of creating the perfect table?  Here’s what the experts at Pioneer Linens Yacht & Estates Division have to say.

Alan Murphy, Jr.

Layering different textures and prints using a consistent color palette to tie it all together is the secret to setting a spectacular table, whether the occasion is formal or strictly casual. Begin with a beautiful tablecloth topped with a complementary table runner. Be adventurous and choose a mix of patterns, textures and seasonal colors. Consider using chargers under the plates, which are both decorative and practical. Then select creative napkin rings for a little table bling.  You’ll find a super selection at Pioneer Linens Yacht & Estates Division. In my opinion, it’s the napkin rings that really make the table. Top off your table motif with a centerpiece that complements it all.

Jay Crockenberg

Harmonic flow between the china, flatware, placemats, napkins and napkin rings says it all. Many manufacturers now work with table linen suppliers to focus the new design trends. At Pioneer Linens Yacht & Estates Division, we have fun working with clients on “blinging out” tables with fun items we call “table candy” or “napkin jewels.” Isabella Adams is the best example of fantastic table bling.  Her line features all types of themes – animals, shells and more – all made in the USA and adorned with Swarovkski crystals.  For an elegant evening, I prefer all white Italian linen. It’s crisp and clean and we have a myriad of colorful accents to really set the tone. Kim Seybert has a new set of spectacular placemats called “GLAM ROCK” that come in silver and gold. It’s one of our stand-out collections.  We’ll help you put it all together in unique and playful ways.

Nicole Ashley

Table decoration is my favorite! You can never be too over the top! I adore our Kim Seybert collection with its countless options, anywhere from simple to simply amazing. Here are some of my favorites, meal by meal. For breakfast, I love simple white linen napkins with rattan placemats and coordinated napkin rings, but nothing fancy.  For lunch I like to take it up a step with a simple napkin adorned with a bolder napkin ring, such as a flower burst, and a capiz shell placemat to add some shimmer and shine to the table. When it’s time to decorate the table for dinner, the sky is the limit!  You can couple an extravagant rhinestone napkin ring by Isabella Adams with a multicolored or stitched napkin and dazzling beaded placemat by Kim Seybert. With a setting like that, you’ve created the perfect table to serve the perfect meal!

Samantha Weiler

The table is the place for great conversation, and what could be a better conversation starter than an interesting table setting? Versatility is the key to creating memorable tables time after time. Remember that you can use the same plates, silverware and stemware and vary the look with different placemats, napkins, napkin rings and tablecloths. There’s so much you can do to make your tabletop pop, infusing a familiar setting with renewed energy by adding an eclectic mix of patterns and colors, old and new. If you like beautiful napkins, as I do, here’s a video on how to create a “leaf napkin”. Entertaining friends and family is so much more fun when you do it in style!

Remember, for a lively meal, mixing your patterns, textures and colors is as important as mixing your guests!

Preparing for a cool summer night’s rest is all about keeping your body temperature cool through the night.  According to a column titled “The Claim: Cold Temperatures Improve Sleep” by New York Times science reporter Anahad O’Connor, “A slightly cool room and a lower core temperature are optimal for sleep.” O’Connor cites studies saying that optimal body temperature for sleeping are a cool 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. How do we assure that our body stays at these cool temperatures through the night? In addition to keeping the room pleasantly cool, make sure to select lightweight and highly breathable bedding materials.

For warm weather sleeping, a fine cotton sheet is ideal. Cotton is natural and breathes well. The cotton fibers allow air to pass through, making it the ideal fabric for cool, dry comfort.

Another great option is bamboo sheets, which naturally draw up liquid and wick away moisture. These ideal sheets breathe easily for ultimate cooling. Although not as common and popular as cotton, some people say bamboo sheets are even smoother and softer.

As the mercury rises, get ready to swap out heavy comforters and duvets for cotton coverlets. Coverlets have come a long way from the “shabby chic” quilts and are available in an array of modern patterns and colorful solids. Coverlets are light and comfortable during the long days and sultry nights of summer.

In any season, don’t overlook the need for pillow protectors.  Especially in the summer, pillow protectors stop sweat and other moisture from harming the pillows you’ve invested in. Pillow protectors can prolong the life of your pillows by 40 percent by preventing them from soiling, and should be considered a must-have for every pillow in your house or on your boat.

As spring fades into summer, it’s time to turn your attention to keeping cool with bed linens designed to give you a wonderful night’s sleep.

Down. A Primer – Down is the layer of fluffy filaments found under the belly of ducks and geese that insulates them from the elements. But it shouldn’t be mistaken for feathers. Down is warmer, fuller and more resilient than feathers – and softer because it doesn’t have quills. It also has an innate ability to breathe.

•  Much like the 5 C’s one considers when shopping for a diamond, there is a checklist of qualities to look for:

Origin –  One thing to consider is the origin of the down. Down from cooler climates is large and strong, thus it creates more insulation and warmth than down from a more temperate locale. Think: Hungary, Siberia and Northern Europe, and you’ve got the picture.

Goose vs Duck – While goose and duck down are similar in structure, geese have larger, superior down clusters, which make for a more sumptuous feeling and better insulation all around.

Case in point: Chinese duck down, which represents 95% of the down imported into the USA, is a major culprit. That’s because duck down is naturally oilier than goose down, and therefore harder to clean.

Purity – Down allergies are a common misconception – I hear about them all the time! The fact is, these allergies are actually reactions to the environment from which the down originated. And this is where quality comes in. Down that is not properly cleaned carries with it the allergens of its surroundings, be it grass, dust, mold, etc.

To avoid allergies all together, each cluster of down must be immaculate. Here’s how we achieve that at Scandia: We start with the finest white goose down available. Then we follow a meticulous, 12-step purification process to get it absolutely pristine. This proprietary measure yields down that is so refined, it is certified hypo-allergenic. And just like that, “down allergies” disappear.

Fill Power – A major consideration is fill power, an industry term used to describe the quality and size of the down. Here’s how it works:

Fill power is a measure of down’s springiness and resilience. It is calculated as the number of cubic inches one ounce of down will fill after being compressed. The higher the fill power, the warmer and loftier the comforter or pillow is. Look for something that is 600 fill power or higher and make sure that it is European goose down.

Construction – Construction counts, and when it comes to choosing a down comforter, baffle box construction is best. A baffle box is a three-dimensional form of channels and vertical walls that allow the down to expand for proper insulation, while keeping from shifting. This alleviates cold spots that are common to poorly-constructed offerings, and encourages maximum loft.

Why to Buy Made in USA – Although the best quality down comes from Europe, many companies such as Scandia Down, manufacture their products in the US to maintain optimal quality standards.

There’s an endless array of creative table-topping ideas to enhance any occasion.  Start with a design theme, such as winter wonderland, spring bouquet, holiday motif, beach chic or whatever you prefer, and support it with cloth napkins, creative centerpieces, china and the right tablecloth.

In addition to being decorative accessories that unify the components of your table setting, tablecloths serve practical purposes as well, providing more usable space on the table than placemats and helping to protect the table from spills and rings. In addition to choosing the best tablecloth design for the occasion, you need to determine the right size, based on the length and width of the dining table and the overhang on all four sides.

How do you determine the correct length of the overhang for your tablecloth? Happily, there’s a formula to help you configure the best fit for your function. All it takes is a little bit of basic math.

Here are some helpful guidelines to determine the right drop, or overhang, for your table:

typical casual table setting:     6”- 8”

slightly more formal/dinner entertaining:   10” – 12” (lap level drop)

standard banquet tables:   15”

floor length banquet tables:  29”-30”

Once you have your table dimensions and know what your desired drop is, add the drop X 2 to both the length and width of your table.  That’s how you’ll know the correct tablecloth size to purchase. For example, if your table measures 48”x30” and your desired drop is 10”, then your table cloth should measure as close as possible to 68”x50”, which would be a standard 72”x54” tablecloth.

Tablecloth selection helps set the mood for any gathering, whether it’s casual or formal. It’s the canvas on which you can assemble a palette of colors and textures. Start the art of creating your perfect table with a precise calculation of the right length for the occasion and let the fun begin!

Here are some of the differences:

Linen Wash uses Canola Oil as a lubricant and most major detergents use a beef fat as a lubricant.

Linen Washes are dye free and most major detergents use dyes and artificial colors

Linen Washes use essential oil blends to maintain healthy fibers and most detergents use artificial fragrances to cover smells

Linen Wash uses a natural bleach alternative and most major detergents use bleach or a bleach like substance

Linen Wash is not tested on animals most major detergents test on animals

Linen Washes are mostly plant based ingredients and most major detergents use carcinogens and petroleum

Linen Washes offer a higher concentrate wash per wash than most major detergents

Washing Tips:

• Use the gentle short cycle on cold and put the linen in a lingerie bag
• Do not leave the linen wet in the wash, especially if it is the first time washing it
• Machine wash with like colors
• If the garment won’t fit in to a lingerie bag flip it inside out to wash it

Drying Tips:

• Dry on medium heat
• Dry until slightly damp to assist with ironing
• Do not over dry as it may split or tear the embroidery

What Not To Do:

• Use Fabric Softener
• Harsh chemicals such as bleach or bleaching agent

“Our partnership with Isabella Adams at the Palm Beach Boat Show offers the yachting community a unique opportunity to view the full product line from one of our esteemed vendors,” said Alan Murphy, Jr., vice president of Pioneer Linens Yacht & Estates Division.  “Isabella Adams will have the opportunity to show her designs to a very well qualified audience of people who appreciate the fine quality and creative designs Isabella Adams is known for. It’s really a perfect fit.”

Pioneer Linens Yacht & Estate Division, the most respected name in linens for yachts and estate homes, is known for customized bed sheets, pillows, bath and beach towels, table linens and other elegant accessories.  For more than a century, Pioneer Linens has serviced the elite, satisfying their need for the ultimate in style and luxury and catering to owners, captains and crew with superior “white glove” shore-based services.

The Isabella Adams fashion line includes stunning evening bags encrusted with Swarovski® crystals and trend-savvy handbags in exotic leathers, which were featured in the CW Network’s “Gossip Girl” television show.  The Isabella Adams home décor line includes creative napkin rings, keepsake boxes and picture frames adorned with Swarovski® crystals, semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls and leathers.

“I look forward to bringing the best elements of high fashion, personal accessories and home décor to the yachting community at the Palm Beach International Boat Show,” said Isabella Adams, owner and designer.  “We bring an exquisite and unique design to everyday use accessories, which we feel will mesh well with yacht owners.”

Isabella Adams will have more items on display at the Pioneer Linens store, located at 210 Clematis Street, just steps from the boat show.