Haute couture for the bed

Katie Askin (left) and Sarah Sadgrove don’t do frills and flowers. Pictures / Carolyn Robertson

Long-time friends Sarah Sadgrove and Katie Askin made beds in a Scottish hunting lodge during their OE. Although they dreamed about what they would do in the future, it would be wrong to suggest the lodge sheets drove them to start contemporary bed linen range Thread back in Auckland three years ago.

Sadgrove and Askin always knew they were going to do something together and, sharing a passion for fabric and fashion, knew it would involve interiors and homewares. Both 31, the pair have been friends since they were 3-year-olds in Tauranga.

Askin had done a fashion degree and worked for Karen Walker, while Sadgrove's commerce degree took her to banks and investment houses in London.

When Sadgrove came back she wanted to do something different and realised it was time to stop talking about it.

"We've always been inspired by [Designer's Guild founder] Tricia Guild but thought there could be something a bit more contemporary and more unisex and not so flowery - which I absolutely love," says Sadgrove.

"We say it's designer clothes for beds. We look at fashion and clothing and colours and put that into our bed linen."

Together, they do everything but sew the sheets, pillowcases, cushions, throws and wrap valances (they don't do frills) for the four Thread ranges from their Westhaven workroom. Baby Thread is all about cot duvets and sheets, the home range does things like embroidered dragonflies and leaf designs, the urban collection has a funky edge to it and a geometric look while the hotel range consists of tailored, fitted quilts and tonal sheets with little squares.
Thread has about 35 stockists through New Zealand, including Eon, Bo Concept, Macy Home, Smith & Caughey's and Allium, and several in Australia.


Sadgrove says it is affordable luxury that is all made in New Zealand. The all-important thread count is 300, making it luxury percale, something they're both well used to sleeping on.


"When my husband and I went to Fiji for our honeymoon last year I was thinking I might have to take my sheets next time. I don't like those bobbly bits."


Bobbly is something Thread doesn't do.


10 FAVOURITE THINGS


1. Dwell magazine, an American architecture and interiors magazine.


2. Barcelona.


3. A barbecue with friends.


4. We love Eon Design Centre in Freemans Bay for its wonderful array of homegrown talent.


5. Anthuriums.


6. Lauren Child's Clarice Bean children's books for their clever illustrations and witty turn of phrase.


7. Australian designer Florence Broadhurst's textiles. She did the most beautiful, timeless motifs.


8. Piha beach. A walk along the beach is so relaxing.


9. Pierre Chareau's architecture.


10. Our favourite cafe is Ripe on Richmond Rd for its great food, coffee and lovely service