The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke to Tandy Avery, VP of Product Development at Luxome , about her recommendations for all things home, including bedding, bath products, and loungewear. Tandy Avery is the VP of Product Development at Luxome , which is one of my personal favorite home brands that makes my go-to bedding , towels, and weighted blanket (the latter being a must have for keeping my anxiety at bay).
Avery oversees the research, sourcing, design, testing, and development of all the high-quality luxury products on Luxome's site, which means a large part of her job is comparative analysis. In my personal opinion, she's mastered the game, considering the fact that I've never used bath towels, sheets, or a comforter quite as plush or temperature-regulating — and that's even including my hotel stays. "I have learned how other brands/companies churn out products for profit, but it almost always ends in a sacrifice of quailty," Avery reports of her experience at Luxome.
"Although difficult and more costly, we've stuck to our brand principles and do not settle until we have developed and thoroughly tested products that we feel confident in and love. The learning lesson is that despite having to push back timelines or sometimes start from the beginning again, we should never compromise on the end result. We take great pride in this and it does not go unnoticed by our happy customers.
" Being one of those happy customers who also happens to sweat in her sleep and had tried countless products to no avail, I now wake up dry thanks to Luxome's bedding. But in an effort to explore even deeper, I asked Avery to share her tips for purchasing cooling bed sheets and washing delicates — like towels — so that their quality is preserved over time. Ahead, read through Avery's advice, then learn which home products she personally uses daily to prioritize comfort, convenience, and a feel-good, luxurious atmosphere.
12 Beauty Products Pritika Swarup Uses in Her Holistic Wellness Routine What are the best cooling bed sheets for summer? The best and most comfortable materials for summer bedding are those made from natural fibers, as Avery explains. "Since a majority of people tend to overheat at night, natural fibers, such as viscose from bamboo, cotton, and linen are breathable and more comfortable than synthetic materials. Viscose and lyocell from bamboo will also help regulate body temperature," she says.
You can also keep your eyes peeled for 37.5 Technology that helps keep you warm when you're cold and cools you when you're hot. If you do decide to invest in temperature regulating bedsheets, the bonus is you shouldn't have to switch out your bedding when the seasons change.
How often should you wash bedding? Avery's standard rule is to wash bedding once a week or every two weeks, although lifestyle and personal preferences may obviously affect that cadence. "Sheets can accumulate many things you can and cannot see over time, including skin flakes, bodily fluids and oils, dust, dust mites, pet hair, dirt, sweat, and allergens," she says. If that freaks you out a bit, you can shower before bed to preserve cleanliness — and if you have allergies, try to stick to the once a week wash since bacteria and dust mite buildup in your sheets can make them worse.
What temperature should you wash bath towels? The best way to maintain the quality of your bath towels is to follow proper washing and care instructions. And if you're anything like me, you probably didn't know that hot water is more damaging to fibers, which can result in shedding towels that wear more quickly. Another eye-opening takeaway? You should avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets if you have high-quality towels with absorption properties and you want to reap the benefits of their fast-drying capabilities.
"Fabric softeners work by leaving a layer of residue on your linens that reduces the absorption of your towels," Avery explains, recommending a once-a-week wash for full bath towels and more frequent wash for washcloths and hand towels. "For bath towels, how often you're washing is more important than changing seasonally because occasional wear and tear won't affect the usability of the towel whereas over-washing or incorrectly washing them will. Switching them out after a year or two makes the most sense in terms of material durability and maintaining hygienic habits," Avery says.
Shop Tandy Avery's must have home products ahead. Natural Laundry Detergent Grab Green Stoneworks Natural Laundry Detergent Powder Pods ($15) When it comes to laundry detergent — an essential household item — Avery prefers Stoneworks because it's plant-based mineral formula is 94 percent naturally derived with no harmful toxins or additives. You can shop it in a few different fragrances, including Birch Branch, Oak Tree, Rain, Olive Leaf, and Rose, or you can invest in a variety pack.
These pods work in all machines, and they come in a recyclable package. Bully Stick Holder BoniVet Bully Stick Holder ($22) The Luxome team has an office dog named Lux (how appropriate!) and they give her bully sticks as a treat because they're easy to digest, natural, and healthy. "She gets her treat with a bully stick holder to prevent choking on the tail end of the treat," Avery says.
While there are all different models to choose from, it's important to select an adjustable one if you give your dog all different widths of treats. This one works to grip the treat tightly as you can easily twist both ends of the bone-like device to keep it taut and upright. Bullet Journal Bullet Journal The Notebook ($30) Journals are a hot commodity these days, as more folks turn away from keeping to-do lists in their phones.
"My Bullet keeps me organized and can be personalized with lists and important information," Avery says, speaking to the brand. What's so special? The "Bujo" comes with a sticker set, grid guide, three bookmarks, dot grid pages, and more, so that you can work within the view that's best for organizing your thoughts. It's available in black, a gray-blue, or forest green.
Sharp Kitchen Knives Home Hero Kitchen Knife Set With Sharpener (20 Pcs) ($40, originally $50) Avery calls a set of good sharp knives a must have for the kitchen and advises learning how to sharpen them yourself. Of course, this is doable with a 20-piece set like the above, which comes with a sharpener as well as an ergonomic block to make all the pieces portable. "Keep them sharp and kitchen prep is a snap!" Avery says.
You can shop this brand's knives in black, dark wood, light wood, granite, silver, or marble, according to your decor preferences. Favorite Scented Candle W Hotel Jasmine & Fig Candle ($49) "As scents can help improve mood, reduce stress, and promote relaxation, I love a really good candle," Avery explains. "My W Hotel Jasmine & Fig candle does all that and brings back great memories of my stay in Paris!" While it's true that W Hotels is a luxury brand and $50 isn't cheap for a candle, investing in a scent that gives you peace of mind can be hugely beneficial to your mental health.
You'll get up to 60 hours out of this 12-ounce candle that measures four inches tall in its mirrored glass vessel. Not into Jasmine & Fig? You can also try Bergamot & Oud, Citrus & Herb, Eucalyptus & Citrus, Rosewood & Cardamom, or this same scent but with a touch of Sandalwood. Comfortable Loungewear Luxome Women's Essential Hoodie ($105) and Luxome Women's Essential Wide Leg Pant ($105) Luxome has recently launched loungewear to complement its luxurious stock of home goods, and Avery is a fan.
There are hoodies, tunics, joggers, palazzo pants, robes, and more. "It's made with lightweight Modal fleece and feels so soft both inside and outside," she explains. "One customer review described it as, 'The most unbelievably buttery soft fabric ever!' The sets are super elevated so you can wear them out, especially while traveling, and you'll look stylish while not compromising comfort.
" Performance Towels Plush Performance Towel Set ($125) This towel set includes six pieces — two bath towels, two hand towels, and two wash towels — though you can also purchase each size separately. "The patented dual-loop technology makes them soft, absorbent, and fast-drying," Avery explains. The bath sheet is oversize, which, in addition to the ribbing, makes these visually so luxurious.
You can wash them in the machine with warm water on a gentle cycle, but should avoid dryer sheets as fabric softener will affect absorbency. The 16 Best Sunglasses For Every Budget and Vibe Throw Blanket Luxome Ultra Plush Throw ($135) If you're in the market for a new soft throw blanket to cuddle up with in front of the TV, you've got nine neutral colorways to choose from, depending on your home decor aesthetic. "The bamboo viscose blend makes this so soft," Avery says.
"It is a great home accent when not in use!" You can purchase it in an individual size, at 50 x 70 inches, or extra large, at 75 x 100 inches. As long as you wash it by itself with cold water in a delicate cycle, and then hang it to dry, you'll be safe from snags for years. On Sneakers On Women's Cloud 5 Sneakers ($140) "On sneakers are famous for being lightweight with zero-gravity foam built in.
Avery finds them particularly comfortable thanks to the midsole. "They are also stylish and can go with so many casual outfits, including my Luxome loungewear," she says. Reviewers also love that these shoes are supportive and have a spring that makes walking on concrete feel more manageable.
Temperature Controlled Mug Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 ($169, originally $180) Avery avoids cold coffee daily with her temperature controlled mug. This one weighs 14 ounces and is battery powered, chargeable all day long when sitting on its charging coaster. If used separately, it'll keep the contents of your cup hot for up to 80 minutes — and you can also specify the exact temperature on the accompanying app.
With a scratch-resistant coating, it's available in eight different finishes, two different sizes (10-ounce or 14-ounce), and should be hand washed only. Luxury Sheet Set Luxome Luxury Sheet Set ($170) This bamboo sheet set is available in 11 different gorgeous, elegant colorways and comes in multiple sizes, including the harder-to-find twin XL, California king, and split king. Avery calls it her favorite home product, explaining, "It's made from 100 percent viscose from bamboo so it is naturally moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating.
Not only is it extremely soft and comfortable, but we have built in so many extra benefits like wide elastic and corner bands to ensure a great fit, top/bottom labels to help with making the bed, and a large top sheet to combat the top sheet-tug-of-war." I too can personally can attest to their silky softness — even through many washes — and I'm a big fan of the terracotta shade for summer months. Nonstick Pans HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6-Piece Fry Pan Set ($320, originally $400) "I just love my HexClad!" Avery exclaims, emphasizing the fact that nonstick treatment makes cooking feel like less of a chore, though it may not be recommended for all types of cooking.
While this setm — clad with eight-, 10-, and 12-inch pans and tempered glass lids — is certainly a splurge, the details speak for themselves. The pans have stay-cool handles for your protection, they're dishwasher and oven safe, compatible with all cooktops, and scratch-resistant. Robot Vacuum Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum ($1,199) Avery prefers Dyson when it comes to robot vacuums : "Just let him get on with it, and I can spend the time doing something else," she says.
The Dyson offers double the suction of any other robot on the market, according to the brand. It has a wide diameter to reduce tangling pet hairs and four different power modes to program, depending on the debris it's about to clean up. You can get up to 65 minutes of run time before the product needs to recharge.
Workout Mirror Forme Studio Smart Gym Workout Mirror ($2,495) Avery saves major commuting time by working out with the mirror, which is only steps away from the shower. She loves that, no matter which model or brand you choose, there are plenty of classes and levels to choose from. Forme's offers immersive sound, a full HD 4k touchscreen, and a membership option that includes five household members.
You can use it with our without the accompanying app, which allows you to track your personal progress. The Best Comfortable, Stylish, and High-Quality Sofas From Wayfair Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of commerce at PS. With plenty of experience in the shopping market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories.
She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work..
