On vacation in the English countryside a few years ago, I discovered what a difference luxury bedding could make to a good night’s sleep. The fabric was cool and smooth, yet sturdy and thick. When I checked out, I asked the staff where I could buy those sheets. They had no clue; the previous owner bought them, they said.
Back in the States, I tried desperately to find linens that felt as good. At Bed Bath & Beyond, I encountered a slew of confusing buzzwords: percale, sateen, 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton. Caressing the display swatches, I started to wonder about tactile pleasure — where it comes from and what drives it. Why does the feel of fancy sheets trigger such a strong pleasure response in the brain? And could making sense of those things help me find the perfect sheets?
