As seen in Ideal Home: “My go-to heatwave essential” – discover the Dohar!
I am so excited to share that Shades of Cool London has been featured in Ideal Home, in a glowing article by Sleep Editor Amy Lockwood, titled:
“I tried the bedding hack Indian Maharajas use to sleep better in monsoon season – it's now my go-to for hot and muggy nights.”
Amy tested our Sleep Dohar during the latest UK heatwave – and declared it her new summer sleep essential.
“Having put this little-known Indian bedding to the test during the last heatwave that hit the UK, I can confirm that the Dohar does everything Angel suggests,” she writes.
A Royal Secret for Modern Sleep
Inspired by her travels in India, our founder Angel Skillman fell in love with the Dohar – a traditional three-layered cotton blanket that’s been used for centuries by Indian families and royalty alike. In the article, she shares:
“I first discovered Dohars while on a trip to India. They were the go-to summer blanket during the monsoon season, used by everyone from everyday families to royalty.”
At Shades of Cool London, we now work with skilled artisans in Jaipur to bring this beautiful heritage piece to a wider audience – hand-block printed using azo-free dyes and finished with care.
What Makes a Dohar Different?
Unlike a duvet or single top sheet, a Dohar is made from ultra-soft Mul Mul cotton – layered three times to create a breathable yet gently weighted blanket.
As Amy discovered:
“Those layers of thin and airy fabric really did the trick in offering the perfect insulation throughout several hot and muggy nights. I slept cool but never woke up feeling too cool. Plus, I found the Dohar's slightly heavier weight just right.”
This combination of lightness and comfort helps regulate body temperature during the night – even as temperatures fluctuate. As Angel explains in the piece:
“The Dohar works with your body’s natural rhythms to help maintain the ideal sleep environment all night, even when the heat rises.”
From Jaipur to the UK Bedroom
With its hand-finished construction and cooling comfort, it’s no surprise that Amy now keeps her Dohar on standby for every hot spell:
“When I saw that the mercury was due to climb to over 30°C this week, the Dohar was the first thing I reached for… it’s become my go-to heatwave essential. After all, if it’s good enough for the Maharajas…”
Limited Availability in the UK
While sleeping hacks from Scandinavia and Germany have taken off in the UK, Dohars are still relatively unknown. In fact, Ideal Home notes that Shades of Cool London is:
“One of the only UK brands designing and producing authentic Dohars.”
We’re proud to be part of keeping this timeless textile tradition alive – and to see it becoming a beloved staple in UK homes.
Shop the Feature here
Sleep Dohar – Mint Mushroom Print – £65
Hand-block printed in Jaipur using natural dyes and 100% Mul Mul cotton. Soft, breathable, and weighted just right.
👉 Read the full article on Ideal Home here:
If you're new to Dohars, this summer might just be the perfect time to discover why Indian royalty swore by them.
Shop our collection here
