The Style Insider is into nesting now. We have taken down the tree and put away the way-too-many boxes of decorations, and we’re ready to do something fresh and new. January is the traditional month for white sales, so we’re presently enchanted with comforters and duvets and about 100 pillows, maybe even some Euro shams tucked in the back. And if you’re feeling frugal, come along anyway — we’ve found some very pretty ensembles that have the looks of their big-city cousins.

Horchow blends white sheets, gray and white toile and simple stripes in their charcoal Maison du Linge linens ($75-$550, top); JCPenney’s set combines floral and stripes in its black toile comforter set, and throws a reverse print in for contrast  ($15-$100, above).

The Magnolia bed linens at Neiman Marcus have a soft cream and cocoa feel to them, at left ($70-$725, above); Kohl’s combines slightly different shades in their Park Avenue luxury palais set,  which features a scalloped border and an all-over jacquard pattern  ($16-$180, below).

The colors of wine and gold give a rich, warm, almost royal look to a bedroom, turning into an exquisite winter retreat. We’ll let Neiman’s begin with their Vauxhall linens, a luscious combination of florals, solids and contrast stitching ($80-$725, above). Bed, Bath & Beyond goes a little deeper in color (cabernet, perhaps, instead of merlot) and downsizes the gold to accent level ($30-$230). Waverly quilts stripes and florals together in their Mystique set, and adds leopard print accessories for interest ($25-$170). And Target balances the same hues in Kabash stripe, a more casual collection that’s perfect for a quieter room ($90-$150, below).

Ready for sleek and dreamy? Macy’s skyscraper Hotel collection fits the bill, all shades and textures of gray on gray with tailored shapes and ornate patterns woven in ($60-250). BB&B keeps the minimalist sensibility and adds a sheen to the comforter with their Monaco blue ($30-$199, above), and Target ups the contrast with black and silver in their cosmopolitan set ($160-$170, below).

Pale blue and brown is a peaceful color combination, cool and calm after a day in the rat race. Horchow’s Lyon bedding ensemble is perfect for cocooning, with its soft hues and textured layers ($70-$540, below left); Linens and Things puts 20 pieces in their floral Isabella set ($90). Bed, Bath & Beyond takes a more Victorian-wallpaper approach with their Dalton set ($199, below right).

And let’s just end on a confetti-and-horns note, because we’re still jazzed about 2009. Neiman’s Zany black reversible bedding makes us giddy, simply due to the prolific mix of patterns, dots and rainbow shades ($10-$80, below). But it’s on back order for a bit, so if you’re in a rush, try JCP: they’ve got a fuscia and tangerine Home Expressions grouping that made us smile nearly as widely ($12-$50, bottom).