Death by Pillows

Stacks of seasonal pillows wait for space on my
overflowing storage racks.

"...adding a throw pillow will pack a ton of punch and bring out the subtle design
features of the space."
   -- Hadley Mendelsohn, "My Domaine"


I am a sucker for pillows.

All kinds--odd shapes, unusual colors, new, gently used, funky textures--even the ones with sayings, like:

"Let's stay home."

"This is my happy place."

"Dog fur is just part of the decor in my house."

"Home is where your wifi connects automatically."

I like to start with a fun pillow in my selected palette.

I'm a fan of neutral basics.

I prefer to keep my furniture in solid colors and add my whim and whimsy with accessories, like pillows!

It's definitely play time when I can mess around with colors, shapes, sizes and textures.

I started playing with pillows years ago when I realized that this was fun and didn't have to be expensive.

I just happened to come across this beautiful leather pillow
in silver on a clearance sale!

Sure, you can spend a bajillion dollars on a single designer pillow if you want to.

BUT, it's really not necessary!!

When I'm out and about, I always check the sale bins and clearance racks.  Pillows are a decorating staple these days and flow in and out of stores so quickly that it's pretty easy to nab a great pillow at a very decent price.

I love that the abstract stitching creates an image of a deer.

When I'm on the lookout for new pillows for the front porch and back deck, thrift stores are my first stop!

For $1.99 (average price) I can pick up very gently used pillows that serve me well for years of seasonal changes.

And, that's the other great part about pillow decor--

it's so easy to change!

To finish my "theme in gray" I add a smaller rectangle
pillow with a bold geometric design and a big
soft throw with fun embellishments.

I should point out that my pillows are "never for show."  

I USE MY PILLOWS--as do others in my home, like family, friends and pets (even when they're not supposed to be on the couch/bed.)

That means that every pillow 
has to feel right to me.

Even if it has the right colors or pattern, if the "poof" is too polyester fill or the exterior fabric not appealing to touch, it stays in the store.

For a change of color I swapped out the small rectangle
pillow for a smaller size in an almost-metallic purple
and found a purple throw (on sale, naturally) that
picked up a silvery metallic accent on each end.

It's a true delight to find an appealing pillow that feels just right and brings a whole new look to familiar and favorite pillows.

I must also confess a love for duck down pillows.  Sinking into that softness is truly heaven on earth!!

I'm also wary of matchy-matchy.  Yeah, that's a safe way to go--one pillow in each corner of the couch--but, it's such a creative puzzle to 
mix it all up!!

Selecting pillows is fun as I figure out how to achieve the look I'm seeking.

We got a new bed in December and that calls for a change in pillow decor!!

Ken teases me about having to take

Pillowscape 101

just to make the bed!

He's probably right about that.  I like to have the larger pillows in the back, often using an odd number of pillows and mixing the sizes and the textures.

Three of my favorite bed pillows include Mongolian sheepskin,
a hand-painted silk and one that's sparkly beaded.

With a little 
PILLOW MAGIC
one can literally change the decor almost instantly--creating looks that feel modern, traditional, eclectic (my favorite,) rustic, country, whimsical, and just plain ol' comfy.

Outside I use pillows on my benches to create warm inviting spaces.  

Sure, this is Colorado and they get dusty and sometimes wet, but they clean so easily.

Of course, on the western deck, though covered and somewhat protected,
you will see that I tied them down to keep them from flying to Kansas!

"When tough times come, it is particularly important to offset them with much gentle softness.  

Be a pillow."

--Vera Nazarian, 
"The Perpetual Calendar of
Inspiration"