I so love a throw pillow, don’t you? Everyone now and again, I update this post and it’s been six years, so I thought it was time. I have a theory about pillows – they are armor for women. Have you ever noticed that when men are faced with a sofa or chair with a throw pillow, they usually put it on the floor, but women will sit with it on their laps, arms wrapped around?
We prop our computers on them and some of us even make forts out of them.
They finish off a space so beautifully, I think.
So custom bedding and pillows aren’t just for people. I made the little bed with custom bedding and pillows (look familiar) for a charity event for the Duxbury Free Library in my town. The event raised money by selling dressed up “dragons” which is the mascot for the town. My little bedding ensemble included a bolster pillow, oblong and small throw pillow. Plus sheets and a reversible coverlet. I made the bed out of a small tray with pom-pom trim applied as a bedskirt.
We were given the Dragon doll and I dressed “her” in a nightie, bunny slippers and a she had her own little human doll.
Back to more serious images…
The photo below was an old bedroom of mine.
My current bedroom features a rotating collection of custom pillows.
The winter look includes this faux fur.
I made this little embroidered pillow from an embroidered piece that my mother had made and framed many years ago. It’s found new life as a decorative pillow. Sometimes it’s on my bed, sometimes it’s in my living room.
So, what are your thoughts on custom pillows – still popular? Or like window treatments, have been become more paired down, fewer trims – almost more utilitarian? My personal thought is that if you love a little froufrou, I say go for it. If you prefer something with a little color but more utilitarian – that’s fine too! It’s such a great way to personalize a space, add color to a neutral sofa or chair and they can be easily swapped out seasonally for a relatively inexpensive change.
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I’m in pillow land right now. About to whip up some pretties for my One Room Challenge Bedroom.
Good luck Sarah!
Throw pillows are my favorite! Yours are beautiful, Linda.
Thank you Jeri! There’s just so much room for creativity with pillows, isn’t there?
Great post Linda! I think there’s room for maximalism and minimalism because pillows themselves will always be part of lives and home decor. Our clients tend to want knife-edge modern pillows but we love to create the “full on frill” ones too.
I really love the pillow with your mothers embroidery. I have several heirloom pillows passed down to me from my Grandmother and Great Aunt. Love them!
Thanks Deborah!
Love Pillow Talk with Linda Merrill and Lisa D. Great convo. Thank you!
Lisa D. Thank you. This Pillow Talk really speaks to each of us! Thanks Linda. I was thinking this morning about the bed, my bed in particular. Just moved on Wednesday and making my bed was first: mattress pad, down mattress pad, two fitted sheets, flat bottom sheet of antique linen, my European Sleep System pillows, then me, a flat antique linen top sheet, my lightest weight duvet and then my Eiderdown Blanke for napping. From afar, one would never know that there is a whole lot more under me than is above me, allowing me to sleep cool and yet be cuddled. Like Linda says, my pillows are my Armour, my strength, my renewal, and they love me every day and night, nurturing me off to sleep and gently awakening me to the beauty of the world. Linda, you are so smart to have this very frank and open conversation about how men and women view throw and decorative pillows. We do approach things differently, don’t we? I love my pillows, and Lisa D, thank you for the compliment. My beds are beautiful but always remember that their mission is to love you all night long. Pillow Talk. A wonderful conversation with Linda Merrill. Blessing. Pandora
Thanks Pandora – what a wonderful description – “loving you all night long”.
Cute post, and you’re right Linda – we do use them for armor! I had never thought of that before. And Pandora, you have the most gorgeous, exquisite linens, sheets, bedding, etc., ever!
Thanks Lisa! And you’re so right about Pandora’s bedding!
Every example, you have included, is just beautiful! I still like my fancy smancy “look but do not touch/use” pillows.
I think having stores, such as Target, offering a multitude of colors, textures, patterns, shapes and sizes, more people have started to spend a little less (than custom) and are using the pillows until they are worn, then discard and replace them.
(I do purchase some pillows, from Target or Home Goods etc)
That said, the demand for professional grade fabrics and custom designs does seem to still exist. I know I prefer my patterned pillows have the pattern the same or mirrored! Often you have to dig deep into the pile, to find two or more, mass production pillows with similar pattern placement.
My daughter works with a decorator in CO, and they are always very busy and placing orders with the “sewing room”. I do not think they get into the trims as much as they once did. But like all things, that come and go, the fancy trim will again become vogue, I am sure!
Of course, I think we are a bit more “fancy” here on the east coast to begin with, and there is nothing wrong with that!
Thanks for commenting Linda! Totally agree, fancy trims may be out now, but they’ll be back sooner than we know!
I agree!i write a columncalled Pillow Talk! Its anout sleeping pillows and I feeltge very same way!
Hi Pandora – well, you certainly know your way around a pillow and beautiful bedding! Thanks for commenting! Linda