Welcome to my new series, All About Pillows.
I have not been shy about proclaiming
my love for the most versatile decorating tool EVER.
I hope to show you new (or re-worked) tips and tricks on how
to use pillows in your home.
Let’s get started.
In Part One we will talk about
scale, texture and pattern or color.
I am a believer in using pillows as an accent piece.
That means they need to be different in
texture and color than their base piece of furniture.
Mix it up so to speak.
Below are two examples of what not to do.
Both of these sofas are perfectly fine.
They just need jazzed up a bit and the pillows currently
residing are not getting the job done.
There isn’t enough contrast. The pillows are the same texture and color as the sofa.
Plus two pillows are just not enough…
but we’ll talk about that later.
Here are a few good examples of how to use pillows as an accent.
Although these pillows are all the same size,
they vary in color and texture so it works.
Also notice there is an odd number.
I am a symmetrical person (shocker) so I
usually use them in pairs.
I just might have to try this and see if it drives me nuts.
Here is perfect symmetry.
Ahhh.
I love everything about this.
Interesting sizes and colors that pop right off of the sofa.
This is an example of symmetry with a twist.
My friend Kim, at Savvy Southern Style,
has a knack with pillows that amazes me.
At first glance this looks like pairs of pillows with an accent in the middle.
But no…she switched it up.
The end pillows are not a pair.
Works beautifully.
This incredible room by Tobi Fairley
shows how to make a monochromatic room sing by using accents.
The patterned pillows work with the white lamps and black coffee table.
And besides, who doesn’t love Tobi Fairley?
Accent Pillows are equally important on chairs
as they are on sofas.
Same rules apply.
This is a Sarah Richardson room.
I can spot a SR room a mile away just by the pillows she uses.
She is a master at combining different sizes, patterns and textures.
Here is contrast done brilliantly.
Thick, slubby fabric on the chairs.
Smooth, shiny fabric on the pillows.
Don’t forget side chairs.
I enjoy using pillows on chairs that aren’t used on a regular basis.
No one moves them or sits on them.
(Does that bother anyone else?)
They stay fluffed and beautiful.
Simply stated, pillows can transform a room.
I’m sure you have heard that before but it is important enough to repeat.
Experiment with different sizes, shapes, colors and textures.
Soon you will have a look that is totally you.
Your signature style.
Part Two: The Great Debate. How many is too many?
Thanks for stopping by…I’m so glad you did.
Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Potpourri Friday at 2805
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Love this series! I love pillows, there I said it! I'm with you, I like using them on chairs that don't get used…because I just like looking at them :)
Debbie
beautiful photos, its amazing what a difference accents make, our living room and bedroom are predominately cream but I change it up with colorful,,, you said it,, PILLOWS! and my art of course, you are such a breath of fresh air and honesty
This is going to be a fun post(s)!
I can't imagine anyone not loving pillows and yes I get very upset when someone messes up my pillows! LOL!
hugs
Sissie
I have a serious pillow addiction, so I guess that makes you my codependent, Ann!!! ;P
I look forward to feeding my addiction, I mean, your posts….
This is going to be a great series! I love anything Sarah Richardson does. She has an amazing knack of combining fabrics!
I only have two pillows on my couch, and they are pillows that I don't even like! I need this series – lol.
Lovely! We have quite a few pillows at our house, most of which I made. Pillows on couches drive my husband crazy, but I love them! These photos make me think, though, that I need to step up my game!
Ann, this is going to be a great series and decorating tool for us. Thanks for sharing
your 'pillow talk' with us. I'll be watching for more. Pamela
Love your new series!! I too am a pillow addict! Look forward to more.
I love pillows, as long as you don't have to move too many of them to sit down! I also love Sarah Richardson! She uses tons of pillows, and her way of putting all the prints together is amazing!
What beautiful photos you've shared. I have to tell you something funny. As I backed out of the Goodwill parking lot this morning, I saw someone in the rear view mirror. I thought,"Hmm, she looks like Ann." Then my brain kicked in gear and I realized that you are my blog friend and don't live in Roanoke!
What a great series Ann! I LOVE pillows and love to mix and match. It adds interest to the room!
Ah! The next one…how many is too many!!! I debate this all the time with my friends. lol I just don't think there is ever too many if pulled off correctly. I have a wonderful JM Packet sofa with a ton of down filled pillows. People fight to sit on it. lol
Gosh Anne after seeing all those great pillows, I'm having the urge to go make some… THANKS.
I love the look of pillows and loved everything you showed, buthow do you deal with this issue? People (men in particular) don't want to sit on them, they require moving them and they end up on the floor. I have heard some kind of comment from my husband about our bed accent pillows for 14 years! I am looking forward to your suggestions on how many pillows.
I'm going to enjoy this series b/c I love pillows! The only thing I don't like is how they all get thrown to the floor. It's really not practical to sit on a sofa full of pillows but I use them anyway b/c it just adds so much to a room.
Beautiful inspiration and great tips!
I definitely am not using pillows as much as I could be. I love the ones that came with our couches, but that's all we have. I'm going to go map out a plan. Thanks Ann.
Great tips Ann, looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful tips!
I am a dedicated pillow freak. I like odd numbers best. Very interested in the next post as I do think they are over used. One must sit down eventually. I will say that when Joe and I first married and I was fixing up our king sized bed he joked that he knew he was married every time he looked at that silly bed because I had eighteen pillows on it-it was not far from the truth.
Wonderful post! I, too, can spot a Sarah R. room from a mile away–you are right-she had an amazing knack for mixing pattern and color! I'm posting this to my FB page, now!
Love that Sarah Richardson room! And love this series! I use pillows on benches and chairs too!!
I love pillows too! I like to use pillows in ways that one might not think too as well. For example I have bed pillows on my sofa in pillow shams. I love how large and fluffy they are and look more inviting. The sky is the limit with pillows! Good series!
Great information, Ann, thanks so much. It has given me something to think about, yes.
it really irritates me to see all of my pillows on the floor when people come to visit. But there just isn't room on my couch and chairs for people and pillows. I don't know what to do about it, it makes me want to move all of my pillows before anyone comes over. I did that the last time company came over, actually. It leaves the living room looking so plain, though.
Thank you for this, I look forward to the next one.
Hugs, Cindy
Nice! Love the post! Thanks for sharing Joann
After reading your post, I am looking around the room that I'm sitting in and I'm thinking I need some more pillows! Love your new series. I am a huge Sarah Richardson fan, too.
Love reading this post….You can never have enough pillows! Thanks for sharing!!! I especially love your grain sack pillow that you just made for me!
Kelly
I love accent pillows too and always love Sarah Richardson's rooms for that reason. Those pink chairs with the shiny pillows also look great.
By the way, what is the difference between a pillow and a cushion. I'm never sure which word to use.
I love pillows and how they can change the look of a room and a piece of furniture! Great post; can't wait till the next one! :)
Jodi
Chartreuse and pink-my fav!
I agree, pillows can change a whole look of a couch or a bed in fact. In October I went to a cottage in Lancaster Pa, that was owned by an Amish family. The bedroom were small and did not have much decorating at all. The full size beds took up the majority of the bedrooms. To make up for lack of space they used pillows of different textures and patterns. I loved how it made the bedroom look and feel bigger.
I have cushions on nearly every sitting surface! I love the differences in regional language. Up here a pillow is something on which one lays one's head in bed, and a cushion is what goes on a couch or chair or in front of the pillows when the bed is made.
W.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l. post, Ann!! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Maybe my decorator-challenged self will learn something. LOL! blessings ~ Tanna
I agree that matchy, matchy pillows are NOT the way to go! I definitely need some new ones but throw pillows in my living room get used so much by my three boys. I think I really need to switch to pillow covers so I can launder them. The cheap pillows I have been buying are not holding up!Love this idea for a series and love the pillows you create!
Love the bright and colorful pillows!
Thanks for the post, Ann! We all need to spruce up our homes with such an easy thing as a pillow!! It's such an wonderful decorating tool.
I'm loving all the great tips for getting just the right pillows. I need help. :) I have two green sofas and one beige, and no chance of getting new ones. All have velvet or corduroy type texture. A real challenge. We actually use our pillows…or more accurately, "wallow" on them. I'm really looking forward to this series. Thanks.
pillows!<3 i have a lot of them in my room
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Oh, Ann! I loved this post! I am so addicted to pillows! LOL I just love them in every color, shape and size! I have a storage closet full and I still keep making more! I just love the warm feeling they give a room !
These are great examples Ann. I really love Tobi's style and her colors always wow me.
Pillows do make a difference. We just have two, but our designer made four, but my husband hates having them on the couch. Technically, we should have two of each on the couch, but the other two have gone to chairs.
My neighbor who works at a large hilton hotel just gave me 3 large bolster pillows…they were fairly new but the hotel was changing them and throwing them out! 2 are large enough for a king size bed. I need some ideas of what to do with them. they have a zipper so you can remove the cover. I know they have potential.
Great information, informative and beautiful examples….I just joined your followers. I too put pillows on my dining room chair aka chairs people don't normally sit on and loved seeing my idea confirmed as a good one!
It was great to see you highlighted At the Picket Fence. I was like, Wait, I know her!
Gorgeous pillows and inspiration, Ann.
Thank you for sharing this fabulous post to Potpourri Friday!
I just respond well to anyone who mentions Sarah Richardson as I'm a HUGE fan as well!! No wonder I'm a fan of your designs too :-)) I envy her vision, the way she can visualize a room and always start out with fabrics. Often you'd think they just won't work well together (with all the varying textures and patterns and sometimes even colors) but in the end, it's simply perfection!