Pillow decisions

Because we work with so many amazing designer fabrics for drapery, we can't help but have some pillow decisions to make too.

The other day I was thinking of how I wanted to change up some pillows on my couch, so in my notes I wrote down "pillow decisions". Sounds silly, but its true.

Save yourself some time and think about what you want before going shopping or meeting with your designer or decorator.

Pillows are a great way to bring some life to your living or family room. Decorative fabrics come in a variety of patterns. Bold graphics and small prints are readily available.

What's the best way to display your pillows and how many are too many? Keep odd numbers of pillows in mind. Too many, is when your family complains that there's nowhere to sit. 

Also keep in mind that the form you use inside the pillow goes a long way in giving you the full, gorgeous look. Down or feather filled pillow forms are best. There are some good hypoallergenic pillow forms available that give you a similar look.

Keep a few basic things in mind. There aren't any hard and fast rules, but if you use some of these samples below, you're much more likely to be successful.

Here are some great ideas for figuring out how to display decorative pillows on your couch. 

eclectic living room design by other metros interior designer Caitlin Wilson

Think symmetrical. Think 5 or 3. This is a great example of how 3 patterns (no solids) work well together. It looks like the bold floral was picked first and then the fun orange (simple) and semi-solid blue were picked from it. Rule: Find a print you love and pick the colours from it.

traditional living room design by atlanta interior designer Niki Papadopoulos

Think solid. In this monochromatic scheme, again, 5 pillows in this picture. 2 in solids and 3 in patterns. Rule: pick the main room/couch colour as the solid and add a graphic print with the same colour.

eclectic living room design by little rock interior designer Tobi Fairley

Think complementary. The solid white couch with the solid orange pillows allow for the fun graphic of the blue pillows. Rule: pick your colours based on their complement. (Orange and blue, purple and yellow, green and red.) The 3 colours in this page jump out. White is about 60% of the room, orange is 30% and blue 10%, good rule to follow. The yellow flowers keep the space from being too matchy.

modern home office design by boston interior designer Kristen Rivoli Interior Design

Think fun. 3 separate colours and patterns. Rule: pick pillow colours from the colours in the carpet. Area carpets that have pattern are a great way to liven up your space. 

contemporary family room design by san francisco interior designer Amoroso Design

Think embellishment. Sizes are varied. Trim is added, all the colours in the drapery, roman shade, couch and ottoman are in the pillows. Rule: Add variety to your pillows by adding piping to a solid pillow and trim for interest.

contemporary bedroom design by sacramento interior designer Kerrie L. Kelly

Think colour. The yellow keeps this space from being boring or cold. 3 pillows, different sizes. Add a pillow with words on it. The thing to keep in mind with 3 different pillows is that they have some relationship to each other. Rule: Add a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral or bland space. The black and white theme tie the 2 pillows together and the yellow and grey pillow piped in black ties them altogether. The yellow pillow is pulled from the art work. 

If you're working alone, have some fun and try different options. If you're working with a designer or decorator, let them know what you like and they'll help you pull it together.

Some of our favourite designer fabric companies are Robert Allen, Kravet and Maxwell.

Decorative Art

Let's talk pillows for a bit. I know they don't do a good job of covering your windows.... and this blog is about covering your windows.

I once met a guy on the street that was taking an old overhead screen from someone's garbage. He told me that he would use it to block the sun in his apartment. I thought this was genius, use what works. I think he was single, need I say more. I did think he was creative, however.

This blog is also about awesome fabrics that we come across and use in a variety of ways. I happened to come across Beacon Hill's Decorative Art and was smitten by this pattern. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Decorative Art by Beacon Hill Design

Telfer School of Management in Ottawa was hosting their annual gala to raise money for CHEO. We thought this would be a perfect time to use the fabric in a smaller than drapery size way. Pillows!

Here's the result.

Pillows by Faye Fortune Drapery Design for the Telfer School of Management (Casco) fundraiser 2011

How drapery and curtains can change your life!

When I go to client's homes, I love the reaction of the man in particular. The first question is "how much is this going to cost me?" Bottom line please. It makes me smile because I know that's exactly what my hubby would say. It's not like new drapery and curtains is going to change his life in a "save the world" kind of way, like his life would be incomplete without it. But it will finish that room off that his wife has been agonizing over for the past 10 years... On second thought, maybe it will change his life.

Think about a bunch of fabric sewn into a panel with awesome drapery pleats and lining and maybe interlining. Yes, this can change your life.

How?  You ask? It can make you happier on a small scale, because you've finally gotten around to completing your room. Having something beautiful to look at can improve your mental state and give you inspiration.

Or what about a roman shade that functions and keeps the light from shining into your eyes in the morning to wake you up. See, you get to sleep more!

Let's keep going...

Your mother will stop disapproving of your plain windows! Do you have a mother or mother in law like that? We'll save this for another post.

If you do the drapery hanging yourself, you'll get a great workout. Anyone can ask my hubby about that.

For men, it can give them a happy wife.

On the flip side, I once had a man call and say he was desperate and would we finish off the drapes that his wife had started about 2 years ago. That made me smile too!

For women, even though your man says it doesn't matter, deep down it does. See what happens when you hang up a tasteful pair of drapes on a window that is needing some tlc. He'll say something!

Too many pillows on the bed... that's another topic all together. If you take some pillows off, that could change a man's life. Much happier!

You can even save money on your heating costs since window coverings, particularly blinds and fully closing, lined drapery will keep the heat out in summer and the cold out in winter. How nice is that?

So, happier because of completing a task, getting more sleep, a less disapproving mother, a great workout and saving money!

There you have it! You can always visit our site for other reasons too!