Cheap & Chic Accent Pillows

Just like in fashion, there are lots of funky, daring prints for the home that are popular right now. And just like with fashion, trying out these bold trends is more palatable if the cost isn't too steep. Financial commitment often takes the fun out of things, doesn't it?!?

So, I give you a roundup of some impactful accent pillows that are all under $130 (most are under $100). If you're looking to add some life to a sofa, chair, or bed, but don't want to spend too much, one of these might work...

1) Bamboo Pink Embroidered Pillow - $70 - Zinc Door

2) Tribal Pebble Embroidered Pillow - $100 - Zinc Door

3) Emerald Green and Black Houndstooth Pillow - $46 - Etsy seller giardino

4) Doha Metallic Silver Organic Hemp Pillow Cover - $75 - Etsy seller melongings

5) Magical Thinking Crewel Ikat Pillow - $44 - Urban Outfitters

6) Custom Hand-Blocked Navy Greek Key Print on Natural Linen - $125 - Etsy seller KariFisherDesign

7) Orchid Vine Pillow Cover - $36 - Etsy seller ClothandINK

8) Kasai Cloth Lumbar Pillow - $69 - Etsy seller MarthaAndAsh

From the source list you might notice that many are from Etsy, which is one of my favorite sources for well-priced pillows. Besides sellers like WoodyLiana, who makes high quality pillows from trade-only fabrics, I tend to buy from sellers who produce hand-printed textiles or who design their own prints. I keep tabs on these makers:

MacAndLexie

Melongings

SwankySwell

ClothandINK

skinny laminx (a Cape Town gal!)

Eastern Home Decor (good for ikats)

giardino

Pillow Link

Jane Forrester

Kari Fischer Design

Block and Brayer Hand Printed Textiles

Just wanted to post a quick note about a new favorite line of hand printed textiles called Block and Brayer. This Athens, Georgia-based small business produces hand screened fabrics. The textiles are embellished with uber fun, tribal-esque designs.

The prints are derived from hand carved blocks made by Hollis McFadden (one of B&B's owners). To top it all off, the Block & Brayer gals only use eco-friendly water-based inks. Have a look at some of their creations, including Pillows, Poufs, and fabric sold by the yard...

Cute stuff, huh? Besides poufs, pillows, and yardage, they also make and sell little pouches, which would make great gifties.

Two Texan Companies to Know About

I gotta tell you about two companies that make some of my new favorite home accessories...both are located in the Lone Star state! First up is CeramicaBotanica, an Etsy shop that I stumbled upon while trolling for vintage barware for a client. CeramicaBotanica sells handmade, one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls, vases, platters, plates, trays, Christmas ornaments, and even house numbers! The woman at the helm of the kiln, Susan Rodriguez, obviously loves color and pattern and she knows how to work 'em. Her patterns are fresh and fun...most have a bit of a mod vibe. She also constructs some pieces using inventive shapes (i.e. fat teardrop-shaped apps plates). Have a look...

Appetizer Plate in Avocado Green - $32

Ceramic Tray - $75

Colorful Rain Serving Bowl - $60

Serving Bowl Grey Ornate and Aqua - $32

Blue Woodland Wildflower Salad Bowl - $175

Isn't CeramicaBotanica fabulous? I want to get a tray and a set of those appetizer plates. Anything in the shop would make a fantastic gift, in case you're still on the hunt for Christmas presents!

Next, I wanted to tell you about Fehr Fara, the makers of the genius Inside & Out Pillow. These pillows are reversible, so you get two looks! Fehr Fara was created by a husband and wife team and the company is based in Houston. Here are some of their lovely creations...

If I were picking Inside & Out Pillows for myself I'd go for the "Y" Navy & Navy Solid and the

Iconcentric Cornflower Blue & Cornflower Blue Solid. I got a bit excited about the prospect of designing around them - and a CeramicaBotanica Rain Cup/Bowl - and did a little partial living room board...

Colton Sofa - $1,539  ---  Cicero Cocktail Table - $2,128  ---   Rags to Riches Rug White - $399

White Lamp with Orange Shade - $295  ---  Carved Wood Side Table - $199

Paper Lantern by Jay Zerbe via Saatchi Online

Premium Pillow Source: Throw & Co.

Pillows are sort of like the earrings of a room. They are great for adding a dose of personality and color and can easily be swapped out to change the aesthetic direction of the room. Just as jewelry is used to style an outfit, a few pillows change up the look of a space. If a quick makeover sounds appealing and you need some of these impactful soft goods, then might I suggest you check out Throw & Co.

Launched by designer Meg Gabriele, this site offers fabulous pillows constructed with custom trims and pedigreed, trade-only fabrics including designs from Amanda Nisbet, Brunschwig & Fils, Carleton V, Clarence House, Katherine Rally, Kelly Wearstler, Kirk Brummel, Quadrille, Raoul Textiles, and Sister Parish. Here are some shots of what you'll find at Throw & Co.:

And I had to cherry pick a few favorites from the bunch...

Mary Pink Coral (Katherine Rally) $75 

Greyson in Navy $280

Sarah (Elizabeth Eakins) $300

Keeley $280

Heather (Lilly Pulitzer) $185

Molly (Quadrille) $200

Addison (Clarence House) $280

Melly (Amanda Nisbet) $250

Hasn't Meg put together a wonderful mix? Do you have any favorites? I love all of the fabrics and trims she's selected to create the current inventory. I'll definitely keep tabs on what's for sale at Throw & Co. because it can be cheaper to order ready-made pillows rather than having a workroom make them because most trade-only fabrics have a 2-5 yard minimum yardage order...so if you only need one pillow in a particular fabric, the minimum buy really works against you. Plus it's much faster and most of my clients like quick-turnaround!

Proud Mary Pillows

I just saw the new batch of pillows from Proud Mary and they are pretty cool. They are handmade in a cooperative located central Mali (which is in West Africa if you're geographically challenged). The cooperative works with young locals and teaches them traditional Malian mud cloth dyeing and printing techniques.

By combining these indigenous African textiles with zippy details like brightly-colored cording, the peeps at Proud Mary have created pillow styles that are bold and exotic but are still neutral in a sense. That balance means that they can be used in lots of settings...even pretty traditional ones (see below). Termed "ethnic-modern" by Proud Mary, this blend of cultural aesthetics makes for some fabulous, unique goods. Here is a sampling of their current pillow offering:

Like I said before, you don't have to have a bohemian, casual aesthetic to work these pillows into the mix. Actually, it's almost better if your current setup is a bit boring - pillows that are a wee bit brazen can quickly improve things! To prove my point, here's a little mockup that shows two of the Proud Mary pillows in a rather transitional lineup...

Cameo Mirrors - Jayson Home

Currey & Company Coquette Chandelier - Calypso Home

Racine 20" sq. Pillow - Proud Mary Textiles

Ivory Linen Pillows with Greek Key Border - Etsy Seller Donna Kibler

Clive Sofa - Room & Board

Dreams Rug - Arzu

Odette Sofette - MGBW

Zig Zag Gris 14x24" Pillow - Proud Mary Textiles

Mod Cylinder Table Lamp - Shades of Light

Gold Leaf Square Table - Shop Ten 25

Upholstered Chairs in Quadrille China Seas Island Ikat Fabric - Etsy seller MarleyMaterial

DwellStudio Milo Cocktail Table - ABC Home

Vintage Porcelain Planter - Etsy

Well, what do you think of the pillows? What about how they look in my little fictional living room?

I'm really loving the pillows because they fuse modern, sophisticated styling with natural, artisanal materials. It think that combination fits well into most people's worlds these days - from a stylistic and functionality perspective. I know that the majority of my clients want their homes to look pulled-together, yet still be comfortable and useable. Proud Mary's wares look cool and current but don't seem too precious to touch...which is key for a pillow, don't you think?

I also like that Proud Mary works with artisans around the world. Not only does it bring fresh design to the table, it also helps the men and women who create the textiles support themselves and their families. The ethos seems a bit similar to Arzu Studio Hope, the organization that distributes the AMAZING Dreams Rug shown above. By partnering with Afghan women, Arzu empowers those women to economically uplift their families and communities by helping them sell their handmade rugs. I won't get on my soapbox on the topic, but the main point is that it's always better to buy a high-quality, artisanal product instead of a piece of junk from a factory in China!

Kim Parker Art + Textiles

If your home is in need of a jolt of color and vitality, then consider bringing in some of Kim Parker's creations. A painter whose work has attracted attention from heavy-hitting retailers like Bloomingdale's and licensing deals with companies like Spode and the Rug Company, Kim Parker has built a little empire with her art. Not only can you purchase KP's original works and prints for your walls, you can also buy her pillows, rugs, fabric, bedding, accessories, and stationery.

Not surprisingly, I really like her bold, quirky textiles. Pillows, rugs, and fabrics are produced under her own label,  and can be purchased directly through her online store. These hand-embroidered 100% New Zealand wool pillows are super fresh and fun:

Kim Parker Home® Designer Pillow Collection

KP's Jeweled Garden fabric is available by the yard in silk shantung, linen, and velvet. I love this for draperies in a girls room:

Jeweled Garden from the Kim Parker Home® Fabric Collection

Now produced by hand in India (she talks about this on her blog), Kim Parker Home® rugs are packed with the same exuberant, colorful original designs as the other textiles in the collection. Add one of these to a bland space and trust that it will no longer be boring to the eye. As you can imagine, many of the styles are floral but I'm more partial to the geometric and abstract ones:

"Cantaloupe Stripe" Throw Rug

Kim Parker Home® "Samba" Plush Designer Rug, © Kim Parker 2009. All rights reserved.

I loved this one that the Rug Company produced when KP was collaborating with them:

Blue Rink rug, © Kim Parker 2009. All rights reserved.

Kim Parker Home® produces lots of bedding. The "Anil's Garden" design is available in a Kantha pillow and quilt set. I love its funky boho vibe:

Kim Parker Home® Kantha Quilt "Anil's Garden"

And to wrap up, we have to go back to the brand's foundation, Kim's artwork. I'm a fan of Kim Parker's paintings, which can be viewed on her online gallery. She is a brilliant colorist and has a knack for creating movement, life, and texture. Her floral pieces area really beautiful...here's one of my favorites (it's for sale):

"Morea Garden" ©Kim Parker 2010. 20'' x 26"; acrylic on canvas.

And I was immediately drawn to many of her abstract works...most of the ones on my wish list are from her Urban Essay series. I'd love to have a set of them hanging in my house. Although I insist that you go look at the whole lot, here are a few examples:

"Urban Essay No. 1" 22'' X 30'' ; Acrylic on paper ©Kim Parker 2012. All rights reserved.

"Urban Essay No. 24" 22'' X 30'' ; Acrylic on paper ©Kim Parker 2012. All rights reserved.

"Urban Essay No. 3" 22'' X 30'' ; Acrylic on paper ©Kim Parker 2012. All rights reserved.

What do you think of the Kim Parker Home set? I can't help but love all of the color and flowers. And it's so great to see an artist's work used in so many different iterations. It must be pretty wild to see your art on everything from plates to pillows! 

I also applaud her for progressing beyond the licensing deals with the larger companies. With her own brand, she decides how her products are manufactured and distributed which puts her closer to the artisans who produce everything. That freedom and control helps ensure that her vision is executed and I'm sure it will keep the brand from becoming overexposed and generic.

Going to the Greens

I've been really drawn to greens lately - specifically, a fresh mint green and its various iterations. If it's called jade, pistachio, celadon, sea foam, or spearmint...chances are, I'm interested as long as the hue is pretty saturated (i.e. doesn't venture into the sage realm).

It's been a hot color in fashion all spring and I'm starting to notice it some in decor as well. For interiors, I love it paired with grey and a vibrant poppy or blended in with blues to create an easy watery aura. Here are some things I've spotted lately in the happy hue:

Flap Jacks painting - Michelle Armas

Bookcase - Pin Dynasty

Celestial Cloud Stools (pair) - Clayton Gray Home

Pillow - Proud Mary
WaterColors in Leprechaun Lynch - Scotch Naturals

Shagreen Cardcase - Jayson Home

Chloé 'Madeleine Duffle - Net-a-Porter

Aquamarine Strand Empire Chandelier - Belvedere

Spotted Floral Wallpaper - Signature Prints
1910 Celestial Blue Antique Starmap - Etsy

Pair of High-back Slipper Chairs by Paul László - 1st Dibs
Dualit 2-Slice Toaster, Mint Green - Amazon

Glass Vessels - Etsy

Vintage Murano Lamps in Mint Green - Swank Lighting

Mint Green Hermes Typewriter - Etsy

Kevin O'Brien Baroque Pillow in Mint - ABC Home

Vintage Dental Cabinet - V&M

It's such a cute color, right? It's wonderfully springy/summery. Any favorite items? And are you wondering about the random typewriter? If so, I included it because I'm kind of obsessed with the idea of using a small vintage typewriter in lieu of a guest book (image a sheet of pretty stationery loaded up). I think it would make a fun and functional accessory for the entry table.

Pillow Pusher

We all love pillows, right? Since they are easy to add and subtract from a space, pillows provide an opportunity to be bold and have some fun with your decor. Especially if most or all of your upholstery is solid and neutral, a few colorful, patterned pillows will bring personality and vitality to a space. And of course, they are comfy and (usually) not expensive. What's not to love?

I'm constantly sourcing pillows for all different sorts of styles and color schemes, and I wanted to share a few that have caught my eye recently...

Crewel Prism Pillow - Urban Outfitters ||| Black and White Spotted Pillow - Furbish

Orange Fancy Greek Key Pillow - Live.Like.You ||| Abundance Toss Pillow - World Market

Moroccan Pillow Lapis Blue - Wisteria ||| Diamond Lights Pillow - Live.Like.You

Mumbai Pillow - Furbish ||| DwellStudio Zebra Kelly Green Pillow - Zinc Door
Circle Chevron Linen Pillow - COCOCOZY ||| Deco Dot Pillow - Shades of Light
Duralee Parasols Pillow - Etsy ||| Burnt Orange Block Print Lumbar Pillow - World Market

Coco's Flower - COCOCOZY ||| Colorful Embroidered Floral Pillow - Shades of Light
Colorful Squares Embroidered Pillow - Zinc Door ||| Palmyra in Castle Grey - Katherine Rally
Duralee Blue Diamond Trellis Pillow - Etsy ||| Paintbrush Silk Pillow Cover - West Elm

Blue Stamens Cushion Cover - Supermarket  |||  Retro Star Linen Pillow Case Black - Supermarket

Twisting Throw Pillow - Supermarket  |||  Lattice Pillow by Hammocks & High Tea - Burke Decor

So, who is shopping for pillows now? Any good sources to share? For ready-made options, I always check out Furbish and Etsy, because both offer a wide selection of styles and the prices are good. If you're cruising Etsy, be sure to check out Woody Liana.  She is one of my favorite sellers because her quality is outstanding and so are her prices. Plus the orders are wrapped up all pretty like this:

Galbraith & Paul's Tantalizing Textiles

There are lots of things that I get excited about and fabric most certainly falls on that list, which is why I'm talking about it two posts in a row! Today, I wanted to share another outstanding American textile source, Galbraith & Paul. They create hand block-printed textiles, handmade rugs, studio printed wallpaper, and lighting (which is sold at Room & Board along with their pillows).  Founders Liz Galbraith and Ephraim Paul have built a business based on craftsmanship, quality, and creativity and I love that they've seen 26 years of success as a result of that culture.

G&P has recently released new sets of fabric and wallpaper patterns and they are insanely beautiful. I'll be stopping by David Sutherland (the Dallas showroom that reps the line) ASAP to check out the new goodies in person. Until then, I was happy to plow through images on the Galbraith & Paul site. Here is a sampling of what you'll find there:

Midnight Pomegranate on White Linen, Midnight Ribbon on White Linen, Denim Monarch on White Linen, Denim Lotus on White Linen

Lotus fabric - Light Flax on Cream Linen, Light Cadet on Upholstery Linen, Rhubarb on Cream Linen, Sprout on White Linen, Denim on White Linen, Mineral on Cream Linen

Light Cadet Lotus, Light Indigo Pomegranate, Cadet Ribbon on Upholstery Linen

Sprout Monarch on White Linen, Icicle Ribbon on White Linen, Sprout Lotus on White Linen, Willow Pomegranate on White Linen, Mineral Monarch on Cream Linen

Pomegranate in Currant

Monarch

And now onto the glorious wallpaper offering...

Aqua Lotus wallpaper

Smokebush wallpaper in Stone

Tile wallpaper in Kiwi. Also shown: Midnight Diamonds on Upholstery Linen

Tulip wallpaper in Frost

And to show off at least one of the G&P prints that aren't in the new collection, here is Small Star which looks fantastic on these vintage chairs. These were done by Stella Dallas, one of the best shops in Big D...

Navy Small Star

As a small-scale print, Small Star complements lots of patterns with larger repeats as shown here...

Finally, I wanted to offer a glimpse of the printing process. Lots of people balk at the high cost of quality fabric and hopefully this will help explain the price point. Here is a shot of the gorgeous Lotus fabric in production...

What are your thoughts on Galbraith & Paul's creations? To me, their style is really versatile and could be used in a casual or formal setting. Besides loving their patterns and colors, I also appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship behind all of their products. That's pretty hard to come by these days!