Showing posts with label West Elm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Elm. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Toss In Some Pillows… Toss Out The Winter Blahs


Well, it’s mid-January.  The holidays are over.  The parties are a thing of the past.  The decorations are stored away.  Your spirit has gone away with them.

There is always such a sense of excitement as Christmas approaches.  Then, after weeks of celebrating and decorating, the season comes to a screeching halt.  Much toil, and much less joy, go into packing all of the ornaments and lights away for another year.  

At first, the simplicity of the holiday-decoration-free house feels refreshing and a bit “Zen.”  But then, after a few days of gray New Year’s winter skies, your interiors feel just plain drab, dull, and maybe even a little sad.

There’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive (usually!) fix that will lift your mood immediately: toss a couple colorful pillows on your sofa, bed, or favorite reading chair!

I dare you to go into the nearest Pier 1 store, head over to the “Pillow Wall,” and not get a smile on your face! 


There is nothing that will brighten your mood faster than section after section of vivid silks, lively patterns and inviting textures.  


And as you wander around the showroom, you will be inspired by little vignettes that prove the power of the pillow!


Once you arrive home with your plump poofs, your rooms will react the same way that you did in the store… with joy and enthusiasm!

There are endless sources for fabulous pillows in the home furnishings world these days...  Here are just a few that I found that prove you don’t have to live with the Winter Doldrums!

 image Company C

image Company C

image Company C

image West Elm

image West Elm




image Pottery Barn



Here's to brighter days inside and out!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Winter Warmers… Take The Chill Off

What does “Winter Warmer” mean to you?

If you are a beer enthusiast…

"Winter Warmer"

Harpoon Brewery, Boston, Massachusetts

If you are a fashionista...

Winter scarves; google images

If you are a design aficionado…

Horchow glamourous Dansfield & Ross

silk & rayon velvety gray throw with pom pom trim

One of my favorite accessories for the home is something that can make a big design statement while also proving to be quite useful... the throw. I am a devotee of throws as decorative accessories all year round, but winter is an especially good time to toss a stylish and cozy blanket across your sofa or bed. It is wonderful to snuggle up under a plush, warm throw while watching the snow fall outside of your window (I know, many of you in colder climates are tired of the white stuff by now, so maybe “wonderful” is pushing it a little!), or while you read a book, watch a movie, or just enjoy a tasty hot beverage.

Here are some especially lovely throws that I have come across in my explorations…

Horchow understated quilted coverlets & cable knit throws by Ann Gish

Horchow Sofia super soft cabled cashmere throws woven with heathered yarns

Gracious Home simple but chic Capri cashmere throws with ribbed border

Gracious Home Matouk Arcadia elegant throws with Greek key design

(also love the paint color in the vignette!)

Gracious Home Matouk Torino throws in classic two-tone chevron weave

West Elm bold & textural chunky tassel throw

Pottery Barn casual hand-knit chunky cable throws

Bliss Living Home Temi plush throw in Whisper Blue is covered & edged with pom poms

(how fun is this?)

Throws have such a warming effect that these last few even give me the feeling that Spring is just around the corner! What about you you?