Pillow Talk

It all started with the living room of interior designer Melissa Warner's LA apartment featured on the May cover of House Beautiful . . . 

The room appeals to me on several levels. The colors, textures and patterns are all very pleasing. I'm not alone in my admiration. This room and apartment have been all over the blogosphere. However, some warn that you might be trendy if you like this room. I've been called worse. 

But you know what really caught my eye? It's something very simple and unassuming. 

I'll give you a hint - there are two of them in the photo. Shocking, I know, that I should like something in pairs.

Have you figured it out? Yes, it's the cream-colored wool felt applique "Layla" pillow from Crate & Barrel. I love the subtle color and texture. It would make a statement in any room.

I've been noticing a lot of wool felt lately. While perusing my PB Teen catalog yesterday, I ran across these examples:

Which reminded me of where I first fell in love with wool felt pillows in the first place: Hable Construction.

I rushed over to their website to grab some photos of the pillows I have long admired only to find a mere TWO examples. That's it. They used to have dozens of wool felt designs. What's going on? Had I missed something?

A little concerned, I sent an email to Hable's sales department inquiring about the lack of wool felt pillows on their site. Was this a temporary shortage? Are there sheep on strike somewhere in New Zealand?

I received a very quick and friendly response which read:

"We are no longer producing the wool felt products. The pricing has gotten higher over the years and the durability is not as strong as our prints. We just felt it was better to do the better priced collection with Garnet Hill and it has been successful. Thanks for your interest. What we have left is all she wrote!  - Kate"

Bummer. Am I the last to know this? However, the good news is Hable Construction still carries its line of cotton canvas and cotton linen pillows in their signature bead, checker and poppy designs:

As well as some very cool new designs:

And, since we're on the subject of pillows, my latest obsession is this crewel pillow from High Street Market's Etsy store:

I think my sofa needs another pillow. Gotta break up the symmetry of the pair I currently have.

Okay, so I have slight pillow obsession. Any favorites in the bunch?

Fun Pillows from Studio Tullia on Etsy

Late one evening I was cruising around ETSY looking for shams and I happened upon a few stores that I just had to share.  Studiotullia was one such store, the pillows were lovely and the prices reasonable (or have I just spent too much time in NY?).  

22" Pillow cover $58 studio tullia  

22" Pillow cover $58 studio tullia  

22" Pillow cover $58 studio tullia  

Pair of Pillow covers,  14 x 20$80 studio tullia  

22" Pillow Cover ($110) in that Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon print that everyone loves. 

To My Dear Family,

Since Mother's Day is coming soon and you're often asking me what I'd like as a gift (besides your love, of course), I thought I would give you an idea. One word: pillows.

Specifically, these pillows from Etsy. A little La Fiorentina in coral would add some much needed punch to our family sofa. See, it would really benefit us all. I'm being the selfless mother once again.

The zebra pillows from West Elm are looking a little worse for wear these days.

And of course, once the sofa gets a facelift, I'd hate to ignore the slipper chairs. Never fear, I found a little pick-me-up for them (and me) as well . . .

This ikat chevron/flamestitch pillow would fit the bill nicely. I'm loving the corals and chartreuse yellowy-green. I think it would coordinate nicely with colors in our rug . . .

Excuse my unstyled coffee table.

Unfortunately, there's only one available and we have two chairs. Slight hiccup. Not to worry, I'll find an alternative. Plenty of time until Mother's Day. I'm off to shop now . . . 

Love,

Mom

Sources: Etsy