Decorative items featuring Britain's Union Jack flag motif are all the rage around the globe. Earlier this week Canvas Color Kitchen featured a counter top to ceiling Union Jack flag motif, but not in the usual color scheme. The original is red, white and blue, as shown inside the heart of this striking British memorabilia cushion from Jan Constantine. The cream linen pillow … [Read more...]
Fun Holiday Gift Ideas
For the "I can't believe I've waited so late!" people, a few last small minute holiday gift ideas. Only ten more shopping days until Christmas! Children, teenagers and (most) adults love to play games of skill so this trio of colorful juggling balls would be suitable for kids and adults under the tree. Hand stitched in Canada, they are durable and affordable. … [Read more...]
Decorative Designer Pillows
Designer pillows add color and a finishing touch to a decorating project I've featured numerous husband and wife teams, but this is the first mother-son duo. Marian LaFrance-Silverman convinced son Brian to join her at Pillows by Dezign. Their goal is to offer affordable designer fabric pillows with an average price of $59. This is a buy if you count the included down/feather … [Read more...]
Citrus Color Twists
Breathe life into an old space with the punch of citrus color accessories. Decorating inspiration can come from a variety of sources; a favorite painting, a souvenir purchased on vacation or a well-worn quilt. But I never expected to find inspiration for a design post in a bag of M&Ms. Yet that's just what happened. The complementary candy colors of saturated orange and … [Read more...]
Artistic Handmade Pillows
Vintage garments are repurposed into colorful handmade pillows. A global network of artisans and designers work together to create unique handmade pillows, coverlets, throws and more for The Loaded Trunk. The pillow above, featuring cross-stitching and indigo block printing, was recycled from vintage garments once worn by Hmong women in Vietnam. Deconstructed vintage … [Read more...]
My Search For Os De Mouton Chairs
My hunt for os de mouton chairs proved that perseverance has its rewards, even in decorating. Over a year ago, I entered a local antique store I don't go to very often. Oh, they have lovely things but not so lovely prices. Why torture myself. I had been longing for a pair of French os de mouton chairs to use by the great room fireplace. Those have curvy "sheep bone" … [Read more...]
Crypton Super Fabrics
Stain resistant super fabrics make life easier for everyone. What do the luxurious super fabrics above have in common with sleeping beauty's bed below? Both are made with stain, water, bacteria and odor resistant Crypton fabrics. Their motto is "whatever life, kids and pets can throw at it." Intriguing, to say the least. Famed dog photographer William Wegman's collection … [Read more...]
Suzani Textiles
Handmade suzani textiles from Asia bring history into our homes. I first noticed Suzani textiles in magazines three years ago, and purchased a pair of pillow covers on eBay. A month later they arrived wrapped in handmade brown paper. The rolled customs form traveled safely tucked under twine held by a brown wax seal nearly 7,000 miles to reach my doorstep. Intrigued, I was … [Read more...]
Kilim Rug Pillows
Geometric kilim rug pillows are colorful and durable accessories made from repurposed flat-weave rugs. I often see rugs that are too threadbare to warrant investing time or money in to repair so using them for kilim rug pillows makes sense. Flat woven rugs like kilims are particularly susceptible to wear because they do not have a pile, thus the warps are subjected to a lot of … [Read more...]
