Posted 10:26 pm Sunday, January 06, 2013
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Bursts of color and style with options that seem endless
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
Changing the look of a room can evoke a new mood or feelings of a particular season while adding comfort. However, such a project can become expensive, depending on how much needs to be changed.
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
Changing the look of a room can evoke a new mood or feelings of a particular season while adding comfort. However, such a project can become expensive, depending on how much needs to be changed.
For people on a tight budget, pillows may be the answer to a room makeover. It’s a simple solution, but a solution, nonetheless.
From decorative and fanciful to comfortable and functional, pillows add bursts of color, style and warmth to a dull area. A stop at a discount store, thrift store or consignment shop provides pillow options that are endless, from traditional fringes to contemporary rhinestones.
Marly Meyer, owner of Encore Consignment, 302 W. Rusk St., has in her store dozens of pillows ranging in shape, size, color and fabrics.
“If you want to change a look inexpensively, change out your pillows, picture frames and lamp shades and you can get a totally different look on things,” she said. “It adds to the beauty, comfort and livability of the home.”
Old pillows come to life by adding a few accents or using nontraditional fabrics, Ms. Meyer said. The use of scarves, pieces of a favorite sweater or shirt, ribbons, towels, terrycloth, placemats and beading creates a piece that represents someone’s style and personality.
Using stacks of pillows to decorate small spaces is a current trend and teals and browns are among popular colors in season. Still, there are few rules for pillow fashions.
“They’re no rules to the fabric at all and there are no rules on size,” said Rita Clark, of Designer Consignment, 4703 Troup Highway. “The only rule is that it doesn’t get excessive (with the amount of pillows) to where you can’t sit on the couch.”
But there are some guidelines that’ll help create a good look. Mixing shapes and sizes is ideal, Ms. Meyer said, and staying in groups of three keeps a piece of furniture fresh. She said it was better to get away from having the standard symmetrical look — one pillow on each side of a couch, along with a table and lamp on each side.
Marly Meyer, owner of Encore Consignment, 302 W. Rusk St., has in her store dozens of pillows ranging in shape, size, color and fabrics.
“If you want to change a look inexpensively, change out your pillows, picture frames and lamp shades and you can get a totally different look on things,” she said. “It adds to the beauty, comfort and livability of the home.”
Old pillows come to life by adding a few accents or using nontraditional fabrics, Ms. Meyer said. The use of scarves, pieces of a favorite sweater or shirt, ribbons, towels, terrycloth, placemats and beading creates a piece that represents someone’s style and personality.
Using stacks of pillows to decorate small spaces is a current trend and teals and browns are among popular colors in season. Still, there are few rules for pillow fashions.
“They’re no rules to the fabric at all and there are no rules on size,” said Rita Clark, of Designer Consignment, 4703 Troup Highway. “The only rule is that it doesn’t get excessive (with the amount of pillows) to where you can’t sit on the couch.”
But there are some guidelines that’ll help create a good look. Mixing shapes and sizes is ideal, Ms. Meyer said, and staying in groups of three keeps a piece of furniture fresh. She said it was better to get away from having the standard symmetrical look — one pillow on each side of a couch, along with a table and lamp on each side.
“It’s that rule of three that gets rid of boring,” she said.
For décor only, fabric choices are endless. However for functionality, washable fabrics or with removable covers are ideal.
“For utility, I recommend down (pillows) because they don’t lose their shape,” Ms. Meyer said.
In addition, having at least one quality piece to work around can add lasting style.
Ms. Clark said taking inexpensive pillows and creating a new look ensures that a person’s home is not like someone else’s.
“(Customers) take solid pillows at a really good price and go decorate their own pillow,” Ms. Clark said. “Everybody’s different. People have their own style. They’re all different. … It’s your style, your home. Personalize your home.”
She added, “Like what you live in. Don’t try to force something to work if you’re not comfortable with it.”
Decorating with pillows can be an easy task for men. For example, to create a western theme, all it takes is adding a piece of rope around a pillow covered with denim. Fabrics such as flannel and leather also create a masculine look.
For décor only, fabric choices are endless. However for functionality, washable fabrics or with removable covers are ideal.
“For utility, I recommend down (pillows) because they don’t lose their shape,” Ms. Meyer said.
In addition, having at least one quality piece to work around can add lasting style.
Ms. Clark said taking inexpensive pillows and creating a new look ensures that a person’s home is not like someone else’s.
“(Customers) take solid pillows at a really good price and go decorate their own pillow,” Ms. Clark said. “Everybody’s different. People have their own style. They’re all different. … It’s your style, your home. Personalize your home.”
She added, “Like what you live in. Don’t try to force something to work if you’re not comfortable with it.”
Decorating with pillows can be an easy task for men. For example, to create a western theme, all it takes is adding a piece of rope around a pillow covered with denim. Fabrics such as flannel and leather also create a masculine look.
Another trend is to take items or pieces of items from a family heirloom such as a quilt and add it to a pillow. People may not want the item or know how to display it, Ms. Clark explained, but they want to keep the memories.
“It’s all about recycling,” she said.
Ms. Meyer said friendship pillows, with their personal touches, are good personal gifts.
“It’s great to get for someone who’s not feeling well,” she said. “It’s better than cards because they last.”
Decorating shouldn’t have to be an overwhelming task, the women noted. It’s just a matter of unleashing the imagination.
“Go wild with it if you really want to have fun,” Ms. Meyer said.
“It’s all about recycling,” she said.
Ms. Meyer said friendship pillows, with their personal touches, are good personal gifts.
“It’s great to get for someone who’s not feeling well,” she said. “It’s better than cards because they last.”
Decorating shouldn’t have to be an overwhelming task, the women noted. It’s just a matter of unleashing the imagination.
“Go wild with it if you really want to have fun,” Ms. Meyer said.
