If you've been following me for awhile, you know it's no secret that I have a slight addiction to throw pillows. I think the first time I openly admitted it here on the this blog was about two years ago. You can read all about that here. Yep, I know it, but honestly, I have no intention of doing anything about it. Through my decorating escapades over these past couple years I've learned a thing or two, and one of those things is the importance of throw pillows. After my last post of our great room renovation, I received a lot of questions regarding where the throw pillows came from. I decided this was perfect timing to discuss in more details the lovely topic of pillows! 

So where do I begin? First, let's put a disclaimer out there. I am by no means a licensed professional decorator, and these thoughts are my own amateur opinions, so take from it what you will.

If you have ever worked with a decorator, or seen some of their inspirational or mood boards , you'll notice it's all about pattern, texture and color. They combine paint colors with various fabric swatches, wallpaper samples, and floor options. The thing about these inspirational boards that always jumps out at me is the abundance of pattern and texture. 

However, what may not jump out at you right away is the cost that can quickly rack up with incorporating all of these designer fabrics into your space. If you're looking at having a piece of furniture upholstered in high end fabric, or wanting custom made drapes, you're talking thousands of dollars. Add in all the trimmings and extra details and it can really add up quickly. 

Here is where pillows can come into play. 

They're a small enough item that even if you pick out a designer fabric, you're not going to break the bank, but you'll still be able to incorporate a high end look into your space. Buying a couple throw pillow covers by Schumacher is significantly cheaper than having an entire chair upholstered in the same fabric. While it's not the same thing, you'll achieve a similar effect. And what's even better, you can switch them in and out with the seasons.

Below are a couple examples that compare using fabric throughout the entire space compared to incorporating it into the room in smaller doses with pillows.

Quadrile - Lyford Print

Schumacher - Chiang Mai Print

The next question is, where to purchase these pillows. Many of these designers don't sell to the public, or if they do, you have to really hunt for their products. One site I have found that carries a wide variety of fabrics and sells to the public is Decorator's Best. This route is great for those of you who know how a sewing machine works. But for those of us who are a bit more challenged in the sewing department, there are other options.

For me, I turn to Etsy. Obviously, since I sell my own products on Etsy, I'm a bit biased. Being a small business owner has made me more aware of the importance and challenges of owning a small business, so I try to support them whenever I can. In doing so, I have found some amazing shops who sell a wide variety of pillow covers. Today I want to share with you some of my favorite pillow shops.

Southern Shades

Every time I go to browse their shop, I find new products and my head starts going in a million different directions as to how I want to redecorate a room. They always carry the latest fabrics and have great attention to detail with the construction of their product.

PillowTimeGirls

The ladies behind this shop are as sweet as can be. I have been a repeat customer, purchasing pillow covers for not only myself, but also for others. I guess when you run out of room in your own home you just start buying them for other people! They carry pillow covers at all price points and cover a wide gamut of styles.

- Schumacher Hothouse Flowers Spark Decorative Pillow Cover - Celerie Kemble

- Kasmir Ikat Indigo Decorative Pillow Cover

- John Robshaw Indigo Suzani Danda for Duralee Fabric for Decorative Pillow Covers

- Leopard Cotton Velvet Jamil Pillow Cover  

West End Accents

Another shop that has soooo many amazing fabrics is West End Accents. Take for example this Bali Hai print by Quadrile pillow cover. Whether in fabric or wallpaper, this pattern is a classic print that has shown up in famous homes all over the country. And yes, I am currently working on incorporating this print into a bathroom. More details on that to come.

There are really so many more great Etsy shops out there, so if you're in the market for new throw pillows, I encourage you to check them out. And if you're looking to give a room in your home a little update, definitely give new pillows a try. But I'm warning you now, the habit can be addicting!