010.2007

Throw pillows add color sans painting

By ELIZABETH BETTENDORF Times Correspondent
Published October 5, 2007

I'm one of those people who like to paint the walls of their home beach-white and bring color in through art, accessories and pillows.

Lately I noticed that my throw pillows were fraying and dated. Since I tend to be frugal and avoid shopping unless it's absolutely necessary, I was amazed to see what's appeared on the market since I last went throw-pillow shopping.

There are entire Web sites devoted to throw pillows....My favorite is a small company called Puffy Pillow Productions that sells hand-made throw-pillow slipcovers in vivid colors for about $12.49 (there's a $5 sale table) making it possible to change throw pillows whenever one feels like it.

"The market for throw pillows is just crazy right now," says Virginia Goshe, who owns Lifestyle Interior Decorating in Carrollwood. "We're seeing all kinds of them in fabrics like crushed velvet as well as pillows with all kinds of fringes and tassels."

Goshe, who often custom makes throw pillows for clients - especially those who want to tie them in with custom window treatments - says she likes to mix and match styles and will sometimes use as many as five colors, pulling those same colors through the house "from front door to family room."

She likes to group them, usually in odd numbers, according to the piece of furniture she's working with.

"You don't want just one dinky pillow on a big sectional," Goshe explains.

She loves throw pillows that are actually lumbar pillows and can be used on an oversized sofa for back support and "so that if you're leaning back your feet can touch the floor."

Though the rule of thumb is to use crisp, geometrically patterned pillows in a modern decor, Goshe says she likes to mix it up.

"It really depends on the home and the client, but I've gone into contemporary homes and accessorized with lots of fringed pillows."

The July 2007 issue of Real Simple magazine offered these pointers on throw pillow placement and accessorizing: Squares should be 18 to 24 inches across, though for a can't-go-wrong look pair 20- to 22-inch square pillows with smaller square or circle pillows. A limited color palette in modern patterns works well in a contemporary decor, while classic prints, velvets and fussier trim look great in a traditional environment.

The choices right now seem limitless, from fringed hula-girl to classic needlepoint looks evoking a Ralph Lauren ad.

Goshe says throw pillows are a wonderful way to "punch" color into a room if you're afraid of color. And you don't necessarily have to stick to one theme, though if you're design-challenged it's probably a good idea to get some advice from a pro and save yourself the hassle of a lot of store returns.

If anything, a few well-chosen new throw pillows can coax life back into a tired room or energize a new home.

"A person might be afraid of color and not be able to decide on a paint color for their walls for four years," Goshe says, "but they can really liven up a room with colorful pillows."

08.2006

Find us in this month's issue of O at Home: an Oprah Magazine.
"Good Works Makeover: Hip-Hope Nation"

03.2006

Find us in this month's issue of Kids' Rooms Magazine:
a Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication.
"Dream Makeover"

09.2005

Winner Home Decor Exchange Award of Excellence
Based on design, navigation, uniqueness of products, and content.

05.28.2005

Puffy Pillow Productions selected "Best Looking Store" in eBay`s 2005 Best in Stores Contest
Community votes determined the final outcome of the annual event

Ocoee, FL (PRWEB) May 28, 2005 -- Puffy Pillow Productions was recently announced eBay’s 2005 Best in Stores Contest Winner (http://stores.ebay.com/Puffy-Pillow-Productions).

eBay called for store owners to enter their stores in March. Finalists were selected based upon creativity, use of best storefront practices, and presentation. They were then presented to the eBay community in May and winners were based on community votes. Puffy Pillow Productions was awarded the top award under the “Best Looking Store” category. The official announcement by eBay can be found at http://pages.ebay.com/bestinstores2005/.

For more information, or to shop Puffy Pillow Productions on eBay please visit: http://www.puffypillowproductions.com

About eBay
eBay (http://www.ebay.com) is The World`s Online Marketplace®. Founded in 1995, eBay created a powerful platform for the sale of goods and services by a passionate community of individuals and businesses. On any given day, there are millions of items across thousands of categories for sale on eBay. eBay enables trade on a local, national and international basis with customized sites in markets around the world. Through an array of services, such as its payment solution provider PayPal, eBay is enabling global e-commerce for an ever-growing online community.

Contact:
Shannon Fisher
Puffy Pillow Productions
http://www.puffypillowproductions.com