Pillows and More!

 

I’m a huge fan of using pillows in décor – well, I guess everyone is! But whenever I am designing a room, I give the pillows a lot of thought – it’s not something that I just leave to the last minute. Lately I like two kinds of pillows - either velvet or “antique” pillows, made from old textiles like pieces of tapestry, Fortuny or appliqued stump work.

 

In this living room, I used brown velvet pillows. I usually like to put only 2 or 3 at the most on a sofa. Lately, I use a plain seam with a hidden zipper so they can be cleaned. Depending on the height of the sofa back, I like to use 22” to 26” – never smaller. And, I like to pop the pillows instead of having a bunch of smaller, assorted pillows that don’t make as much of a statement.

Here, two plain velvet pillows, with smaller lumbar sized zebra print to pop the brown linen.

For this client, I used the same formula –2 24” inch pillows, but in a linen print that is on the chairs – for a punch of color. Another idea I use a lot is repeat the drapery fabric on the pillows.

Last year I showed this house designed by Suzanne Kasler HERE. The house was up for sale so we were able to see the house how it appeared in House Beautiful versus how it looked after all the styling accessories were removed. One thing that struck me was how important the pillows were to this design, but the owner obviously didn’t agree, as she didn’t buy the ones that Kasler used for the photoshoot. Here, in the living room, the chairs and settee are pillowless.

And here, you can see the pillows that Kasler used. She brought applique stump pillows from BViz – which add the perfect touch to the room. It looks so bare and plain without the luxe pillows.

And across the room, after the room was unstyled.

And as seen in House Beautiful with the pillows brought for the photoshoot. Two plain pillows with one fabulous, large tapestry pillow. These pillows are from the Louisiana firm, BViz, owned by Rebecca Vizard.

Here, after the styling accessories were removed, a set of flat, lifeless looking pillows sit in the chairs.

Here, the pillows that Kasler placed in the chairs – with a beautiful velvet background. It looks like the pillows were made for the chairs. Notice also the shelves and mantel and mirror that Kasler styled, which was dismantled by the owner. At the time, my comments were – why use the best designer but then not let her finish the job?

Rebecca Vizard of BViz, looking out at a Louisiana swamp, wearing a fabulous suzani coat. (Becky – I want that coat!!!!!) Vizard creates the prettiest pillows, period. They are impossible to beat. She uses vintage Fortuny, damask, tapestries, embroidery, stump appliques, toile, suzanis, needlepoint, brocade – and who know what else! Her work is exquisite. Recently she teamed up with a fabric house to design a new line of pillows – more about that further down!

I used two BViz Fortuny pillows and one stump work pillow in Elisabeth’s bedroom. In fact, I bought the pillows first and then decorated around them!

BViz pillows are everywhere. If you open a magazine and see a beautiful pillow that is more like an antique than a pillow – it is probably a BViz, like these, by designer Eleanor Cummings.

Here Cummings used another BViz pillow on this French daybed. Love this!

Jane Moore used BViz Fortuny pillows in her living room.

And another on her bed and chair in her townhouse.

Pam Pierce used BViz pillows in this house published in Veranda.

In this family room, Atlanta interior designer Barbara Westbrook used velvet pillows mixed with tapestry pillows from BViz.

And she used another smaller BViz next to a large antique tapestry and a tapestry covered bench. So pretty!

In the bedroom, she used two smaller BViz tapestry pillows to pop her bedding.

In this townhouse, Ginger Barber used Rose Tarlow fabric on pillows, along with a smaller stump work pillow from BViz. This small size is nice to add a soft texture. I love the stump work pillows.

Phoebe Howard is a fan too – in her own apartment she used this large, velvet backed pillow made of an antique fabric.

Gerrie Bremermann continually uses BViz pillows, as seen here.

Gorgeous tapestry pillows used by Bremermann. I love the larger size!

In this living room, Bremermann used a few pillows from BViz.

Babs Watkins and Eleanor Cummings used an assortment of BViz – some Fortuny and some stump work. Love this room.

And in the study, more Fortuny pillows from BViz.

BViz pillows are not just for formal French rooms, here in a colorful interior, her pillows fit right in!

And these might be my favorite! Suzani pillows used in a girl’s bedroom by Melissa Rufty.

You can order the pillows online at BViz HERE – Becky will also work with you to design a custom pillow. AND, Watkins Culver in Houston carries BViz pillows. She just had a show there this week! For more information, contact Watkins Culver HERE.

Recently, BViz partnered up with Coleman Taylor Textiles to produce a new line of pillows using their fabrics, which are subtle and have a look of a patina to them. They are reminiscent of Fortuny but with a more contemporary aesthetic. BViz designed the new Passport Collection pillows using these hand crafted fabrics. Below are some of their patterns, which come in five different colors.

And here is one of the BViz designed pillows using the fabric:

If you are in Houston, come this Friday to Segreto to see these pillows. A representative from Coleman Taylor will be there to explain how to order them, plus there will be some for sale. Friday, March 1 – from 9:30 – 4:00 pm at Segreto!

If you haven’t been to Segreto’s new space – this is the perfect time to visit! Leslie Sinclair recently renovated an old house and turned it into a gallery, boutique and office. It’s incredible how she transformed this 50s tract house into a wonderful space. She has just returned from market and everything is now arriving, so the shop is well stocked. Besides accessories, there is furniture, jewelry, and art.

Segreto’s new space. This was once the garage, hard to believe. It is so pretty!! The walls have the stucco treatment that Segreto is famous for – so if you’ve never seen in it person – this is the perfect place to experience it. But be warned, once you see it, you will want it in your house!!!

Love those paintings and the console!!

Be sure to tour the entire house to see how Leslie transformed it.

I love this office. Leslie painted the floor using her own design.

For instructions on where and when:

Call or email for more information! To see the pillow collection, be sure to go by this Friday.