DIY Pillows

There are many decorative tea towels available now, some are so pretty you don't want to actually use them.  If you have some favorites you want to display, they make great pillows.  Here are two of my favorites by studiopatro.

The neutral color, casual linen and what they say make these special additions to the kitchen.
This project is quick and easy if you have a sewing machine.  Just purchase pillow inserts in the correct size (I bought mine at Jo-Ann's Fabric on sale.)

Fold the towels in half, wrong side out and sew a simple seam, leaving just enough room to stuff the insert. Finish the pillow by hand sewing the remaining opening. Tada! new pillows to freshen up your space.

  Here are others that would make great pillows.

catstudio

Claudia Pearson

Helen Rawlinson

souvenirs of paris

counterculture

Sarah 101

A new season of Sarah 101 is airing in the States.  She renovated the teeniest kitchen and made it functional and cute as a button.  Her individual choices aren't always my favorite but everything always comes together in the end.

Because the space was so small, they went vertical with the storage and kept all the appliances white.  It's difficult to see in this photo but one of my favorite finds is the cabinet hardware.  The long handles are vintage, made of wood and metal and they painted them to compliment the colors in the floor and backsplash.

And another very small space was a nursery for expectant parents.  Tommy came up with the idea to go  safari and it works beautifully.  Love the touches of green!

 Above the plate rail, grasscloth wallpaper was used and below, a subtle zebra print.  The dresser and bookcase are vintage and the chair was found on a curb and completely repurposed.  I'd love to have her vintage sources!

Adorable closet.

all photos from HGTV

A Chat about Design, Travel & Scottish Style

On behalf of Scottish Textiles, Traditional Home invited five top designers to travel to Scotland and tour the legendary textile mills.  Each designer was asked to create a statement chair using an Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman frame and Scottish textiles in an innovative way.  The designers had a panel discussion today about their experiences in Scotland.  Each of them sat in their beautiful chairs as they discussed the trip and their unique designs.  What a fun project to design a custom chair using these wonderful textiles!

Patrik Lönn created this fanback wingback chair in Timorous Beasties--Iguana in red.  He spoke about all the legends of Scotland and how he thought of Loch Ness when he was designing his chair.

Gideon Mendelson's Toynbee Club chair in The Isle Mill Callanish Plaid in slate and Holland & Sherry Herringbone in beige with Bridge of Weir leather trim.  The flag and map of Scotland make a fabulous detail on this chair--my favorite. The back is upholstered in the plaid (on the bias) as well.

 A very feminine looking chair by Anne Maxwell Foster.  It is a Savoy chair in Holland & Sherry Labyrinth Ash, Labyrinth White and Pink Wool trim.

 Tobi Fairley, of course, used lots of color.  The use of the two fabrics is stunning.  It is a Wellington Wing Chair using fabrics from The Isle Mill--Ailsa Pink and Wilton Stripe in charcoal.

And Philip Gorrivan used a Weston Club chair with fabrics from Duralee Highland Court--Roxbury in Heather and Cornwall Plaid in Nickel.

It was a pleasure to learn about these luxury textiles, how they are made and can be used.

The Fielden Family rebuilds in Wilton, Connecticut

Jay Fielden is the editor in chief of Town & Country Magazine.  He resides with his family in Wilton, Connecticut.  In late 2010 their home burned to the ground.  The New York Times did a piece on the rebuilding of this glass house.  What I enjoyed most about the home is how comfortable and family friendly it seems but also how they have used a mix of furnishings from antiques to Ikea.  Fortunately, some things were saved--many books, artwork and some inherited items.  Find the entire feature here.

Wolf Appliances and Restoration Hardware table

 Bookshelf is from the Brooke Astor estate sale designed by Albert Hadley

Desk is from Ikea

all images from The New York Times

The Vase Wallpaper

A search is on for just the right wallpaper to transform a powder room.  Right now the space is plain beige with very little style.  Clarence House is known for their vibrant colors and great design, I've become slightly obsessed with the Vase by David Hicks lately.  Originally designed in 1962, it's become popular again and re-issued in 6 colorways.  It makes an impact without being overwhelming.  It might be just the thing!

 image from Pinterest

 image from Pinterest

 remaining images from House of Fifty