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Letter to the editor

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 www.throwpillow.com where you can choose from quilted to toile to paisley. One site in particular, www.pillowsandthrows.com, offers a thoroughly modern collection including 18-inch beaded mother of pearl pillows in wild, eye-popping colors like hot-pink, lime-green and orange. My favorite is a small company called Puffy Pillow Productions, www.puffypp.com, 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."

Elizabeth Bettendorf can be reached at ebettendorf@hotmail.com.

[Last modified October 4, 2007, 07:55:33]