Well, I finally had some time to get work on getting the home ready for summer! With the Memorial Day Weekend, I am so ready for the summer time! This week, I'll be posting the projects I've been working on.Here is a simple seasonal "trick" that I do constantly. It's not really a trick, but it is a simple solution to changing the look of a room without spending a zillion dollars. It's your pillows! Changing out the pillow covers makes for a quick rejuvenation of a space.
Inspired by my friend, Sarah@A Beach Cottage, I wanted to make my home feel more beach cottage-y. I changed out my springy yellows and greens to beachy blues and sandy beiges. Take a look...
BEFORE...the "spring" look
AFTER...the "beachy summer" look
They are the exact same pillows! For the set on the far left and far right, I changed out the pillow covers. For the two in the center, I removed the yellow linen covers to reveal the blue and brown striped pillows underneath. (NOTE: The spring covers are ready to go to the dry cleaner. They get cleaned and pressed. Then they are stored until needed again. Easy, peasy!)
Where do I get the pillows and pillow covers? These particular pillow covers are Pottery Barn covers that I found on e-bay or on sale in the store. My mom and I have also perviously sewn some before (see my These are a Few of My Favorite Things post from November 2008). I like to get the pillow inserts from clearance pillows at TJMaxx. A lot of pillows at TJMaxx have covers that are zippered and come off for cleaning. Even if the pillow cover is not your taste, you can often get a high-quality feather insert for a lot less than buying them at a fabric store or Pottery Barn.
Why do I do this? Four reasons...
- It's easy.
- I like to change things up constantly.
- It takes up less space to store a pillow cover than to store a pillow. So, it is possible to have a dozen pillow covers in the same space as storing one pillow.
- Pillow covers are washable/dry cleanable!
Does anybody else do this? Why or why not? Where do you find your pillows and pillow covers? Any tips or tricks?
I love this! And I do it all the time too-except I can't sew so I usually rely on my hot glue gun. It usually holds up until I ready for a change again. I've found that beautiful cloth napkins are great for this! I love the summer beachy look.
ReplyDeleteLove the new look. Yes, I do change my pillows very often. I love to do that and it really does make a room look totally different. I make all my pillows, so I just hunt for the fabric at my favorite fabric discount store and get busy. LOVE it. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteMy pillows migrate on their own from room to room! They, apparently, like change too!
ReplyDeleteThe Texas Woman
I do this with pillows, but my couch which was my parents and is a wonderfully made piece of furniture also has quite the wardrobe. It means I can change the look of the couch or room frequently and all are wash and wear. I made a pattern for slipcovers about 10 years ago and have gotten pretty familiar with how to use it. I'm not a great seamstress, but I make it all work.
ReplyDeleteI like your new pillow covers. I have several pillows, but I'd love to make or buy some new covers for them...just to change things up a little.
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
Wow, that's really smart! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteOnce again you have outclevered yourself. I end up selling pillows at yard sales. I don't sew, but I bet I could use that ironing stuff that seals things up. Surely it would last for a season!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I love Pottery Barn pillow covers (and everything else)! And changing just the pillows really does make an impact. But I'm not quite as smart as you though, girl! I seem to always change the whole pillow! It would be much smarter to do what you do. Right now I have some awesome pillows Sue Wolfe (from the Round Barn) made for me on burlap that she stenciled "Hello" in several different languages. They were just too cool to pass up!
ReplyDeletelooks great! Love that idea!
ReplyDeleteLove your new pillows! Great minds must think alike, as I have a similar post this weekend too.... LOL
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Cathleen
Love this idea, I wish I was more of a seasonal girl, I just have the same pillows all of the time, boring! I get inserts at TJMAXX too!
ReplyDeletewow they look terrific! I need to do this too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog today! I'm enjoying going back through your older posts and reading everything!
I love the change for the seasons... i do this as well and with my throws. It lightens everything up.
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog,
LuLu
I love the idea of changing the color and texture of fabric to welcome a new season. I began to understand that concept when we live in ID. Now I'm back to the seasons of warm, warmer, hot and hotter! :(
ReplyDeleteThey look really good. Very refreshing and summerish!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the summer look. Great way to change the sofa up.
ReplyDeleteAren't you clever and creative? I like the fabric textures as well as the designs. Nice goin, girly! ~Mindy
ReplyDeleteI get my pillow inserts at thrift or consignment stores. I squeeze until I find a feather one, and then I decide if I like the price. Goodwill often has brand-new Target overstocks, and I've found several at $4/each. Like you said, it doesn't matter if I like the cover or not.
ReplyDelete