Pillow Talk

It all started with the living room of interior designer Melissa Warner's LA apartment featured on the May cover of House Beautiful . . . 

The room appeals to me on several levels. The colors, textures and patterns are all very pleasing. I'm not alone in my admiration. This room and apartment have been all over the blogosphere. However, some warn that you might be trendy if you like this room. I've been called worse. 

But you know what really caught my eye? It's something very simple and unassuming. 

I'll give you a hint - there are two of them in the photo. Shocking, I know, that I should like something in pairs.

Have you figured it out? Yes, it's the cream-colored wool felt applique "Layla" pillow from Crate & Barrel. I love the subtle color and texture. It would make a statement in any room.

I've been noticing a lot of wool felt lately. While perusing my PB Teen catalog yesterday, I ran across these examples:

Which reminded me of where I first fell in love with wool felt pillows in the first place: Hable Construction.

I rushed over to their website to grab some photos of the pillows I have long admired only to find a mere TWO examples. That's it. They used to have dozens of wool felt designs. What's going on? Had I missed something?

A little concerned, I sent an email to Hable's sales department inquiring about the lack of wool felt pillows on their site. Was this a temporary shortage? Are there sheep on strike somewhere in New Zealand?

I received a very quick and friendly response which read:

"We are no longer producing the wool felt products. The pricing has gotten higher over the years and the durability is not as strong as our prints. We just felt it was better to do the better priced collection with Garnet Hill and it has been successful. Thanks for your interest. What we have left is all she wrote!  - Kate"

Bummer. Am I the last to know this? However, the good news is Hable Construction still carries its line of cotton canvas and cotton linen pillows in their signature bead, checker and poppy designs:

As well as some very cool new designs:

And, since we're on the subject of pillows, my latest obsession is this crewel pillow from High Street Market's Etsy store:

I think my sofa needs another pillow. Gotta break up the symmetry of the pair I currently have.

Okay, so I have slight pillow obsession. Any favorites in the bunch?

Anatomy of a Disaster

I know I've posted about the flood here in Nashville before, but there's nothing more telling than seeing the devastation from the vantage point of someone who's experienced it personally.

A few weeks ago, I "blog met" a sweet, talented girl named Stephanie Sabbe who is an interior designer in Boston. She commented on a post I wrote about treasures I had found while shopping in Nashville. After exchanging emails, I found out that she grew up here and we went to the same college (albeit 10 years apart. Man, do I feel old?). Fast forward a few weeks, and it turns out her mother's house is one of the hundreds that was destroyed by this flood. Her photos and account really drive home the reality of this tragedy. Please give it a read. 

The Look for Less

While scrolling through some blogs yesterday, I ran across this super cute tunic that Blueprint Bliss included on a post about Mother's Day gift ideas.

It's the Yellow Spade Tunic from PB & Jellie, and it's only $20!! In disbelief, I went to the website to check it out for myself, and there it was. After consulting my husband, I promptly ordered it for myself for Mother's Day. Nothing like buying your own gift (although to be fair he already bought me flowers and let me get the house painted).

PB & Jellie had several other reasonably priced adorable tunics to choose from including the Gigi Quatrefoil for a mere $35.

Seeing these reminded me of some other tunics I've coveted before. Don't you think they bear a striking resemblance to this?

The Classic Kurta in Jemina Verbena by Roberta Roller Rabbit for $70. True - they're not exactly the same, but for a $50 price difference, who cares? And I love me some Roberta Roller Rabbit fabric, but if you're going for the tunic look without breaking the bank, I'd go (in fact, I did go) with the PB & Jellie tunic.

Another popular style right now that I found for less is the boyfriend short.

This version is available for 50% right now (through Mother's Day) at New York & Co., making them just $14.97.

At J. Crew, their boyfriend shorts are also on sale but for $39.50 (albeit on a sexier looking better-styled model and with a few more color choices). But if you're looking for the same look especially in khaki or gray, the NY & Co. and J. Crew versions are very similar.

I'm off to get my hair cut and colored tomorrow after a slight flood-related delay earlier in the week. Can't wait. I hope everyone has a very happy and relaxing Mother's Day weekend!