Affordable Pillow Sources

Did you guys ever see the Space Bags pillow commercial?  It's hilarious and probably hits a wee bit to close to home for many of us.  Look, there's a reason why pillows are addicting.  They're small, can be relatively inexpensive, easy to switch out, and are one of the best ways to soften and add interest to a room.  I drool over the pricey designer pillows naturally, but you really don't have to spend a ton to make it look chic and stylish!  Here are some of my favorite affordable pillow sources:

Society 6

You could get lost in a rabbit hole for hours on this site.  Society 6 partners with hundreds of thousands of artists who upload their original work and you can get those works as art prints, on cell phone cases, t-shirts, clocks, mugs, and pretty much anything.... including pillows!

Society6 pillows 1/2/3

West Elm

Who doesn't love West Elm these days?  With mid century modern all the rage, West Elm has you covered.  Pillow-wise, they're great for both bold batterns and textural neutrals.

West Elm pillows 1/2/3

H&M Home

Honestly, I always forget that H&M has a home section.  My local H&M doesn't stock home items (sadface) but I stopped in one while on vacation a little over a month ago and it seriously took all my willpower not to buy all the things.

H&M Home pillow 1/2/3

Target

Target has a pretty extensive pillow collection both in stores and online.  They've definitely been upping their decor game by leaps and bounds in the past few years and the pillows are no different.  There's certainly some duds to sift through, but when they're good, they're REALLY good.

Target pillows 1/2/3

World Market

While their seasonal patterns aren't making me jump for joy currently, World market has some great go to colors and textures ideal for layering.

World Market pillows 1/2/3

TJ Maxx/Homegoods

I'm lumping these together since they're the same company although only TX Maxx has an online store.  This may be my #1.  Sift through the generic beachy prints and geometric patterns and you're likely to find something that feels really special.

TJ Maxx pillows 1/2/3

Don't you just want them all?  If you have any store you'd like to add to the list, please share in the comments!  Share your pillow source secrets!

ORC Rooms to Watch

Are you guys familiar with the One Room Challenge?  If not, you totally should be! Linda at Calling it Home started this biannual phenomenon 5 years ago and it's been getting bigger and bigger ever since.  There are about 20 designers/design bloggers who are part of the official 6 week room transformation challenge, but hundreds of other bloggers join in the challenge on their own.  I've been aware of it the past few rounds and greatly enjoyed seeing the reveals after 6 weeks, but this time around, I'm enjoying all the weekly progress as well!  I would have joined in as an unofficial participant since my dining room could use a bit of love, however the timing didn't work out this time.  So this time, I'll just sit back and enjoy! The participants are just past the make over half-way point and I'm eager to see where everyone takes it!  A few of my favorite bloggers are part of it and I can't wait to see their results!

I am constantly jealous of Nicole Balch's Victorian home.  She always seems to achieve the ideal balance between historical architecture and modern elements, so why should this make-over be any different?  On Making it Lovely, for the One Room Challenge she's taking on her bedroom AND den and *gasp* painting the previously stained woodwork white.  I'm totally on board with the white woodwork- freshen it up while still highlighting the architecture.  I can't wait to see these 2 spaces come alive!!

I've got my eyes peeled to see what Gwen at The Makerista can pull our for her basement 'man cave.'

She's done some pretty spectacular make overs elsewhere in her '80s colonial, so I have no doubt that the final result will make all of our jaws drop.  Just check out her dining room!

Guys guys guys!  Orlando of Hommemaker is making over a tree house!  Like a real life tree house with a tree in the middle of the space!!

He's going for a cool and kid-friendly space and has shared 4 different design options that he's debating.  I'm voting for option #1, Desert Safari.  Whichever plan he goes with this is going to be one stunning space in the end!

Are you following along with the One Room Challenge?  I'd love to know which make over is your favorite so far!  Tomorrow they'll all be posting about their week 4 progress, so it should be exciting to see how they've progressed!  I just love a good room transformation, don't you??

Designing with... Bold Stripes

Welcome to a new series: "Designing with..."  This series is going to to all about showing you how you can incorporate challenging, bold, or offbeat elements seamlessly into your home. Stripes are such a bold design statement, but it can be a bit tricky incorporating a big stripe into a space without overpowering it.  With bold stripes, the trick is to let the stripe be the star.

On a wall:

I wouldn't recommend an entire room with bold horizontal stripes for fear of it turning into a carnival attraction, however a single focal wall with bold stripes? You got it!  Choose a wall that is already a natural focal point or is a focal point due to furniture placement: behind a bed, surrounding a fireplace, or in this case, behind a desk.

source: Style Me Pretty Living, Lark & Linen Home Tour

On a floor:

Draw attention to the floor without overwhelming it.  To balance out a pattern-heavy floor, bring the eye up with other interest and pattern in artwork or accessories.  Vary the scale so that nothing competes visually.

source: Sarah M. Dorsey Designs, Mid Century Modern Vanity | Adding Custom Legs

On furniture:

If you're feeling bold, a striped piece of furniture can be such a swoon-worthy element if done right.  Plan for the piece itself to become the focal point and other ancillary pieces should be supporting players.  Use pops of color, smaller patterns, and organic elements to balance out the space.

source: Making it Lovely, New Lighting in the Library

On a table:

The striking linear quality of a stripe paired with natural elements is a match made in heaven.  Opposites attract for a reason- the organic grouping of flowers softens the harsh lines, while the rigidity of the stripes keeps the flowers from feeling too dainty.

source: The Knot, A Whimsical Kate Spade-Inspired Wedding in Dallas, Texas

**Design disclaimer** As with all things in design, rules are made to be broken.  These guidelines are just a start, however once your stripe skills have been developed, possibilities are endless!

Future "Designing with..." posts will include polka dots, brass, and florals to name a few.  I'd love to hear what design topics you're stumped by and would love to see in this series (or in a separate post if applicable)!