Pillow Perfect: Hot Dates for Your Sofa!

 

I have a little confession to share with you all today. I'm a Pillow Pusher! Yep, for years now I have been playing matchmaker for many a sofa, always on the hunt to find them the hottest and most stylish date in town. So, today I'm widening my net and sharing some of the best pillow picks on the market right now for your sofa. In the little gif above not only can you see just how excited I get about throw cushions (ed: Mr. Bazaar might need to check into home accessories rehab soon) but you can also see each of the pillows in turn as they are added to the sofa - and there's something for everyone. Are you a colour lover? The Hove or Nice cushions are your best friend. Perhaps you go gaga for anything graphic, then the Anchor or '&' designs are for you. If you're looking to add a dash of whimsy, opt for the Gran designs or the needlepoint owl. More of a vintage maven? The soldiers fabric pillow is bound to delight. Or, if you're the crafty type, why not silkscreen print a fabric cover like I did with the Clarissa Hulse design at a recent Dalani event! So, tell me, are you a Pillow Pusher? Which one are you going to set up to date your sofa?!// Photography by Will Taylor

{The Edited Collection: Cushions and Pillows}

Being one of the quickest and easiest ways to update any room, cushions and pillows have long one of my favourite home accessories. I've picked out some of the many stylish offerings currently in the stores...

Pops of colour bring this birdcage cushion from Heals to life.

This graphic statement from Dwell would be the perfect addition for a masculine home office.

The unusual nature of this digital bloom cushion from CB2 caught my eye. I think it would look fab on an Eames rocker.

Jonathan Adler always knows how to raise a smile. Next time I'm in the States, I'm treating myself to one of these.

I'm not a great fan of words being spelled out on walls, but for some reason I don't mind it on cushions, especially lovely ones like this.

This reminds me of a colourful beach umbrella. I'd group a whole load of these together, chuck them down and have an impromtu picnic!

Plane graphics and yellow fabric. Yes please, Mini Moderns.

Images: As per their individual links

{The brightest accessories}

Forget the weather forecasts, if we're to believe the new collections for SS10, then we're in for a scorcher come Summer! Everywhere I look for inspiration at the moment, I'm seeing stores positively bursting at the seems with brightly coloured, bold and in-your-face accessories, that could warm the coldest of interiors in an instant. Here's a pick of my favourites from the high street:

Above images: Habitat

Top to bottom: Balun vase, Regatta cushion, Tyler frame, Ivy hare decoration and Ivy owl decoration. All available from Habitat.

Above images: Rice

Top to bottom: Multi-coloured brooms, Thermo flasks. Both from Rice.

Above images: Heals

Top to bottom: Starburst orange silk cushion, Lsa Hula yellow vase, Diamantini & Domeniconi Arcoiris Stripe Cuckoo mantle clock. All from Heals.

My favourite is the Regatta cushion and the Ivy owl decoration from Habitat because I think they would remain stylish beyond one season. I can't get over how bright the stripe clock is from Heals - a statement piece for sure! Have you seen any bright accessories that you like recently?

{Trend watch: Owls}

What's not to like about these feathered friends that grace our planet? They are cute, cuddly and some how bring a style factor that packs a punch of fun to anything they grace for the home. There are loads of owl accessories out there right now and here are some of my favourites:

Grab this Owl cushion from notonthehighstreet.com for a quirky, homespun look at £33.60 each

If a modern look is more your thing, then pick up the 'Fat Owl' cushion from hunkydoryhome.com - a bargain at £22.00 and a personal favourite of mine.

These fun little cushions are part of the Heal's ReDiscovers collection, which celebrates the furniture store's Bicentenary. Knitted by Donna Wilson, priced at £40.00 each and available in three co-ordinating colours, they would be perfect for a child's room.

Also from Heal's is this handblown glass Barn Owl decoration. They are pricey at £185.00 each but they are individually mouth blown and part of the Oiva Toikka Birds collection; perfect gifts that would be kept forever.

{We love Jonathan Adler}

Jonathan Adler not only makes great homewares (more on that in a minute), but is also very funny. We suggest reading his about page if you feel like having a laugh: be prepared to read all about throwing pottery around, a parental intervention and the Norwich terrier Liberace!

Ok, so back to the products. There are so many lovely things on Jonathan's website, but we've picked out some of our favourites:

Top to bottom: Large reform temple vase; Letter pillow; Stripes cup and saucer; Ojai teapot; Tea blocks pillow

Images: Jonathan Adler

{Cushions with a difference}

We first heard about Bridget Davies over on Domestic Sluttery - a fab site by the way, be sure to check it out - last week and have been hampering after all her quirky cushions ever since. You can check our Bridget's online store here, which sells lots of lovely goodies - we've picked out our three favourites to share with you. Do you have a favourite?

Top to bottom: The Hall; The Street; A Stroll In The Park

Images: Bridget Davies

{Mini, but amazing!}

Mini Moderns are, quite frankly, really annoying. Why? Because we want to buy everything from their great range of homewares and wallpapers for kids and 'kidults'! Jointly ran by an ex-graphic designer and experienced brand strategist, Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire respectively, this is one super cool company. Mini Moderns is also the sister arm of Absolute Zero Degrees, which is Keith and Mark's London based design and branding agency.

Not only are their products lovely, but they are all made in the UK - a policy which has not only helped them keep their carbon footprint to a minimum, but also supports local businesses in the process. You should definitely check out their Shoppe and they are really nice guys, too, so why not say hello to them over on Twitter? Here's our favourite picks from their fun/funky/Ineedthatformyhouserightnow product range:

Cushions

From top to bottom: Sewn Sequels Limited Edition Cushions - Figs and Plant Pots; Sitting cushion

Wallpaper

Top to bottom: Town wallpaper; C60 wallpaper; Tick-tock (snow) wallpaper (you can colour it in - a-maz-ing!)

Stationary

Top to bottom: Let's Get Busy pad; Memorabilia pad; Timely Reminders pad

Images: Mini Moderns

{There's no place like home}

We've heard the saying many a time before, but for Catherine Colebrook there really is no place like home. A busy mum of two, Catherine not only looks after her children but also runs a lovely interiors and gifts website - all from home! The new website features photography styled by Selina Lake and relaunches as her home appears in the September issue of Ideal Home Magazine. We don't know about you, but all this strikes us as pretty impressive, especially considering how gorgeous the products are on her site. From retro pictures, to handmade cushions and cards, the site offers a real mix of great buys.

"I caught the sewing bug from my Mum and Grandma," says Catherine, "I was absolutely fascinated by how clothes could be constructed from a length of fabric and the love affair began." Fifteen years later - not forgetting a stint appearing on the BBC's Casualty - and Catherine has achieved her original dream. With commissions from Bright.Bazaar favourites - we're talking the likes of Habitat and Laura Ashley - Catherine Colebrook is a must-visit interiors site.

All products from Catherineccolebrook.co.uk.

Images: Catherinecolebrook.co.uk and Selina Lake

{Orla Kiely - office inspiration}

Orla's Office. Image: Rachael Smith, guardian.co.uk

Office spaces are all too often considered work-only places and therefore end up becoming dumping grounds for paperwork and various other uninspiring paraphernalia. Over at Bright.Bazaar we love to see an office space that's not only practical, but also effortlessly inspiring. Orla Kiely's  office (shown above) is proof that offices can be creative and yet functional at the same time. Kiely's colourful personality shines through here, just as it does in her gorgeous fabric designs. The industrial bright green sideboard works so well to offset the feminine prints and designs that fill her office.

Cushion covered in Orla Kiely's Multi Stem print. Image, Orla Kiely.com

Based in a purpose built, three-storey building in Clapham, South London, the design business is a haven for creativity, where down-to-earth boss Orla likes to work at the same level as her staff. "There are six of us based here and we do everything on the design side, from coming up with initial concepts to creating finished products, including clothes, accessories and homeware. We're a team so even though I'm in charge, I didn't want a grand, hierarchical desk," Kiely explained in a recent interview with The Observer's Charlotte Abrahams. Bright.Bazaar loves this philosophy and thinks it's high time we invested in some colourful new Orla Kiely bits...just in time for summer! Here's what we've got our eye on:

Car Park pillowcase covers from Orla Kiely. Image, Orla Kiely.com