It gives you a splash of colour without need to get a new rug, change of furniture or embark on a new interior paint job. Beyond their practical function as a headrest when we sleep and to soften hard furniture when we sit, pillows can be a dramatic decorating accent.
Right through the ages, for as long as humans have lain down, pillows have been around and there are depictions of them and in many history books, pictures abound of royalties seated on cushions. Wealthy Greeks are recorded as sleeping with their heads and feet resting on ornately embroidered cushions.
According to reports until the mid-1800s, people slept in a position that was closer to sitting than laying down; using a combination of a large bolster pillow and two or three smaller square pillows, the sleeper would prop him/ herself against the bed’s headboard as this was thought to be a healthier position for repose.
In ancient Egypt, pillows were a sign of wealth and prestige and were often used to carry ornamental items such as precious jewels. The amount of money a family had determined the number of jewel-covered pillows on display. Similarly, the Romans used pillows to present precious items to the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony. A page would be selected to bring in pillows laden with gifts during the ceremony.
Today is no different as the pillow continues as the traditional way to transport wedding rings down the aisle in some climes.
Our African fabrics like Ankara and the likes are also being used as cover for throw pillows and they make a beautiful piece.
With the different shapes, size, fabrics and embellishments, the varieties of pillow are endless but these are a few basic types:
Toss/Throw pillow which are small, decorator pillows one can toss onto a chair, couch, bed or anywhere a splash of colour is needed. It has no specific shape or size, although anything slightly bigger than 24” along one side, you are venturing into the realm of the pillows slightly bigger cousin, the cushion.
Knife edge design pillow, which is your basic pillow.
The side seams taper into nice, sharp corners.
Piped design pillow, also known as welting, which is a covered cord that is sewn into the seam as a decorative detail. It is like an outline for the pillow. Self-piped means the cord is covered in the exact same fabric as the body of the pillow. A different colour, patter or texture to define the edge is just contrasting.
Did you know that any heavily decorated pillow falls into the category of embellished pillows? It can include fancy trims around the edges, such as beading and fringes, or dimensional adornments attached to the front of the pillow, like embroidery, beading, tassels, and/or buttons.
An interesting type is the bolster or roll pillows which are cylindrical; a fancy word for tube-shaped. Bolsters are the icing on the cake because adding it to any grouping of pillows always adds chic. It is fun when the both ends are decorated with buttons, ties/ribbons or gathers.
MABEL DIMMA
