Fuzzy Pillows from a Surprising Source
January 14, 2010
Judging from yesterday’s comments, there are faux fur haters and there are faux fur lovers, and not much in between. If the former is you, please come back tomorrow because you will simply detest my latest creation.
I happen to fall into the latter category – I am a lover of faux fur, just as long as it is used in very small doses and in a chic and casual way.
These days, it’s not just faux fur on my mind, but texture. Soft texture. Interesting and different texture. Like this little pillow I created out of the most surprising source.
I was strolling through Bed, Bath & Beyond, searching for some new towels when I came across a looped contour bathroom mat in a natural hue. Yes, I said bathroom mat. As I admired its softness and not-so-hideous fibers, I was immediately transported to my Napa getaway last fall, and our room at the Solage Resort in Calistoga where I fell in love with this textured accent pillow.
Then I also remembered these fun and funky shag Remy pillows from Crate + Barrel.
Then I thought, “Dang, this incredibly soft and delightfully textured contour bath mat would make a really great pillow.”
Now I know what you’re thinking. A bath mat ?
She can’t be serious. This is a joke, right ?
Because this is what I think of whenever I hear the word “bath mat”.
Can I get a collective “Ewwwww” ?
Amen.
So I turned the corner, and low and behold, next to the stacks of tacky bath mats, were the softest acrylic faux fur accent rugs I’d ever seen. On sale. I fondled them. And fondled them. Then I thought to myself, “Dang, these amazingly soft faux fur rugs would make really great pillows.”
So I brought them home.* If you could feel these through your computer screen, you’d have done it too. Soft doesn’t begin to describe.
*Faux fur rugs with coupon = $19; contour rug with coupon = $12
Believe me, if you’d have told me a week ago I’d be making pillows out of bath mats and accent rugs, I’d have laughed uncontrollably, then buried my head in shame and embarrassment under a real pillow for days.
But sometimes, inspiration comes from the strangest sources.
My fuzzy faux fur pillows, made from (sssssshhhh) accent rugs:
I swear to you, if I’d have seen these faux fur pillows on the other side of the store, in the pillow section for the same price, I would have bought them without hesitation.
They are Just. So. Incredibly. Soft.
I’ve never forgotten this fuzzy pillow, partnered with a rich silk pillow, in a master bedroom designed by Candice Olsen years ago.
Yum.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see ?
I see an accent rug looking at me.
Crazy, isn’t it.
A few slow spins around the sewing machine and some $5 dollar stuffing were the only tricks to making these faux fur pillows. I was able to use my sewing machine because the backside was not rubber, but rather a soft thin suede-like backing.
The looped mat was way too thick for my sewing machine, so I hand stitched it with decorator needles and embroidery thread while I watched American Idol. It took about 15 minutes.
At first I had the white cutie perfectly posed in the guest suite for snuggling.
Then it was commandeered by my teenager.
Then stolen by my five year old for her own purposes.
I might need to buy another accent rug, but I’m a little afraid. I think it’s important when accessorizing with faux fur to exercise extreme discretion, lest your space end up looking it has been decorated by a pimp.
I also need to be very careful decorating with bath mats, lest I end up featured like this celebrity. Have you read this blog focused on bad celebrity fashion ? I spent an hour laughing. It’s harsh, it’s brilliant, you must visit.
Love it!!!!! I am on the look out for some cozy rugs so I can try this. Thank you :)
i have that bathmat :)
Those pillows are FABU!! Must.look.for.those.rugs!! That celebrity fashion blog is a riot!!
That blog is too funny! Seriously hilarious. Thanks for the link. And I happen to have a bathmat almost identical…interesting…
Genius! Ha, I have the one from Crate & Barrel in my living room…not as great a back story as your pillow. :)
I love the brown bear pillows. Love them! And although I might be tempted to want a pimped-out fur family room, I would resist the urge and go with the Candice Olson inspired room with only one furry item. Really…I would….
It’s so funny that I saw this post today! I was at TJMaxx earlier and saw some fuzzy bath mats and was thinking how they looked EXACTLY like the throw pillows in our family room! LOL!
Simply ADORABLE. Must. try. this.
These are fab! Great idea – love it. In fact it’s in our link luv roundup today http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2010/01/link-luv-roundup-its-baaaack.html
Wishing you all the best for the new year!
Wow I love the idea!! I think I may be on my way to re-purpose some rugs! Thank you for posting this!
I was at my mom’s house this weekend and while I was bathing my kids thought, “I wonder if she would notice her big fluffy bathroom rug missing. I want to be like centsational girl and make a pillow out of it.” I decided not to take it!!! I am featuring this post at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
These are great! I can’t sew on a machine, but I can hand sew so I’m making one of those! I’m now a new follower too! So glad I found your site on Someday crafts!
I love the fun textures of these!
Please feel free to link it up with my Talented Tuesday link party at My Frugal Family!
http://theherberfamily.blogspot.com/2010/01/talented-tuesday.html
Amazing….all hail to the gal with the fancy-brain!!!!
aaggghhh!! just what I’ve been looking for!!! I wish these were for sale!!!!!!
Thanks for this!! I got to your site from google image search! I saw a white pillow with this look at West Elm but it was real fur (awful) so I have been looking for one from faux fur… all the faux fur I have seen on sale are brown or beige, so this is a great idea.. I am going to Bed Bath and Beyond tonite, hopefully they still have these accent rugs in stock, and I see they have them on their website. The pillow (and the rest of the pillows) are perfect! :)
Done. Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/fluffyourstuff. Love your blog…thanks!
[...] #2 The Post I Enjoyed Writing the Most. This is really challenging question to answer. Writing a personal blog is by definition, let’s face it, self centered, yet this online journal of my adventures (just like all blogs) allows me to connect with people across the globe that I’d never ever meet in my lifetime. It’s really extraordinary. I enjoy writing just about all of my posts, although some days I am sillier than others, like this one about fuzzy pillows. [...]
I like to feel the texture. My fuzzy faux fur pillows, made from (sssssshhhh) accent rugs is what I like most. I want to cuddle it.
What a passion for a pillow!
I like your blogs and ideas, it seems like you have a lot!
the pimp comment made me literally laugh out loud. i have recently found your blog, and i have been so inspired by you. thank you so much for sharing your home, family and expertise with the world. you have made me seriously consider leaving my job as a pharmacist and spend my days at goodwill and garage sales!!! i don’t think my husband would be too happy, but i would!!! thanks again, and keep up the wonderful work!!!
Brilliant post! Love the picture of your little girl’s puppy all cozy and warm.
sensational idea!! you are spectacular girl!! blessings from mexico, love your link, keep up the magnificent work, world is watching it, thank you!!!!