Tulips + Table Runner Pillows

By Kate Riley March 3, 2013

This year, I’m challenging myself to bring more color into my home beyond my favorite blues which are everywhere around the house. Coral is my latest color crush and a natural complement to blue so it’s showing up in doses, most recently the living room.

living room centsational girl

 

The local stores have had several varieties of tulips in recent weeks, and these beauties were impossible to resist. I collect blue glass vessels, so it made sense to gather them up in a group on the mantel this season and fill them with the tulips.

coral tulips in blue vases

 

coral tulips blue vases

 

coral pillow on chair

 

Several of the aqua glass vases are from Threshold line at Target – we used them in the January photo shoot on the dining room table, the hobnail candle is from Anthropologie. The others I’ve had for years.

tulips on mantel

 

coral pillows and chair

 

I spied a coral table runner at Pier One last week and just like with napkins years ago I thought I would refashion it into some accent pillows for a fun dose of color and this was a perfect way to indulge my coral color crush.

table runner accent pillows

 

These are the four simple steps to make pillows out of a table runner: 1) use your pillow form as a guide for where you want your pattern to start and stop and pin the edges; 2) cut table runner where you’ve marked edges with your pin (include ½” seam allowance); 3) flip fabric inside out and sew together on one side, and halfway on the other; 4) flip right side out, insert pillow form, and hand stitch the opening closed with a needle and thread.

table runner pillows

 

With this method, I was able to make two embroidered crewel pillow covers for $16 each. What do you think of this colorful brushstrokes fabric? It’s one of my painterly designs, I’m a lover of abstract art and random strokes of paint and this pattern is inspired by that.

brushstrokes pillow

I’m hoping to have this pattern and many others available for sale soon, probably early summer, but still more work to do, I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

For now I’m loving the simple doses of color brought into the room with just fresh flowers and accent pillows. 

centsational girl living room

 

How was your weekend? Any of you spruce up your home with a little spring color?  

. .

61 comments

  1. I love the blue and red color combination of the glass and tulips on the mantel. Tulips are my favorite flower, and I am particularly happy to see them these days because it means that spring is near!

  2. Quite a few of your textile designs have been popping up in your posts for quite some time now. I do love the brushstroke pillows and the coral colours with all the neutral tones in the room. Will you be launching an online store?

  3. As always, looks Fab. However, I have a hard time picturing where this is in your house. Have you ever done a post showing your floorplan? I love when YHL and Bower Power show their layout!

    • Great idea Julia, I’ll work on sharing something like that soon. :)

  4. My eyes were drawn to that gorgeous pink and coral abstract pillow right away and immediately wondered if the fabric was available in an aqua/lime combo. I’m getting ready to do my porch in those colors and would love a couple throw pillows in an aqua/lime abstract pattern to go with the other print I have picked out! Can’t wait to hear more about this fabric so I do hope you can update us about it soon. :)

  5. Love it! And I really like the idea of using a table runner to make a pillow. I guess it wouldn’t matter what form the fabric is currently in. You can make a pillow out of any kind of fabric!

  6. Gorgeous pillows! You are SO creative!

    Oh…and LOVE the blue glass with the coral tulips. Beautiful color combo!

    Susan
    simplymodernhome.com

  7. Kate, I envy your talent. Love the table runner pillows! I’m looking forward to seeing your fabric line. Keep the great interesting and beautifully photographed blog posts and pictures coming.

  8. Those pillows are gorgeous! I love the color combination. What size pillow forms did you use to make these?

    • Oh great question Jennifer, so sorry, I used a 12″ x 20″ form.

  9. I’m a big fan of making pillow covers out of random fabrics like napkins or tea towels. I’ve actually been working on adding a little coral to my living room. I added some lovely flowers on the mantel yesterday but have been searching for the right fabric for a pillow or two. I might have to check Pier 1! I feel like I’ve searched everywhere! Yours look great!

  10. This is beautiful! I lean toward blues and greens so definitely need to incorporate your mantra of more colorl!

  11. One of my favorite color combinations. It’s happy and vibrant. Really beautiful Kate. I love your brushstrokes fabric!! My eye immediately was drawn to that fun pillow. Can’t wait to see your designs. Lots of our tulips in the garden bloomed over the last couple weeks. Spring is on it’s way!

  12. your living room = my happy place. It’s seriously so gorgeous, and the colors work phenominally well together!

  13. Beautiful colors. I especially love those Target Threshold vases with tulips in them. Thanks for sharing so much inspiration!

  14. I love this space! It’s gorgeous! Where is the rug from? Also I’ve been looking EVERYWHERE for this mirror but haven’t found it!

  15. Going Green this spring for me. Love your color palette though, you just make everything simple sooo beautiful!

  16. I love your brush stroke pillow! Would love the ability to purchase the fabric. Really very beautiful!

  17. Hi ~ Love the decor! Where are those chairs from? They are beautiful and I’m looking for a couple and those would do great!
    Thanks!
    Heidi

  18. This colour combo is brilliant! I wear a lot of coral, but never thought to use it in my decor. Now I’m inspired! I also love whipping up some throw pillow covers for an instant decor face lift. It’s easy and it makes an impact.

  19. Kate–

    Where did you get that beautiful mirror?! I absolutely love it, and it would go perfectly in my house!! :) Your style is gorgeous!!

    • Hi Lauren and Bailey, the mirror was a floor sample from Lamps Plus from several years ago, and I spray painted it gloss white, but sadly they don’t carry it anymore.

  20. Hi! I wondered if you ordered your chairs from Overstock–Mansfield Club chair?. I saw those and love them but wondered how comfortable they are. Are they comfortable?

    • Hi Lisa, mine are the Lenox club chairs – you can find them several places online, I purchased mine through Joss & Main when they went on sale there. They’re not super big and the seat is firm, but not uncomfortable.

  21. Love the pillow runner pillows – what a great idea! All of the coral accents are really pretty!!

  22. I love the tulips the color is beautiful and so is the punches of color with the blue. I just love the look it adds to the room. I like Lamps Plus too I have gotten many things from them online. We don’t have one around me in NJ.

    Cynthia

  23. Wow, I LOVE your home! It is gorgeous! I too am really into coral and turquoise, I think the two colors compliment each other perfectly. I wanted to ask, where did you get your drapes? I love them!

  24. You have a lovely home and a wonderful blog. I love your armchairs, from where did you get them? Thanks for your reply

    • Hi Melissa, all of the paint colors in my house can be seen by clicking on the “paint colors” button in the sidebar. :)

  25. Wow Kate! Love the pops of coral against the blue with the grey neutral background! The painterly fabric is gorgeous – I love graphic prints like that! What a clever way to use a table runner too! Your room looks so inviting and chic! Heather

  26. I am in love with that mirror! Where is it from? I’ve been searching for a larger mirror with an interesting shape in black for my dining room! Beautiful room! I’ve been putting tulips out as well!

    • Hi Kay, the mirror was a Lamps Plus find from several years ago, I spray painted a floor sample gloss white. Sadly they don’t carry it anymore, bummer right?

  27. I love the idea of making pillows out of unique items; I love the ones you made from the table runner! And, I have to remember how much color simple cut flowers can add. Gorgeous.

    • Hi Deanna, that curtain patter is one of mine, it will be available this summer!

Leave a comment!

Keep the conversation going! Your email address will not be published.*

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Lately on Instagram (@centsationalstyle)