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.