I try really hard to shop smart on vacations, but sometimes I buy the most useless stuff – a mistake I won’t repeat this time!
Last year, I had very little space to bring home Hungarian souvenirs so I bought (what I thought were) a few small treasures – gems! – including a few handmade cotton blouses (they shrunk), a pretty felt coin purse (too pretty to use), a handmade bracelet (doesn’t go with anything) and a gorgeous horn hair comb, bought from a Hungarian artisan who handcrafted each piece. I do a lot of messy updos, so I thought I’d be a perfect candidate for this comb, but I never have the time to fuss with it. If I do, I end up feeling silly and pry it back out of my hair.
It is a fun reminder of this super packed folk art market, though:
Sometimes I hit the nail on the head. The water colour from Paris is still much loved. The tray in our bathroom is also from Paris and, although nothing special, is a daily reminder of our trip and an item we sorely needed (it protects the marble from cans of hairspray and the like). I think the trick is to buy something I would have wanted to buy at home – something on the “need-ish want” list (like my new cellphone case).
But Mom also has a good idea: investing in something really “Hungarian” that will make a nice design statement at home. She bought four of these gorgeous, handcut felt wool pillow covers (done in a traditional Hungarian style). Remember I regretted not buying a few last year? This is a dying craft and looks so amazing in real life because of the intricate detail and texture. The set (all the same cream on cream) will look fabulous on a sofa, across a bed, or split up across two armchairs. Drool.
I think I might also splurge and buy a few (they are less than $50.00 a piece). They might live in the guest bedroom (where they will be safe!). Or maybe in the office, on the antique chest? One day, I could move them to the living room. They are so beautiful, I just don’t want to miss out this time (although I’m still undecided if they really suit the townhouse). But here’s the cool part: I can order a custom set! Which is good, because none of the pre-made ones really suit the townhouse:
So let’s chat about the custom option. I always love your wisdom. When I asked for help with the fireplace decor, I went with the most common reply: “put a mirror above the mantle,” and, although I put my own spin on it, I’m so happy I called on you for advice.
The Options:
The possibilities are endless:
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| Photos from Parna |
See what I mean? I am agonizing about this, but I hate to spend the money and end up not liking them. I went back to the shop multiple times and snapped photos of items made from my shortlist of felt choices, with some design options listed beside.
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| The white is really a creamy white, like Mom’s pillows. |
As a reminder, this is the pattern:
Thoughts?? Do they even suit my style at all? This pillow decision is giving me a headache.
For longevity I think you can't beat the white/cream on white/cream ones. I think they're gorgeous and would look lovely mixed in with more colourful pillows.
I LOVE the cream on cream but I worry my walls are SO white, they might make them look dingy. But I agree, they would be so easy to mix in with other things. Hmmm . . . I like your idea!
Those…are…so…beautiful. Here's my 2 cents: if you're going to do one or two in the guest bedroom, I'd go with a shot of turquoise to tie into that painting over the bed (which I love). If the office, I'd go with yellow – however, the yellow would also work in the guest bedroom with the Lotte lamp and honey tones of the wood. But maybe I'm biased, because I'm always trying to sneak turquoise and yellow into our house.The cream on cream is also gorgeous and (if you've seen my wedding) I'm a huge fan of monochromatic schemes. I'm also drawn to the bold black and cream, but I use black/gray/white/cream a lot in our house and pops of bright color – so again, I think my bias is showing ;)You really can't go wrong with any of them – they are all SO beautiful! Is there any place to get them online for us stuck in the US?
Good question! The link for the photo source for the three photos with the text "too many choices" leads to a UK company that makes a similar style with different pattern and colour choices. I think they ship worldwide. The company I am shopping from has a limited online selection of the cat shaped ones. Blah. Another US shop sold them, but sold out. It really is a dying craft.I like your two cents (really, four). I am currently leaning toward yellow, also, because it looks nice with turquoise and because there are so many shades of turquoise in the house, I think the yellow is a nice partner. Did you want me to important some for you?? Custom ones take a month and the woman goes on holidays Dec 1st. I am happy to be your importer, lol. There are other colours – incl a nice smokey bluey grey. To. die. for.
Ooooooh – thinking about it, definitely thinking about it. Can't think of a place at the moment where I could put it and it wouldn't get completely crapped up (we have a ton of pillows in the house, but actually use all of them, surprisingly). Does the felt hold up well, or is it more of a look-but-don't-touch-too-much pillow?
It seems very sturdy. You have to use your own pillow form, so you can pick a firm one. The felt is pretty thick and the pattern is sewn down really well. Each one is hand made. Not un-scratchy but also not super itchy. I plan to use it more like a "look at me" pillow but not because it is flimsy.
I LOVE the pink/orange combo, and I think bright would look great in both of the spaces you pointed out….but, I'd only go that bright if you think you aren't going to get sick of them. Otherwise, I do think that white with pink underneath would look great too!
Great suggestions!! I am definitely ready for more bright. With white walls, I think I NEED to be bold and pick brighter things.
Okay first i lthink these are very pretty and a white and blue combo in the guest room to pop would be nice. But i really think if this decision is this hard for you to make then it is something you are forcing not really in love with.You should find an item that you love instantly and have no questions over.
SUCH good advice. I think what is stumping me is that I cannot see them first. I am looking at tiny scraps of felt and having to imagine the result. I wish they had them made up in my shortlist colour choices. But the company in question only has "traditional" colours. Some of the other photos I snagged for some eye candy are in felt samples no longer available.Maybe I will have to figure out which one my eye was drawn to first, that might point to what I'd loved instantly. Hmmmmm.
I have no advice but just wanted to say that those pillows are absolutely gorgeous! Excited to find out what you choose.
Haha! Well, that makes me more confident in my impeding purchase. I can't go wrong, huh? Makes me feel good, so thanks!!
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gorgeous!!!I think I'd go with something white/cream up front and the pop of color behind it- that seems to be the overall style in your house, so it'd tie right in with that too.
I like the idea of some of both the bright colour and neutral. Plus, that means buying MORE, lol, which I'm on board with!
These are so beautiful! The white on cream looks so timeless and classic, but if you're looking for a little more color, I think that white on gray-blue would look great on that bed.
Ooo, that white on blue would be pretty . . .
I think I remember you talking about wanting to add more pops of colour to the townhouse, so this is great way to do it! I prefer the monochromatic look – I know the detail doesn't stand out as much, but somehow I feel like it suits the look of the townhouse more. My vote would be for yellow on yellow or pink on pink if you use them on the guest room bed. Can't wait to see what you choose!
I'm so touched you remember! Yes, more colour has been my goal for awhile. I pin white rooms with bright accents but sometimes wimp out in my own home. I am trying to be bolder!
I think these pillow cases look fabulous! The pattern is so unique and its for sure something you can't get in Toronto! I love the grey and white color combo. I think that will definitely match your bedroom.
These are definitely rare! A US company was importing them but sold out and that was it. I'm not sure a lot of people know how to do this any more. It definitely seems like a lot of work!
I can't quit looking at the pink and green combination. Is that available? I think that would work in either room.
Sadly, no! It is made by another company that no longer has that felt. I just couldn't help adding some eye candy photos. Maybe pink with white? Or yellow?
The bright on bright would provide a nice pop of colour. Since you have so much white in your home they may migrate so you don't necessarily need to base your decision on one room. But if this vendor doesn't have something your gut says go with, then just plan on borrowing a couple from your Mom when the mood strikes 🙂
Haha! I love the borrowing from Mom idea. Except she's on to me and suspicious of any purchase of hers I'm enthusiastic about, lol.
I like the white on blue idea. I think the patterns are amazing and any of the two tone options would show the pattern more.
Agreed: the pattern really pops with a two tone colour choice!
That black and cream. Yum oh. I like Dana's idea which is the green/pink too. Very retro. The black/cream might be more classic. I think buy them. They look like they can really hold up. I like that there is no consensus in our voting. You'll have to make your own decision…
Yes, I noticed no consensus, lol. I am interpreting that to mean that ANY decision will be a good decision. The black and cream remind me of a silhouette, so that definitely gets a point in my book.
Am I the only one that thinks one of these would be lovely framed?
You know, I should frame one! I framed a Hungarian embroidery I received and it looks so much more fresh and modern under glass than on a table: http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.hu/2011/09/hungarian-embroidery-modernized.html
I love them! I really like the gray and white but I think colors suit The Townhouse. Maybe pink or yellow? I heart them all! You can't go wrong. You are one stylish lady. 🙂
Aww, thanks. I like the "can't go wrong" vote of confidence. Although, right now, I'm leaning toward yellow . . .