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Pillow Peek

Last week, I took it upon myself to enjoy the warmth on our patio and read a book. But as I tried to treat myself to a chill down, I kept noticing our stack of unfinished outdoor pillows – stuffed in a garbage bag and stashed under a bench. Perhaps we’d been too busy to enjoy our patio as much as we’d like this year, so it hadn’t bothered us much. The unsightly bag paired with my no-good book was all it took to get stitching.

Let’s back up. Through some miracle otherwise known as being an awesome friend, my girl Penina offered to sew our patio pillows. (You might remember her from that time we went crazy.) We already had the fabric, but as most of you know, I am terrified of sewing machines. All those strings – oh, my – it’s too much for my type-A heart to handle. All I had to do was pick up the pillow forms, take her the fabric and keep her company. But my dreams of pillow piles came to a halt when I realized the cost of pillow forms vs. regular ol’ polyfil. Sometimes my thrifty ways + general inner crazy is really enough to drive me mad.

Needless to say, I bought 2 bags of polyester fill for $5 (with a coupon, whee!) and drove to her home to keep up my end of the deal – the companionship.

Rather than being able to make envelope enclosure pillows (you know, due to my lack of pillow forms) – with the exception of 2 we had on hand – she made a slew of bolster and square shapes, leaving a small end open for me to stuff and whip stitch. Because let me tell you, I can’t use that scary machine, but I can whip stitch like the best of them.

It took me a few weeks after her gracious offer to complete our little pillow project, but I can certainly say we’re not lacking in that department anymore. And if at any point throughout this sunny season they need a cleaning, our outdoor fabric is pretty tough and can take a scrubbing, or we can throw the whole thing right in the wash.

We picked up four new chairs and a vibrant blue rug (details to follow), and we’ve been slowly rearranging the outdoor furniture just so. It’s a pattern explosion up in here, but aren’t outdoor spaces meant to be fun? With the latest addition of our penguin terrarium, we might be done. After a few more nit picks, that is.

How are your outdoor spaces shaping up?

PS: Speaking of nit picking, we still have one more studio project to finish before showing off the whole room. Can you believe we still haven’t shown you an official reveal? Now that’s just crazy.

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  • Natalie6.12.12 - 7:19 AM

    Love these patterns!ReplyCancel

  • Staci @ My Friend Staci6.12.12 - 9:07 AM

    I love the mixture of patterns. I get so nervous about that kind of thing. “Will they go together? Is it too much? Do the colors clash?”

    I can’t wait to see those chairs. Those are the ones I have on my imaginary backyard patio. Or in my dining room. Either way I can’t wait until I can get some too!

    Our outdoor space has been shaping up… our front lawn is just about done! I’ve never had my own lawn to work on before, and it’s so much fun! It’s also a little stressful. Since it’s something EVERYONE on the street can see it has to be perfect!ReplyCancel

  • Meghan6.12.12 - 9:25 AM

    I absolutely love the colors and can’t wait to see the finished product! You are giving me all kinds of inspiration for my patio – thank you!ReplyCancel

  • Two Pitties in the City6.12.12 - 9:44 AM

    Ohh…is that outdoor fabric? I love the little sneak peeks and I’m excited to see your space. I feel like our space could use an update too, though with our weather it has been nice sitting out with a drink in hand.ReplyCancel

  • Kim6.12.12 - 9:57 AM

    Staci, the more patterns, the better, we say! Especially outdoors. You can get away with a lot more!

    Two Pitties, yup. All the fabrics are outdoor fabrics, and the polyfil inside can go through the washing machine no problem. You guys will have to come over sooner than later!ReplyCancel

  • Kyley at Painting Pony6.12.12 - 1:08 PM

    Love the colors! can’t wait to see it all finished!ReplyCancel

  • Liliana6.12.12 - 5:48 PM

    Loving all the pillows and their patterns. Can’t wait to see the whole patio finished!

    Our outdoor space is in need of beautification, but with five dogs, it has to be more practical (for them to run and jump) than pretty. We have a ton of firewood for our wood fireplace insert, and that has finally been ‘organized’ on what I call, “the wood stackers” = )

    ~ LilianaReplyCancel

  • Miranda @boucksy6.13.12 - 10:20 AM

    I love the space and how it’s really transforming. I loved the yellow rug, but with the patterned pillow awesomeness you have happening out there, I loooove the blue rug too! (World Market?) Can’t wait to see what else you’ve been up to!ReplyCancel

  • Kim6.13.12 - 6:19 PM

    Miranda, yup, World Market!ReplyCancel

  • Katherine6.20.12 - 9:52 AM

    Tip: Find pillow forms at Ikea for suuuuuuper cheap. They only have a few sizes – a big square, a smaller square, and a rectangle – but, you can choose between really nice down and polyester, and at about 5 bucks a pop, you can’t beat it. I always have an extra one or two on hand because I’m a pillow making fiend.ReplyCancel

  • Kim6.20.12 - 5:37 PM

    Katherine, great tip! Thank you!ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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