October 15, 2011

friday’s five minute fix: fluff those pillows

I’m shaking things up a bit around here.  I think it’s time for a new series — practical, easy and inexpensive.  You know, the kind of thing that you can do even when you are paying for formula for twins or spending every free minute supervising homework or at a soccer game.  I’m calling it the “five minute fix” — because, while it might not revolutionize your house, it will make things prettier … in just five (or so) minutes.  You won’t hold me to five minutes exactly, will you?  To kick off Friday’s five minute fix, I want you to fluff your throw pillows.  Grab the pillow, hit the sides and shake it out.

Do not karate chop your pillow.  What did that poor pillow ever do to you??

Alright, alright, that is personal preference.  I won’t be upset if you like the karate chop — but I don’t care for it … and this is my blog after all.

Do not turn your pillows so they look like a diamond instead of a square.  Why would they want to “stand on their tippy toes?”

If your pillows still aren’t fluffy, I diagnose one of two problems.  Is your pillow form too small?  Your pillow form should be approximately 1-2 inches larger than the pillow cover.  In other words, if you have a 17 inch pillow cover, buy a 18 inch pillow form.  I routinely shove 22 inch forms into 20 inch covers … and so on and so forth.  The extra fullness makes the pillow extra comfy … and fills out those lonely corners.

Is your pillow form polyester or is it a feather/down fill?   Trust me, I understand allergies … but you will always get a more luxurious, more comfortable pillow with a feather/down fill form.  Sinking into a lumpy poly pillow … yuck.  My personal favorite is the 50% white duck feather / 50% snow white down from Down Inc.  I buy them to the trade, but I’ve seen them on One Kings Lane before.  If those aren’t available, Online Fabric Store has a good selection, as do many other Internet retailers.  If you are in Charlotte and need a pillow pronto, I’d suggest you head over to Front Door Fabrics — where they literally have a wall of pillow forms that stretches from floor to (very high) ceiling.

Presto!  You’re done … and don’t you feel better when you look at your pillows?

How do you use five free minutes?

6 Comments

  • Marianne {Style For Living}
    Oct. 15, 2011
    Love the new series, Traci. I agree with everything you have said here, especially the karate chopping. Cannot figure out why people think that is a good look , because it's not! Can't wait to see you in one week!!!
  • diane
    Oct. 15, 2011
    Hi Traci Thanks for mentioning us and our big selection of pillow forms. And if I have minutes I add a vase of fresh flowers...works every time! Diane
  • Naomi@DesignManifest
    Oct. 17, 2011
    Hah, I'm chuckling because I obsessively spruce up my pillows. I agree about size- so many people choose pillow forms that don't fill up the case enough. It makes for sad, deflated pillows. I need my down because I like a subtle chop, but I must say the good polys are nice because they don't need to be fluffed as often.
  • pretty pink tulips
    Oct. 17, 2011
    Traci...I love the idea of this series!!!! So practical and a quick "feel good"!!! I will be fluffing away this week, thinking of you! xoxo Elizabeth
  • designchic
    Oct. 18, 2011
    What a great series, Traci - love a 5 minute fix!! Heading to do a little fluffing ~
  • Holly
    Oct. 27, 2011
    My instructor must have read this post or something. She just commented the other night that she only buys down pillows for her clients from Down Inc. (out of Michigan I think she said?). Great tips and such a quick update.

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