I know this isn’t a new concept in the blogosphere, but I like to think I own the bragging rights to the random-cloth-item-made-into-pillow. You see I have been making pillows out of cloth napkins, bandanas, and placemats since my college years in the mid-90’s. So there. I’m awesome. Now that we’ve established that, let’s move on to viewing my latest creation that you have seen done already approximately 9,736 times elsewhere.
I present to you: Pillow from Placemat! (Here is where you pretend to be impressed.)
I used two different clearance placemats from Pier One to make my cute pillow. One side is burlap trimmed in a quilted pattern and the other side is a florally-paisley design. The blue paisley pillow in the back is also from Pier One but started and ended it’s life as just a pillow. No harming of placemats were involved in the creation of that one.
And here is how the entire beat up couch currently looks.
At some point I need to restain my leather, but that project is at the bottom of a very long to-do list. So here is how the couch looks with an unironed, uber-wrinkly slipcover.
Here is where I need your help. Out of the two couch looks (assuming that I actually took the time to iron the slipcover), do you prefer the slipcovered or plain leather look? Also, do you think I should stencil something on the front of the burlap side of the pillow? Thanks for you help peeps!
Melanie S says
You have always been so good at these. I should have known when you were making your own pillows years ago that it would come to this. Super cute!
Holly @ Roller Coaster Life says
I love the slipcover hands down!! I am having my own fight with slipcovers… I can't choose which one I want!
There is one from CSN I like but the price is kind of high. Then there is one from wal mart, great price, but the reviews said there is a strip in it!
So where did you get yours because I like yours too!
kelly says
i like the leather and love the pillows, i don't think i would stencil it unless it was all plain. i really need to do this pillows are expensive!
jill says
I had a hard time choosing, so I like the idea of one for fall and one for spring. Love the burlap pillow and I would add a stencil. I'm about to purchase my first leather couch and had no idea you had to restain them!
amisare waswerebeen says
A stencil on the burlap would look really cute. And I prefer the uncovered couch. The faded leather has character. I also personally hate slipcovers.
Busy as a Bee in Paris says
slip cover all the way and monogram that burlap! your blog is looking so sleek and professional!
arkie says
The place mat is cute and the pillow is cuter! Maybe a monogram?
I like the love seat with and without the slipcover. The pillows look great with it either way.
Janell @ Isabella and Max says
I agree with the first comment! Great pillow ideas! Janell
Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top says
I like the leather. A slip cover would be nice in the spring maybe. The pillows are fab! I think I'd leave the burlap pillow as-is.
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
Love this! They are beautiful! Such a simple easy idea.
Jaimie says
I also like the leather, especially the color with Fall coming. I think the pillow looks great "as is", but if you really wanted to stencil something, a cute monogrammed letter would look nice too! I really need to learn how to sew so that I can make pillows too!
Jaimie says
I also like the leather, especially the color with Fall coming. I think the pillow looks great "as is", but if you really wanted to stencil something, a cute monogrammed letter would look nice too! I really need to learn how to sew so that I can make pillows too!
Paula says
I like the sofa best without the slipcover. Your new pillow is as cute as can be. I like it plain but also think that it would look great with your monogram stenciled on the burlap side.
Accidental Decorator says
That's funny. I was just "shopping" online looking at placemats I could use for pillows and artwork. Nice to see it turns out great!
Jensamom23 says
I like the leather…especially for fall and winter. I also think the burlap needs a bit of something…what about a stencil of one paisley /swirly/shape? I hopoe that description is more clear than mud. 🙂
Marianne@Songbird says
Slipcover for me all the way. And don't bother to iron it, because when you sit on it it will get wrinkled again anyway (just pretend it is real linen, that is supposed to be wrinkled).
As to the pillow. Looking good as is, I think stamping something on it might distract from the nice colors and fabrics. But then again maybe it would look cute. I guess I am no help on that one.
Diann says
The pillows turned out great! I love making pillows from placemats. It is instant gratification kind of projects!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
I'm going to say I like the leather look; maybe because Fall is on my mind and it has a warmer feel to it. IDK. I kind of like the burlap on the one pillow plain and used just for its texture without anything stamped on it. Plus it allows you to see the patterns going on in the fabrics of the pillows. Or, you could totally go the other way and do your last name on it or just an H in the middle. : )
{ L } says
I think you could change it up with the slipcovers but actually I think you should go with whatever fits the rest of your decor style. And I wouldn't go with a stencil. 😉 I love it simple as it is. You're amazing!! (I always tell you that huh? lol) I can't sew at all and I just adore the pillows you created. And yes, if you've been doing it since college…the bragging rights are yours. I have a giveaway on my blog right now that I would love for you to enter if you're interested. <3
Kristin says
I love how those pillows turned out. We have leather furniture in our house. I've never tried a slip cover before.
Nanny Shanny says
I like both looks – I love the pillows! I'd say save the slipcover for spring and just go with the brown leather for the fall/winter…
1bellastager says
PS I'm not help at all b/c now the leather is growing one me…it would cozy up the place with it being Fall,as the other ladies have said, plus it complements the burlap nicely (of which I think you should just let it be b/c it looks AWESOME).
1bellastager says
I love leather, but I think the (ironed) white slipcover will look nice & clean. Another suggestion, if I may, is to see what it looks like to place the two larger pillows square on the back of the couch and your super snazzy placemat pillow in the center, in front of them. Great job!
Heather@PixieDust says
cute – i love the little pom poms
Barbie says
I love white slipcovers but in this case I say keep the leather. It is beautiful in your space and the pillows look best against it. Just my opinion. 😉 I also like the burlap pillow just the way it is. Have a wonderful day!
Bee's Place says
I love the pillow. I think for spring/summer the slipcover with the pattern side of the pillow showing. For fall/winter, I like the leather and having the burlap side of the pillow facing out. I would want to put the family initial on the burlap side (letters and numbers are so big in decorating right now).
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
I can't choose between slipcover or no slipcover. I love the pillows, and I do think that a flower in the corner of the burlap or something cute stenciled would be cute. But they also look really nice "as is."
Krista@thegatheringplacedesign says
You own it! 😉 Freaking cute pillows…great job! I think I might be the only one to say I like the burlap pillow as is. Not to say that it wouldn't look nice with something added, but I think it looks great. I think both couch looks are great as well, but I'm preferring the leather. Maybe because it's fall.
Angela Cooling says
The leather without the slipcover looks the best!!!
~Country Lady~ says
Hands down I prefer the look of leather! There's an air or character and charm to well worn leather. It speaks of quality and years of memories. The slipcover IMO looks just like the name….a slip covering a sofa. I am not a fan of slipcovers and especially with children moving and living on them. To me it's just not practical. That's my .02 cents, and your placemat pillow is fantastic. I think a nice short French saying would look great stenciled on the pillow such as: "C'est La Vie"
Nina Patricia @ The Adventures of Nina Patricia says
I love the look of leather, the more weather the better for me, so my 2 cents is the leather (like they said-specially for fall)
I think a Monogram would look fantastic on the already awesome people.
And yes,you are AWESOME. I believe that memo was already sent.
Creative Decor by Brooke says
I have seen this done before but that is the cutest one I have seen. Love the little pom-poms. Makes me want to go placemat shopping. Love it.
Brooke
Jenny says
I like the slipcovered look! It seems to brighten the space a lot.
Blondie's Journal says
I love the burlap pillow as is. What were you thinking of doing? As is, it can go with just about anything! And I love the slipcovered look. Great job!
xoxo
Jane
Chris says
As soon as I scrolled to the slipcover, I exclaimed, "Oooooh!" While I was sitting here by myself. Perhaps that answers your question? I love it!
Kelley says
I must be the lonely leather vote! We also have a leather couch in need of restaining, but you know what? Worn leather couches have so much character and warmth — they say to me that this is a place where family has spent many happy times together!
Love the idea of a fabric flower on the burlap. Or stencil a big ol' lastname initial?
Lorie says
I love the slip cover and I think your burlap needs something….but I don't know what. Maybe a flower made from pleated ribbon? Three little ones bunched together in the corner.
They all look great.
Fatima -Scrapart says
Great job and great idea , the placemat!!!!I love to decorate with pillows im my bedroom and my livingroom. Hugs.Fatima-Scrapart.
Natalie says
I also like the idea of leather for fall & covered for spring/summer.
Do you have any other pillows in the room with stencils? If you do, then I say leave it. If you don't, I would do either an initial or a number.
Stitches by Katy says
The burlap definitely needs something. Maybe a fabric flower, asymetrically placed to the right or left? I also enjoy the slipcover with these pillows. Much more than the leather. Great job, Beth! Love the idea! I spend way too much time in the fabric store trying to find the right fabric for pillows 🙂
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
Love the idea of the different looks for different seasons! What about stenciling a silhouette onto that pillow??
Tracey says
I am a fan of leather and slipcovers–what about leather for fall/winter and slips for a spring/summer look?