My friends thought I was crazy when I installed two white slip covered sofas into our family room. I'll admit, with three kids and a dog whose favorite past time is rolling in dirt, white sofas might not have been the most popular choice, but I love the crisp look and versatility that accompanies a white sofa--its the perfect blank canvas for a myriad of great looks. While the sofa has stayed (going on 8 years and dozens of washings), I've changed up the pillows often--bright yellow one summer, a cool blue ikat print another. Its a quick fix that can really transform a room--and its much easier to change out a pillow than a sofa! 

A blue-and-white scheme is timeless and perfectly updated with wooden bead trim. 

 Design House, Southampton

This weeks article for Hamptons Magazine features a classic white sofa instantly updated with five great pillows looks. You can read the article here. 

This bold and beautiful Ombre Istanbul velvet and linen Pillow adds a dash of drama to your room, Mecox Gardens, Southampton. 


Timeless traditional or boho chic? You can have both! Change up your pillows and transform your room in an instant.

KARATE CHOP

 Designer Celerie Kemble does the chop.

Do you karate chop your pillows? In an effort to "fluff up" a pancake thin down pillow, many people resort to the "karate chop"; puffing the pillow and then chopping down the middle leaving a large V indentation.  The karate chop seems to evoke the wrath of some in the design community. In a recent interview, designer Michael Smith said something to the effect that a karate chopped pillow should be punishable by jail time! There is even a Facebook Fan page "Don't you hate it when you karate chop your pillow in half!!" (258 fans).

While I'm not a big fan of the full-blown "chop," I don't think it's an offense that should require jail time. As with most things, moderation seems to produce the best results. A tiny indentation on the top of the pillow leaves a shallow, subtle scoop, producing a fluffy, inviting pillow.  And so, the debate goes on-what do you think of the Karate Chop?

  Super Chop!

Desinger Carlton Varney karate chops his pillows

Modified karate chop from Eric Kohler

and Miles Redd...

COLORFUL IKAT

Big, bold and beautiful, Ikat print fabrics has been a tremendous design trend for the past year. The vibrant colors and unusual prints can bring the most dismal of rooms to life with their big visual impact. This exotic textile from Uzberkistan is woven on narrow loom in a process similar to tie-dye, creating a unique pattern that allows both sides of the fabric to be used.  I particularly love the guest bedroom designed by Steven Gambrel in Elle Decor which utilizes primary blue, red and yellow colors in a "tribal gone sophisticated" style.

The Ikat pillow collection from Madeline Weinrib Atelier offer a wide range of colors and styles sure to elevate your plain Jane white sofa to sophisticated new design heights.