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The fast answer is they come from this packed cabinet. I honestly don’t know which I love more, the fabrics and weavings or the trimmings for them. The real term for them is passementerie. The French word includes the making of elaborate edgings, braid, gold or silver cord, embroidery, fringes, pompoms, rosettes, tassels, and beads. The Guild of Passementiers was created in the 16th century to recognize the skill and art required. Most of the fringes I use have European origins. For centuries, clothing with passementerie was reserved for elites, royalty, aristocracy, and religious vestments. Opulent homes were showplaces for...

Pictured are three pillows made with the amazing silk and metallic threads in ecumenical robes. Holy vestments, alter drapes, railing runners, and other church textiles rarely survive more than a few decades, if that. Frankly, I love the incredibly old pieces that show the character of sermons given and communions celebrated. One has only to travel in Europe to know that churches hold the most revered art – in paintings, tile work, frescos, iron work and stained glass.  The textiles used worn are no less artful, some museum quality. Museums of antique textile art would be thrilled to have some...

Remember the pillows in your parents’ home? Of course you do. You saw the same ones for as long as you lived there. I know my mother so valued the “designer” at her furniture store that she bought exactly what was recommended when my parents moved us into our brand-new home. The burnt orange and bright olive nubby silk pillows were propped up on the moss green sofa and harvest gold club chairs. This all resembled a magazine layout anchored in an olive-green shag carpet with threads of black for depth. Luxury from the early 60s for sure. That tableau...

  To me, this charming bird pillow represents the start of summer and a new season of flight. I’m so pleased to be announcing the opening of our Facebook Shop where I invite you to browse, dream, then purchase the perfect pillows for your rooms or as gifts! Yes, we have customers who remember pillows are a very thoughtful gift throughout the year. If you are new to Pillow Talk Direct, I invite you to scroll through the vintage and one of a kind plump pillows, many museum-quality textiles.  But there are contemporary and global styles, too. All handmade in...