What's your favorite thing for spring?

So I was sitting here in the library (our office/stockroom/playroom) where I have an excellent view of all the fab products that PilLove carries. It's a really inspiring place to be but at the same time it's daunting as you have a complete overview of all the things that you have yet to sell!

I had my accountant here the other day (closing the books for this year) and I was happy because I had a positive result this year....I had roughly around 1000 sek in profit this year and then I hadn't been able to withdraw any salary for myself for the last one and half year that the business have been running. So if you wanna get rich don't start this kind of business ;-)

I do love it though and I have learnt so many things in the last couple of years that I wouldn't trade the experience for any money in the world (...well maybe 10 million Swedish crowns could change my mind ;-). I have taken the position from day one that this is something that I will do as long as it is fun, and if I can bare the thought that it's not gonna make me stinking rich (I will have to make do with a pillow cover or two ) then that's fine.

Coming back to our library/office/stockroom....I was looking at all the pretty, colorful and just lovely items that we have adorning our walls, I decided that if I were to close down my business today I have an ocean of lovely items to decorate and make our home even prettier. That's when it hit me....what are my favorites at the moment and so here they are....here's my wishlist for Spring/Summer 2011:

Let me know what your favorites are and also if you'd love to see me stock a brand or product that you have a hard time finding on the Scandinavian market.

Lots of love,

C.

So here below you will find a pic or the item that's on my list:

1. The most wonderful flower pillows, handsewn in designer fabric.

2. A beautiful Suzani at the end of our bed (first picture shows one of the two Suzanis that I have fore sale in the shop)

3. Pillow with a statement. Organic felt pillow covers with cool statements.

4. Now these owls will never get old, they are ful of personality and just says "fun". Handmade by a woman in Malasia.

5. Lovely pillows from Bonjour mon Coussin my favorite - Flower - second from top.

6. An explosion of colors are the covers in PilLove's own collection. Usually done in kimonofabric or batik fabric. Here's a selection of the range.

So I had a little Marrakech inspired party

...in the garden yesterday. Well not really, but it does look like it from the pictures I took. I felt inspired to inspire and thought I'd make an installation with some of my favorites from the store. They all contribute to make the outdoors so much more inspirational and extend your livingspace as you suddenly - with summer arriving - have that extra room...hmmm...well that is if you have a garden, terrace or balcony, otherwise you're screwed ;-) You simply have to carry your lovelys to a park or the beach...that works as well! Anyway here are the pics....enjoy your day in the sun!

Lots of Love

C.

So what you see is my batik floor pillows; the green one in the bambo chair that I actually spray painted black the other day, and the pink one on the floor. The Uzbek Suzani as the table cloth, STUNNING! The zebra patterned pillows in green and pink, the Hmong shawl draped over the chair and the Bonjour mon coussin pillows in the bambo chair as well. All the way in the back is one of my paintings "You are exactly where you ought to be".

Batik pillow for the floor 70x70 cm and painting...ah! what gorgeous colors!

More batik pillows sold in a set of three...this pic shows two out of the three...

Funky Bonjour mon Coussin pillows in my newly painted chair with a lovely batik pillow (70x70 cm)

Hmong shawl in the back, hand printed zebra pillows, the third batik pillow (from the set of three) and my painting.

Another one of my paintings "Lonely is not the only company"

Suzanis in beautiful colors

Two beautiful Suzanis are now added to my wonderful collection of textiles. Suzani is a Persian word meaning "needle", which is used to describe these two wonderful 1976 and 1971 Uzbek embroideries. Any of these two Suzanis would make a wonderful addition to any sofa, armchair or bed. They will add that certain "je ne sais quoi" that sets you apart from everyone else. They just ooze with history and brings character and soul to any room.

History:

Traditionally, mothers would start embroidering large strips of cotton or silk cloth at the birth of a daughter. When that daughter was old enough to learn to embroider, she and her friends would take on completing the work, which was used for bed, wall coverings, and other types of home decoration.

Suzani patterns are drawn on by hand, and like all imperfect handmade treasures, sometimes the stitching covers all the outlines, sometimes not! Each roundel of swirls and flowers is meant to bring the "Garden of Eden" - a lifetime of happiness and prosperity - into the home. Because of the age and usage, the suzanis do show stains, small holes and other signs of usage. I think this adds greatly to its character.

Suzani no 1: Raspberry red light cotton sateen is satin-stitched in off-white, gold, pumpkin, grass green, purple, mint and black heavy hand-dyed cotton thread. Various colored chainstitched outlines and borders. The suzani is unlined.. Measures: 70" x 72" or 178 x 183 cm.

Price 4000 SEK

To order or to get more pictures, please send me an email

Suzani no 2: Pale warm grey heavy silk sateen is satin-stitched in yellow, coral, pink, olive, kelly, sage, purple and tan heavy hand-dyed cotton thread. Border patterns are outlined in a chain-stitch of charcoal grey. Double bands of hand chain-stitched 1/2" trim border the piece, which is unlined. Measures: 71" x 53" or 180 x 134 cm

Price 4000 SEK

To order or to get more pictures, please send me an email

Keep in mind that this is textile art at it's finest. When you buy a vintage hand embroidered Suzani, you buy a piece of history. The holes, spot or stains are the imprint of history. You either like it or you don't. Either way it is part of its charm and what makes it unique and valuable. One thing is for sure - when draped over a bed or a sofa - it will make the furniture pop in the room!