COTE DE TEXAS: Pillow Talk

Pillow Talk

 

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Readers of my blog know that I am personally pillow challenged.   For clients – I have no problem picking out pillows – and rarely even give it a second thought.   For myself  - it’s a totally different story.   When I bought a new sofa a few years ago – I began a long search for pillows:  an embarrassing number of sets passed through my doors and out again at an alarming rate.   There were the striped cotton ones, the gray and white toile ones, the feed sack ones, the silk velvet tiger ones, until finally – I settled on the Oly Studio zebra ones – which I loved.  That is, until I moved my zebra rug downstairs and it all became just too – zebra-y.   I wrote about  my pillow issues HERE and many readers weighed in with their opinions of what I should replace them with.  There were some great suggestions and  in the end, I settled on a deep pink linen to match the suzani throw (a lot of readers had suggested this.)   That is until I changed my mind – and decided on a deep brown velvet (another reader idea.)     The latest from the workroom is they are currently making up both colors, one for summer, and one for winter.   I’ll keep you posted.   I had thought the subject of me and pillows was finally over for good, until now.   I’m totally afraid I might change my mind yet again,  when Rebecca Vizard rolls into town this next week with her entire stock of fabulous hand made, antique pillows.  Oy.  

 

 

image Becky Vizard surrounded by all her beautiful pillows. 

 

Vizard owns B.Viz Design which makes all different kinds of hand made pillows using beautiful antique textiles such as tapestries, suzanis, and vintage Fortuny.   There are also embroidered pillows, appliquéd pillows and stump work pillows – the thread actually becomes three dimensional.   Vizard lives and works at Locustland Plantation in St. Joseph, Louisiana, where her studio looks out over a picturesque cotton field, pecan orchard and Lake Bruin.   She is an important figure in her tiny, impoverished town – employing many of its Delta women to stitch the antique textiles into true works of art.   B. Viz Design was born when interior decorator Vizard couldn’t find what she needed for a project.   On a hunt, she found some antique textiles and bought up the lot – creating pillows out of it.  Gerrie Bremermann of New Orleans was an early devotee who carried the goods in her Magazine Street store.   The big break, though, came when Neiman Marcus discovered Vizard and ordered her pillows for all their stores.    The business has been growing steadily ever since.   Becky is always on a search around the globe for her priceless textiles and her collection is extensive.  Some pieces, such as the fragile ecclesiastic textile fragments are held onto for many years until she finds the perfect trim to accompany it.    

 

 

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An 18th century metallic applique and trim applied to a pillow made of soft aqua colored velvet.

 

Vizard works with top interior designers around the country and her pillows appear in more magazines than you can count.   She is bringing her inventory to Houston this Monday, November 2nd through Wednesday, November 4th to one of my favorite haunts – Watkins Culver.   Her pillows are so beautiful – and quite tempting!   I’m sure I will be in big trouble here when I see all the pillows together.   Help!!!!  

 

 

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A chocolate and white Fortuny is classic.

 

Accompanying Becky to Watkins Culver will be her good friend Ann Connelly whose twenty-year old art gallery, Ann Connelly Fine Art, is located in nearby Baton Rouge, Louisiana.   Connelly will be  bringing an assortment of fine French and Italian school drawings, as well as some contemporary works.   Connelly started her gallery with the antique works on paper – traveling to Paris several times a year in search of art to present to local interior designers.  Her business has continued to grow through the years, and today, the gallery is over 3400 sq. ft.    Along the way, Connelly moved into contemporary works –  her gallery now has a roster of over 30 artists.   She sells to the public but continues to concentrate on providing decorators with art for their clients.    Ann still travels extensively, as Becky does – and the two now often do so together, having recently returned from Venice.

 

 

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Ann Connelly Fine Art specializes in both contemporary and antique works. 

 

If you are in Houston this coming week – be sure to drop in at Watkins Culver and see Vizard’s and Connelly’s art work!  Details of the event are at the end of this post.

 

 

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A few of my favorite designs, this vintage Suzani pillow, of course!  These pillows would actually look great in my family room.  Oh no!!!

 

 

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Blue and white Fortuny – these pillows would be so pretty on a white slipcovered sofa with apple green walls.  

 

 

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This Fortuny would be beautiful in a bedroom or on a living room sofa.

 

 

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The tapestry remnant pillows are gorgeous.   Like these.

 

 

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And these – wonderful for a chair.

 

 

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There is a nice sized selection of antique appliqué pillows.  

 

 

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A beautiful antique damask pillow with trim – so pretty on a living room sofa.

 

 

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How fun!  Antique suzani stockings.   There are also little pillows for wedding ring bearers – and a host of other soft ornaments.  

 

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B.Viz Design pillows have been featured in dozens of interior design  magazines.  Many of the pictures are quite well known – see how many you recognize.  Here, Vizard’s pillow made the front cover of Veranda.

 

 

image In this well known photograph, a pillow for Phoebe Howard.

 

 

 

imageGerrie Bremermann is a huge fan of  B. Viz pillows – here two tapestries rest in chairs.

 

 

 

imageBarry Dixon uses Vizard’s pillows on many jobs.  What a beautiful picture!

 

 

image One of the more popular rooms on the blogosphere from two years ago – Fiona Newell Weeks.

 

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The pillows made it on this bed from Mary Evelyn McKee.

 

 

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And on this bed by Barbara Westbrook.

 

 

 image  A large  B. Viz pillow in Southern Accents for Phoebe Howard.

 

 

imageAnother well known photograph – two pillows rest in the front chairs.  Gerrie Bremermann.

 

 

 

imageCharles Faudree is another fan.

 

 

 

image Yes, B. Viz is in this famous photograph too!  

 

 

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Another cover story for House Beautiful. 

 

 

 

image Suzanne Kasler used B. Viz pillows in several rooms in this house – featured in House Beautiful.

 

 

 

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Barbara Westbrook – in the Belgian House cover story in House Beautiful - used several pillows from B. Viz Design. 

 

 

image  Christopher Maya used B. Viz pillows for this published house. 

 

 

 

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Joining B. Viz Design, art from Ann Connelly Fine Art gallery will also be at the show at Watkins Culver.

 

 

imageAlong with the framed works on paper will be some contemporary art work.

 

 

 

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Ann Connelly’s art studio is also featured in many magazine spreads.  Here, the Vera Wang Couture Campaigne used a painting from the gallery.

 

 

imageAnd, here too – more art work from Ann Connelly.

 

 

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This charming living room features antique pieces on paper from Ann Connelly’s gallery.

 

 

image  While this bedroom used a contemporary work of art from Ann Connelly Fine Art.  Interesting curtain feature here. 

 

 

 

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Information about the show at Watkins Culver.  Call 713-529-0597 for more details.

B.Viz Design’s web site is HERE.   Ann Connelly Fine Art’s web site is HERE.

52 comments :

  1. This made my heart go pitter patter and my knees go weak. You see I’m a pillow freak! Loved … loved … loved these pillows. True confession here … I have a closet full … yes indeed …. from the bottom to the top. It is a quick way to get an entirely new look in the snap of a finger.

    Thanks Joni for alerting me to another pillow creator. As always, you have done your research.

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  2. Joni,
    Pillows are to a room what whipped cream is to a cake!
    I love pillows on all the rooms of my home, even on the floor just laying there to be beautiful!
    You gave us a lot of ideas and the pillows of B.VIZ DESIGN are gorgeous!

    Have a nice weekend!

    Greet

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  3. Wow, so much beauty in this post. B. Viz Design is a name I am not familiar with, but it is now a name I will never forget!

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  4. I'm a pillow freak. In fact, I fell so in love with a couple that I spotted in your post about Katie Stassi, that I found her number from her website and called to see if I could find out more about them. I was stunned and embarrassed that she answered (from her cell - rollover from her office). I was expecting an assistant to answer. She could not have been more kind -- I mean an absolute doll, as I stuttered through my reason for calling. Those Pillows!!! This was just yesterday. They came from B. Viz Design. Unfortunately, they're not in my budget at the moment and, of course, they were one of a kind, but one day....

    Thanks, Joni, for another beautiful post.

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  5. Joni just think like this...the pillows are the necklace in the room, the lamps are the earrings.
    Just pull all the colors from your throw in silk with velvet welting make sure the inserts are down and your done...
    Always remember to be kind to yourself, it is always harder to do our own homes than to do clients...it just works that way...
    Regards, Carol Ann x

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  6. I first heard about B.Viz through one of your early posts and sometimes visit her website to dream about those pillows on two of my chairs. Maybe someday I will take the plunge and buy a few. They are so beautiful and I'm glad that she has had such success with the designers. Deborah

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  7. Love love love this post, Joni!
    Those pillows are gorgeous and I will look out for B.Viz Design.
    I love the paintings, they are incredibly beautiful. I enjoy abstract art.

    You know, sometimes make it a bit of a pillow game. I love to exchange them once in a while.
    You room is so pretty!


    Happy Halloween!

    XX
    Victoria

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  8. Pillows... I agree Joni the most difficult decision of all and the hardest design element to do well. They make or break a room but these tapestry remnant pillows would do wonders for any room, xv.

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  9. These pillows are gorgeous and definitely the perfect accent to a sofa, chair, bed. But,.... at $1550plus, they are pretty much what I budgeted for the chair! So, I for one will have to live vicariously through the pictures!

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  10. So you'll have a pillow wardrobe! As Toby was just reminding me, often there is not just one right answer.

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  11. Oy is right!! Her pillows are to-die-for!!!! I adore antique pillows! I just might have to make that photo of bviz at the top my screen saver!!;)

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  12. Oh poor Joni, you are going to be in trouble, how can you go and visit these amazing pillows and not purchase one. We have a joke in my house,"I have never met a pillow I did not like, we also add lamps in that category." I have storage boxes according to colors, that is how bad I am. Unfortunately I have a beautiful linen floral on my sofa so the pillows are not changed any more but when I had a striped sofa I changed with the seasons or just my mood, Have fun and take lots of pictures,can not wait to see what you get. Kathysue

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  13. I love the room as is BUT I get that you don't, and are determined to change it. When we stop wanting to change the decor of our homes is the day they might as well put us 12 ft. under.

    What I want to know is where did you get the suzani? Can I get one too, or it it extinct?
    Keep up the good work. Love from one Texan to another,
    www.rivieraboardwalk.com

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  14. How fun. I am reading your blog in the Washington DC area and ran across the Fiona Weeks photo. Not only is she a friend, I made some of the pillows. What a great surprise!

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  15. Pillows are so fun and easy to make. I love finding odd pieces of fabulous fabric and making new ones for all the seasons or just as a whim. You've shown some gorgeous ones. Hugs, Marty

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  16. Omigosh! Some people have more talent in their little finger than I have in my whole body! These pillows are just scrumptuous! That first picture of her lying among all of those gorgeous tapestry pillows is breath taking. Who cares what a sofa looks like if you have one or two of these on it! laurie

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  17. When the May 2008 House Beautiful arrived on my doorstep with the Barbara Westbrook designed living room on the cover, I fell in love. For me, that room is flawless. And, of course, the pillows were just perfect. When I turned to the master bedroom page with two more pillows on the bed, I remember thinking...oh my goodness...what I would give for pillows like that!. While I can't get them right now, I'm saving her name for the future.

    As far as your family room is concerned, my thought is...if you find some you love, buy them. Think of the pleasure you'll have seeing them everyday.

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  18. I adore these pillows. There is no question that just one of these antique fabrics would add a lot of depth and richness to any decor. Joni, I can't wait to see what you buy at the show. I have a large piece of Flemish tapestry that came off of a bench that I recovered in another fabric. My brain is working overtime to make a couple of new pillows.

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  19. Uh oh. You are going to have sooo much fun! So many temptations. One of my favourite antique rug dealers made up some Aubusson pillows a few years ago, and of course I had to snap those up. They are in my bedroom window seat where the sheepdog Apple likes to rest her head at night!

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  20. My love of art and textiles together in one post. Joni my heart is fluttering. Check my latest paintings. You will be happy to know that I am blogging at least once a week now! This is one of your most beautiful posts!

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  21. GORGEOUS post today!!! I have been working so much lately that I haven't been able to oogle over your posts lately....So glad I am off today! The pillows and artwork..swwooonnnnn!!! I wish they were coming to my town next week!

    Can't wait to see your new pillows.....my 2 cents .. stick with solid colors so that your zebra rug and suzani POP! :)

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  22. Thank you all for such kind words....I hope many of you can come to the show...whether you need pillows, art work, or not...the atmosphere is amazing at Watkins Culver! I'm busy designing more pillows to keep everyone working around here while I'm out of town. I'm also bringing suzanis, the Christmas stockings and heart ornaments, and some fabulous renaissance textiles that I couldn't resist in France this summer. Hope to meet many of you in person! bviz

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  23. Joni- I love your family room. I love how chic it is, yet it is also comfortable. My own "Mr. Slipper Socks" could take quite a nap on your sofa. I love your zebra rug, and can't wait to see how your new pillows look.

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  24. Gorgeous pillows! I wish I had a source out here for antique textiles. Unfortunately there is not a scrap to be found. Thanks for sharing these two great sources.

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  25. Sometimes I take all my pillows and put them in the closet and GASP live without pillows!
    xo xo

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  26. Love the art, particularly the green with black...it has a landscape feel to it, awesome color! I like the fact that the pillow designer is bringing employment to her community, very cool stuff!

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  27. Wow. Those are fabulously pretty.

    You know, we're getting into our own little pillow issues, here. I love the look of pillows and the easily added color, texture, pattern they bring to a room - *but* there are six of us living here now, and couch space is a prime commodity. We actually use our living room all the time (it's where the books are!) and - 9 times out of 10 - when we're in the living room the pillows have all been tossed on the floor so we can use the sofas. Does this happen to anyone else? On the rare occasion that just *one* person is using the sofa, a down pillow for rest time is great or to lean against in the corner as you read. But, how do we take care of this pillow-on-the-floor issue?

    ~Jacci

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  28. Hello joni,

    thanks for sharing this, i looooooooooove the B. Viz Design, first time i hear about them, but not the first time i see them :-)

    The Ann Connelly fine art is also fantastic, like always you know the true meaning of things, whats a room with out pillows and art. nothing.

    Thanks

    David

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  29. I have a good friend who got 3 for her living room. I just about hit the floor when I found out how much she paid for them... but they made the room. (And for that price, they should have)!

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  30. Gorgeous pillows and a gorgeous pots.

    Sadly, I will never own any of these as they are far too expensive for my Yorkie to lay on all day. Any pillow is his to do with as he wishes, which is to usually sleep on.

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  31. omg suzani stockings! I need to make new stockings for myself and the hubs this year... the old country patchworks just aren't doing it for me anymore. Beautiful, beautiful pillows and pics as usual, Joni, but thanks most of all for that little creative spark that just went off in my brain!

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  32. B. Viz is the top shelf of pillows. There are so many antique and dealer group shops where you can find amazing pillows in Houston.

    Try Antiques on Dunlavy and 2620 for Dana Aichler's creations. Better price points for these trying economic times.

    I also bet that you will find some amazing pillows at the Urban Market/Houston November 8th.

    At least from this article you know what you are looking for. You covered the subject so well Joni. I would stop into Watkins & Culver to see these beautiful pillows and chat with Miss Kim anyway.

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  33. Jacci - Try putting a pretty, large basket with some magazines in it next to the sofa - then layer the extra pillows on top when you need the room. !!!!

    Joni

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  34. I am a HUGE pillow fan and have admired bviz's pillows since I found her site last year through House Beautiful's feature on her Fortuny Christmas stockings.

    While I love to drool over her works of art, like many others, they are not in my price point.
    I've continued to search for fortuny, etc that is in my price point as I LOVE it, and I recently have had some luck in my search! I have found a girl on Etsy - her seller name is bluetm. She is the only one I have found there who sells fortuny pillows, and they are relatively affordable (given that they are fortuny)! She also works with other vintage and antique textiles, particularly french ones. NOT NEARLY as wonderful as bviz.com pillows, but a very affordable price point and she always has a handful of wonderful, no-fills pillow.

    She has previously listed Fortuy lavender sachets for 18.00 - 22.00 each, which I think is a WONDERFUL Christmas gift for anyone who loves vintage textiles - it's also perfect for the budget-minded Christmas shopper (aren't we all!?).

    Just wanted to share my newest source for affordable pillows until I can afford a bviz original! =)

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  35. I meant to say gorgeous post, not pots. Sorry!

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  36. I see a pillow fight about the ensue!
    I wish you luck, finding pillows....love to see what you find...the blue and whites are stunning and then all those b.Viz are making my pillows very insecure.
    pve

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  37. Joni, you RUN (not walk) to that show as fast as your two legs will carry you and get your pillows! Those are classic and timeless and make my heart flutter. I am in love with antique textiles, and these would be perfect for your room! Get them! Get them NOW!

    You can lounge around on the others, but you need these as major eye candy. Oh, what glorious pillows. If Mr. Magpie didn't have me on a short leash, I could get next to any of those beauties in a New York minute. ;-)

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  38. Gorgeous pillows and art--two very talented ladies!

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  39. Oh, why did you show me these pillows? I am going to crawl under my desk and curl up right this minute.

    Oh my, I could die. These are gorgeous.

    Don't expect me to help you resist! That would be just plain wrong. Besides, the "pillow planets" are aligned.

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  40. Honestly, the pictures of the pillows are gorgeous, but nowhere near as gorgeous as the B.Viz in real life. They are truly exquisite works of art.

    Ann Connelly certainly has a wonderful gallery! One of the best in entire La. She represents some really fine, fine artists in our region and visiting her place is such a treat :)


    Wish I could be there!

    xoxo,

    Andrea

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  41. "Fabulous, Absolutely Fabulous!" is all I can say about my BViz pillows. They are truly a difference maker to any room and worth the extra pennies. Becky is an incredible artist and designer with impeccable taste and a talent for searching the world AND finding beautiful antique textiles. Each of her pillows has a worldly tale in addition to being wonderful to look at. I do love my BViz pillows (and stockings)!....

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  42. Pillows do change the mood of a room, they can make or break a room too. I can understand your dilemma.

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  43. Wow! Gorgeous pillows! Beautiful art work! Such talent! What a treat to know that they are just down the road!

    Adrienne

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  44. Joni, it doesn't occur to me that you are pillow challenged, I love your house and the way you decorate it and your current pillows are so fabulous! Great pillow post, we can always count on you to go big or go home even when discussing pillows :)
    x
    Maria

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  45. Oh boy, that large white canvas made me gasp...just lovely!

    Best,
    Michelle

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  46. All gorgeous, lovely work! I love the home with the teal farm style doors

    I love to use black/white/cream pillows throughout the year and then update during different moods/seasons by adding a few slip covered ones with them.

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  47. Your room is so pretty and those pillows by B.Viz Designs are stunning!

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  48. oh my goodness!!! i saw so many of my favorite rooms & had never notcied they all had THE pillows!!! and that one photo of the JC art hanging over the bed (CL I think?) is one of my FAVORITES!!! I want to do that so badly somewhere! just gorgeous..

    also, I too have a pillow problem. I absoulately LOVE doing plans for clients but have such issue in my own LR!!! it's terrible!!! I've already had so many in & out & have been happy with none of them!! eeesh

    xoxo

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  49. It is so wonderful when a pillow is truly a work of art. I absolutely adore my aubusson pillows. Lovely to look at but so scratchy!

    My post today (11-4) features a house that I thought you might like. I linked to your blog regarding one room I thought you might like.

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  50. Joni, I adore mirrors...not for looking in, (LOL) but for looking at! :-) I loved so many of the ones you showed in this post. Another amazing post! I wish you could put this Top 10 series in a book to sell. I know you can't...but I can't help wishing you could! They are fabulous posts...so packed with inspiration and great information for your readers!
    Thanks for creating such amazing posts for us to read! We sooo appreciate you!
    Susan

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