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Is there such a thing as too many pillows?

Is there such a thing as too many pillows on a bed? I am going to apologize right now! This blog post is going to be photo heavy. There are just so many beautiful photos. (because of the decor not because of my photography). I will post lots of extras at the end.

Steve hates pillows unless it’s the one under his noggin! I – on the other hand, love pillows. I am not necessarily ‘the more the merrier’ but I love decorative pillows. I love switching them out seasonally. You can completely change the look of any room in your home with this one easy change.

 

I have a friend that beyoooooond loves pillows. She is on a level never met by any other human being. I don’t think Home Sense has as many pillows as her! Some of you know her as Janet – the hostess with the mostess…including the mostess pillows! Don’t think for a moment that this bed is staged for this blog. On any given day this is how ALL of the beds are made at Janet’s homes.

Janet is the pillow queen, pillow extraordinaire, pillow connoisseur, keeper of the pillows…It is rumoured that Janet has a 3rd son….she lost him under a pile of pillows and we have never met him.

So….while Janet cannot give us an unbiased answer to the question ‘Is there such a thing as too many pillows on a bed’? she can sure show us how to make a bed look stunning!!

I am up in the Muskokas just so that I can write this blog…well…that’s not the only reason…it’s our annual girl’s ‘theme trip’. Stay tuned…I feel a whole other blog coming out on that…..anyways…back to pillows….the only thing comparable to Janet’s pillow collection is her wine collection! Let’s pour a glass and have a tour of her absolutely stunning rooms in her equally stunning cottage.. while we ponder the ridiculously unscientific look at a question that is less than pressing…Is there such a thing as too many pillows? ( I tried to find a photo of Janet and I sharing a glass of wine but could only find photos of us after too many glasses of wine…this one is quite tame)

SO LET’S GET STARTED…decorating with pillows!

We are going to start at 2 pillows…cause everyone has at least 2 pillows right? One for his head and one for her head. TWO = B-O-R-I-N-G!! and when I say boring I just mean the pillow situation. There is nothing boring about this gorgeous comforter that Janet found at www.overstock.com

FOUR = Still pretty boring but for the ‘less is more’ person this might be your answer. Not gonna lie…when I am too lazy (which is often) to put out all the pillows this is what my beds look like day to day.

SIX – If you can do 6…you can do 8. So why stop here? These gorgeous linen monogrammed euros are from Pottery Barn

EIGHT- Janet is just getting started – things are starting to get interesting and still plenty of room for a couple of people

NINE – It is said that odd numbers in decorating are the best numbers and this looks beautiful as is….but seriously…we are talking the keeper of the pillows remember?

TEN- Janet’s just starting to get ramped up.

TWELVE – Now we’re talking – Pillow Talk – Doris Day and Rock Hudson eat your hearts out.

THIRTEEN – Geez… Things have officially gotten out of control!…maybe the whole pillow thing is an actual addiction and you should get help…maybe reign it in a bit?

Why stop at pillows?…not even kidding here folks… On any given day you will find a little extra something on Janet’s beds..whether it’s a throw blanket, a hat, a purse or …

…as in the guest rooms; bottles of water, chocolates and for our girls weekend….Hangover kits…which were much needed AND appreciated!

Anytime I come to Janets for a vacation I take a photo of the bed upon my arrival so that I know how to leave the pillows when I leave! If you don’t do this….it’s like a Rubiks Cube…impossible to get it back to the way it was.

 

I got to wondering if there is some actual history worthwhile knowing about these fluffy things we take for granted…turns out there is.

Pillows, also known as the comfy cosy things we lay our heads on for 8 hours a night while drooling and or snoring were first introduced around 7,000 BC in Mesopotamia.(ancient name for what is now Iraq…your welcome) They weren’t used for comfort though, they were used to raise your head to keep the bugs outta your mouth, nose and ears!!  It’s true…I Googled it!!! The more pillows you had the wealthier you were too…they were a complete status symbol!

 

You might not believe this but in ancient Egypt back in 2055-1985 BC pillows were made of wood and stone…OUCH!! That’s probably the origin of headaches too! Oh wait…I should have read the rest of the sentence…my bad…these stone and wooden pillows were associated with mummies and tombs for placing under the heads of the deceased. (that makes a bit more sense)

Janet’s love for pillows and bedding, in general, started up here in Muskoka. She would visit her grandmother and admire how perfectly the beds were made. She would make the beds until they looked exactly like her grandmothers. Your grandmother must be looking down at you with a huge smile Janet.

I asked Janet if she ever just wants to skip making the beds for a day and she said absolutely not! She finds making beds is very therapeutic. She loves folding and fluffing until she reaches perfection. For Jan it’s like a work of art. Trust me…I was listening in as she was making her bed…she had an entire conversation with herself about it!! It was hilarious…she came out of her room in a bit of a kerfuffle. There was something about the bed that just wasn’t sitting right with her. I had taken photos of it previously. We looked and compared…it seemed perfect to me… but to Janet, there was just something off about it. Soooooo we poured some more wine and it was fine! Wine fixes everything.

If you are a pillow newbie Janet does frequent Home Sense She says they always have great pillows. She doesn’t stop there though…she always has her eyes open for something new and different whether high end or Ikea. These Mongolian throw pillows are from Urban Barn. They are always in stock in multiple colours for approximately $100 You can find much cheaper ones on Amazon. I believe the buffalo checked duvet might be from Ikea.

 

“Pillows just need to resonate with me…my style, my colours, sometimes it’s just the feel of them, others I just love the look of them”. when asked how she chooses her pillows. Comfort is a non-factor since they don’t actually sleep on them. She only uses decorative pillows for exactly that….decor.  I actually noticed that she and her husband have hidden (ugly but sensible) pillows that they sleep on. You know the ones that are contoured for your neck.

What does Clement think of the pillows? He absolutely hates them!!! LOL, I was going to time her making a bed and I completely forgot. Hopefully, she leaves a comment below with an answer!

 

So how many pillows IS too many pillows? According to Janet “There is no such thing as too many pillows”! I counted the pillows in Janet’s cottage. In our count we included the bedrooms, 2 living rooms and the laundry room….cause doesn’t everyone have decorative pillows in their laundry room? …the grand total…..135!!!! That’s a LOT of pillows.

 

 

Probably the prettiest laundry room I have ever been in! Note the pillows and the colour of the wall. The walls are a beautiful cranberry red. The entire front entrance is done in this colour as well. One thing about Janet’s cottage that you notice as soon as you walk in the door is the colours! There is nothing monochromatic about it. It takes on the homiest feeling as soon as you walk in the doors.

These 4 photos are all from the ‘blue’ room. It is the prettiest shade of blue. I adore everything about this room.

 

I love how many different fabric patterns are on this bed! It is Grandmas room and the room that I always get to sleep in when visiting Janet on our girl’s trips. This room is perfection.

This room is beautiful and very calming. The canopy bed is stunning from the Bombay Store…is that still open?  You cannot help but feel a bit like a princess when you are sleeping in a canopy bed.

Often when Steve and I go up together we stay in the boathouse. We love the views and the breeze coming off the lake.  Note the smallest pillow in the cottage….ooh la la!!

I tried to hire a professional photographer to join me on this blog. Unfortunately, the ones that were recommended to me were not available on this day…sadly I have done no justice to how gorgeous these rooms are!!

Check back in the next week to learn about this  ‘almost DIY’ that I will be sharing in my next blog post…all about bedding care, tips and tricks to make your beds look as beautiful as Janets!! If you have any tips that you’d like to share private message me and I’ll be sure to include them.

Thanks, Janet for letting me share your gorgeous rooms with all of us. I have a feeling Home Sense is going to see their sales go up a bit in the pillow department after the blog!!

How many pillows do you put on your bed? Do you have a pillow obsession? My average is 6 if I go all out…I’m feeling like I need to step up my game a bit…sorry Steve.

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25 Comments

  • Reply
    Steve Duffield
    August 30, 2019 at 2:08 AM

    Some Pillow Talk: I have read that Cooking is actually more Calming than Pillow Collecting.

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 10:52 AM

      hahahahaha….you are such an idiot!! But I love you anyway. I love when you leave your comments…
      Move over Mr…I’m feeling some new pillows coming into the picture soon!

  • Reply
    Suzanne Colasimone
    August 30, 2019 at 3:04 AM

    GREAT blog Mare…… I’m just turning my bed down for the night and removed 7 pillows and left t2 ugly ones to sleep on I’d love more but already lack the space to pile the ones I have I guess I need a bigger room. The pictures are awesome, but you are absolutely right….. it’s SO much more beautiful when you are actually there. Janet certainly has impeccable taste in decorating for sure and more importantly, makes you feel so welcome in any of her homes. Cheers to pillows!!!! ???

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 10:57 AM

      Thank you, Sue!! Janet does have a way of making everyone welcome in all of her homes…and so do you my friend!!! I could just as easily blog about your beautiful home!! That punch of green in your living area is beautiful!!! You have amazing taste and an eye for beautiful details.
      7 Pillows??? That’s pretty good!!! I am looking forward to my next blog and will definitely include your bed linen tips!!
      Thanks for following along Sue and leaving a comment. xo.

      • Reply
        Beth Micioni
        August 30, 2019 at 3:16 PM

        Great blog & Steve’s comment is hysterical!

        • Reply
          Marion
          August 30, 2019 at 3:53 PM

          LOL Beth…how are you? So nice to hear from you!!! I always wonder how many people read other’s comments! LOL…he always has something cheeky to say. I hope you are Pete are doing great and enjoying your summer. Will we see you at 55 in Nov?

          • Beth Micion0
            August 31, 2019 at 2:18 AM

            Yes-enjoying last few weeks of NJ summer & hoping we are hurricane free, unlike our FL east coast (and maybe us too ) friends.
            Love your blogs, and honesty in your writing-it’s a talent!
            See you soon in 55!!

          • Marion
            September 2, 2019 at 11:21 AM

            Thank you Beth. Cheers 55!!

  • Reply
    Mo
    August 30, 2019 at 12:10 PM

    I LOVE janet’s cottage!!! And I LOVE Janet!!! (Especially cause she allows dogs to come too!!!!) ?. AND her beds are beautiful!!!!! AND this blog was so funny!!!!

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 3:11 PM

      lol…thanks!…and what’s NOT to love about that cottage? It’s like a resort with all the feels of home!!!…and ya…there IS the dog thing too!! LOL…Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Mo-mo…xo

  • Reply
    Mary Ferguson - Allan
    August 30, 2019 at 12:38 PM

    Wow beautiful!! and Andrew thought I was overboard with 8 think I’ll buy a couple more with a little bit of more zap to them. Mom xx

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 3:09 PM

      8 is a good amount!! LOL

  • Reply
    Jackie
    August 30, 2019 at 12:54 PM

    Lovely read! You guys take the simplest items to a whole other decor level. Truly gifted people :).

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 3:09 PM

      Hey Jackie!! ha ha…we do go large on some things, don’t we? LOL…I will definitely have to book another tea party with you and go large! FYI…Janet used your services for a tea party for her daughter’s baby shower. You might recognize her in the photo. I have been following the High Tea Trolly on FB….you are doing great and always so busy!!! Congratulations!

  • Reply
    Betty King
    August 30, 2019 at 1:31 PM

    Big problem….where to put all those pillows when tucking in for the night???

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 3:06 PM

      I was going to include a photo of what my room looked like at night…lol…but I was embarrassed!!! lol. I am not one of those people that piles them neatly…I am more in attack mode!!! So nice to hear from you Florida Ma!!!! Miss you!

  • Reply
    Mary Lynn
    August 30, 2019 at 1:43 PM

    Love this……saw a few more pillows hidden in the closet so 135 could be on the light side. Janet’s beds are a work of art and i must say they are as comfy as they look…i always sleep well there, maybe it’s the wine as well. And yes Marion it is a challenge to make them the same way in the morning, my friend Sue helps. Happy long weekend ML xo

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 2:59 PM

      HA HA ML….Sue IS a big help if there are no photos!! LOL… I think 135 is on the light side as well especially given the fact that we found some she didn’t even know she owned. I’d put money on more ‘lost’ pillows!!!

  • Reply
    marion hunter
    August 30, 2019 at 2:36 PM

    Fun blog Marion. If anyone has purchased ‘base colours’ for any room, great pillows can change any room up instantly to your every whim and wish. Love them.
    Our children’s ‘craft’ room has 31 pillows of various shapes , sizes , and patterns in it and the children, of all ages, love hiding and making forts. When they put them back it’s hilarious how they try to make patterns if THEIR whims an wishes.

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 30, 2019 at 2:57 PM

      You are so right Marion…Pillows can definitely change the look of any room instantly. I have so many pillow covers hanging downstairs. I tend to switch mine out when it suits me as opposed to piling a bunch on a bed or couch. I think it’s because I am too matchy-matchy in my decor. Janet never hesitates to throw in unexpected colour and has a knack for bringing it all together.
      I love that you have 31 pillows in your craft room! Lucky kids to even have their own craft room never mind all those pillows. My girls have some oversized pillows downstairs….but not near 31! I really DO need to step up my game!! LOL…as always Marion, thanks so much for your comments and your never-ending support!

  • Reply
    Val
    August 31, 2019 at 2:54 PM

    Wow, pillows pillows everywhere! Wonderful read ?Yes, Messere’s cottage is outstanding as is their hospitality!!? But I know all of our houses are outstanding, regardless of pillows, cuz we make our “house” a “home”! BTW, we only have 5 decorative pillows on our bed and Paul squawks at that! ?

    • Reply
      Marion
      August 31, 2019 at 8:02 PM

      You are right about that Val…we all have our own special way of making our house our home. 5 pillows and he complains? Seriously Paul? I bet King James loves to snuggle amongst them 🙂
      Thanks so much for taking the time to read the blog Val and of course for leaving your comments. I always enjoy reading what everyone has to say. xo

  • Reply
    Janet Messere
    September 9, 2019 at 2:28 PM

    So sorry Mare for the late response. xo

    Awwww Mare what a great blog….so sweet and all your kind words!!!!!
    You did a fab job….all your photos turned out GREAT, you didn’t need a professional photographer!!!
    As many pillows as I have….I still say there’s NEVER too many!! Lol
    I’ve never timed myself making my beds so I’ll guest a couple of minutes, next time when I’m up north I will.
    What a FUN time we had doing this together…..coming soon my fall and winter collection!!!! Lol
    Yes I really do have a fetish but I loved them!!! :
    Huge pillow hugs,
    Janet xoxoxoxxo

    • Reply
      Marion
      September 11, 2019 at 12:59 AM

      omgosh Janet!! It was so much fun! I’m thinking I might need to come back later this month….just because!!! xo

  • Reply
    Favourite Things Party - Savvy Snowbirds
    December 22, 2019 at 11:35 PM

    […] Guess who bought us the gift of pillows? LOL Do you remember my blog post on the crazy lady with all the pillows? If you missed it you can read it HERE […]

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