Christine Skaley, founder of Pillow Throw Decor, launched her decor designing and drapery workroom business after retiring from 26 years in the business world.
She enthusiastically expresses her love of fabric and creating unique designs, ” Fabric fascinates me! I could work so much faster if I didn’t stop so often to admire the fabric I’m working with. Colour, texture and even the sound of fabric is what keeps me up all night and gets me going again in the wee hours of the morning.”
With such a deeply felt love for her craft it comes as no surprise, that Christine creates stunning, unique and fashionable decorative pillows and throws.
Tell us about Pillow Throw Decor
My passion is designing and creating one-of-a-kind, luxury, decorative pillows and throws with designer, “to the trade” fabrics. My “Eclections” include eco, funky, modern, retro, traditional, geek, chic and almost everything else.
One of my Pillow Throw Decor signature lines, ”Pocket Pillows” is a huge hit for apartment dwellers with limited space or geeks like me that like to have my electronics close at hand. My second signature line “Luxe and Found” incorporates high end fabrics with upcycled materials and found objects like belts, hardware, telephone and electrical wiring and more. Here lies “the best of the best ” in my family of GEEK PILLOWS. These pillows have so much character they can talk. I will soon be launching a line of DIY designer pillow kits for the love of cheap chic! Beginner or advanced, home décor for anyone.
What inspired you to create and launch Pillow Throw Decor?
I completed a bedroom ensemble with 16 coordinating pillows for a client. I enjoy it so much I just never stopped creating pillows, pillows and more pillows! You can never have too many pillows. They‘ll always make you feel happy and loved.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Magazines. I always have two or three current magazines stuffed in my bag. I follow trend and color experts and especially love watching fashion and home décor trends in Europe. The fashion industry has huge influence on home décor right now!
 Eco-Chic, fashion Inspired decorative pillows by Christine Skaley for Pillow Throw Decor. |
Tell us about a favorite home decorating or remodeling project.
While the renovation of my sister’s home would not have been exciting for anyone else, I was thrilled when she gave me carte blanche to update 32 years of wear and tear. I wrestled her for the beauty pleat drapes and smuggled two antique armchairs out from basement storage. Their restoration was amazing as was the whole house and that’s a good thing because it will probably be another 32 years before she’ll let me at it again!
Many of us have a product we bought for our home-that now makes us think-”what was I thinking” - do you have one?
My worst faux pas? Two black leather club chairs. They have a sleek contemporary style but are so uncomfortable. That was a real reminder that comfort should be your number one priority when buying furniture.
What’s your personal design style? Has it evolved over time?
I love traditional style with lots of dark wood. I’ve started to introduce stronger brighter colors and bolder prints.
If you could design your dream room-what décor, what style, and what color palette would you use?
I would love to create a room from the orient with red walls, lacquered black furniture, and lots of jade and mother of pearl accoutrements.
What’s your favorite color ?
That’s a tough one. I love color! Shades of green are my favorites.
What are your favorite pieces of home décor from your home or elsewhere?
Our 5 piece dining room set is our favorite. It represents so many happy memories of family gatherings and the curio cabinets house our collections from our worldwide travels. The grandchildren love to play with a globe on a stand and hear about where each piece has come from. Lastly, an antique lectern which holds our family bible just barely in reach for little fingers to turn the onion skin pages.
What’s your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
My sewing room. It houses 10 of my 12 different sewing machines. It’s like one big toy box!!!
Who’s your favorite designer?
I’m too new in the business to have strong opinions on one or another. Right now I find them all fascinating.
What are your favorite blogs or home design/improvement websites-and why?
- Get Decorating.com: pictures pictures and more pictures of dream homes
- Better Homes and Gardens: their ideas are so affordable and manageable
What are your favorite design television shows, magazines, and/or books?
I love any and all decorating magazines but Canada’s Style at Home and Traditional Home are favorites.
Favorite books:
- Scalamandre Luxurious Home Interiors
- The Style Source Book by Judith Miller
- Window Treatments by Karla J. Nielson… the window Covering Bible
Do you have a decorating, design or remodeling tip you’d like to share with thedecoratingdiva.com readers?
When you buy your next home do as much of the redecorating or renovating right away and live there long enough to enjoy it all! Too often I see home owners doing all these things to get a house ready for sale only for all their efforts to be enjoyed by new owners.
Contact Information
Christine Skaley
Web:
Pillow Throw Decor on Etsy
Pillow Throw Decor on Icraft
Blog: Pillow Throw Decor Blog
Twitter: Pillow Throw Decor on Twitter
We’d like to thank Christine Skaley of Pillow Throw Decor for sharing her design inspirations, entrepreneurial journey and unique decorative accessory designs with The Decorating Diva.com readers.
