What to do with cushions Summer-ready nails
What should I do with cushions?
When it comes to gorgeous fabrics, there’s little that Bolt of Cloth owner Suzannah Tonascia, hasn’t seen. From quirky and colourful Marimekko prints to subtle linens and traditional florals, Bolt of Cloth stocks them all. The queen of the couch makeover, Tonascia offers a free bespoke online cushion service: email her team a photograph of your in-need-of-help sofa and receive, in return, advice (and a mocked-up photo) on the perfect cushion combo.
“Most people would be surprised by how much impact it has on a room to simply change out some of the key cushions, keeping the plainer ones in place,” she says. “Switching cushions is a great way to breathe fresh air into a space. It takes little effort and is worth doing every two to three years. The result is a bit like the feeling you get from going on holiday.”
She says it’s always best to choose cushions in shades you love, whether patterned or plain. “Look at what colours are already in the room and choose one or two, then pick out new cushions with the same shades in them.”
How many cushions depends on two main factors: what’s comfortable and what will visually “fill the space”. It’s usually more than you think, she says. About three to eight per couch. And are odd or even numbers best? “The thinking used to be even numbers for a more traditional look and odd for more contemporary spaces. I have an aversion to adhering to pointless rules and think this is best ignored. Put some on your couch and have a play to see what looks good.”
Tonascia also has something to say about cushion inners. “I am passionate about investing in feather inners. We often encourage people to buy at least one feather inner and try it out. They usually convert the whole lot as the family competes to lean against the comfy cushion.
“Feather inners have a long life, so they aren’t disposed of regularly like Dacron. You simply plump them up regularly and reuse them when you change your cushion covers. They also look miles better. They may cost more as a one-off purchase but they probably end up cheaper in the long run as you re-buy and dispose of the cheaper Dacron.
“The exception to this is outdoor cushions — feathers will take a long time to dry if left out in the rain, so Dacron outside makes sense.”
And as for what others think of your cushion choices? “Cushions seem to be fair game for other people’s opinions. I’d say ignore them if you like what you have going on,” Tonascia says.
“Why is their taste more valid than yours? Most of us love our friends because of their eccentricities and different ways of doing things even if it isn’t what we would choose in our own place. So flaunt it.”
Swapping out cushions is one of the easiest ways to give a room a lift, says Bolt of Cloth owner Suzannah Tonascia. boltofcloth.com