I celebrated my 50th birthday in July and received a very special gift from a very special friend.
"The Beaded Pillow" My friend Susie worked on this pillow for two years before presenting it to me. She lives in Europe and called me while she was on a layover to Amsterdam. "Where did you put the pillow?" First I put it on the little French chair that once belonged another good friend, Stephanie.
Then I tried it on the white linen sofa. (Please ignore the unfinished walls, floors and the stack of windows and doors behind the sofa - story of my life) It really brightened up the room. Susie spent a few hundred hours working on this pillow, it is very intricate with hundreds and hundreds of beads. (Click on the photo below for detail) When she gave it to me - she said "Every time I worked on this pillow, I thought of you." She has a heart of gold - always giving - I feel blessed to have her as a friend.
Next - I tried it in the library. Certainly added life to my vintage leather club chairs. One of which used to reside in Susie's house. We were antiquing one day about 15 years ago and spotted these chairs. I dearly wanted them both - but it just wasn't in my budget. Susie said "You buy one and I'll buy the other." She didn't need the chair and it didn't really work with her decor - but she knew that they should not be split up. She held on to the chair for a few months and then said "This chair doesn't work at my house - you should have it." That had been her intention all along.
Even the back of the pillow is beautiful with a silk stripe and confetti trim.
Back on the sofa.................................
But the pillow really belongs on the little French chair. Susie is a world traveler, last week she was in Tunisia next week Thailand, this pillow has been more places than I have. She would take it with her and work on it during long flights and layovers. This delicate chair used to belong to Stephanie's Mother who lived in France. I treasure this petite chair. Jim is a tall drink of water at 6'3" and I can almost look him in the eye when I have heels on - so this pint sized chair doesn't get much use from the two of us. It is however, a perfect spot for the pillow. I wouldn't want to place the pillow where it would receive wear and tear. It is a true work of art and I will always cherish it - the pillow makes me smile every time I see it - and every time I look at that pillow - I think of Susie.
Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman
Then I tried it on the white linen sofa. (Please ignore the unfinished walls, floors and the stack of windows and doors behind the sofa - story of my life) It really brightened up the room. Susie spent a few hundred hours working on this pillow, it is very intricate with hundreds and hundreds of beads. (Click on the photo below for detail) When she gave it to me - she said "Every time I worked on this pillow, I thought of you." She has a heart of gold - always giving - I feel blessed to have her as a friend.
Next - I tried it in the library. Certainly added life to my vintage leather club chairs. One of which used to reside in Susie's house. We were antiquing one day about 15 years ago and spotted these chairs. I dearly wanted them both - but it just wasn't in my budget. Susie said "You buy one and I'll buy the other." She didn't need the chair and it didn't really work with her decor - but she knew that they should not be split up. She held on to the chair for a few months and then said "This chair doesn't work at my house - you should have it." That had been her intention all along. 
Even the back of the pillow is beautiful with a silk stripe and confetti trim.
Back on the sofa.................................
But the pillow really belongs on the little French chair. Susie is a world traveler, last week she was in Tunisia next week Thailand, this pillow has been more places than I have. She would take it with her and work on it during long flights and layovers. This delicate chair used to belong to Stephanie's Mother who lived in France. I treasure this petite chair. Jim is a tall drink of water at 6'3" and I can almost look him in the eye when I have heels on - so this pint sized chair doesn't get much use from the two of us. It is however, a perfect spot for the pillow. I wouldn't want to place the pillow where it would receive wear and tear. It is a true work of art and I will always cherish it - the pillow makes me smile every time I see it - and every time I look at that pillow - I think of Susie. 
Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman
Sotto Il Monte Vineyards
